CROSTATA ALLE FRAGOLE - STRAWBERRY TART...with a secret

A good fruit tart- crostata alla frutta usually is filled with pastry cream - crema pasticcera.

But if you want something lighter, or you simple don't have time to prepare the pastry cream, try to substitute it with jam. You won't be disappointed.

The one I prepared was with strawberries, bananas and....kiwi jam (homemade by my mother).

CROSTATA ALLA MARMELLATA

I haven't been writing for a while, but in the meantime I have prepared a lot of dishes that I want to share with you.
Let's start with a traditional Italian tart: the crostata alla marmellata (jam tart).
This is what we say the traditional homemade cake par excellence. The crostata (tart) is a tasty and above all easy to prepare recipe that you can stuff with your favorite jam (even better if homemade).

This tart is characterized for its typical lozenge decoration, but let your imagination run wild and invent new patterns, for example using cookie-molds or creating new forms to be distributed on the surface of the tart (as for the one that I baked).

QUINOA SALAD WITH PUMPKIN, FETA AND WALNUTS

Quinoa is incredibly versatile: you can prepare wonderful salads with whatever you have in your fridge. It's also easy and quick to cook: a healthy option when you are in a hurry. In just half an hour your meal will be ready!

Sformato di patate - POTATOES GATEAU WITH SPINACH AND PEAS

The sformato di patate or gattò,  the Italianization of the French ''gateau'', is a savory potato ‘cake’ made of mashed potatoes enriched with eggs, butter, grated cheese with a filling of cheese, ham or other cold cuts and vegetables.

Typically served warm, but not piping hot, it can be either a one-dish meal (piatto unico), if accompanied with salad, or an antipasto, if served in thin slices.

QUINOA SALAD WITH RUCOLA, WALNUTS AND GOAT CHEESE

Quinoa is a non-cereal that I discovered recently: just great! Rich in protein, fiber and minerals it cooks quickly and makes a great substitute for rice, couscous and pasta. Furthermore, quinoa is gluten free and perfect for people with gluten intolerance.
Quinoa can be used in the same way as rice, thus for warm or cold salads, savory cakes, soups or as your fantasy suggests you.

My first recipe with quinoa is a cold salad with rucola, walnuts, cherry tomatoes and goat cheese. An amazing and super healthy meal easy to prepare and to bring to your office for lunch!

TIRAMISÚ ''IN LEGGEREZZA'' - light tiramisú

I love tiramisú and I could eat it almost every day. But, as you know, with its indulgent cream with mascarpone, eggs and sugar it is a very rich dessert (and a nasty friend if you are trying to lose weight).
I wanted thus to prepare a lighter version, to eat without regrets. Replacing mascarpone with the freshness of ricotta and yogurt, I had a very balanced light cream, both in taste and in consistency, that made my tiramisú as good as the original one.

SMOKED MACKEREL SALAD WITH MUSTARD DRESSING

Last weekend I tried for the first time smoked mackerel, and I literally felt in love with it.
It is an oily fish, thus a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, that are important for our cardiovascular health because they help lower the levels of triglycerides and "bad" cholesterol in the blood.
With just a few ingredients you can have a tasty salad, perfect as complete packed lunch or dinner.