PIGNOLI COOKIES

I’ve been wanting to make these cookies for so long. I always buy a few when I go to the Italian bakeries out here.

These Pignoli cookies are made with pure Almond paste, that are rolled in pine nuts and baked until golden brown.

The cookies were very easy to make, the hard part was locating the Almond paste. I actually went to several stores before I found it, but that was probably because its holiday baking time. Anyway, this is not to be confused with Marzipan, that’s not what you want to use. Also, There’s a brand called Solo, which makes Almond filling, don’t use that either! You just need straight up Almond paste! but and you won’t believe how much this little can cost… can you believe, 8.99!!! I thought that was quite expensive!

But after looking on the Internet I found out you can make your own Almond paste real easy at home, so next time I might try that if I get adventurous.

This is what it looked like out of the can, it’s really thick and has to be broken up in the food processor. This is a very good brand though, and as soon as you take the lid off the can the smell of Amaretto fills the air!! I found out there’s another good brand out there and it’s called Odense, which comes in a tube. Just remember… Marzipan and Almond paste are two different things, and Almond filling is not what you want either.

These actually turned out Soooo good! but now I really have a new found appreciation as to why the bakeries charge so much for these little gems. Between the pine nuts and the Almond paste!$$$$$!! But with that being said, they’re very “special”cookies, and I’d definately make them again!

HERES THE RECIPE:

1 (10 oz) can of Almond paste

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup of powdered sugar

1/4 cup of flour

3 egg whites, lightly beaten

At least 10 0z of pine nuts in a bowl to roll them in before you bake them.

Continue using the food processor after breaking up the Almond paste into small pieces.Pulse the sugar and the flour, add egg whites till dough comes together.

Scoop out a small piece of dough, and roll in pine nuts till covered, and place 2″ apart on cookie sheet. Bake 300 degrees about 32 min. Freeze them if you’re not going to use them right away, then take out as needed.

Happy Baking!!!

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PENNE W/ PROSCIUTTO AND SPINACH

This is a rustic and hearty meal that is perfect on a cold winter night!! Everything can be combined ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.

First, start out by making a thick and smooth besciamella sauce, by whisking some butter, flour,milk, salt and pepper. ( nutmeg optional)

Next, toss in 1lb. of al dente pasta with the warm besciamella sauce in a large bowl, stir in a 10 oz. of frozen chopped spinach which has been thawed and squeezed dry. Fold in 1/2 lb. of diced prosciutto, 1 cup of grated Parm, salt and pepper to taste.

Finally, pour everything into a roasting pan, dot with butter, sprinkle with more cheese, and bake at 450 for about 30 min’s or until golden and a little crunchy!!

Buon Appetito!!

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NOT YOUR MAMA’S CHICKEN SOUP!!!


Sometimes I just don’t have the time to slow cook a chicken for some great homemade soup. But yet when it’s cold outside that’s exactly what I want! We just had 6″ of snow drop on us with more to follow this weekend.
Yaay some may say…not me! The older I get the less I like winter, but I guess I better grin and bare it because it’s only the beginning!So with that being said, here’s my quickie roasted chicken noodle soup.

Warm and comforting  just like you simmered it for hours, but in reality, it only it took 20 min’s.

The key ingredient is this roasted chicken, that I threw in the oven along with something else I was making the other day, you know, like 2 meals in one! Seasoned with lots of thyme, salt and pepper and olive oil. Actually, it’s the seasonings that makes the soup tastes so good. Now if you don’t have the time to roast some chicken, buy a rotisserie chicken at your favorite grocery store, it works just as well.

Then I simply just shred all the chicken up and stick it in my fridge until I’m ready to make the soup.

Take out your favorite soup pot and add a little olive oil in there. Next sauté 3 cloves of garlic, 3 or 4 diced carrots, 3 or 4 stalks of celery and 1 large onion, sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper.

Add in some great boxed, organic, low sodium chicken broth like the one from Trader Joes, or Costco( or any of your favorites) and a sprinkling of fresh parsley. I used. almost 2 quarts.

In addition to that I always throw in a couple of Parmesan rinds that I always keep on hand in my freezer, it takes the broth to another level, then just toss in your shredded chicken.

I always cook my egg noodles or pasta on the side and add them into the bowl as needed, otherwise they tend to blow up from sitting in the hot broth too long.

And of course, you must top it off your steaming hot bowl of soup with some freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Another quick meal for this busy time of year!!

Buon Appetito!

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