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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Amaretti con Pesche al Cartoccio for a Tuscan Autumn Foodie Friday




Buona Sera All!

It's Foodie Friday at Gollum's (YAY!) and the end of another busy week at Casa Bramasole. We will be linking up to Michael's wonderful party and we invite you to join us for a wonderful evening with friends and delicious offerings
We're also linking to Wendy and Tony's Cookie Exchange at Relatively Unique
This is what we did today. Isn't she cute?


Our Miss Allie had to have a stress test today. She has been making us CRAZY since she hasn't been allowed to cheer with her team

but today.......


She got cleared!!! YAY!!

The cardiologist said she could go back to her team (with proper aftercare and a few more tests and follow-up) - and she could not be happier!

Go Tigers!

Autumn has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It's a time of year that just seems to bring happy memories with it- the warmth and love of family and friends is just innate in the sounds, sights, smells, and tastes of Autumn

Tonight we're going to be sitting out by the firepit with some neighbors and some wine- a wonderful evening tradition that came about as our kids play Manhunt and Bocce and toast marshmallows for S'Mores. 

I know I've spoken of my Nonno in the past


He was a very well known soccer player in Italy in the 1930s which basically put him on the same level as the Prime Minister

Italians take their Soccer VERY seriously

He's the handsome one on the far right



My grandparents had an apartment in Vicenza which directly overlooked the soccer stadium
I found this postcard on Ebay (LOVE Ebay!)- my Nonno's apartamento was on the top floor of the house on the lower left of the picture. From their terrace off the dining room, we had a perfect bird's eye view of the field and the games.


As we sat there screaming and cheering (while my Nonno would be holding on to the seat of my brother's pants to keep him from tumbling over the terrace in his enthusiasm), my Nonna would typically come out with a tray of cheese, some wine and something like this.....


Amaretti con Pesche al Cartoccio
Amaretti:
2 egg whites
1/2 cup Super Fine sugar
3/4 cup almond flour (ground almonds)  
a few drops almond extract
Confectioner’s sugar to dust
Beat the whites till frothy then start slowly adding the fine sugar and continue gradually adding sugar as you beat till stiff but not dry. With a spatula..gently fold in the almond extract ,the liqueur and the grounds almonds until blended..
Pipe onto parchment lined cookie sheets into small mounds and dust with confectioner’s sugar
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 mins.
If you prefer crunchy Amarettis..let finish drying/cooling in the oven- half open the door.
I prefer to remove them from the oven and cool the parchment on a wire rack. The Amaretti will be crunchy outside and softer inside.
Pesche al Cartoccio (Peaches in Parchment):
1 cup wine
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tblsp honey
1 stick cinnamon
6 peaches, halved and pitted
12 dates
6 biscotti- crumbled
handful of pine nuts
6 small sprigs rosemary-optional
In a small saucepan, simmer wine, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon till reduced and syrupy. Cut parchment into large squares. In each square place 2 peach halves. Place a date in each hollow and sprinkle with pine nuts. Add a sprig of rosemary if using. Drizzle with wine syrup and sprinkle with crumbled cookies. Gather corners up into a packet and tie with kitchen twine. Place packets on cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream and espresso or a cheese board and wine. 
Saluti!



As Always,

Buon Cibo, Buon Amici,

Pattie and Allie


24 comments:

  1. As usual...it sounds like another "to die for dish" from Pattie! I'm so happy about Allie and generally I'm routing for the Northside High School Eagles but today - GO TIGERS!!!!

    I'm inspired to get into the swing of autumn with a fire pit, wine, a delicioso something and good friends and family.

    As always you inspire me to connect with food, family, friends and ultimately a richer life.

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  2. Pattie, you just blow me away every time...love the good news about sweet Allie and the memories shared here and the food..wowza! I love those candles too! :D

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  3. What WONDERFUL news!! Miracles can be around every corner:) She's so cute!

    Love the card..Nonno..and amaretti:)

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  4. Mmmmm another delight and so glad that Allie is doing better...she sure looks great!


    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  5. So glad to hear the good news for Allie. She looks adorable taking a stress test so can only imagine her on the cheering field!!

    We are soccer lovers here. My husband went to boarding school in England and grew up with a great respect and love for the game. Thanks for sharing your handsome Nonno with us.

    Can't neglect mentioning the yummy food. I'd love to have that served to me on the sideline!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  6. The best news I heard all day...hurray for Allie! Tell her we are so happy for her! She's adorable.
    Thank you for joining in our party again! I am so happy we unpacked the mixer and ready to get started on some recipes :)
    Have a great weekend!
    Hugs~
    Wendy

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  7. Pattie and Allie -- Allie, I am so glad you have been cleared to cheer again...go Tigers! What a fun post about your Nonno. The Amaretti look devine. Joni

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  8. Allie, congrats on getting the go ahead from the Dr. We are so happy for you. Have a wonderful time cheering.

    What a fun post. I love the family pics and stories. The cookies and peaches look lucious.

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  9. So happy to read this great news about Allie this morning! Hooray! Love Amaretti and those peaches look fabulous!! Also loved reading the memories of your Nonno! I loved all of this post, but no surprise there I love every visit I have with you! xxoo

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  10. It's so good to hear some good news! Yeah for Allie for getting back to her cheer squad. I'm sure her team as missed her.

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  11. What wonderful news. I'm glad her world can return to normal. As always, I love your memories and the food you choose to share with us. That platter looks mighty tempting. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  12. So happy all prayers answered! Allie looks great. Your recipes are so delicate and beautiful today......as always. Take care and God Bless, Emelia.

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  13. Oh, sweetie pie! I'm so glad that Allie is better. I came over to look for news, and I'm thrilled to see she is going back to cheering. I know you all are breathing a sigh of relief. She is such a cutie pie.

    Mr. Magpie turned a corner yesterday, and I'm going to go get his late lunch now. Lots of craziness here, but we are doing better.

    Sending you great big hugs, my friend.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  14. Good news about Allie. Both recipes sound fabulous. I wanted to jump into my screen and take a bite.

    Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

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  15. I am so happy to hear about Allie. What a relief you all must be feeling.

    How impressive that your Nonno was a star. I can imagine the thrill it was to watch football in Italy where they love the sport so much.

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  16. Great news about Allie!!! I'm so happy that she can return to her team. You have the most amazing stories, Pattie. Your Nonno was quite the celebrity.

    You must have read my mind. I was looking for amaretti for a recipe and couldn't find them. Now I can make my own. Thanks.

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  17. Way to go Allie! Back to cheering. I have often thought of looking for a recipe for these little almond morsels so . . .Thanks a bunch and thanks for stopping by for a visit. I always love seeing your sweet faces.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  18. Great news Allie~!! I am so happy I stopped in and saw the this..
    Patty, the food looks amazing and delicious..
    I am so happy for you and your family.. yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    Sonny

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  19. The girl is cute. These are yummy foodies :)

    Win a $75 gift certificate giveaway at Creative Fashion!

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  20. Your daughter is so beautiful, bet you love her to bits:) Your amaretti looks so scrumptious!

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  21. Hi Pattie
    I am in the midst of transferring my blogs I love to visit, to the new blog. That means I am going through and clicking all my blogs at the old Back Porch and all that I follow. I'm beginning to see double!:-) I had no idea there were so many!

    Good Allie news!
    I am hoping to stop and read and catch up, soon.

    New address:
    http://backporchmusings.typepad.com

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  22. Best of luck to Allie and what a lovely dish as well.

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  23. I'm so happy that Allie got cleared to cheerlead again! Yay! I hope she has continued good health. She looks so cute taking the stress test!
    ♥ Pat

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  24. I am so happy Allie got cleared. I know you will still worry! Did they diagnose the problem?
    That recipe looks delicious! I just bought plums today to try Cathy's plum kuchen. If I try everything I won't be able to move!

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