La Cucina Italiana - De Italiaanse Keuken - The Italian Kitchen

This is a traditional Italian Christmastime cake, made with a yellow sponge cake (baked in a shallow Swiss-roll pan) rolled up with a chestnut filling and finished with chocolate buttercream icing so that it resembles a Yule log. [...]

INGREDIENTS
FOR THE PASTRY SYRUP:

• 4 cups (1 liter) of water
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons Strega (an Italian liqueur) or a mandarin-orange liqueur

FOR THE CAKE:

• 6 large eggs, separated (you will use both the yolks and the whites)
• 10 tablespoons (5 1/4 ounces/150 grams) granulated sugar
• 10 tablespoons (6 ounces/170 grams) unbleached, all-purpose flour, sifted
• Pinch of salt

FOR THE FILLING:

• 1 jar of chestnut puree/cream ("crema di marroni" or "confettura di castagne")

FOR THE FROSTING:

• 7 TB (3 1/2 oz/100 g) butter, slightly softened
• 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Via Mariano Pallottini

Every region of Italy has a special dish that is made for Christmas and in Le Marche this plate would be i cappelletti. It is the king of the table on Christmas day.
The word “cappelletto” means “little hat” and it is what the pasta looks like. The cappelletti are a well loved tradition and for years they are prepared at home by the whole family so that they can be ready for the Christmas lunch on the 25 of December. They are “the cousins” to tortellini and are filled with meats, like mortadella and parmigiano with a dash of nutmeg. They are served with broth made from capons or they can be served with a cream sauce. [...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

This authentic Christmas pizza recipe is a favourite with our friends in Le Marche. Cook it in advance and keep it with your other Italian cookies to offer unexpected guests!

Italian Christmas pizza : ingredients

500 grammes (1 lb, 4 cups) type 00 (or strong white bread) flour1 tablespoon sugarChristmas pizza ingredients1 sachet dried yeast1 whole nutmeg, grated (or 2 teaspoons dried nutmeg)2 teaspoons dried cinammonPinch salt1 cup milk0.5 cup of warm water mixed with extra virgin olive oil (equal quantities)The grated peel and juice of one orange and one lemonOne bowl full of raisins, sultanas, diced dates, diced figs, walnuts, hazelnuts and any other dried fruits and nuts your family likeOne cake or lasagne tin measuring 28 cm (roughly 11”) and at least 8 cm (3”) deep Directions

Via Mariano Pallottini