Father's Day Brunch Recipe Ideas

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there!

Especially this year, that most of us might just stay at home, let's whip up something fun and delicious to show dad how special he is. So here are a few recipes that you might want to try, that I bet will win your dad's heart... and stomach too :)

Vegan Chocolate Donuts

Lick-your-finger delicious chocolate donuts with chocolate glaze

So good you wouldn't even guess they are vegan

This post is sponsored by Mori-Nu Silken Tofu in collaboration with Dent Agency. All opinions are mine alone

Say hello to my latest creation!  These chocolate donuts are simply irresistible and all you can ask for in a donut.

They are rich and soft, and covered in a sinfully delicious chocolate glaze. 
They are quick and laughably easy to make. It takes no more than 30 minutes from start to finish to whip them up.
They are baked - not fried. So, there's no guilt when eating one (or several) of these.
AND, best of all, they are VEGAN. No eggs, milk, or butter in here. But a secret ingredient... Any guess of what that might be?!? 

Peach Cookies

Peach-shaped, buttery and soft sandwich cookies filled with melted dark chocolate, infused in maraschino and rolled in sugar

These beautiful and impressive cookies will make you dream of summer and sunshine

I'm so excited to share this recipe with you today! 

These beautiful peach cookies might be one of the first things I've ever baked, or more like helped out baking, given that I was probably only a few years old.My next door neighbor used to make them all the time, and I was always welcomed over to help out. So fun... the mixing, rolling, eating the little scraps of cookies cut out from the bottom, licking the chocolate off the spoon, tasting the maraschino ...oops, did I just say that?!?Anyways, even 5-year-old Manuela thought that the best part of baking is savoring your creations, every step of the way. Before. Everyone. Else :) And here is my first bite ... Throw-your-head-back-and-close-your-eyes kind of good!

How to Make Bomboloni - Italian Cream-Stuffed Donuts

Say hello to my bomboloni: sinfully delicious Italian donuts filled with rich custard cream

I'm so excited to share this recipe with you today. Not only because it took me quite a while to get this recipe together, but mostly because I know that this recipe will have you itching to dash to your kitchen and try it right now!

At a first glance, these might look like your regular (read boring) cream filled donuts, but oh-nooooo. Today I present you these Italian bomboloni which are, as the name suggests, puffy little "bombs" made with a sweet and pillowy-soft dough, fried to perfection and filled with a delicate and rich custard cream.

Quinoa Salad with Grilled Salmon and Baby Spinach

Fresh, delicious, quick and easy to make: quinoa salad with grilled salmon, baby spinach and juicy oranges

This post is written in collaboration with Gorton's Seafood. All opinions are mine. Thank you for your support! #StickWithFish #Ad

Warm and sunny weather, I'm ready for you! 

Despite the fact that most of us are stuck at home right now, and every day feels like any other day, let's try to make this weekend special. So, even if you can't head to the beach or your favorite park, you can still jump off your sweatpants and slide into your bikini or favorite sundress. Dust off your beach blanket and spread it out in your backyard or terrace. I say, let's escape outside for some sunshine and a delicious lunch or dinner al fresco. 

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Kabobs

This post has been compensated by Inmar Intelligence and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyMazolaMarinade

Who's ready to fire up the grill and kick off this year grilling season with these scrumptious, tender and juicy chicken skewers, marinated in lemon, garlic and sage, wrapped in bacon and cooked to perfection?!? A clinical study showed Mazola®​ Corn Oil reduces cholesterol 2x more than extra virgin olive oil. To learn more about this claim, visit Mazola.com

I am so ready for summer! It's by far my favorite season.
And nothing smells like summer as the sizzling and enticing barbecue's aroma, with its smoky fragrance that makes your mouth water and your stomach growl with pleasure.
So here is a recipe for these summer-classic bacon-wrapped chicken kabobs to kick off this year grilling season.
This recipe is quite easy to pull together. But make sure to follow these few simple steps so you won't end up with a dry and tasteless meal.
One of the most important thing to keep your chicken juicy and tender is the marinade. In today's marinade I use MazolaⓇ Corn Oil mixed with lemon juice, fresh sage and lots of garlic of course.
Because I'll be grilling the chicken, it's recommended to use an oil with a high smoking points, like Mazola Corn Oil. Also, Mazola Corn Oil is a heart-healthy* cooking oil and creates marinades that make great-tasting food because it has a neutral taste that lets the natural flavor of your food stand out.

Recipe Ideas to Celebrate this Mother's Day

This weekend surprise your Mom with something as sweet as she is
Because she deserves it!

Happy Mother's Day weekend to all the Moms out there. May your day be filled with love and sweetness.
No matter how old you are, you should always find the time to show your mom how much you love her. With hugs and kisses and one of these handcrafted unforgettable desserts. Which one will you pick?!?

Italian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce - Polpette al Sugo

 Nothing like a plate full of scrumptious homemade Italian meatballs (polpette) to make your lunch or dinner special

You can never go wrong with a nice plate of meatballs. In Italy meatballs are generally served as a secondo piatto, with vegetables on the side and a slice or two of fresh bread to soak up all the sauce. 
There are several ways to make meatballs. Here is the most traditional and well-known. For this recipe you can use any type of ground meat that you refer. beef would be the traditional choice, but these are also great with ground veal or pork, or any combination of the three.

Three Layers Coconut Brownies

Let's take brownies to the next layer, with these fudgy and coco-nutty three layers brownies

Let's start the weekend with some baking!
How about these fudgy and moist brownies covered with an intensely rich and luscious coconut layer ?!? And wait, that's not all! Let's add one extra layer of chocolate ganache on top that is surely going to knock you right off your chair ... and have you dash to the kitchen looking for the cocoa powder and shredded coconut. AM I RIGHT?!?

Easter and Spring Recipe Collection

Easter is coming up this weekend.

In case you need some inspiration, here are some fun, and delicious recipes for you. 
From breakfast, to brunch and dessert, I hope one of these dishes will spark your holiday baking.
Make sure to check out my Easter Recipes Pinterest board. AND my YouTube Easter Playlist. You'll find these and lots more!  

I say, let's start with dessert. Of course. 

Here are some cute and creative ideas for you. Which one would you like to try first?!? 

Ricotta-Citrus Bundt Cake

Let's brighten up the day with a slice (or two) of this soft and delicate ricotta and citrus bundt cake

Ciao! I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy.
Here is an easy and sweet recipe for you, that I hope will brighten up your day as much as it did mine.
This bundt cake is made with delicate ricotta cheese which yields an extra moist and dense cake. It's flavored with a touch of lemon and orange zest and juice, for an extra citrusy flavor. And it's sprinkled with a little (or a lot!) of powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation... The eye needs is part too. Take a look!

The Complete Italian Cookbook - Essential Regional Cooking of Italy

 Here is my very first Cookbook!

I’m beyond excited to finally share this news with you. After a lot of hard work for the past several months, here it is: MY VERY FIRST COOKBOOK ❤️ 

The Complete Italian Cookbook: Essential Regional Cooking of Italy is all about the most popular (and my favorite) traditional recipes from various regions of Italy. It includes 110 recipes, for appetizers and drinks, risotto and pasta, pizza and bread, meat and fish, and of course, desserts.

It’s been a dream of mine since I started my blog to have a special place where I could store and share my recipes. And it’s finally ready and coming out on April 28!! You can pre-order it now here. 

Easy and Quick Crispy Fish Sandwich

Easy, simple and scrumptious lunch idea

This post is written in collaboration with Gorton's Seafood. All opinions are mine. Thank you for your support! #StickWithFish #Ad

Here is a quick and scrumptious lunch idea to make your Fish-Friday easy and fun. Especially in crazy times like right now, when everyone is staying at home and making 3 meals per day, it's good to have simple and wholesome alternatives that the whole family is going to love. 
And what's not to love about this sandwich?!? It has it all: the golden and crunchy fish fillets, the fresh and healthy veggies, and the perfectly grilled and crispy bun. What more could you ask for?!? 

Quick and Easy Pasta with Shredded Pork and Mushrooms Sauce

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SmithfieldMarinatedSolutions #CollectiveBias

This blog post was created prior to the Coronavirus outbreak and recent CDC social distancing recommendations. As many of us are spending more time at home, I hope this recipe inspires you to try something new and brings some joy. Stay safe!

Mouthwatering pappardelle pasta coated in fork-tender shredded  pork and flavorful mushrooms. Truly irresistible!

Are you looking for a quick and easy recipe to make any weeknight dinner special?!? Something that is fun, hearty and scrumptious?!? Something that will make everyone ask for seconds, AND it's ready in no more than 30 minutes without too much work?!? 

I've got just what you are looking for! 

Made-from-Scratch Orange Cake

How about a slice of this soft and moist orange cake to brighten up your day?!?

March and April are the peak months for the sweetest and juiciest oranges, at least around here in California. So let’s take advantage of the delicious things nature gives us, and whip up the most amazing orange cake you'll ever taste ... or so, I hope you agree once you try to make this recipe. A soft and moist cake with a sweet, slightly tangy, strong orange aroma.  Even more flavorful when drizzled with a delicious and fresh orange glaze.

Do you know how quick and easy is to bake this cake? You can whip this up in no more than an hour, and it's as easy as mixing a muffin batter. For this recipe I used cara cara navel oranges. With their red-pinkish flesh, sweeter and slightly tangier then regular navel,  cara caras are just perfect for this dessert. But you can decide which type of orange you like best (or what is available in your area), and make it as sweet or as tangy as you wish.

And if you are thinking what I'm thinking, don't even think about it! Haha! For this cake you have to use freshly-squeezed juice and freshly-grated zest. No store-bought juices or extracts. Sorry but there is no easy way around it. Grate and squeeze … I will come there and do it myself for you, if that's what it takes J

Moist and Flavorful Blueberry-Lemon Poundcake with Lemon Glaze

Rich, dense and moist pound cake bursting with sweet blueberries and drizzled with zesty lemon glaze

I know, I know. One more sweet recipe with blueberries.
You might be wondering, what's up with Manuela's obsession with berries?!
What can I say. Some things just can't be explained.
It might simply be my love for these healthy and delicious nature's wonder ... Or maybe it's the fact that they were on sale at my grocery store. And I just can't pass up a great deal!
While waiting in line at the check-out line, I was brainstorming about my next berry creation. I've posted recipes for blueberry muffins, blueberry crumble bars, blueberry and peach upside-down cake ... So how about a moist and flavorful blueberry pound cake?!? Oh yeah, look at this baby!

Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts

Light and fluffy, these lick-the-sugar-off-your-fingers-delicious baked donuts are ready in less than 30 minutes. Start to finish!

These baked cinnamon-sugar donuts are laughably easy and super quick to whip up - no more than 30 minutes from start to finish!  And the result?!? A fluffy and light, healthy(ish) dessert that will make your kitchen smell like heaven (...or churros - same thing!), and will make your fingers a sugary mess ...  perfectly lickable if you ask me!

Brioche Rolls with Custard Cream

Make it a breakfast to remember with one of these fragrant and soft brioche roll filled with custard cream 

Who is ready to roll?!? If you're anything like me, I'm always ready for a roll ... especially if we are talking about a pillowy soft brioche roll stuffed with velvety and rich custard cream in every layer.
Take a look!

Maybe because I got myself a new FANCY stand up mixer, that makes the job oh-so easy. Or maybe because I crave the drool-inducing aroma of this sweet and buttery, freshly-baked bread drifting from my oven. 
Not sure what the reason is, but I'm under a sweet-roll spell.  
I can't wait to bake some more.

Heart-Shaped Brownie Sandwiches with Strawberry Mousse

Celebrate this Valentine's Day with one of these heart-shaped, rich and fudgy brownie sandwiches filled with velvety strawberry mousse. 

Because we all need a little more love ... and chocolate!

Love is in the air! Can you feel it too?!?

I'm so excited to share this recipe with you today. Cause, it's the perfect Valentine's day recipe idea and the best excuse to bake (and eat!) a delicious chocolate dessert. After all, nothing says love like chocolate. Especially when it comes in an heart-shaped, fudgy, dense and most dangerous brownie, with a pink and smooth strawberry mousse sandwiched in the middle.

Butter-Free Blueberry Mini Muffins

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MazolaHeartHealth #CollectiveBias

Did you know that February is Heart Health Month?!? Just in time to celebrate this occasion, I present you with these moist and perfectly sweet, butter-free blueberry mini muffins. Yes, you heard correctly: to make them healthier, in this recipe I replaced the butter with Mazola® Corn Oil. A clinical study showed Mazola Corn oil reduces cholesterol 2x more than extra virgin olive oil. To learn more about this claim visit Mazola.com.

Mazola Corn Oil is an all-purpose, cholesterol free cooking oil that is a smart heart-healthy* choice for the family. *See Mazola.com for more information on the relationship between corn oil and heart health. It has a variety of uses include baking, grilling, sautéing, stir frying, or mixing up a marinade or dressing.

... And not just holding up my muffin tower ;)