February 09, 2015

Guacamole

February 09, 2015/ Rafaella Sargi

I always loved guacamole and tried many recipes before coming up with my own, where I find the proportions balanced and sunny. This recipe lets the avocado shine with bright notes of lemon and lime, cilantro, scallions and a hint of garlic.

My favorite guacamole version is spicy and includes some finely chopped jalapeño but I usually prepare this creamy recipe without any added heat so the kids can enjoy it too!

It is of course a crowd pleasing appetizer, but I also use it as a condiment to grilled meats and as a spread for some yummy tostadas and sandwiches…

February 03, 2015

Chocolate Mousse

February 03, 2015/ Rafaella Sargi

I should make this dessert more often! It is a classical Chocolate Mousse with great texture, a nice body and delicious aromas. The subtle notes of liqueur add a nice touch to this lovely chocolaty dessert.
I play with different liqueurs and depending on the guests and the rest of the party menu, I add Grand Marnier, Frangelico or even some coffee liqueur!

January 30, 2015

Brownies

January 30, 2015/ Rafaella Sargi

Confidence moment: I’m not a huge brownie lover girl. Actually, I don’t like brownies at all. But those divine chocolate bites are simply incredible. They are worth the cooking time and every calorie they contain!
This recipe is based on Ina Garten’s Outrageous Brownies and has always had a tremendous success. The different reactions are interesting, they vary in style but never lack intensity: sexy looks, loving comments, marriage proposals (3 and counting!), pleasure gasps and even poems from my father-in-law… Yes! This is what those brownies do. Give the recipe a try!

January 18, 2015

Hazelnut Cookies with Nutella Filling

January 18, 2015/ Rafaella Sargi

Hazelnut Cookies with Nutella filling: Yes, please! During the holiday season members of our family were visiting and they had a big list of edible requests! The mixed berry tart was one of them. Since I discovered the hazelnut crust recipe, it has been my “go-to-pie-crust” for the fruit tarts. It is absolutely delicious and have great reviews from my “oh so hard to please” judging panel. The amount of dough in the original recipe is enough to make two fruit tarts, but time was not on my side. I made one tart and had leftover dough that I didn’t want to throw away. I converted it into cookies, Nutella cookies to be precise. It was perfect! After posting the picture on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter I had to adapt the original recipe answering your insisting demands and messages asking me to share the recipe.

January 16, 2015

Smoked Salmon Cups

January 16, 2015/ Rafaella Sargi

Those Smoked Salmon cups are one of the cutest and best appetizers I have ever made. They are delicious, gorgeous looking and present well: Cute cups of pure deliciousness. Their only problem is being dangerously easy to eat. 24 cups are barely enough for 2 persons. You have been warned; multiply the quantities accordingly! :))

They are easy to prepare. You can make the horseradish dressing a day in advance and bake the cups up to two days in advance and keep them in an air tight container until ready to use.

Kitchen