Happy New Year! Buon Anno!

Surprisingly today the weather was almost spring-like, if it hadn't been for the chilly wind it would have been like summer, that's how strong the sun was. Considering the wind we've had these days I didn't want to take any chances so I wore my wind jackets, hood and all. The red one belongs to my daughter but she doesn't like it so I took it. 

Happy New Year to you all!  Buon Anno a tutti, tanti auguri!

We are having a wind wave

These past few days the wind has been blowing like there's no tomorrow! It's so strong that even the garbage cans are flying away. I was going shopping with my trolley and when I let it go for a second, it just started rolling down the block and into the street, I had to run after it to get it back. The wind at times was as strong as 67 kms per hour! 

During the Black Friday sale (yes it has taken hold in Sicily too), I got this pretty little pink jacket with a hood, perfect to wear on these windy days. It's from Jennyfer fashion Actually it's my daughter who bought this jacket, for herself, I just ...borrowed it. 

The jacket is light but very warm, and it is padded inside. It has two pockets which you can button. 

Torta di Biscotti... Sicilian cookie cake

This is a very simple cake to make, and it requires just a few ingredients:  rectangular  cookies (or biscuits as they say in the UK) such as Petit Beurre, coffee, chocolate pudding and vanilla pudding, preferably homemade, and some hundreds and thousands for decoration.

Dip the cookies in coffee, then place them on a dish. Spread the chocolate pudding over them, then add more cookies and spread with vanilla pudding. Continue alternatively until you finish the cookies. Sprinkle the hundreds and thousands on top of the last layer.

An Italian Christmas icon: the PANETTONE

The classic Italian Christmas cake is the Panettone. It is not so easy to make at home, but with a bit of patience and determination, I finally managed to create a Panettone that can compete with the standard Motta or Alemagna sold in shops at Christmas time.  

I got the recipe from Ricette della Nonna and I will now share with you the whole procedure. 

Mix 10 grams of yeast,  75 grams of flour and a little warm milk into a ball and let it rise for 30 minutes. 

When it has risen, add 250 g. flour, 2 eggs, 2 grams of yeast. Mix well, then add 100 grams of sugar. Mix again, then add 60 g. of soft butter. 

After about 2-3 hours it should look like this 

Now put it in the mixer and add 2 whole eggs, and 3 egg yolks, together with about 250 grams of flour. Mix well, then add 100 grams of sugar, mix again then add 100 grams of butter. Finally add 150 grams of raisins and about 100 grams candied peel, a teaspoon of grated lemon rind and a pinch of vanilla.  Let it rise for 2 or 3 more hours.

It should then look like this. 

Now place it in the paper container and let it rise again for 2 or 3 hours. 

When it has risen well, bake it at 200° C for 5 minutes, make a cross on top, add a tablespoon of butter and cook for 10 more minutes. Then lower the temperature to 180°C and cook for 45 minutes. 

A classic Italian breakfast....cappuccino and panettone!

Cafè Vultaggio in Fulgatore, Sicily

If you come to North-Western Sicily you must stop at this cafè, they have the most delicious Sicilian sweets and humongous cannoli. Bar Vultaggio is located in the town of Fulgatore.

Thanksgiving sales in Sicily

Guess what? Black Friday is popular in Sicily too. Not only Black Friday but Black Days, Black Week and  Black Month!!! With all these sales it was impossible to resist shopping. Prices were as much as 50% off so there were plenty of good deals. Here are some items I got : a cap, a neckwarmer and a scarf... all things needed for the cold weather. All from a cute little shop which recently opened  in town, Capricci tp.

At Cafè-Cucina Fronte Villa

At Tiffany's Bar

At Bar della Rotonda