Pignoli Nut or Pine Nut Cookies! They're Italian

****❤️Some of my fondest memories are what I knew as traditional wedding cookies when I was growing up. 

 The local bakery would always put many in their Wedding Cookie Platter which was a must for all and especially the Italian families.  Big dishes of variegated cookies of all sizes and flavors.  We would search for the Pignoli ones first because they were every one's favorite cookie!  You should be able to find them at a authentic Italian Bakery for sure.

 

2 7-ounce tubes almond paste ( I used canned ) easier to break up!

1 cup sugar( you can cut back on sugar a bit because almond paste is very sweet.

2 large egg whites

finely grated zest of one orange

1½ cups whole pine nuts -

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.

Crumble almond paste into the work bowl of a food processor and process until the paste is in fine crumbs. Sprinkle in the sugar with the motor running. Once the sugar is incorporated, add the egg whites and orange zest. Process to make a smooth dough, about 20 to 30 seconds.

Spread the pine nuts on a plate. Form the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls by rolling in in between the palms of your hands, ( meatball size) then roll the dough in the pine nuts until coated, then place on baking sheets. Bake until lightly golden and springy to the touch, about 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to cooling racks to cool completely. 

I thought making them would be a chore so I put off making them for years when I  decided to attempt finding a recipe that would please me.  I took a chance with this easy recipe I found from Lidia's blog.  

 Why did I hesitate so long?? This recipe is not only super delicious by super easy. Just in time for the holidays.

 Enjoy!

12/14/13 original recipe

Macadamia Nut Cookies or Bars

This is the recipe for the Macadamia nut bars. 

 I made them into cookies instead and didn't frost them. I baked them for approximately the same amount of time as the bars.  They baked very crispy.  Note: If you decide to make cookies instead adjust time.   If you prefer softer cookies bake less time.

If you don't have self rising flour here is an alternative. 

**1 cup self-rising flour

1 cup minus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour plus 11/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/8 teaspoon salt

 Here is the recipe I followed although I made cookies instead of bars. I baked them at the same temperature but depending on how soft or crispy you like your cookies bake either a little less or approximately the same amount of time.  I used a melon scooper to make uniform size cookies and make sure to allow space between cookies because they expand in size.

 

2 cups sugar

2/3 cup butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups self rising flour**

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 cup macadamia nuts chopped( I didn't have a cup so I added what I had. about 1/2 cup.

In a saucepan over medium heat melt butter and sugar.   Once butter is melted remove from heat and allow to cool.  Stir in eggs and vanilla mix well.  Slowly add flour and nutmeg mix well. Stir in nuts, spread mixture into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or  drop by round tsp. onto greased baking sheet or parchment paper.

Glaze

1 cup confectioners sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp. eggnog

Combine all ingredients together whisk well. Drizzle glaze over cooled bars.

10/19/13 original recipe

adapted from Nells Old Fashion Recipes

Porketta with cheesy Sour Cream potatoes as a side!

Any day or for a special occasion this is a popular post.
Summer, winter, spring or fall this will be a hit.  These two are great additions to any party or family meal.

  My hubby asked for some porketta today!  The recipe I have posted on the blog for a larger size piece of pork..

Today I was seasoning a small 1 lb. pork tenderloin so I adjusted my seasonings accordingly...

I lb. pork tenderloin
1 1/2 tsp.. Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Pepper
2 T. Dried dill
2 Cloves garlic cut in pieces

On a sheet of waxed paper or a large dish place all ingredients except garlic.

Place tenderloin on wax paper. With a sharp knife make several slits in tenderloin. Push garlic pieces in slits. Roll tenderloin in mixture until coated.  

In a roasting pan place a small amount of olive oil.  Lay tenderloin in pan.  Set oven to 400 degrees.  Cover and bake approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.  Add a little water after 15 minutes.

Bake until no longer pink inside.

Note: for larger roasts adjust time and amount of seasonings.



In case you are looking for the recipe for the larger size Look under the Label section under pork.

These potatoes were absolutely wonderful..Great for the holidays!!!  Serves plenty.

This pork roast is an excellent choice for the holidays..Either served with some pasta or potatoes on the side as a meal or it makes great shredded pork sandwiches..You may want to try it.

Here's the Cheesy Potatoes Recipe:( Cook's .com)

32 oz. frozen hash brown potatoes(thawed)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 pt. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

Put above in greased casserole dish

Top with crushed corn flakes(about 1 cup)
1/4 cup melted butter
Bake 350 degrees 45 minutes until bubbly and brown on top


12/5/11
12/23/12

Individual Mini or muffin cup Cheesecakes

Did you know you can freeze cheesecake or cheesecakes? 

 Yes you can. I do it all the time and today is not an exception.

 These pretty babies once they are cooled will be laid on waxed paper and placed in a medium size aluminum throw away pan and covered securely with wax paper between the layers. I then  place them on top wax paper and aluminum foil and freeze them until I am ready to serve. 

 I take them out of the freezer a few hours before I am ready to serve and then top them with any of our favorite pie fillings.  Cherry, pineapple, strawberry and maybe a little whipped cream too!

I generously greased(cooking spray works) a Christmas tree pan with cooking spray and added my graham cracker crumbs to make a few cheesecakes a fun way. When cooled I loosened edges and out them came.

Don't feel like making a large cheesecake but you'd like to serve something sweet in bite size servings well this mini cheesecake recipe is for you.

At Christmas especially with all the cookies I bake a whole cheesecake is way too much.  So I make mini ones and they are perfect for those who love cheesecake but can't eat a whole piece because they want to save room for other sweets too.

This recipe takes little time and bakes quickly and as I do once they cool I either store them in the refrigerator (I think there is no problem storing them for a week).   If you have doubts do as I do and pack them between waxed paper and secure in a plastic container or cover with aluminum foil and place in freezer, then when you want to serve them take them out about an hour before serving and add your topping to them.  I make mine all plain and add either strawberry, cherries or blueberries when serving.  Easy peasy dessert.

Here's the recipe

3 -8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
3 eggs room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
graham cracker crumbs or chocolate cookies crumbs. I also used Aldi’s Benton vanilla wafers as a base too!
mini muffin cups or regular muffin cups

Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs or cookie crumbs on bottom of muffin cups.  If you are not using muffin cups/liners you must grease pan well and then add crumb mixture....

Beat cream cheese, vanilla and sugar with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended.  Use a Spoon for mini cheesecakes and an ice cream scooper for uniformity over larger muffin crusts.

Bake 350 degrees approximately  25 to 30 minutes for regular muffin cups or until almost set. Try not to overbake.


Note:  They do not have to brown.  They will be light in color with a tinge of golden.

From my kitchen to yours

11/2/16

Thankful and greatful!

Good Day!
Happy and Blessed Sunday to everyone.

I’ve been busy decorating a little inside my home and outside too. Not a whole lot but enough to cheer me and my lovely family and friends.

My mom,dad, brother and grandparents have passed and I am missing them and thinking of them more than ever.

Someone said to me recently that I was now an orphan.  It never hit me until that moment and it made me think of all those orphans who must hurt so much inside.

For many years at Christmas my hubby and I buy a gift for a special child in an orphanage.

It started when the company he worked for encouraged their employees to randomly choose an orphan from a local agency and buy a gift.  We actually met the child(children)after they received their gift. It was a beautiful humbling experience.

We will do it again this year as in years before but this year my heart truly feels more than ever how important it is to try in any little way to spread the love I received to those who yearn for  and need a gesture of love.

It’s a feel good feeling.❤️