As a kid, I waited all year for our Italian community festival of Saint Michael’s. One of my favorite spots was the Scallaro family booth that sold pizzette, fried pizza dough, cooked on a Coleman stove. I can still taste the crisp dough smothered with tomato sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

This cake like brownies has a light and refreshing texture. The combination of chocolate and vanilla has always been one of my favorites. Add a peppermint buttercream frosting and you have the perfect holiday dessert.

Cinnamon Chocolate Chocolate Chips by Bella Gluten-Free
Here’s a holiday twist on a classic. And they are so easy to make. Makes 3 doz.

This  simple minestrone is topped with crunchy, seasoned gluten-free bread croutons. Tuscans invented this soup to use up their stale bread.

At holiday time, my family would greatly anticipate the arrival of Aunt Carmel and her covered casserole dish of baked stuffed carciofi, artichokes. Since it was such a well-loved dish, we’d often save it for the end of the meal, as a sort of dessert.

For this recipe I added a little almond meal to my sweet pastry crust for a totally different crust that I have fallen in love with.  Of course, if nuts are an issue you can make the original recipe and add a hint of cinnamon to make it extra special. All this recipe takes is two apples, a little sugar and spice and s splash of orange juice.  Wrap it up in a tender BGF crust and OMG!

Bruschetta is an appetizer from central Italy that dates back to the 15th century. It was invented as a way to use stale bread.It starts with roasted bread rubbed with garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper. You can top it with anything you can imagine from a fresh tomato salsa to salami or proscutto.

     Scrumptious Raisin Bread Monte Cristos by Bella Gluten-Free
This wonderful version of the famous Monte Cristo Sandwich is grilled in a pan and then baked in the oven making it practically guiltless. Just start with Bella Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread Mix to make a perfect loaf of raisin bread. Pile it high with fresh ham, turkey, cheese and mayo or mustard  and then add a little bit of raspberry jam. A sprinkle of confectioner's sugar will make your inner child smile.

A classic carrot cake recipe is a must for the recipe books. I love to make this cake for holiday and other springtime occasion.
Thanks to Tracey's grandmother and Bella Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Mix the cake is easy to make and delicious.

A simple fruit crostata is a perfect Italian springtime dessert.  What not to love about a sweet, shortbread pastry dough wrapped around fresh fruit of the season. You can use raspberries, strawberries or a fruit of your choice. Makes one 8” crostata.

A simple dish of lightly battered eggplant and sauce with a little cheese goes a long way in setting a truly authentic Italian table. You can choose between the traditional pan frying or a healthier baking preparation. There is even a dairy free version that is just as tasty.

This puff pastry is a gluten-free variation inspired by the late, great Julia Childs. Pâte À Choux or puff pastry is an simple but essential formula for many French dishes. Here it applies  well to the French donut or Beignet. Makes 2 dozen small puff pastries for 10-12 large. Can be cut in half for the smaller appetite.

There is nothing like breakfast for dinner to cheer up the whole family in the dead of winter. This stuffed french toast recipes goes perfectly on Bella Gluten-Free Cinnamon Bread. I stuffed mine with a mixture of apricot jam and creamy ricotta cheese. For a dairy free option, a soy cream cheese works remarkable well.

The fun of this dish is in the presentation. Chocolate crepes cut up thin and piled high on plate, topped with chocolate ganache and a raspberry sauce make it resemble pasta in every way. The end results is a surprisingly light dessert full of flavor. 

The secret to great shrimp scampi is the abundant use of fresh garlic. I started out making this recipe with three cloves of minced garlic and then just kept adding more. And why not! Garlic is one of the healthiest foods on the planet, full of antiviral and anti-carcinogen properties.   And it tastes great.

There is nothing like a savory sandwich to make a quick and tasty dinner. I added onion flakes to my easy-to-make Bella Gluten-Free Multigrain Rolls and coated the shrimp in egg and Bella Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Mix.

This crepe recipe was handed down from an old German neighbor and became a basis for my restaurant, Marie’s Crepes. I’ve since converted it to a gluten-free version without any flavor or texture loss. Made ahead, these crepes can be refrigerated and reheated as needed. Makes 8

Chocolate Raspberry Soft Center Cakes - Gluten-Free

The first time I tasted this pudding cake, I was hooked. Not quite flourless and not quite a chocolate mousse, it has a little bit of both.

Sometimes the simplest dinners offer the greatest satisfaction. On baking days, I love to make this  Italian style panini, sandwich. When I was growing up, the bacon in our house was pancetta. Thinly sliced and baked in the oven, it makes this BLT deliciously different.

My daughter Raven created this rustic pizza which is a combination of her favorite ingredients. After the first bite, the family’s only response was yum!

I am always looking for quick and easy ways to make breakfast a special affair. There is nothing like a coffee cake to reward you for a busy day ahead. 

Whenever my kids are out of school, the cookie jar is a popular stop in my kitchen. Keeping it full can be a challenging especially with a gluten-free variety. I have tried store bought gluten-free cookies but my homemade ones trump them every time. The secret is to make the recipe easy enough for the kids to help you or to do themselves.

Everyone needs a good zucchini bread recipe This recipe came from the family archives of my dear friend Esther. She simply substituted cup-for-cup Bella Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Mix for the flour required and presto...out came a beautiful gluten-free, dairy/casein-free loaf. 

This pumkin pie will amaze your family and guest.  The addition of fresh ginger brightens the overall flavor of this lightly sweet pie.