Sunday, November 13, 2011

Dolci: Italy's Sweets...Review & Giveaway; Our First Virtual Potluck Event

Welcome to the very first Virtual Potluck. What is VP?  It's a concept that a group of us food bloggers developed; where we'll occasionally work together to post about a specific theme. Generating a true potluck of posts on said topic.  We'll be talking about it on Facebook, Twitter and each of our blogs.  There's a total of 12 of us and we've all got different tastes, focuses and talents. We hope to provide you with interesting content about cool products, recipes, and all things food related.  I suggest you visit all of the blogs during these events...as each one of us will be bringing different things to the table.

So let's get this potluck started.  Our first VP is sponsored by Abrams publishing and being hosted by  Donna at Cookistry.  There are 8 of us participating in this event. What does this mean for you?  8 reviews, about 8 different cookbooks, possibly 8 new recipes and most importantly 8 chances to win.  That's right each of us will be giving away a copy of the cookbook we review; so be sure to check Donna's blog for links to all the other reviews.

If I had to pick one thing to specialize in it would be desserts...Italian desserts to be more precise. So it's only natural that I chose to review Dolce: Italy's Sweets by Francine Segan. This beautiful cookbook is filled with both classic and contemporary desserts for all skill levels. With a gift for making each recipe come to life, Segan shares cherished stories from Italian grandmothers, young and hip foodies, famous pastry chefs, bakery owners and food writers.


Recipes include favorites such as cannoli, and biscotti to the more specialty items like Sicilian watermelon pudding and a Tuscan sweet spinach pie. With so many fabulous recipes in one book I had a hard time deciding which to try first. 

I decided on the Ricotta Pear Cake.  Although, very time consuming and labor intensive this is probably my new favorite dessert. Two moist layers of hazelnut cake surround a fluffy ricotta and pear custard that keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to five days...but trust me it won't last that long.





Ricotta Pear Cake

For the Cake
2 cups  finely ground hazelnuts (toasted)
6 Tbs 00 flour
6 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
7 Tbs butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350. Butter and lightly flour two 9 1/2 inch springform pans.
Grind the hazelnuts and flour in a mini food processor until very fine.  In a large bowl using an electric mixer with the whisk attachment, combine the eggs and sugar and beat on high speed for 15 minutes, until the mixture has quadrupled in volume.  Gently fold in the hazelnuts and flour with a spatula until just combined.  then add in the butter. Divide the batter between the two prepared pans and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until firm to the touch.  Set aside.


For the Pears
2 pears, peeled, cored & diced (I used jarred)
1/2 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp cornstarch
2 Tbs of brandy

In a small saucepan combine the pears, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch and simmer over medium low heat until the pears are soft. Remove from the heat, stir in the brandy, and let cool to room temperature. Set aside.


For the Syrup
1/3 cup sugar
4 Tbs brandy
1/2 cup water

In a small saucepan combine the sugar and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Stir in brandy. 


For the Filling
17 ounces ricotta cheese
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbs vanilla
3/4 cup heavy cream

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the ricotta, sugar and vanilla for at least 5 minutes, until creamy.

Meanwhile, beat the cream until firm peaks form. Using a spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the ricotta mixture. Fold in the cooled pear mixture.

To Assemble:
Remove one of the cake layers from the pan and place on a serving platter large enough to hold the outer ring of the springform pan. Brush the cake with 1/2 of the syrup to moisten it. Pile the filling in the center of the cake and put the springform ring back over the cake.

Gently spread the filling to the edges and then top with second layer of cake.  Brush the remaining syrup over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and put in the freezer until set, about 2 hours. Remove the springform ring and refrigerate until ready to serve.




*****For the giveaway; there are 4 ways to win.  The first two are mandatory*****

1.Leave a comment on this page telling me your favorite Italian dessert.

2. Head over to Cookistry check out all of the other posts; leave a comment on one of them and come back here to let me know.

3. Tweet about this giveaway leaving a comment here letting me know. Use #virtualpotluck in your tweet.

4. Follow me on either Facebook and/or Twitter....and come back here to let me know

Contest ends Friday November 18th at midnight EST.  Winner will be picked by random generator and announced shortly after.

52 comments:

  1. It looks fantastic. I don't know a lot about Italian desserts but this one you've featured looks divine. I love cake and I love pears.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love anything with ricotta in it and my stomach is growling for a taste! Looks wonderfully delicious!See you at #virtualpotluck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks so delicious, I bet that syrup takes it over the top--yum!

    ReplyDelete
  4. My favorite italian dessert would probably be a fruity version of tiramisu

    ReplyDelete
  5. @not rachel rays pumpkin cheddar muffins look awesome

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is quite impressive, but watermelon pudding?! I'll need to hear more about that one next summer :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. This sounds amazing! This is definitely on my to-do list.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This looks delicious. I'm not sure what my favorite Italian dessert is though...

    racblom@juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ooh, I love italian desserts. My favorite is still cannolis! Thanks for the chance to win :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I commented on Farmgirl Gourmet's post.

    racblom@juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have never had an.Italian dessert but would love to.

    Cass0289@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I commented farm girl gourmets post

    Cass0289@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I follow you on twitter and FB.

    Cass0289@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. My favorite Italian dessert is Tiramisu.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I found your post through Cookistry.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I tweeted your tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/BoonieSooze/status/136150238124716032
    It would be nice if you left us a sample tweet to copy and paste if/when you do another giveaway with Virtual Potluck. There are so many nice websites and new cookbooks to remember! But I really appreciate the opportunity to win such a nice cookbook, so thank you for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am now following you on Twitter. I'm @BoonieSooze.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I guess I'll have to go with gelato because I don't think I have had any other Italian desserts. I have posted on Miss in the Kitchens Penne with Mushroom Sauce and on the Sticky Cinnamon Scrolls. Don't know how to post on here but Anonymously. All the recipes in this VP look so yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nothing beats good tiramisu. It has everything! Coffee, sugar, chocolate, and booze. Yum. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I commented on Nelly's post on Cooking with Books!

    ReplyDelete
  21. My favorite Italian dessert is canolli. YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I commented on Farmgirl's post about sticky cinnamon swirls.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Tweet tweet! @elizaraxi (oh I crack myself up)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Now following on facebook and twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mmmm sugary pears and ricotta... man that sounds amazing. Looks delicious too!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love the idea of hazelnuts and pears. Love hazelnuts in general. This was a great choice for the potluck. I understand it freezes well, which would be great for shipping!

    ReplyDelete
  28. My favorite Italian dessert is an almond cake that a cousin in Italy made while I was visiting her; it had a zabaglione in it, I believe;it was incredibly moist.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I posted on Farmgirl Gourmet. Your recipe made me decide to look for 00 flour; where do you get it in the Philadelphia area?

    ReplyDelete
  30. I now follow you on twitter: ljskop.

    ReplyDelete
  31. That's looks fantastic. Pears & ricotta=good flavor profile.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yummy. I may try this with the almond meal I have in my freezer. My favorite Italian dessert would probably be panna cotta with strawberry coulis.

    ReplyDelete
  33. tiramisu is definitely my favorite italian dessert! following you on twitter, now. and i commented on farm girl gourmet right before heading over here! i'm looking forward to following the virtual potluck!

    ReplyDelete
  34. That pear custard sounds amazing! I'll have to look for that cookbook. Funny how we never think of Italian desserts.

    ReplyDelete
  35. It's almost impossible a task you ask! Choose between Tiramisu, Cannoli, Chocolate Gelato, Biscotti, Sacher Torte, Oh my...how can I ever? : D okay okay, hmmm...I choose, Cannoncini alla Crema Pasticcera-The Great Cream Horn, boy that was tough!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I will tweet a link to the giveaway as well, making sure to include the #virtualpotluck : )

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hmm, I already follow you on Twitter but when I clicked on the link to follow you on FB, there was no "LIKE" button or anything else so that I could follow : (

    ReplyDelete
  38. I like gelato :) I think it's Italian...

    ReplyDelete
  39. YUM! I am always looking for new recipes for our Church's "In-Crowd" as they really really love their sweets! I can't wait to make this for them!!! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  40. After a wonderful Sunday meal we often serve a special cake or pie ..ect. But, nothing satisfies me more than Espresso and a variety of Biscotti. Sometimes a Coke with Bitters if it is too hot. Almond, Amaretto,Pistachio, Orange, Cranberry or Chocolate with candies or sprinkles. The kids love them and we can sit and relax together and enjoy the best part of dessert; Conversation, Laughter and Love. Salute'

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hey, I did 1, 2 and 4. I sing like a bird; but I don't tweet or twitter. All the best. Still meeting the other participants and readings their blogs for the VP. Sent you a msg (no not mono sodium glutamate)lol Silly. And, I am just learning how the blog stuff works. All the Best. the A Cappellan.

    ReplyDelete
  42. PS I am a huge fan (physically too)lol of Francine Segan. I have 3/6 six books. We have communicated via fb and email. I hope to get up to NY or bring her to Pittsburgh for a show sometime. cya.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Not sure which post you will be doing the drawing from, so here's my comment from the other one:

    My favorite Italian dessert would have to be panna cotta. There are some really yummy flavors, and I like the smooth texture. What a beautiful dessert you made! I'd LOVE a copy of Dolci!

    sarahepardee at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I just went to check out Cookistry and left a comment!

    sarahepardee at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete