Dishesfrommykitchen: December 2012

SNOWMAN MACARONS !

I believe my friends and fellow-bloggers are doing fine. It’s the time of the year where holidays are celebrated and everyone gets ready for the New Year. This is my last post for the year 2012. At this point of time, I take this opportunity to thank all of you who helped, encouraged and inspired me. I also take this time to rewind and think about all things which happened this year. I want to make this last post for the year 2012 special because its winter and snow time. Enjoy this sweet visual feast with MACARONS.

See you all in 2013 !!!

RICH RUM FRUIT CAKE !

>> Monday, December 24, 2012 – christmas fruit cake, dense fruit cake, fruit cake decoration, how to decorate christmas cake, how to decorate fruit cake, plum cake, plum cake like sold in India, rich fruit cake, rum fruit cake

May this Christmas season bring you delights in all possible forms !!!

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones !!!
Here is the fruit cake I baked for this year Rich Rum Fruit cake. I soaked the fruits in the rum couple of months before and the cake is feed with rum for last 3 weeks. Its so delicious and here is a virtual treat for you !!!

Happy Holidays !!!

SUNDRIED TOMATO PESTO PASTA !

>> Tuesday, December 11, 2012 – home made sundried tomato, homemade pesto, Light pasta meal, pesto pasta, sun dried tomato pesto, sundried tomato at home, sundried tomato in olive oil, sundried tomato pesto pasta, tomato pasta

Here is a quick pasta dinner which can be made in no time, if you have sun-dried tomato pesto handy. I love anything made of sun-dried tomato. More than creamy pasta I always love this kind of low fat versions of pasta. Even though I make this very often this time it was so special, yes because of the fruity Olive oil, juicy sun-dried tomato packed with olive oil and herbs are all from Italy. The pasta was so flavorful and we enjoyed it to the core. It was absolutely delicious and light. Enjoy Sun-dried tomato pesto pasta with your favorite wine!!!

Do take a look MY TRIP TO ITALY PART I and stay tuned for more parts :) Yes I am taking my own (lazy) time to post about my trip. Also stay tuned for recipes I came across during my trip.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO

Ingredients :

Sun-dried Tomato - 1 cup (Sun dried tomato packed with olive oil and herbs, drained)
Basil - 1/2 cup
Walnuts - 1/4 cup (You can choose any nuts like almond or pine nuts of your choice)
Salt - 1/2 tbsp (or as needed)
Red chilli flakes - 1 tbsp (or as needed)
Italian seasoning - 1/2 tbsp
Garlic - 3 cloves
Olive oil - 1/4 cup

Method :

1. Blend all the above ingredients in the food processor and store it in the air tight container.
2. Refrigerate and use when needed.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO PASTA

Ingredients :

Pasta - 2 cup (any shape)
Olive oil - as needed
Sun-dried tomato pesto - 5 to 6 tbsp or needed as per your taste
Basil or parsley - chopped for garnishing
Parmigiano Reggiano - For serving

Method :

Serve hot with Parmigiano reggiano and Garnish with Parsley or basil !!! Enjoy !!!

MY TRIP TO ITALY - PART I

>> Tuesday, December 4, 2012 – barilla, gastronomic place, gelataria, gelato, Icecream, Italian cheese, Italy, Italy trip, lambrusco, local cuisines in italy, northern Italy, Parma, parma chees, parmalat, parmigiano reggiano, prosciutto di parma

It’s been almost a month since I am back from vacation to Italy, France and Spain. I am going to share few of my exploration in those places through my upcoming posts for few weeks. In these posts you will be seeing beautiful Italian streets, historical buildings and off-course food. Here are few samples from the wonderful Place in Northern Italy a city known for its art, music and gastronomy....

The first place we landed in Italy was Parma.

Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its prosciutto, cheese, architecture and surrounding countryside. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world. Parma is a city which is true to its culture and heritage and it does not have western influence. English is not a dominant language in Parma. If you really want to see, feel and breathe Italy this is one of the place to go.

Parma, one of Italy's top gastronomic cities is famous for its delicious cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano), mouthwatering ham (prosciutto di Parma) and is also known for its delicate stuffed handmade pastas (tortellini, cappelletti and anolini) and outdoor markets. The local sparkling red wine is called Lambrusco; great on its own and perfect with many of the local cuisine.

Parma is a magnificent place to eat. Even a small pizzeria serves top notch quality Pizza and Pasta. Writing of Icecream here makes me scream for eating Italian Icecream. Every street, nook and corner has gelateria and Cremeria. The unique icecream flavors are mind blowing. I ended up eating icecream everyday. Parma gives the unique experience and opportunity to treat your taste buds, by teaching how to try genuine Italian food.

Parma also has two food multinationals, Barilla and Parmalat.....Stay tunned

Palazzo del Governatore, Parma