In honor of Independence Day, a recipe that may have been influenced by Thomas Jefferson’s love for many Italian things- he was the  first to bring  over the maccheroni machine and parmigiano -reggiano cheese from Italy from his European travels .One of the first to plant tomatoes at his gardens in Monticello. So here  is  a recipe our Founding Father would have loved. It’s summer, so I didn’t think that you would want to labor over making maccheroni by hand, so this recipe calls for store bought spaghetti- but be sure to get 100% durum wheat pasta. makes  a great eating ‘al fresco’ pasta dish. This is from my upcoming book The Basic Art of Pasta:

Spaghetti Primavera

1  lb spaghetti

4 red, ripe tomatoes

1 handful freshly chopped basil

1 handful freshly chopped parsley

2 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 tablespoons freshly grated parmigiana -reggiano cheese

Cook pasta till al dente. While pasta is cooking, prepare the  sauce.  Chop tomatoes , basil, garlic, parsley. Drain pasta and place in serving dish. Place tomato mixture on top. Place olive oil in saute pan to heat or just until oil begins to bubble. Remove from heat. Pour over pasta and cover bowl for 1 minute. Toss and serve with freshly grated parmigiana reggiano cheese.

Happy 4th of July!

copyright 2011 Art of Living,PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati

Editor: Lisa Zatulovsky

From June 17 to June 20^th incredible floral works of art will line the streets of the small town of Genzano, at the Infiorata 2011 Genzano di Roma. The Flower Festival in Genzano has a rich history, dating back to the eighteenth century. Originating in Rome, the Infiorata was designed to celebrate Corpus Christi, a Catholic Feast. The festival is one of the highlights for Roman’s during the summer, with its feeling of celebration and beauty, in lieu of the Catholic holiday. As a sight to behold, floral designs reminiscent of mosaics transform the streets of Italy into detailed depictions of famous paintings, laid out with an incomprehensible amount of flower petals. From deep scarlet reds to playful pistachio greens, intricate designs are first sketched with chalk and then filled in with petals. This year Genzano’s theme celebrates the 150^th anniversary of the Unity of Italy, dating back to 1861. Seen as a true celebration, locals host concerts, fashion shows, craft markets and painting exhibitions. On the last day of the festival children are allowed to run through the flower carpets and destroy the art, reminiscent of a chalk painting smeared with rain. Some of the elderly collect and dry the remaining petals, which symbolize blessings.

The festive and bright dessert Cassata Siciliana, is just like the celebratory spirit and beauty of the floral carpets. Originating in Sicily, this colorful candied fruitcake is a delectable sweet treat, rich in tradition just like the Genzano Infiorata. Cassata Siciliana is made with a sponge cake, ricotta cheese filling (very similar to Cannoli filling,) dried candied fruit and hints of dark chocolate. The cake is then covered in pastel colored marzipan and topped with candied fruits like cherries and oranges. Delightfully sweet, the dessert will soon disappear once you take your first bight, just like the children running through the streets of Genzano as they erase the last trace of flowers. Sicilian Cassata can be a laborious cake to make, but all works of art take time and patience to create!

Here is a less complicated version of the original recipe for those that want to try it but don’t have a lot of time:

Cassata

1 lb or 500 gr.of ricotta cheese
1 cup or 300 gr.of sugar
16 ozs. or 50 gr.of dark chocolate

2 tsps vanilla

1/2 cup apricot jam

1/4 cup or 50 gr.of  candied fruit
1 sponge cake ( diameter  12 inches or 30 cm)
3 tbsps of rum

For frosting: 2 cups (475 gr)confectioner’s sugar, 2 tablespoons (30 gr) milk, 1  tsp (5 gr) vanilla, 1 drop of  pistachio green coloring. (If necessary add more liquid till spreadable but thick frosting is achieved).

Line a cake pan with parchment paper. Spread apricot jam on paper. Cut sponge cake in half diagonally. Place bottom layer on top of jam.

Sieve ricotta through cheese cloth to get a smooth creamy consistency. Add sugar, rum, chocolate in shaved or chopped pieces, candied fruit (cut into small pieces) and vanilla. Blend well and spread on layer of sponge cake. Cover with top layer and cover with a piece of parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least two hours.

Once refrigerated, remove from pan by turning pan upside down onto a plate.

Blend 2 cup confectioner’s sugar with 2 tblsps milk and 1 tsp vanilla,  blend till  a thick, but spreadable icing. Add in  a pistachio green coloring. Spread on cake, decorate top with chopped candied fruit and refrigerate till icing is firm and serve.

This makes for an easier version for those not used to working with marzipan (almond paste).

July 21-24- Festa Italiana ,Milwaukee Wisconsin- The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm takes center stage on all 4 days for cooking demos and book signings. Hope to see you there.

For more recipes ,get your copy of the award winning book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions

Editor: Karissa Martin

copyright 2011 Art of Living, PrimaMedia, Inc./Maria Liberati

The official start to the unofficial beginning of summer is finally here…”as tasty as summer’s first peach” m yfavorite saying comes to mind!. I know most are thinking of barbecues this weekend but for me  it is all about the lush fresh fruits and vegetables….Mother nature is now at her very best!

Have your own Roman Holiday Staycation at home and avoid the crowds..pair the movie with tramezzini and you have an easy way to enjoy a vacation at home.

Princess Ann, played by Oscar-winner Audrey Hepburn in her first starring role, screams and becomes hysterical one night in Rome, the last stop on her European “Goodwill Tour” in Roman Holiday (1953). Weary from her princess duties and public appearances and stressed from her meticulously scheduled days, the princess can no longer handle the constant pressure. The doctor is called in, and his brilliant solution is to inject a new medication that will help her fall asleep. Feeling no side effects from the medication, Princess Ann sneaks out into the night in a delivery truck. When the excitement from escaping begins to wear off, the drowsiness from the medication sets in, and Princess Ann carelessly dozes on a bench.

After a night of poker, Joe Bradley, an American reporter played by Oscar-winner Gregory Peck, finds a girl snoozing on a bench on his way home. Not knowing what to do, he unsuccessfully attempts to wake her up, while she constantly mutters “so happy.” Unwilling to leave her asleep and alone at night, Bradley takes her to his apartment to keep her safe. Unaware of her identity, Bradley refuses to let Princess Ann sleep in his bed and proceeds to dump her onto the couch with a lift of the mattress.

The next day, Bradley sees the girl’s picture in a newspaper and realizes who is sleeping on his couch. He sees the potential for a story and contacts his editor. Princess Ann mutters in her sleep, unaware of where she is, “I dreamt and I dreamt. I was asleep in the street and a young man came. He was tall and strong, and he was so mean to me! It was wonderful…” After opening her eyes to find Bradley staring back at her, she realizes her dream was actually reality. A few explanations and a surprising run-in with the maid in the bathroom later, Princess Ann sets out to return home. However, she gets a little sidetracked and chops all her hair off instead and begins to explore the city. Bradley follows her and convinces her to take the day off, pretending that he is unaware of her identity. He asks her what she would do and she replies, “I’d do just whatever I liked all day long. I’d sit at a sidewalk cafe and look in shop windows. Walk in the rain, have fun and maybe some excitement.” Bradley does his best to make her wishes come true and calls his photographer friend, Irving Radovich, to help him get the story on the princess.

Unlike Princess Ann’s usual schedule, this day is full of surprises. After being taken to the police station for erratic driving, some late-night dancing, and an all-out brawl with the secret service (in which Princess Ann bashes someone with a guitar), Princess Ann knows it is time for her to return to the palace. It was “the end of the fairy tale.” Though she had to go back to her duties, Princess Ann would never be the same again.

“Life isn’t always what one likes, is it?” But, you can pretend, if only for a little while. Try the elegant tramezzini sandwiches, and you’ll feel like royalty. With the gooey, fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and tasty basil, you may as well be sitting at an outdoor café in Rome with Princess Ann. Take a break from your life and try this tasty little food with the movie.

Tramezzini:

(4 persons)

Ingredients

12 slices thinly sliced white bread (with crusts removed)

3 tblsps of extra virgin olive oil

½ lb of fresh mozzarella (sliced)

3 tomatoes (sliced)

½ cup of fresh basil leaves

2 tablespoons of freshly grated parsley to decorate plate

FREE Preview Book Offer: If you were not able to stand in line at Book Expo America last week in NYC and get a signed copy of  the pre- release version of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: DaVinci Style. .send an email to info@marialiberati.com   for your free digital copy. The book will be released on oct 1, 2011.

Happy” top o’ the mornin to ya”…for Saint Patrick’s Day. Today the Irish claim him as their own, but did you know that even the Italians claim him as one of their own. He was born in Britain when it was ruled and owned by the Romans, so the Italians  consider him a Roman-not Irish.

One thing all Americans can usually agree on is to celebrate the day..And no one celebrates the day bigger and better than Americans.

In Italy, today, March 17^th, is Festa Nazionale (national Feast Day) for the Unification of Italy (to celebrate the 150 yrs that Italy has been a unified nation)..no matter what you want to celebrate..Celebrate!

In honor of both occasions, here’s an Italian style dish that includes cabbage and potatoes with Filet of Sole.  Serve with a dry white wine, a sparkling Prosecco or even beer.

Filet of Sole with Cabbage and Potatoes

copyright 2011, art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati from The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition

Serves 4.

• 1 pound cabbage
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 2 large potatoes
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 pound filet of sole
• 1 teaspoon dried leeks
• 1 teaspoon dried fennel

Clean cabbage and chop into large pieces. Boil in 2 quarts of water. Add in coarse salt and boil for 7 minutes. Drain.

Peel and cut potatoes into pieces. Boil for 10 minutes. Puree in food processor and place in puree bowl.

Melt butter in a saucepan. Place in cooked cabbage and stir for 3 minutes on low to medium heat. Add in mashed potatoes and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 2 more minutes.

Wash fish with fresh water. Cook in a steamer. Place water to boil in the bottom of steamer with dried herbs. Place sole in basket on top, cover, and steam for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Serve fish on individual plates with potato mixture on side. Decorate plates with the tops of the leeks and dried herbs.

 For more great recipes, get your copy of  the book selected as Best Italian Cuisine Book in the USA-

The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition

copyright 2011 art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati

The 15th of March was made famous by an event in Ancient Rome, back in 44 AC when Rome lost it’s mighty Emperor that day at the hands of Brutus.  But this wasn’t immortalized worldwide till 1589, until Shakespeare  penned the play about Julius Caesar and the now infamous line “Beware the Ides of March”.  Under Caeasar’s rule, although  Emperor and a Dictator, there was a type of grandeur that was never recaptured again in Ancient Rome. Romans of today still remember him by bringing flowers to  the Foro Romano.

The Ides of March was based on the Roman Calendar. It was said that on  the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, October  and on the 13th of every other month, there was a full moon and legend has it still today that strange things happen when there is a full moon.  Things that stretch our imagination, sometimes good, sometimes bad..the philosophy of the Romans. 

In honor of Ancient Rome, although most of these ingredients were not around at that time, this is a typical Roman dish using Ricotta Romana. If you have never tried it you are in for a treat. It is made from the whey of sheep’s milk and is sold in a conical form, the surface has a  criss cross , with the lines left from the basket the cheese is put to drain in. It is famous for its’ sweet taste and is often used for traditional pies made for various Holidays.

A delicious meal for lunch or dinner..fit for a Roman Emperor. A  dish of Maccheroni Romana for lunch or dinner with a glass of a dry red wine from Castelli Romana (is  deliciously out of the ordinary enough to be served on the Ides of any month) and  you will appreciate another famous line in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

“Enjoy the honey heavy dew of slumber”

 RICOTTA ROMANA

Maccheroni Romana

1 (500 g) lb maccheroni

1/2 lb (250 g) Ricotta Romana

1 lb (500 gr) plum tomatoes (fresh or canned)

a small handful fresh basil leaves (no stems)

1 garlic clove

1/3 cup (80 grams) freshly grated parmigiana reggiano cheese

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

3 tblsps extra virgin olive oil

Wash,pat dry and chop cut basil into thin strips. Cut tomatoes into quarters, place in bowl and squash or mash down with fork.

Place olive oil in saucepan with garlic, saute over medium heat. When garlic is just about golden, place in tomatoes. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes,  or until thick, place in basil and salt  to taste, remove from heat and cover.

In rapidly boiling ,salted water , place in maccheroni. Cook till al dente, drain. Place ricotta in bowl, remove 2 (30 gr) tablespoons of cooking water from pasta and place into ricotta, with fork, soften ricotta with water, set aside.

Drain pasta, place into tomato sauce and toss. Serve, top with ricotta, freshly grated parmigiana reggiano and freshly grated black pepper.

For more great recipes, get your copy of the Award Winning Book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition

Carnevale..the feast that marks the 40 days filled with other Holidays approaching Easter.. Venice is one of the most famous cities in the world for its’ illustrious Carnevale..the colors, the costumes .the elegant balls…the food.

Venice, also made famous by the Victorian era duo—Gilbert & Sullivan for their operetta The Gondoliers..a comedy that takes place in Venice and is about the fictional King of Barataria. And through various mishaps a gondolier is mistakenly appointed to the Royal throne of this fictional comedy.

Venice also brings to mind other colorful characters who at one time or another used this unique city for their inspiration… Mozart, Shakespeare, Da Vinci, the Doges.

But alas Venice, Carnevale is not your possession, it is celebrated throughout Italy, with some cities like Via Reggio that organize grand productions and parades in honor of Carnevale. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday marks the end of Carnevale in almost every city in Italy except Milan. That city has the tradition of celebrating till Saturday because of the legend of a St Ambrosius who was to return to the city on this particular Saturday,

And besides the costumes and colors, the most memorable part of Carnevale is the food..the specialty sweets made for this Holiday.

I always pay a visit to the center of Rome after Valentine’s Day but before Easter to glance in the windows of some of Romes’ most elegant coffee bars to find the frappe (as they are called in Rome) displayed beautifully in their glass cases just waiting to be savored….here’s a recipe to try at home if you can’t get to Rome.. These are called chicchiare in other parts of Italy, chiacchiare means ‘to gossip’.

Chiacchiare

2 cups flour

½ cup sugar

¼ cup butter

3 eggs

powdered sugar for dusting

½ cup grappa

1 tsp vanilla

3 tblsps milk

3 tblsps unsalted butter, softened

Place flour on a wooden board. First beat eggs with milk with a fork. Make a well in the center of flour and place in the eggs and all other ingredients. Blend by hand , then place in mixing bowl or food processor till smooth dough is formed. Roll dough out to 1 inch thickness. Form chiacchiare by cutting with jagged edge cutter or knife or cookie cutter forms that are square in shape. Bake in preheated oven to 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar when cool.

For more great recipes and Holiday menus  get your copy of  the award winning book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition

Once upon a time in Ancient Rome, Terminalia, was celebrated on February 23rd to honor the God Terminus.   According to Ancient Roman mythology, Terminus, was the ancient God who protected boundaries and the feast was celebrated by landowners.  Terminalia was the feast created in his honor.

 Here is a  sorbetto cocktail (influenced by the Ancient Romans) to celebrate. It’s a healthy non-alcoholic cocktail. But I have added a touch of sage, in honor of the Romans, who introduced this herb as a medicinal plant to Europe from  Egypt..it was also known to have been touted as an overall tonic. 

Orange &  Sage Sorbetto

4 cups spring water

1 1/2 cups sugar

filtered juice of 2 fresh oranges

skin of 1 fresh orange and  extra for garnish

5 sage leaves

In a saucepan place water, sugar and orange peel. Boil for 20 minutes and until the sugar is completely dissolved. Place orange juice and sage leaves  in another saucepan and heat for 5 minutes over medium low heat to reduce the juice. Add in sugar mixture and stir over low heat for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool. Then filter the liquid, removing sage leaves and orange peel.  Place liquid in a tight container, cover and freeze.  When frozen, place in food processor till ‘slushy’, then refreeze in a covered container. Take out approx 3-4 minutes before ready to serve. Serve in  chilled fluted glasses, decorated with orange peel and sage leaves. Serve….

Cin Cin to Terminalia!

For more great recipes, get your copy of Gourmand World Cookbook Award Winner The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that’s amore….

An overused song, I know, but when you are walking through the streets of Rome and you hear an accordion playing the tune, it seems so apropos and so romantic..it just seems to go with the scenery…  and  for Valentine’s Day- an acceptable excuse to quote the song..The easiest main course to do for a Valentine’s Day dinner is Pizza. Amateur cooks and expert cooks alike can master a pizza. As my grandmother once told me when I asked her for her recipe “it’s just a little flour, some yeast and water”..she knew how to master the dough by the touch,the weight, the feel. But for those who are just learning, never fear,   and topping ideas are endless..choose whatever suits you..but for Valentine’s  Day you may want to avoid  garlic and onions.

Bake in a heart shaped pan. If you are using a silicone pan, cover the pan first with alluminum foil and oil that foil. Leave enough foil on the sides so that you can cover the pizza while baking. If you use regular pizza pan, you can eliminate the aluminum foil. This recipe can be considered more of a focaccia type pizza or in the US we call it a deep dish pizza. I have  included these interesting pastes, Amore Pastes, that are available in the US,  just as they are in Italy. If you have never cooked with tomato paste in a tube, try it ,it is so…. Italian!   And once you have used the tube, you won’t want to go back to the canned stuff.

Amore Pizza

Pizza Dough

from The Basic Art of Pizza: copyright 2011 art of living, PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati)

6 1/2 cups unbleached flour

1 cake of active yeast

2 1/4 cups tepid water

1 tsp sugar

For topping
1 tblsp olive oil

2 teaspoons of Amore Garlic Paste

1/3 tsp oregano

2 medium tomatoes

6 ozs. thinly sliced provolone cheese

Optional-3 ounces of cooked and drained Italian suasage crumbled or use a vegetarian substitute

5 tablespoons Amore Tomato Paste

2 teaspoons Amore Pesto Paste

12 ounces shredded mozzarella

Place yeast cube in tall glass, place in  1/2 cupwater and tsp sugar, stir.  Yeast mixture will become bubbly. In bowl place in flour and yeast mixture and blend by hand, as needed add in more water until dough is not sticky. Place flour on wooden board. Place dough here and continue mixing in until dough is soft yet not sticky, and a little  firm. Then cover and leave in warm place to rise.

When double in size, place into a pan and shape to fit. Oil your hands with olive oil, this will make it easier to lay the dough into pan shape. Press dough against sides and just over rim of pan,

Filet the tomatoes by cutting out the liquid part and slicing meat of tomatoes. In small bowl, add in tomato paste, garlic paste, oregano,olive oil. Place half the provolone on dough and spread tomato pase mixture on top. Layer sausage with provolone, dot wiht pesto paste. Place tomato slices on top and then top wiht mozzarella. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 monutes in a  preheasted oven at 425 degrees. Open foil to expose top of pizza and bake this way 5 more minutes or until top is golden brown. Wait 10 minutes before cutting.

Serve with a dry red wine.

For more pizza  recipes get your copy of The Basic Art of Pizza, also available as a downloadable ebook

For more great recipes get your copy of the Award Winning book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition

copyright 2011 art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati

“Journeys end in lovers meeting”..William Shakespeare

Who but Shakespeare could put it so eloquently..a message for the ‘coming soon’ Valentine’s Day..and the perfect Valentine’s Day journey could end at the Hassler Hotel or Il Palazzetto.. both in the center of Rome,Italy….on a recent visit I got to experience the beauty, the charm, the elegance of both. A romantic view from the Trinita dei Monti  atop  the Spanish Steps…in the center of Rome.. from just  the panoramic view  you experience the charm, the uniqueness, the romance, the beauty of Rome…apart from the elegance of each venue…

The Hassler, is one of Rome’s most luxurious,unique hotels..known not only for it’s elegance but design,style,it is truly an ‘artisan hote’l…and the 16th century  Il Palazetto, atop the ancient stones where the infamous banquets of Lucullus were once held is .. . filled with the elegance and unique style of the Hassler but more like your’home away from home’ in the center of Rome on the Trinita dei Monti.. from artisan cocktails to spas to cigar rooms and wine pairing events either venue  would be my choice for the perfect Valentine’s Day.   

My suggested recipe for the upgcoming ‘giornata di San Valentino’( in Italian) or Cupid’s Day in modern English is this one filled with mandarin oranges:

Linguini with Salmone e Mandarini (Salmon & mandarin oranges)

From The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition;copyright 2011  art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati)

(serves 4)

*1 lb of linguini pasta   

*2 ounces of smoked salmon

*2 mandarin oranges

*1/4 cup cream

*1 scallion

* small handful of celery leaves (found at top of celery stalks) 

*freshly ground black  pepper to taste

With a potato peeler peel 2 pieces of mandarin orange peel (take only orange peel, not white part) and cut pieces into thin strips. Place in boiling water for one minute and drain.

Use juicer to juice the mandarins and place juice in saucepan. Peel and cut scallion into thin slices, place into pan with  mandarin orange juice, place in cut orange peel and warm this on low heat. Stir and let cook till only approx 4 tblsps of liquid are remaining. Remove from heat and pour through a chesecloth. Discard everything except filtered juice.

Place filtered juice back in sauce pan and pour in the cream. Stir with wire whisk and cook over low heat just until boiling. Remove from heat before  mixture boils. Place pasta in salted water and cook till al dente. Drain.

Cut salmon into thin strips and add into sauce. If sauce has cooled warm a bit and stir with wire whisk, do not let boil. Place al dente pasta in serving bowl, pour sauce on top and garnish with chopped celery leaves, and ground black pepper. If possible, and for a special added  touch, serve on warmed plates

For more great recipes and Valentine’s Day suggestions get your copy of  The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition  selected as the Best Italian Cuisine Book in the USA by Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Also a special thanks to Roberto Wirth, President & General Manager of the Hotel Hassler and fifth generation of a famous Swiss dynasty of hoteliers, for the hospitality on my visits. Roberto stopped for a  minute on his busy day to tell me about both venues and  point out  the beautiful sculpture near front entrance of  the Hassler of Romulus and Remus-Rome’s eternal symbols.

Peace, Love & Pasta,

Maria   xoxo

copyright 2011 art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati

Romantic, inviting, inebriating, coffee is the beverage of choice of millions of people around the world. Come to think about it, coffee plays an important role in the lives of millions of people around the world..from those who produce it to those who consume it.

Besides many trips to (what I consider) some of the world’s best and most beautiful coffee bars in the world here in Rome, Italy..I have been studying coffee with some of the world’s coffee experts/tasters here…and here  some of the terms used to describe coffee when coffee tasting, when it comes to the olfactory terms:

*Fragrance- sweet/floral or sweet/spicy

*aroma-fruity or herbal

*olfactory-caramel,nutty,malty

*after taste-chocolatey, carbony,chemicaly,spicy

So instead of gulping the next cup down quickly, as most of us do….sip and attempt to discern all the wonderful (or maybe not so wonderful) different tastes in your cup..but isn’t, that how life is..we never stop to smell the roses or sip the coffee…and never realize all the wonderful things that are right there in front of us to savor…

Here is one of my favorite coffee drinks,especially in the winter

Caffe Principessa (Princess Coffee)

*1/2 cup hot espresso

*1 tblsp rum

*2 tblsps water

*1 tblsp brown sugar

*pinch of powdered sugar

*1 dried orange peel

*pinch of powdered cinnamon

*whipped cream

In a small sauce pan, pour in water,orange peel, sugar, rum. Heat and stir, Remove from heat, filter or pour through cheesecloth into a tempered glass. Add in coffee and powdered sugar,stir. Top with whipped cream and pinch of powdered sugar on top.

Serve hot.

Read about some of  my  coffee bar  visits   here in Rome, Italy or about the interesting past of cappuccino

For more great recipes get your copy of the award winning The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition