TIRAMISU DIP FOR ITALIAN DINNER DESSERT

Hello Kindred Spirits....
we are preparing for a family visit 
and my menu planning is underway...
I am planning on a delicious Pomodoro sauce
which is simple tomato sauce that tastes
super fresh and flavorful....
I like to add red pepper flakes and fresh basil.... 
but in today's post...we are going to start with dessert....

A quick and easy Tiramisu Dip

TIRAMISU DIP
16 OUNCES Mascarpone Cheese, Softened
2 T. confectioners sugar
1 T. cocoa powder
2 T. instant espresso powder
1 pint whipping cream
3 T. confectioners sugar
1 t. vanilla

In a bowl, beat the softened mascarpone cheese, 2 T. confectioners sugar,
cocoa and espresso powder until smooth.
Whip the cream with confectioners sugar and vanilla until stiff
peaks form.
Fold most all the whipped cream, reserving some for topping,
with the cheese mixture.
Divide the tiramisu dip into small bowls or glasses and top each
with a dollop of whipped cream dusted with cocoa powder.
Serve with Lady Fingers and Vanilla Wafers

This is so creamy and billowy...a small bite of heaven....

The Divine Miss M and our Luke the Duke
will be coming for a visit in April and the purpose of this special
dinner, was a practice run to test out my recipes for hosting
a family Italian Dinner night....
we will end with the Tiramisu Dip......
but oh honey.....we will begin with
my homemade spaghetti and meatballs over
Buccatini.....



Homemade meatballs..
made with beef and pork, fresh Italian Parsley
and lots of garlic.....soooo good....

The aroma of a simmering Pomodoro sauce will bring
everyone to the dinner table....

Serve family style in one large bowl at the table
which makes for a beautiful presentation!

A lovely, yet simple, light and fresh dinner salad

Spaghetti alla Napoletana

We have loved and enjoyed family dinners for many years..
time flies by and how blessed we are to make memories of
time spent together...I love to make these special times....well...memorable.....

IT'S ITALIAN DINNER TONIGHT AT ESTELLE'S

Hello Loves....
how in the world are y'all doing today?
I don't know about you, but I love
finding delicious recipes, that have few ingredients
and are worthy of serving to the Queen herself!!!
Most everyone loves Italian cuisine and I have
added two recipes to my collection that
you will definitely want to try!
With today's high grocery prices,
these are easy on the budget!

...welcome back to Estelle's!
I have got two fabulous recipes to share with you today...
if you are like me, you could eat pasta everyday.....and this
recipe is so easy to prepare with few ingredients....
I chose to use Angel Hair pasta in this recipe and it was just about perfect.....

You can use chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe...
I prefer using chicken thighs in most recipes because
they are most always tender and flavorful.....

Recipe link is provided below

Oh that glorious dollop of Ricotta and Marinara sauce....divine....

LASAGNA CHICKEN BAKE

ITALIAN RICOTTA CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE

This cake is company worthy....
it can be served for breakfast, a snack or a light dessert.....

Recipe link is provided here

ITALIAN CHOCOLATE CHIP RICOTTA CAKE

ITALIAN SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP and CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Good Morning Loves....
we are midway through the holiday season....
Thanksgiving was just delightful and we are
probably excited for Christmas day.....
I have a fabulous recipe for you today
and a fun baking idea you will want to try
with your grandchildren!



I did manage to capture this tiny bit of Autumn beauty
this morning...the sun was shining brightly
and our neighbors trees were just vibrant ...
we do not have a lot of foliage color, so this was rather special!

While we entertained Miss M and her family,
I tried this delicious soup recipe and just 
had to share it with y'all....it was two thumbs up 
from everyone....if I find a five star recipe,
you can count on me bringing it to you!

With cold, sometimes rainy weather days ahead,
this will warm you heart and your tummy!

ITALIAN SAUSAGE TORTELLINI SOUP

1-pound Italian sausage hot, mild or sweet

1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

1 (32 ounce) container chicken broth 4 cups

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

1 bay leaf

1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini

1 (5 ounce) package fresh baby spinach

¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese optional garnish

 

Cook sausage and onions in a 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium high heat, crumbling sausage with a wooden spoon while it is cooking. Cook until sausage is browned, no longer pink and fully cooked.

Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds), stirring constantly.

Drain off excess fat.

Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juices, Italian seasoning, black pepper and bay leaf. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.

Add tortellini and return to a boil. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until tortellini is almost tender, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat to medium low and add spinach. Stir to combine. Cook an additional 2 minutes, or until spinach is wilted and tortellini is tender.

Remove and discard bay leaf.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese when serving, if desired.

I wanted to share some time with our Luke the Duke
and decided we would do an easy Christmas Cookie Bake....
it's not easy enticing a teen boy to come into the kitchen
and spend a few hours with his Grandma...but we had fun together 
for this particular afternoon.....

His part was simply placing the cookie dough evenly on the baking sheet.....

I actually placed the cookie doughs on top of each other
and they were delicious.....
if you are trying to think of a teen holiday activity...this was a winner!

Y'all enjoy!

ITALIAN RECIPES YOU WILL WANT TO MAKE!

Hi everyone!
Today, I want to share two fabulous recipes
I made recently that proved to be family favorites!!
So many people share treasured family recipes
on various social media sites and it is a terrific
way to connect all of us who share a love of
cooking and baking!
I know you will love both of these Italian dishes!

When you run out of ideas as to what to serve
for supper, Allrecipes is a great resource
for trying out new recipes!

This delicious Spaghetti Sauce recipe came from
"Hank's Mom".....Hank stated this recipe
was handed down from his Mother...it was
a family favorite and will never be replaced.
A definite husband pleaser!

SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH GROUND BEEF

This Italian Cream Cheese Ricotta Cheesecake is from
April Caudle. April states, "This is my grandmother's
cheesecake recipe passed down to their entire family.
It is THE BEST! It is creamy and thick....she
couldn't believe she was even sharing as it is
such a treasure to their family....a secret so to speak.....

I made a fresh blueberry sauce for ours.....

ITALIAN CREAM CHEESE AND RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

I hope y'all enjoyed this post....
see ya' next time!

 

BAKED ZITI.......ANOTHER DELICIOUS WINTER RECIPE

Good Morning Lovies!
Oh I am thrilled you stopped by the blog today...
Winter is the perfect time for comfort food
and this recipe puts together the very best aspects of 
an Italian classic, Baked Ziti.....pasta, sauce and cheese..all the best
of a hearty casserole!

Baked Ziti

1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 lb ziti pasta
4 T. butter
2 large eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

1 cup Ricotta Cheese
2 T. parsley
1 t. sweet basil

1 lb. Italian Sausage
1/2 onion, diced
14 ounce can diced tomatoes
2 cups Marinara Pasta Sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook pasta in boiling salted water, just about 7 minutes.
Toss ziti with butter, add eggs and Parmesan.
Place pasta in baking dish.
Combine ricotta cheese, and herbs. Spread mixture over pasta.
Brown sausage and onion, Add tomatoes and pasta sauce.
Simmer for about 10 minutes.
Spread over Ricotta cheese mixture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes. Top with Mozzarella and
bake an additional 5 minutes.

ITALIAN DINNER NIGHT and it's....ALL VEGETARIAN

 

Isn't it fun to make Friday night a bit special....
it's always lovely to spend the evening dining out
out at a beautiful restaurant, but it's also just as enjoyable
to spend the evening at home and cook a romantic dinner
with the one you love.......

This beautiful Tuscan Copper serving tray is from Amazon.

Italian food always seems a bit romantic and festive to me...
so tonight we are trying out three new recipes to us....
an appetizer, the main course and of course a sweet ending!

Let's begin with our Appetizer....
I chose these particular appetizer and the main course
as I could use some of the same ingredients....

Artichoke Patties

 1 jar artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2grated cheese (I used Pecorino Romano)
Pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ t. onion powder
Fresh mozzarella
 Bowl of panko or seasoned Italian breadcrumbs

 Chopped artichoke hearts and add to bowl. Whisk one egg and add to bowl with all other ingredients except mozzarella and breadcrumbs. Mix all together. Add more bread crumb if needed. Scoop mixture using an spoon. Add a piece of fresh mozzarella and form into a ball. Roll and then flatten it and add into breadcrumbs. Fry patties in olive oil and a tablespoon of butter until golden brown. Remove, pat with paper towel and dip into favorite Marinara sauce.

These were a hit!!!

I love Italian recipes....
basically your favorite marinara, Italian cheeses and herbs...
and whichever pasta you prefer!

ESTELLE'S EGGPLANT LASAGNA
1 jar of Marinara
1/2 box of lasagna pasta
1/2 eggplant, peeled and sliced in rounds
Olive Oil

Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and
Italian seasoning
Fresh sliced MOZZARELLA
Fresh shredded ROMANO 
Béchamel Sauce

Slice the eggplant in 1/8 inch slices, season with
salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
Place on baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and
bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

While eggplant is in the oven, prepare the Béchamel.

In a saucepan, melt 2 T. BUTTER,
Add 2 T. FLOUR and blend well.
Pour in 1 1/4 CUP MILK.
Add salt and pepper to taste and allow
sauce to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly
until thickened.

Boil lasagna noodles until slightly softened.

Now it's time to  build your lasagna...

In a oiled prepared baking dish,
begin with a layer of Béchamel...
then a spoonful of Marinara sauce...
sprinkle Italian seasoning....
a few slices of eggplant...
then slices of Mozzarella....topped with 
shredded Romano cheese....
repeat layers until all is used.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
Allow to rest about 15 minutes before serving.

This is so very delicious........serve with a fresh salad
and hot French bread!

I have pared down the portions in these ingredients...
if you are serving more than four people, double the recipe.

~ESTELLE'S SWEET ENDING~

Although, Angel Food Cake is not really considered Italian cuisine,
it is very light and low in fat calories after
a main course of pasta.....and it's what we hand on hand......

Confetti Angel Food Cake

How easy is this for serving a beautiful dessert...
a box mix and water....

Served with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream.....
and frozen blueberries....scrumptious!!!

I believe that even the "meat lovers"  in your life will
enjoy these recipes....

WINTER BAKING....WINNING RECIPES FROM SAVORY TO SWEET

I really miss going out to dinner!
We have not been out to a restaurant in over a year now
as we simply do not feel it's worth the risk...
perhaps toward summer things will have improved
and we can dine outdoors safely!

I now know quite a few people who have come down
with Covid so for the time being, we feel it's best to remain cautious.....

While the winter season gives us time to rest and reflect within
our homes, planning meals and intimate gatherings
for those we love can still add so much happiness to our lives.

 

Estelle's has always been founded on bringing you
delicious, easy recipes which will provide some
inspiration for those who share my love of creating
and cooking homemade meals for your family!

It's a pure joy to choose specific cookbooks from my collection
and select different recipes to try throughout the month.....
there is no better cuisine than SOUTHERN......

no surprise being born and raised in Mississippi!

Here's what was on the menu in late January
which made my best of the best list!

SPINACH STUFFED SHELLS

filling:

2 lbs. spinach
22 oz. ricotta
1 cup mozzarella
3/4 cup Parmesan
1 egg
salt
pepper
several teaspoons nutmeg
several teaspoons Italian seasoning

Topping:
26 oz. tomato sauce
1 cup mozzarella

24 jumbo pasta shells

1 15-oz. container ricotta

2 cups shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan

1 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
 (use fresh-Cooked)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Salt and pepper

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Pinch of ground nutmeg

1 26-oz. jar spaghetti sauce

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Mist a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta shells according to package label directions; drain and set aside to cool. While pasta cooks, in a large bowl, stir together ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, egg, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and nutmeg.

2. Spread 3/4 cup spaghetti sauce over bottom of baking dish. Stuff shells with cheese-and-spinach mixture and place in dish. Spoon remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella.

3. Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake about 10 minutes longer, until bubbly and cheese begins to brown.

Now for new recipes that were favorites in our family!

CHICKEN POT PIE WITH BISCUIT TOPPING

PECAN BLONDIES

Did you happen to catch the WOLF MOON?

There is magic to be shared in your own backyard sometimes........

OUR GRADUATE, FOOD FARE, FAVORITE ONLINE ORDERS and BABY TURKEYS!

THERE IS NO CHARM, EQUAL TO TENDERNESS

OF HEART......

Jane Austin

We are celebrating the graduation of our Luke the Duke...

moving on from elementary school to 6th grade,

which is Middle School....where is time going?

His teacher drove to each of her students homes and 

said good-bye...she waved at a distance in the driveway

and told them how proud she was of them all....

how very special of her to devote her time to these

boys and girls....how very blessed to have such a caring teacher!

The current times we are living must indeed seem so very strange

to the children.....I know they do to me....

No one knows what school will look like come August....

perhaps a combination of home school and partial classroom time....

we shall see what summer brings I suppose.....

Out in California,

Jenn sent me a photo she captured of this Mama Turkey

walking along with her adorable tiny babies....

have you ever seen anything so cute???

FOOD FARE

Our son treated us to fabulous Lobster Rolls 

for Mother's Day and if you ever have the chance...

try one...DIVINE!

This company got a big deal on SHARK TANK!

There may be nothing better in the morning

than hot buttermilk biscuits with butter and jam!!!!

Cinnamon Pancakes with fresh berries!

Philly Cheese Melts

Deli Style lunch for two

Italian Sausage and Peppers......

Best ever Beef Enchiladas

Chocolate Chip Blondies

Ooey gooey goodness....

Pineapple Upside Down Cake.....

I miss the cherries...none on hand.....I was bummed!

His latest puzzle...how beautiful......

ONLINE ORDERS

If you are a scrapbooker, you already know about Graphic 45....
I love their collections and recently ordered this beautiful
set for a fall project....Eerie Tale

Also ordered this Christmas collection....
the possibilities are endless for crafting....Joy to the World
If you are looking for a retired collection, then
try ETSY or Ebay....



This past Christmas, I wanted a special
Christmas Eve cocktail for the family,
and the Trisha Yearwood, Christmas in a Cup
was the mixer I used, along with Champagne....
it was a huge hit......so......

I ordered two more which were on sale at
Williams- Sonoma....for Summer and Fall!

I also fell in love with this beautiful French Country tray

which I ordered from Amazon!

Puttzin' Around....



My Mother's Day flowers are still lovely ...
I took a few fading blooms and added them
to an old Jam Jar......

I love using used glass jars for various little things...

do you ever do that?

I finally received my mask from Etsy and am

very pleased with it....Lilly Pulitzer!

However I have not been out, other than taking a ride,

since early March...probably will continue this until

late Summer......

INSPIRATION

The clipping below is pasted inside

a handmade recipe booklet made by my

Paternal Grandmother, Estelle Elizabeth...

I adored both of my grandmothers to the moon and back,

but decided to name my blog after Grandmother Estelle....

she had an elegance, a gift for creativity, and a

grand love of the arts and fine antiques....

she developed Alzheimer's when I was quite young,

but I so remember her style and things she loved...

especially her only child, my daddy....