La Bella Vita Cucina

Classic Italian Minestrone Soup

The older I become, the less that I use written recipes in my cooking. To my mother, I give credit. To my nonna, I give credit. Neither of them ever used written recipes to guide them in their kitchens. They were fabulous cooks and just knew in their bones . . . intuitively . . . how to prepare delicious foods from their simple taste sensibilities as well as their experience and knowledge from watching their own mothers and nonnas that preceded them. It has taken me years to get to this point. I don't want to ever be or sound arrogant or proud in my cucina, but I hope to somehow and in some ...

Is it cold enough for you lately? Have you received some snow by now? Are you bundling up in front of a warm and cozy fire just like we are in my neck of the woods? If so, then you're needing some rib-sticking comfort food. And nothing can satisfy the soul during these chilly wintery days than good old-fashioned chicken soup! Here's a super easy-peasy Homemade Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup that will have you eating it straight out of the pot! Comfort food just doesn't get any better than this. And if you're not chilled to the bone like most of us are during winter, you'll STILL love this fantastic soup! This chunky soup is totally ...

Do all of your recipes that you prepare turn out perfectly each and every time? Have you ever made a new recipe that bombed and you were left utterly disappointed? Well I know that this has happened to me that's for sure! After one baking disaster, I wondered: "Why don't food bloggers share their imperfect humanity and share about how something went wrong in their kitchen . . . I think it's only fair to be honest with my readers!" Here's a low-down on my recent kitchen catastrophe: Mr. Bill wanted something sweet and found that all the cupboards were bare! So I decided to bake a humungus sour cream chocolate bundt cake that I had never ...

Citrus DeTox Spa Water

Don't you love to be pampered? Don't you think you deserve it? My response? Yes and YES! My life is so full of stress and I'm sure that yours is too! As much as I try to keep stress in check, that nasty stuff just has a way of creeping back into my days. I'm really a good person, ...

Roasted Tomato Bisque with Parmesan Crisps

Don't ever eat canned tomato soup again! I'm telling ya, there's nothing like home-made tomato soup and there's even nothing better than roasted tomato soup! Your tastebuds and your tummy will thank you! Every summer I make tomato soup from our garden's fresh bounty. With the ...

cocktails to celebrate in new year's eve

Cocktails to Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Cocktails to Celebrate New Year's Eve! Before you go pouring those cocktails on New Year's Eve, you should really take a look at all of these gorgeous, festive, and delicious concoctions to help ring in the new year of 2017. Makes one want to get the party started right ...

Italian Ricotta Cookies

With all of the heavy foods offered during the Christmas season, it's so nice to nibble on something that is oh so light, sweet and delicious! Plus these cookies are so festive with the colors of the season sprinkled all over. With just a slight hint of lemon in both the cookie and ...

Best Potato Latkes with Italian Herb Yogurt Sauce #MadeWithChobani

Best Ever Potato Latkes with Italian Herb Yogurt Sauce

December 24th is the first day of Hannukah and the Festival of Lights! To my Jewish readers who have followed this blog over the years, here's wishing your family and you a most wonderful and spiritual time. What better way to start this holiday off with the yumminess of latkes! ...

What to Buy in Germany (Bavaria)

If you are visiting Bavaria, you're in for a unique and wonderful shopping experience. Yes, you'll find typical chain stores in the cities such as Munich. But it is the small boutiques and open markets that specialize in traditional German items that make spending money a ...