Mercatone dell’ Antiquariato

On the last Sunday of every month on the streets along the Naviglio Grande becomes an exposition for thousands of antiques. Of course being in Milano, most of the antiques are vintage fashion, including fabulous fur coats, classic designer handbags including Chanel and Valentino (to name a few), and timeless eyewear, perfect to finish off any look. 
The great thing about  il Mercatone dell’ Antiquariato is that most of the bakery and brunch places are open (being that it is Sunday) and you can sit down and enjoy a cappuccino and brioche after a long walk around the Naviglio Grande.

Enjoy!

 

La dolce vita, Italia living

Ciao a tutti! As you all may know I have moved to Milano, and I absolutely love it! Here are a few photos I have taken during my time here and soon I will post about some of my favorite places to wine and dine in this marvelous city.

Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Where will your new year take you? I hope everyone has a wonderful and fulfilling new year filled with amazing new adventures and magical moments.

Enjoy!♥

Glühwein

Glühwein is the perfect treat for a cold winter night that you are enjoying with the company of friends and family over a few light bites. Unfortunately in South Florida we don’t really get many cold winter nights, but I can always pretend! I first tried this delicious red wine concoction when I traveled to Switzerland last December and ended up in a wonderful place called Schmutzli Bar. Instantly I knew I would love to recreate it, and this recipe is almost identical to it. Of course I added a splash of triple sec for an extra kick!

Ingredients
2 bottles of your favorite red wine, I used a dry merlot
1 cup brown sugar
1 orange
1 cup of orange juice
4 sticks of cinnamon
6 whole all spice
12 whole cloves
Splash of Triple Sec

It’s time for a new adventure!

I am excited to say that I will be moving to Italy in January! What better way to start the new year?! I am thrilled to experience this beautiful and historic country as an insider, and not just as a tourist. Stay tuned for all of my photography from around the city of Milan, as well as restaurant reviews and my escapades around Europe. And of course plenty of new recipes inspired by my new life in Italia!

“The biggest adventure you can ever take is living the life of your dreams”-Oprah

Date Nut Spice Bread

On a rainy Sunday afternoon I decided to whip up a few ingredients I had in my pantry to create this delicious Date Nut Spice Bread. It is perfectly paired with hot tea and your favorite book.

While this nutty bread is baking in the oven, it fills your kitchen with a warm and spicy aroma that will enlighten even the rainiest of afternoons.

Oh and did I mention that the dates are drunk with triple sec?

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped dates
1/4 cup orange liqueur (I used Triple Sec)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
a pinch of salt
3/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans (3 ounces)

Pumpkin Spice Donuts with Cinnamon Butter Glaze

It is officially my favorite time of the year, perfect for baking, cooking and sharing with friends and family.  If you haven’t noticed, I have been quite smitten with donuts lately, maybe it’s because it took me forever to get a donut pan or because of all the different combinations that can be made into these delicious clouds of yumminess.

I promise to post a savory, non donut related recipe next, but for now, bask in these scrumptious pumpkin donuts with the ohh so ahh-mazing cinnamon (almond) butter glaze.

Ingredients
For the donuts:(makes 12 donuts)
one donut pan
1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 large eggs
1½ cup of light brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch of all spice
pinch of salt
1½ teaspoons baking powder
2 cups all purpose flour