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ll Cibo é L'essenza Della Vita....

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“VIVERE SENZA RIMPIANTI” LIVE WITHOUT REGRETS

"If you want to live forever and ever, drink wine and eat maccheroni." ~~~Sicilian Proverb

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Back for Foodie Friday with a Giveaway and a Guest Post!!!



















Happy Friday All!

I am SO happy to be back for this week's Foodie Friday. I've missed my favorite party!

This is a VERY special Friday for us. This is our first week back to blogging after my surgery and it's been spectacular. We have a fabulous giveaway to celebrate (click on the giveaway link under our header to enter!) AND we're doing our very first guest post! How cool is that!?!

I was so honored to be asked to do a guest post on one of my absolute favorite blogs, More Than a Mountfull . Our post will be up Thursday evening, so be sure to check back!

Dennis is just the BEST- passionate about food, the girls he works with, and I am honored to call him friend. Please head on over to read about Autumn harvest foods in Italy and enjoy our recipes for Torrone and Chestnut Pasta


















Dennis also has some great giveaways to celebrate his Blogaversary, so be sure to leave a comment to enter!

I'm still a bit limited in the kitchen due to having to work one handed (my left arm has decided to bail on me temporarily), but my wonderful husband and Allie have stepped up to the plate and have helped tremendously.
Poor Irish Mr Bramasole (who is the world's PICKIEST and plainest eater) has had to learn the ins and outs of cooking curries, risottos, and how to roll out pastry dough. 

I think I'll keep him.

When I was growing up and we spent our summers in Italy, polenta was on the table every day in some form or another. Soft and cheesy, or grilled, or battered and fried so the outside was crispy and the inside creamy. 

Now that we live in NC, it's no wonder I love grits! One of our earliest posts was about my introduction to grits

The uses for polenta are endless. This is a dessert that my Nonna liked to make in the Fall. We'd sit on the terrace and eat warm bowls topped with ladles of cream. Enjoy!


(sorry about the terrible picture. "Someone" borrowed my camera and I had to use the kids'!)




Sweet Autumn Polenta 

2 sticks butter
2 2/3 cups confectioner's sugar
1 whole egg and 6 egg yolks
1 TBLSP dark rum (or any liqueur of your choice)
1 1/3 cups of almond meal or VERY finely ground almonds
1 3/4 cups of polenta (yellow cornmeal)
1 cup flour sifted with 2 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp vanilla

Melt the butter over low heat and allow to cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 1 1/2 or 2 quart souffle dish with baking spray. Beat the butter with the sugar (you can reserve a tablespoon or two of the sugar to sift on top later if you like) till blended and smooth. With the mixer going, add whole eggs one at a time then add the yolks. Keep beating and add the liqueur, almonds, flour mixture, cornmeal, and finally, the vanilla
Pour batter into souffle dish and bake for 45- 60 minutes minutes till top is crusty and golden brown and it's cooked through. Cover with a piece of foil if it starts to get too dark. Serve warm, spooning it into bowls and topping with cream or gelato!



Be sure to hop on over and visit us at Dennis' place!

And we'd love to have you as friends on Bramasole's Facebook page- we frequently post Bonus Recipes and we LOVE to hear from you!


As Always,

Buon Cibo, Buon Amici,

Pattie and Allie

79 comments:

  1. Glad to see you back! It sounds like your husband is definately a keeper!
    Penny

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  2. Hi Pattie,
    This Irish girl understands completely! :) But we do know how to cook, more than potatoes!
    Good to see you!

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  3. I am so happy that you are back. I am still praying for you!
    I have never thought of making polenta (I love it) sweet. This sounds so delicious!
    You must have had a magical time each and every summer in Italy. What precious memories you must have!
    I'm going to give sweet polenta a try!
    xo Yvonne

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  4. PATTIE! PATTIE! PATTIE!!!!!!!!!
    Oh my -- I have been checking and checking your blog and am SO happy and relieved to see you back --- although operating as a one-armed bandit temporarily.
    HOORAY AND HALLELUJAH.
    Been worried.... Love, Cass

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  5. Hi Pattie - I'm so happy to see you back and blogging. And wow, congrats on your guest blogging appearance. I'm looking really forward to it. I love Dennis' blog.

    :)
    ButterYum

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  6. I am glad you're back, Pattie. You have been very much missed! Take care of yourself, and don't overdo. I've been praying for you.
    Hugs, Beth

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  7. Him Ladies, So happy to "hear" the spring in your post!I am grateful you are on your way to recovery. Love all your post and beautiful displays. Of course grits is in my blood!I have my mom and dad send real grits to me from Charleston as best they can!Thank you for your wonderful recipes. May I also wish you and yours a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving, Hugs, Emelia.

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  8. Pattie, You're back!! Yay! Yay!! that was said in my ex-cheerleading voice and moves, I know Allie will appreciate that. I have been so concerned about you and miss seeing you around blogland. Don't over-do but I am sooo glad to see you here, realllly glad, xoxoKathysue

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  9. So happy and thrilled to see you back here! No worries about the photos - just to see you posting is a treat ;) The recipe sounds wonderful!

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  10. you girls...way to go with your amazing guest post at Chef Dennis'! I love love love you featured torrone. Lot of nostalgy for home.

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  11. wish my husband would give me a hand in the kitchen too
    I love polenta, when i came to US years ago I had a hard time finding the cornmeal I was used to in Europe, is not the same but close.
    Your sweet polenta sounds delicious

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  12. We love Polenta and your recipe looks great.
    Thank you for sharing and have a great Thanksgiving!
    Miz Helen

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  13. Pattie, I have never had sweet polenta but sure love savory and I love to make it too. What a wonderful thing that hubby is learning all these cooking skills, he might develop a taste for these fancier foods and a love for cooking! I agree, keep him!

    Keep getting better.

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  14. Welcome back!! This sounds like such a seasonal and good polenta. How blessed you are to have good help in the kitchen. Your summers in Italy must have been like a dream. Joni

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  15. One armed or not, it's good to have you back! I love hearing about your childhood visits to Italy.

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  16. such an absolute pleasure to meet you, my uncle lives in Chapel Hill! His band jams at the Flying Burrito all the time haha - My grandmother is from Naples, and I cherish every moment I can gleaning pearls of wisdom from her (she lives in NY which is where I grew up) - I'm all the way in New Mexico now, the soul of the southwest!! The polenta looks delicious - looking forward to spending more time in your world....have a glorious week sweet bellas!

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  17. Glad to see you posting again!! HOLY YUM look at that dessert…

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  18. Pattie
    what a great post!! You must secretly be Wonder Woman!! With everything you went through and you manage not only a great guest post, but such a wonderful post on your blog as well!! We are so happy to have you back!
    Please give Allie and your Husband are thanks for taking good care of you!
    Cheers
    Dennis

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  19. Bonjour Pattie,

    SO gla to see you back and blogging again. Hope you are feeling well. This polenta looks wonderful, will definitely try this.
    Bon weekend,
    Mimi

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  20. Welcome back and continued good health to you~

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  21. So happy to see you back because it means that you are doing much better and feeling more like your old self as each day passes.

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  22. I absolutely loved your guest post on Chef Dennis' page! You have such a heart warming quality in the way you express yourself. Hope that you continue to feel better and stay healthy!

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  23. It's wonderful to see you blogging again, Pattie. I know that's a sign that you are feeling better. Your polenta sounds fantastic with the addition of almond flour and eggs. Bookmarked!

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  24. I love LOVE polenta. I just had a great one at a new supper club in Toronto http://wp.me/pVqjH-6G ...my favourite is polenta topped with tomato sauce with homemade sausage (cooked and ground into the sauce of course)! You're spin on polenta is something entirely new to me sounds GREAT!

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  25. Thanks for the Torrone recipe, Pattie and Allie. I always buy it at the Italian Market. I'm going to try to make it this year for Christmas...

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  26. I am so happy to see you are back Pattie! You've been missed an awful lot. This polenta recipe sounds wonderful, and that Italian Cream Pie from your previous post is absolutely lovely!
    Glad you girls are back and better than ever!
    Blessings~

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  27. Hi Pattie, I found you over at Chef D's, what a Bella blog you have! Love all things Italian and can't wait to come back and spend more time over here. Love the Torrone recipe, going to give it a try! Thanks.
    -Gina-

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  28. I am so happy to see you back! I hope things are settling down for you guys. I will head over and check out the guest post!

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  29. Once again, looks fabulous! Happy Friday :)

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  30. Hi! Loved your post on Chef Dennis's blog. This polenta looks wonderful too:)

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  31. So glad to see you are feeling better, Pattie, and that you have a good group of helpers in the kitchen!
    Polenta is so delicious cooked so many ways! Going over to see your guest post! :)

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  32. Pattie: So happy to have you back and in the kitchen! Teaming up with Chef Dennis is a perfect way to deliciously tempt all of us who have been waiting for your wonderful recipes. I love the family photos of those happy cooks.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  33. Happy to see you "on the Mount" today! I hope you have a speedy recovery!

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  34. Welcome back!!! Glad to know that you are getting the help you need right now while you're one-armed. Take it easy and get better!

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  35. I haven't been reading your posts for very long, but I'm so happy your back too. What a great post and wow..., sweet polenta with rum..., nice one :)

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  36. What a beautiful Blog! I'm so happy to have been introduced to you by chef Dennis! What a pleasure it is to read your stories and view your mouth-watering recipes! I love Italy...and most definitely the food!
    Wishing you the best of health - bless you richly!

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  37. It really is so nice to have you back. You've been missed, Pattie. Your polenta sounds delicious and it is unlike any that I've tried so fay. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  38. Hi Pattie:

    It's so good to have you back!!!!!!

    Now, don't overdo it. You want to keep getting better, not slide back the other way.

    Much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

    - The Tablescaper

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  39. I loved your guest post on Chef Dennis' blog!

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  40. hi Pattie, just found you via Chef D. :-)) And I am totally enticed with your chestnut pasta.
    Angie

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  41. Pattie-
    I made a gluten=free chestnut tagliatelli for Thanksgiving- served with mushrooms sauteed in the brown butter sage sauce. It was a real hit and everyone enjoyed it! Thanks for inspiring me to try making gluten-free pasta again. With your permission, I'll post my gluten-free version over at my site- the adventuresome kitchen. Please let me know if that's ok! Thanks! and hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

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  42. We love grits too and the addition of almond meal is so interesting and I bet delicious! Love this recipe!

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  43. Hi Pattie, Just stopping by to say I miss hearing from you! Hope all is well. Hi Allie!
    xo Yvonne

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  44. Just stopping to say hello and hope you are just busy with the sale of the home and the holidays! Just wanted to say I'm thinking of you both...don't rush back if you have too much going on right now ;)

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  45. So happy to see you back.

    But do take it easy. we want you back for good.

    - The Tablescaper

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  46. Thinking of you Pattie! I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and that the new year will bring you good health and happiness!
    Hugs, Pat

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  47. I hope you're just taking a much deserved break and healing nicely. Total healing is my Christmas wish for you sweetie..
    Do let us know how its going as you know we worry...

    much love
    Sonny

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  48. hi Pattie! I've had computer issues this month and haven't visited in a while. I am so happy to pop in and see you back up and back blogging! Don't overdo... take good care of yourself, and...
    A very Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    joan

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  49. Just stopping by to wish you a merry Christmas. Hope things are going well for both of you and that you are enjoying being with friends and family. Best wishes for the new year!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  50. I am so happy that you are back !!!I wish you a merry Christmas full of love ! A hug from Italy....

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  51. Hoping all is well and that your recovery continues on track. Merry Christmas to both of you and all of your family!

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  52. Hi sweet friends... I have been MIA and under the weather, but I wanted to be sure and drop by to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a bright and shiny new year filled with health and prosperity of all sorts.

    Love you...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  53. Dear Pattie -- I am hoping you are still continuing to recover and hope that 2011 brings you the best! Joni

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  54. I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing?
    Kathleen

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  55. I'm so happy to see you.. I have been worried..

    sending happy, healthy thoughts your way..

    Sonny

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  56. Pattie- Worried about you and hoping 2011 brings you much good health and happiness. You've certainly been missed!--Tracy

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  57. Pattie, I am checking in with you to see if you are doing any better. I have really had you on my heart, and I hope and pray that things have improved.

    Warm hugs...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  58. These treats sure looks delightful!

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  59. Pattie- I am hoping one of you will see this. I have had you on my mind. Hope all is going well--let us know! Love and prayers~~Susan

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  60. Hi Pattie...

    Like Susan, I have had you on my mind and heart, dear friend! I just pray that all is well with you and your sweet family! Just wanted to stop by...and in hopes that you read this, sweet friend!

    Love ya,
    Chari

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  61. Pattie,
    I hope this finds you and Allie doing well, my friend. I've had y'all on my mind and decided to post about it. I miss your beautiful tables at BNOTP and your delicious recipes over at Gollum's.
    Hope to see you blogging again soon.
    Hugs,
    Susan

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  62. Just saw your comment on Yvonne's blog Stone Gable. Glad to have you back in blogging land.

    - The Tablescaper

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  63. Dear Allie and Patti, I was so happy to see a comment from you on my blog. I pray that all is going well for both of you. So good to hear from you. Blessings,love and prayers, Catherine xo

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  64. oh wow!!! what a fabulous and inspiring blog!! good to see you back too!
    hugs
    Lila

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  65. hi Like Susan, I have had you on my mind and heart, dear friend! I just pray that all is well with you and your sweet family! Just wanted to stop by...and in hopes that you read this, sweet friend!

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