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

“Take pleasure in your dreams, relish your principles and drape your purest feelings on the heart of a precious lover”

Giotto

A beautiful quote from a man who was also known for creating beautiful things. However, he,apparently had a sense of humor as well. In a fresco he was commissioned to paint in the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi , a faint figure of the devil was recently found in the middle of the clouds..possibly his way of getting back at one of the Popes who commissioned that painting…

Known for creating things of beauty, however his children were known to be very plain looking. When asked by  the famous writer Bocaccio, how  he could create such beautiful paintings but such plain children..Giotto responded “ I made them(my children) in the dark”.

Torta Alla Zucca (Pumpkin Cake)

(photo credits  www.tortaalcioccolata.com)

( recipe excerpted from The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: DaVinci Style

16 ounces(500gr) pumpkin mashed

2 lbs (250 gr) peeled, shelled almonds

1 ½ cups(300 gr) flour

1 cup (200 gr) sugar

4 eggs

4 juicing oranges

1 tblsp honey

Chop almonds. Place almonds, pumpkin in bowl, add in honey, juice of oranges, egg yolks and sifted flour Blend. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites till firm and fold into pumpkin mixture. Place in buttered 12” pie pan. Bake in oven preheated to 375F (180C) degrees for 30 minutes/

If you are interested in  finding  culinary arts classes, look into online schooling

**Join me in Italy on May 3,2012 for an all inclusive 10 day luxury cruise to Italy and the Mediterranean.  Only a few more spots left, call Julie at Rosenbluth Vacations at 1-800-257-8279

copyright, 2008, Maria Liberati

October is here and Halloween is lurking around the corner and so are the pumpkins.  I am working on a healthy eating campaign for the American Academy of Ophthalmologists and their upcoming cookbook. The campaign is called Feast Your Eyes. It is based  on the research that has shown that along with regular exams, eating certain foods can help to delay or control the onset of macular degeneration.   I needed a Halloween recipe for adults, one that is healthy, and can be eaten by adults, so here is my  first Halloween recipe. This is great as an appetizer or light lunch or dinner served with a slice of Prosciutto Ham  and Pecorino cheese or both. These are delicious but also healthy to eat and not your typical sugary fare.

Halloween Pumpkin Muffins

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 packet dry yeast

½ tsp crushed, hot, red pepper

pinch of salt

pinch of sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup low fat or skim milk

2 tbsp of carrot juice

4 ounces of mashed pumpkin

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In mixing bowl place egg ,milk, carrot juice, crushed red pepper, mix with electric mixer. In separate bowl place flour ,sugar,salt and stir together. Add in, a little at a time to egg mixture. When well blended, add in pumpkin. Grease a muffin pan with butter or place in paper muffin cups instead. Add in muffin mixture, filling each muffin cup halfway. Cook for 20-25 minutes or till firm. When finished remove from oven, leave till warm in muffin cups. Serve warm with a slice of Prosciutto and a slice of Pecorino cheese.

“Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene”

Maria

For more great recipes get your copy  of the best selling book  The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at http://www.marialiberati.com and don’t forget you can follow me throughout my food filled day at http://twitter.com/marialiberati