Panforte di Siena

I had wanted to cook this traditional Italian treat for at least 3 years and finally, this December, I got it! Probably I was afraid the recipe would turn out being very difficult. However, I'm happy now I've tried such a fabulous dessert. It's full of nuts and fruits and includes no butter or eggs as well. And it's easy, too. Yes, It has been one of the easiest recipes in all my practise!

Chocolate log

This Chocolate log - is an absolute holiday indulgence! It's elegant, sumptuous and brutally chocolate. Yes, it's not as succulent as could be, but, on the other hand, ideal with a cup of fragrant coffee. Actually, you can get it moister and more fragrant, drizzling with some alcohol (is cognac or whisky) the biscuit. Well, could ypu imagine, how gorgeous this dessert is?

Coconut and Cream Cheese Roulade

Congratulations! I've baked my first roulade:) Although it turned out being clumsy and bulky, it was delightful, delicate and so snowy, as well. So, generally I'm very proud of myself:))) Be careful rolling up and unrolling the cake - the sponge texture is very delicate - no rush!

Linzer Cookies

I like Christmas time for the opportunity not only cook and degustate that I've made, but the holiday atmosphere. Indeed, for me, as a food blogger and photographer, even though a mediocre one, such a lovely atmosphere (and Christmas attributes) helps me take some nice pictures. Yap, I hope to get some fabulous pictures this month:) I started my Christmas Marathon with these beautiful cookies, based on the famous Austrian dessert, The Linzertorte. I had been dreaming of buying special cutters (an probably dreaming about D) for a couple of years and last November I finally got them. I was so happy:) If you like crisp cookies, assemble them the day serving because filling with jam, next day they'll become chewy.

Mac 'N' Cheesee

Probably, the combination of pasta and cheese is one of the best ever known! Really, what could be better than pasta and cheese?! Maybe baked pasta and cheese?!:) So, I'm going to introduce an absolutely skinny, well-balanced, healthy and scrumptious American variation of a baked pasta! Pardon? What are you talking about? Am I kidding you?! Well, at least it scrumptious, eh! Definitely, it's a pretty outrageous recipe, but it's possible to indulge yourself sometimes...:) I used the recipe from the book Jamie's America, but omitted some ingredients as bread crumbs and tomatoes.

Avocado, grape and mozzarella salad

I'm used to adding fruits in berries in salads. Indeed, it's a cool idea to make your salad succulent and not so boring. However, even though nowadays we can buy in a store almost any fruits all year, it's a good idea to use seasonal one. For instance, an autumn it is a good time for grapes, persimmons, pomegranates, figs etc. So, why not to try, if you've never done that yet?! Actually, this salad not only fresh and juicy, but thanks to adding the cheese, avocado and nuts is being considered as a comfort meal, perfect for a cold time of a year...

Pastitsio - Greek baked pasta

I like the Greek cuisine, but seems to be I've never made nothing serious. A new era is looming:)) I've started with a nice pasta called Pastitsio. Actually, this type of dish is spread through the Mediterranean region, but anyway it's associated with Greece, for me. Pastitio - is a baked pasta of several layers included pasta (top and bottom), ground meat and White sauce (Bechamel). It's usually prepared from Bucatini or Ziti (type of pasta), but it's possible to substitute them for Penne. What also? Well, since I started blogging (the russian version), I've often got comments on my recipes from ladies who like the ideas I've posted on the Internet (especially referred to not usual salads), but can't afford to prepare them due to their men, either partners or sons. You know, men could be very conservative, eh!:) So, ladies - this is exactly what you are probably looking for to make your guys happy and satisfied with meals. If they are not vegetarians, they are going to love this meal:)))