Photo by Gepiblu
When cooking gourmet gifts for Christmas, why not try the wonderful Sicilian traditional “Croccante” or Nut Crunch. It is very similar to a French praline except pralines are sweeter. Croccante is made with carmelized sugar and nuts – most often almonds. If you are not fond of almonds, try hazelnuts or whatever you like!
photo credit: Mark and Allegra
Well here it is December already! Are you thinking of making some Italian food gifts for the holidays? Why not consider the lovely, fruity Panettone – Italian Christmas Bread. Tradition has it that if you sip a bit of sparkling wine while having a piece of Panettone, you will be assured good health and good luck throughout the year. Panettone can be eaten alone, or served with marscapone cheese, jams or butters.
photo credit: cursedthing
If you are looking to add some Italian cookies to your lineup this Christmas, why not try these heavenly Rocotta cheese cookies. Did you know that ricotta is not really a true cheese? It is actually a by-product of the cheese making process. The watery leftover liquid from the making of another cheese is called the whey. Ricotta actually means “cooked again”. When the whey is recooked, the final product is ricotta cheese. Italian ricotta is made from the milk of many different animals, but the American version is almost always made from the milk of a cow. Italian versions tend to have a nutty, sweet flavor and are more dry than American ricottas. In Italy, you can also purchase a salty or a smoky version, as well.
