Zeppole - Ricotta Donuts

Zeppole are one of those much loved traditional sweets that seems to have as many variations as there are Italian nonnas. You'll find the arguments begin in how the dough should be made - there are versions that use a choux type batter,  others that use yeast or baking powder, some add ricotta for lightness - and once you've made the batter, do you leave it plain, add candied fruits or fill the cooked zeppole with crema pasticcera?

I've previously made the "choux" type called Sfinci so this time I'm making the ricotta based version. There is one thing that every version agrees on - that you toss them liberally in icing sugar. Well, I've decided to take a different approach and used powdered raspberries instead.

Choc-nilla-berry Martini

In the battle of Febfast v Feboozary, my Blog Party tipple falls in the Feboozary camp.

If you're thinking Valentines and sweets, then it's hard to go past chocolate and berries - so I've designed this cocktail to reflect that. I've used Raspberry Vodka and White Creme de Cacao with Vanilla Vodka to round out the flavour.

The powdered raspberries have returned and this time I'm using them to edge the glass, much like you'd use salt with a margarita.



Choc-nilla-berry Martini
{Makes One}

1 part Raspberry Vodka
1 part Vanilla Vodka
1 part White Creme de Cacao
ice
raspberry powder, for decoration

Prepare the glass:

Moisten the rim of a martini glass with lemon juice and then dunk into the raspberry powder - gently twisting the glass to form the crusted edge.

Make the martini:

Generously fill a tall glass with ice.

Pour in the vodkas and the creme de cocoa - using a long spoon, stir well.

Carefully strain into the prepared glass and serve.

Blog Party #44

It's been a while since Stephanie last hosted a blog party and they have always been a ton of fun so when she recently announced a new edition I knew this would be something I'd have to be a part of.

You can read up on the history of Blog Party here but the premise is that you bring along a little bite sized something to eat and something to drink that fits in with the theme of that month. For this edition, the theme has a Valentines day nuance - sweet tooth.

My offerings are:



Zeppole (Ricotta Donuts) and a Choc-Nilla-Berry Martini.

Weekend Herb Blogging #319 Hosting

This week Chris from Mele Cotte will be hosting this edition of Weekend Herb Blogging.

If you haven't taken part or it's been a while since you last joined in, here's a quick summary of the rules.

You have the week to post about any herb, fruit, vegetable, nut, seed, flower or plant. Your post can be informative - spotlight a particular ingredient and/or include a recipe where your chosen ingredient is one of the primary ingredients in the recipe.

Complete information can be found here.

You can post any time during the week but remember to send your email by the following cut-off times:

• 3pm Sunday - Utah Time
• 10pm Sunday - London Time
• 11pm Sunday - Rome Time
• 8am Monday - Melbourne (Aus) DS Time

Send your entries to melecotte AT gmail DOT com with WHB#319 in the subject line and the following:

• Your Name
• Your Blog Name/URL
• Your Post URL
• Your Location
• A photo: 600px wide

Remember you can also keep up with the Italian version of Weekend Herb Blogging - hosted by Graziana from Erbe in Cucina (Cooking with Herbs).

Cheese Stuffed Padron Peppers

Cinzia from Cindystar is hosting this edition of Weekend Herb Blogging and this week I have Padrón Peppers.