"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

A quote from The Godfather, (Peter Clemenza) but also good advice :)

Chocolate Cannoli

Pizza

"Pizza is a lot like sex. When it's good, it's really good. When it's bad, it's still pretty good." - Unknown.

Pizza

Whether you agree with that quote or not, these still came out delicious. I made these for a Sunday pranzo con la mia famiglia.

Pizza topped with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, portabella mushrooms prosciutto & sliced Italian sausages.

Beer Pong

Beer pong Cake for Nick Church's Birthday.

Marble Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookie Center

Jello Shooters on top.

Dixie cups painted red, like party cups.

Froggy Cupcakes

"When you look at a cupcake, you've got to smile." Anne Byrn

Butter cake cupcakes

Gum drop & white chocolate chips eyes.

3.14

“When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmmm, boy.” - Jack Handy

Pies

Banana Creme, Chocolate Cream, Heath Bar Pie & Lemon Meringue.

I tried to make meringue several times and kept messing it up. It is very particular. I think I must have walked into the living room demanding people check it's taste and consistency 100 times. Finally I got it right, then burnt it because I was busy texting. Fail. But in the end it came out good. I'll try again around holiday time.

Mandarin Orange Cake & Lemon Bar Cheesecake

Lemon Bar Cheesecake

Classic Lemon Bar's underneath a layer of cheesecake.

Mandarin Orange Cake

For this, I made a light French Vanilla cake.

I used Orange flavored Jello

Fresh whipped cream & mandarin orange slices.

I got this cake recipe from my amazing Aunt Cindy!

Oreo Cupcakes

I don't really like Oreos, and I am not really into chocolate cupcakes, but I made these and I was told they were good :)

You have to make chocolate cupcakes

then make cookies & cream frosting, then 1/2 an Oreo on top.

Pick me up

White Chocolate Strawberry Tiramisù

Tiramisù is a traditional Italian favorite. The translation for Tiramisù means to "Pick me up" or "Pull me up". This is because of the sugar and espresso in the original recipe, however this version, is liquor free, as well as espresso free, but will still give anyone who enjoys it a pick me up :)

It's ideal of course to always use fresh ingredients and to prepare all you can yourself.

Instead of espresso or rum I substituted with orange juice, this is more of a citrus version because of the fresh orange juice and strawberries

I had to experiment with it several times to get it right. Before I got it down we tried, tirami-suck, fail-misu and plain old eff it. But FINALLY I got it right, and now I have another original recipe to add to my collection :)

Introductions.

"Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all." - Harriet Van Horne

Some of my fondest memories as a child are the ones watching my grandmother Anna Maria, a native of Roma, cooking for our large Italian family. She would have me act as her assistant, and talk me through how things were done...

For me, cooking and baking has become an outlet. When something has not turned out the way you hoped, cookies will. When I am stressed out or stuck on a problem, I can work on the solution while making a cake. If I am so caught up I can immediately become distracted by concentrating not on what's grieving me, but on a new recipe. If there is a celebration in order, I like to make something for the occasion, and have fun with it. Cooking is also a family tradition, my grandmother on my mother's side spent several years as a professional chef and caterer. I love cooking for my family, and above all, trying to recreate traditional classics that both grandmothers have mastered. Once somethings complete, I share it with family and friends and let them enjoy it.

So...whether you like to cook, or like to eat, or both. I hope you enjoy.

Buon Appetito!