GOT LEMONS???

Don't make lemonade....make Limoncello Cheesecake Squares!

Nonstick cooking spray
8 ounces purchased biscotti
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1 (12-ounce) container fresh whole milk ricotta, drained, at room temperature
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup limoncello liqueur*, store bought or homemade
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs, at room temperature

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of a 9 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Finely grind the biscotti in a food processor. Add the melted butter and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, and process until the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumb mixture over the bottom (not the sides) of the prepared pan. Bake until the crust is golden, about 15 minutes. Cool the crust completely on a cooling rack.

Blend the ricotta in a clean food processor until smooth. Add the cream cheese and sugar and blend well, stopping the machine occasionally and scraping down the sides of the work bowl. Blend in the limoncello, vanilla, and remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon zest. Add the eggs one at a time, and pulse just until blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Pour the cheese mixture over the crust in the pan. Place the baking pan in a large roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the baking pan. Bake until the cheesecake is golden and the center of the cake moves slightly when the pan is gently shaken, about 1 hour (the cake will become firm when it is cold).

Transfer the cake to a rack; cool 1 hour. Refrigerate until the cheesecake is cold, at least 8 hours and up to 2 days. Cut the cake into squares and serve.

*Limoncello liqueur can be found at most liquor stores and in the liquor department of some specialty markets.

These are creamy, smooth and lemony!!

LA BADIA

A few of you have mentioned my new header photo. It is a photo of the entrance to La Badia, the hotel in Sorrento that were were lucky to stay at during our trip to Italy in 2007. It used to be a convent and is located on a hill overlooking the Bay of Naples. It is surrounded by a grove of olive and orange trees. Every morning after breakfast we would take a path through the olive trees and walk into town.

This was THE place we were introduced to limoncello....it became our ritual every night of our vacation to have a glass of limoncello. When we returned home, we went through a few bottles that summer. Some of our friends, and I think my sister Lisa, said it tasted like lemon pledge!

Janie, at Panini Girl, made a list of 10 things she would rather be doing on her blog. I believe they all had something to do with Italy. I would like to add to the list....I would like to be sipping a glass of limoncello on the balcony above, with that man in the picture, enjoying the view!

Can YOU see the Whales?

TODAY WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN SAN DIEGO...WE HAD SOME TICKETS FOR A WHALE WATCHING CRUISE, SO IT WAS A PERFECT DAY TO GET OUT ON THE WATER ON A 95 FOOT FISHING BOAT FOR A FEW HOURS....

EVERY YEAR CALIFORNIA GREY WHALES MAKE A 6000 MILE TRIP FROM THE BERING SEAS TO THE WARM WATERS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO...THAT IS A LOT OF SWIMMING FOLKS!!

AFTER TWO HOURS OF NO WHALE SIGHTINGS, WE STARTED TO HEAD BACK TO THE MARINA, WHEN WE HEARD THE CAPTAIN YELL, "THAR SHE BLOWS"---FINALLY, TWO WHALES ABOUT 100 FEET OFF THE SIDE OF THE BOAT...CAMERAS WERE CLICKING AWAY...THE WHALES ARE OUT OF THE WATER FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS TO TAKE IN AIR THROUGH THEIR BLOW HOLE, SO YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY FAST TO GET A SHOT.....I SHOT SOME PICS, IF YOU LOOK REALLY CLOSE YOU CAN SEE THEM....THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL ....

WHAT COULD HAVE MADE THE DAY MORE PERFECT--- HOW ABOUT A PITCHER OF MARGARITAS TO HELP "US" WATCH THOSE WHALES HEAD NORTH.

BOAT.....HOUSES???

Yes, you are seeing correctly. These are boats that used to be buildings, which then became houses and they are on dry land, not water. The other day while I was taking a walk, I parked right in front of them, and thought I must share the unique story of one of Encinitas most famous landmarks.

A little history....Miles Minor Kellogg, a maritime engineer, with imagination, creativity, and recycled lumber from the 1888 Moonlight Beach Dance Hall and Bathhouse that was dismantled in 1925, built the now famous Encinitas Boat Houses.

They are a National treasure that exemplify early California courtyard architecture, early building with recycled materials, and vernacular architecture associated with Historic U.S. Hwy 101. The Encinitas Boat Houses have been deemed eligible for the National Historic Registry.

They are the most photographed houses in our town, now you can see why! Another quirky, funky, unique thing that makes Encinitas a great place to live!

Random, but interesting.

SAY IT ISN'T SO FABIO!!!

Today is a sad day for me---Last night, Fabio, the Italian chef, originally from Florence, was eliminated from the competition on Bravo's "Top Chef ".....it is one of my favorite TV shows, and this particular season, it was made so much more enjoyable because Fabio Flavia was competing---he is charming, adorable and of course very talented!

The final four competition took place in New Orleans and Fabio attempted to recreate creole style dishes... Grits with Sausage and Rabbit, Craw fish with Crab Stew and homemade pasta, and a Bell Pepper Martini, but I guess it was too sweet for the judges....not enough heat!!

He owns a restaurant, Cafe Firenze in Moorpark, CA....I think I might have to make a trip up there soon to taste his food for myself....and maybe a get a glimpse of Fabio....

Personally, I think that Stephan should have been eliminated!

Arrivederci Fabio!

FRIENDSHIP....

It has been a hella of a week, the internet was down, and I haven't been feeling great, went to the doctor convinced I had some strange disease....the disease is called MENOPAUSE!! Not being able to log on to the computer made me realize how important it is for me to visit blogs everyday, it is truly a source of great pleasure! Sure I could watch TV, read a book, peruse all of my favorite magazines, but I felt a sense of sadness not being able to go to all my favorite blogs and find out what is going on in your lives

Then Lisa at The Coastal Nest gave me this award----my first one---Lisa is one heck of a funny gal, with a heart as big as the the State of California and Washington combined, that's where she's from, Washington. Her blog is creative, funny, entertaining and a joy to read!....of course, now I am supposed to pick 8 people to pass this along to....I hate to break the rules of the award---you all get the award, if you read my blog, you have been officially awarded.

We had a lovely Valentines Day, complete with lobster tails for dinner at home, and roasted banana gelato with nutella drizzed on top for dessert!

Hope you and your sweeties enjoyed the day!

Please go visit Lisa's blog -- she is having a 250th post giveaway!

PEANUT BUTTER NUTELLA BROWNIES

World Nutella Day was on February 6th---I am a little slow on keeping up with my posts, sooo I made these brownies as an early Valentine's Day treat for my daughter Ali up in San Francisco. I am popping them in the mail today. I found this recipe at Culinary in the Country.

I know the photo is NOT good, I am not a food stylist, I am not even a good baker, but they are moist, decadently chocolate with a hint of peanut butter and hazelnut flavor. What more could you want?

PEANUT BUTTER NUTELLA BROWNIES

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 large eggs at room temperature

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup good quality cocoa

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup Nutella

1/2 cup peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Prepare a glass 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.Melt the butter over very low heat; when melted remove from heat and gently pour into a large bowl. With a wooden spoon stir in the sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and whisk together. Combine the flour mixture slowly to the butter, sugar, and egg mixture – mix well.Mix the peanut butter and Nutella in a small microwave safe bowl, and heat until it reaches a runny consistency. Stir the mixture into the batter; then pour it into the baking dish.Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting