It's a boy!!!!

6 months. About 3 months to go!!

Anelletti al forno

This is a delicious dish that is a Sicilian tradition. My mom made it last night and it was wonderful. Anello is the Italian word for ring, and this pasta is shaped in little rings.  It's almost like a lasagna, baked in the oven with ground meat, peas, red sauce, and layers of cheese! This dish is one of those traditional dishes that I'll have to pass on to future generations. Let's just say that when I go to my mom's, my WW kind of goes out the window. I have been really craving food and been off track, but tomorrow is a new day! Make it sometime if you can find the pasta in the store. Our family usually buys it in Chicago!
Buon appetito.

Brownie muffins from hungry girl

Marvelous brownie muffins for only 5 pts. It's very simple. Mix one box of devils food cake with a can of pumpkin. Do not add any of the other ingredIents. Mix well, batter will be thick. Evenly distribute batter into a cupcake pan. Makes 12 cupcakes. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minute or until tooth comes out clean when inserted. Enjoy.

Turkey Sausage with peppers and onions

Yummy! Nick and I had this for dinner tonight and it's satisfying and filling for just 5 pts. I promised you the recipe! Here it is :)

Ingredients
5 turkey sausage links (used honeysuckle white from Kroger)
2 green peppers (could use red/yellow)
1/2 large onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cans diced tomatoes.
1 tsp olive oil
Fresh basil (chopped)
Salt, pepper, oregano to taste

Spray some cooking spray and brown sausage. Set aside. Meanwhile, warm oil in a deeper pan, sautee onions for about 3 min. Mince and add garlic. Stirring as not to burn the garlic. Add peppers. Let simmer, stirring for 6-7 minutes. Add 2 cans of diced tomatoes with a cup of water. Add salt, pepper, oregano, and fresh basil. Add sausage, cover and bring to boil then let simmer on low covered for 20 minutes or until peppers soften and meat is cooked through.

One serving: 1 piece of sausage with a cup of vegetables. You can place in french bread/hoagie type bread, but it will change the point plus value.

Sausage---Go lighter!

All this talk about sausage got me craving some for dinner. I was at the grocery store and picked up some sweet turkey sausage. It's great being from a great family who cooks great food, but it's hard to keep your weight in check. I've been overweight for most of my life, so I joined Weight Watchers late September and have been able to lose about 14 lbs. The holidays were tough, but I'm trying to get back on track and be as strict as I used to. So, tomorrow night is turkey sausage with peppers. I'll probably skip the bread it sits in to save calories, but it tastes as delicious. I've made it before and it's fairly simple! WW+ pts 5
I can post the recipe and pic tomorrow :)

Buon Compleano James! Tanti Bacioni!

My sister Vivian and James opening presents!

My brother Salvatore!

Viv and Russell (Mom & Dad)

Aunt Mina, Papa Tony, Uncle Sal, Mia Pat (James' Nonna)

Papa Tony, Nonna Virginia, Nonna Maria

Zio Ryder, Nona Ellen, Papa Paige, Nana Annette, Papa Jack

Zia Rachele and Uncle Nick and the boys

Yesterday, we had a family party for my nephew's 2nd birthday! We had a great time.  So, my Nonna Virginia is the ultimate chef in our family. She has the Midas touch in the kitchen, all turns to gold. Especially her Italian cookies, which have been baked for every shower and wedding. She unveiled her delicious pasticiotti, which are essentially little ricotta creamed filled cookies. That description does not do it justice. They'll be more to come on these pastries in the future. 


Anyway, so we're talking last night and since we all had a big lunch we usually don't eat dinner; however, if you put food in front of us we'll eat it.  My mom takes out the sausage my uncle Santo made for us from scratch in Chicago  (where we all hail from originally).  I called all the guys up from the basement who were watching the football game, and it only took them seconds.  It was soooooo good! I believe that if you're a true Italian then you've either had homemade dried sausage or you've have made it yourself! 


Here's a pic of the Salsiccia! I want to make it from scratch one day as well! 

Celentano - Confessa

Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad (Insalata Caprese)

I absolutely love food! If I could eat my favorites all the time, I certainly would. So, what could be much better than fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes, and of course olive oil? Ummm...nothing.  Delizioso! It doesn't get much better than this healthy flavorful antipasto. 


The background page of my blog is tomatoes! Pomodori freschi! Let me tell you, I'm obsessed. My parents and grandparents both have always had a garden. I would pick them and bite into them like apples! Still do. Obviously, they're a huge staple in Italian cuisine. If you don't like them, you are missing out.


This dish is simply perfect. Always a favorite at family and holiday dinners. Spice it up a little by adding some prosciutto! You won't be disappointed.


Ciao ciao.

Altavilla, one of the great views from the small town in Sicily where my parents were born.

So, I decided to start a blog. Well, more like a place where I can share my thoughts, journal, and post about things I like. Did I marry the Italian? Nope. He married me! I'm first generation Sicilian and always had a desire to share the experience of being an Italian American. My husband is a saint for marrying into our crazy Italian family- I don't think he even knew what he was in for. I want to record/share memories of my grandparents and hopefully keep some of the traditions alive as the generations go on! Let's just say there is excitement every time we get together. Centered around food, always! I wouldn't trade it for the world! 


This wouldn't be the only thing the blog is about because I love many other things. God, coffee, traveling, music, eating, baking, work, our dog Henry, and starting our family. 


Talk to you soon!
Maria