This dessert is the final installment to my Mediterranean Medley class I taught last week at
The Culinaria which is inside Bakers & Cooks here in Ocala, FL.
I developed this recipe to try to emulate the flavors of baklava without all the work involved and without all the sweetness. I know, I know, I love Baklava like the rest of you and I know that the sweetness is what really makes it, but I was looking for a way to introduce people who may not have had baklava to the flavors, or give those who enjoy baklava another take on it. Plus, who doesn’t love ice cream?! Those little banana bites I did a while back were so cute I just wanted to keep the theme of bite sized goodies that are so flavorful and delicious you only need a bite to feel satisfied! These are the perfect little dessert for a BBQ, movie or game night or anytime you feel a craving for a little something sweet!
Also, here is a little reminder – if you would like to participate in the FIRST monthly Leftover Queen Foodie Event – The Royal Foodie Joust, you have until midnight TONIGHT (EST US) to enter. Click here for more details! Read the rest of this entry »

This is a wonderful dessert that is perfect for the summer weather we have been experiencing! You know those bananas that are almost brown and all you can think to do with them is make banana bread? Well here is another “cool” alternative! The best thing about this ice cream is that it is 90% fresh banana which makes this an extremely healthy alternative to ice cream. Plus the bites themselves are so cute and inviting, that one or two is enough to satisfy you! I recommend drizzling some hot fudge on top or perhaps some melted peanut butter AND chocolate to really make it special! This is a great treat with none of the guilt and all the flavor! There is a lot of in and out of the freezer, to protect the shape and texture of the ice cream, but the recipe is really not complicated and the ice cream bites really make an impression!
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Hazelnut gelato, or gelato alla nocciola, is one of the most common ice cream flavors in Italy. The creamy texture of the gelato coupled with the nutty earthy flavors of hazelnuts and this will quickly become a common treat in your house too! Read the rest of this entry »

This one is a no-brainer, but the picture we took of this is too beautiful not to post. Sometimes the most simple things have the most beautiful presentation, that is the advantage of having fresh fruit. You don’t have to do much to dress it up!
My version is with fresh papaya, blackberries and lime juice served over vanilla bean ice cream!