Channeling Nonna
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      • Anise Biscotti
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      • Amaretti
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      • Pinole Raisin Biscotti
      • Chocolate and hazelnut meringues
      • Chocolate and Cinnamon Biscotti
      • Anise Cookies
      • Double Chocolate and Almond Bombs
      • Carnival Treats
      • Italian Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze
      • Almond Squares
    • Torte >
      • Orange Almond Torta (Gluten Free)
      • Lemon Polenta Torta
      • Ricotta Chocolate Chip Torta
      • Peach Almond Torta
      • Torta Caprese
      • Torta di limone (Lemon Torta)
      • Apple Torta
      • Chestnut Torta
      • Pear Torta with Almond crumble topping
      • Chocolate Ricotta Torta
      • Ricotta Pear Torta
      • Piedmont Hazelnut Torta
      • Ciambellone
      • Almond And Chocolate Torta
      • Orange Almond Torta with dark chocolate
      • Ciambellone with cinnamon almond topping
      • Dark chocolate glazed almond torta
    • Crostate >
      • Strawberry and Chocolate Crostate
      • Cherry Crostata
    • Pane >
      • Savory Grissini
      • Focaccia with Basil and Two Cheeses
      • Olive Bread
    • Other
    • Savory Snacks >
      • Parmesan Crisps
      • Rosemary Crackers
    • Gluten Free Desserts
    • Luca's Dog Treats
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  • Baking Tips
    • Baking with Olive Oil
    • Metric Conversions for Baking
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    • Tourist Information
    • The Language of La Cucina Italiana

Making Biscotti Step by Step

Biscotti, in America we use the term to mean a certain type of Italian cookie; however, in Italy, the term is actually the generic term for cookies.  What Americans know as biscotti, is actually called cantucci, and in Tuscany, it is traditionally made with almonds.  Read more . . .

Anise Biscotti

A Tempting Thought
"Life is uncertain.  Eat dessert first. " Anonymous

Go Nuts!!!

Nuts are an integral part of the Mediterranean diet, and they are found in many of the dolce recipes in Italy.  Finely ground almonds can be used as a replacement for wheat flour for gluten free baking as in the torta caprese and the meringue recipes below. 

New Recipes Featuring Almonds

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Orange almond torte with chocolate
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Ciambellone with cinnamon almond topping
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Dark chocolate glazed almond torta

Some Favorites with Almonds or Hazelnuts

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Chocolate and hazelnut meringues
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Almond squares
PictureTorta caprese

 More Recipes from The Channeling Nonna Kitchen

torte (Italian Cakes)

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Let them eat torta . . .  torta caprese, apple or pear torta, ricotta torta, orange almond torta and more

Biscotti (Cookies)

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It's not just a chocolate chip world . . . try some cantucci with chocolate and cinnamon, brutti ma buoni, anise cookies, ciambelle and more

Crostate (Pie - Sort Of)

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"Stress can not exist in the presence of a crostata" ... with apologies to David Mamet



Pane (Bread and More)

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"Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods" (James Beard), and who can deny that the breads made in Italy are amazingly satisfying -- olive breads, focaccia, grissini

Salatini (Snacks)

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Throw out the potato chips and cheetos . . . these are delicious and don't contain ingredients you can't pronounce


Gluten Free

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Living in Italy I have learned that you do not need to have flour to make a cake (or cookies) like the torta caprese in the photo

Altri Dolci (Other Sweets)

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How about something fast and delicious with no cooking required ...  a lemon mascarpone cream


Some Reader Favorites

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Peach Almond Torta
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Amaretti
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Brutti Ma Buoni
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Le Marche Apple Torta

Tried a Recipe?

If you have tried one of my recipes, please send me a note and let me know how it turned out for you.  And, if you took a photo, please send it along and I will post it on the site (giving you credit for the photo, of course).  Click the button below to contact us.  Happy Baking, Maree

Contact Us



What's New

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Dear friends,
After nearly a decade of life in Le Marche, Italy, I moved back to the USA to be closer to family. I miss Italy every day and the wonderful friends we left behind.  But there are so many memories that will always live with me, and I have shared some of those in my new book Dog Days In Italy: How I Became An Expat Dog.  The story is narrated by my ever faithful canine companion, Dino, who knows how to speak his mind about everything. If you're looking for a a bit of humor to lighten your mood, this may just be the book for you.  Available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Days-Italy-Became-Expat/dp/B09JYP2M27


Baking with Olive Oil

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If you, like many of us, have become more conscious of what you eat and are trying to eat less fat or at least less bad fat and more good fat, then you are aware of the accolades given to olive oil. For more information on olive oil and how to convert from butter to olive oil in your recipes, click the photo above.

Not all olive oils are created equal.  First press extra virgin is the best quality oil.  Below are a few  high quality extra virgin olive oils. Ligurian oil, which is often more light and fruity in flavor, is excellent for baking.  When in California, I have used Costa Dei Rosmarini in baking with excellent results.

Converting from Metric to American Equivalents

With the internet, you now have access to authentic recipes in Italian.  The  problem is that, of course, they are in Italian, but also they are in metric measures.  Click the button below for a guide to converting from metric measures.  Click here for a guide to translating from metric to American measures.

 a pRIMER ON THE language OF LA Cucina Italiana

Click here for vocabulary from the Italian kitchen and terms used in Italian recipes

For Pet Lovers Only

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Okay, so this looks like peanut butter cookies, but, it is not.  This is a very meaty and healthy treat for your dog.  What is it doing on Channeling Nonna?  This is the recipe for the treats I make for my very special four legged friend, Luca, and I thought I would share it with pet lovers. 

interested in Italian Wines?

There is more to Italian sparkling wines than Prosecco.  Today, many wonderful sparkling wines are made in Italy from a number of grape varieties, and many of these are made by the classic champagne method.  Visit my wine blog www.theproseccoproject.com to learn about the sparkling wines of Italy.

Planning a Trip to Italy?

My husband and I made our home in Le Marche, Italy for nearly a decade.  Located on the Adriatic coast east of Tuscany and Umbria, Le Marche is often referred to as "the new Tuscany" or "Italy in one region".  If you are planning a trip to Italy, the relatively unknown Le Marche region would be a great addition to your itinerary.  Below are links to a few of our friends providing services in Le Marche.


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A beautiful country house and restaurant in Rosora, Le Marche
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Le Marche wine and gourmet food tours
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