We Provice Recipes

I was looking for a recipe that would use up the remaining blueberries after decorating the Elizabeth Sandwich.  I also needed a V recipe for the Alphabakes challenge.  A quick look through the index of some of my books and the word vanilla was jumping out as the most likely, but I couldnt see anything particular I wanted to make.  Thank goodness for Google which led me to Cake Frills run by Sheila, an experienced baker and cake decorator, who had the perfect recipe for Blueberry and Vanilla Muffins




Alphabakes is hosted this month by Ros, The more than occasional baker  who alternates hosting the challenge with Caroline at Caroline Makes

 The muffins were delicious, beautifully light with a nice balance of vanilla and blueberry flavours.

My Grandmother would be proud. Every time I use her cavatelli maker I feel like she is there with me. I remember making them with her on her wood dining table. She let me turn the handle of the machine and I got a big kick out of watching the pasta turn into cavatelli. I wish we thought of taking pictures or videos then. When I use the machine and get stuck I think of her saying, "I told you, you have to you a lot of flour!" I try to remember that and flour it up really well.

Sometimes it makes me really sad because Nanny isnt around to see how she influences every meal I make.  Even when I make something I knew she really wouldnt like, I am still thinking about her.
She had no idea how much she meant to me.  Even if it seemed like she did, she just didnt.  Hopefully shes looking down at me and shes happy to see what Ive been doing.

I cant believe it took me so long to post this but I actually lost the recipe and couldnt remember where I found it.  Well it finally occurred to me and this post was all set up and ready to go.  The credit for the recipe goes to Deborah Mele of Italianfoodforever.com.  Check out her website for some great authentic Italian recipes!

To make the dough for the Cavatelli:

Ingredients:

4 Cups All-purpose Flour (or 2 cups tipo "00" & 2 cups tipo "0")
1 Egg
1 Pound Full Fat Ricotta Cheese
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup Heavy Cream

Directions:


Place your flour in a bowl and make a well in the center. Add your other ingredients into the well and stir until the dough comes together. Dump the dough onto a floured surface and knead with your hands for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. You may also wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate it until needed. This rest period is necessary to obtain the right texture of the dough.

To form the Cavatelli:



When ready to cut the cavatelli, first cut the dough in half and place one half on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to a thickness of about 1/3 of an inch thick and cut into strips about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch thick. Flour a strip well, and using one hand, pass it through the wooden rollers, turning the crank clockwise with the other hand. The cavatelli will drop onto the counter after they are cut. Place the cavatelli on a lightly floured baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to cook. Cook cavatelli in large pot of boiling salted water for about 5 minutes. Like gnocchi, cavatelli will rise to the surface when cooked. Drain and top with your sauce of choice.

















Pictures by Salvatore Corso.  Click here to see his amazing website.