Coffee Tiramisu Parfait with Chocolate Raspberry Sauce

Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts. The combination of the mascarpone cheese filling with the strong flavor of the coffee syrup is to die for. Traditional tiramisu calls for ladyfinger cookies, but I used amaretti cookies because they are small and fit in the parfait glasses without having to break them.  I think amaretti cookies are delicious on their own or when paired with an espresso cappucino, but they take on a whole new life when used in this velvety Italian dessert. 

I prefer making tiramisu parfaits rather than the regular "family style" tray of tiramisu. The parfaits are easy to serve if you have a lot of mouths to feed, and they look very elegant whenever served at a formal dinner at home. The small portions will make your guests feel less guilty.

Vegetarian Broccoli Risotto

I've already made several versions of risotto like the Asian Fusion Bamboo one or the more traditional cremini mushroom risotto. Today was a very cold and rainy day, so I decided to make another risotto. This version is risotto with broccoli, Lulu's favorite.  Broccoli pairs great with cheddar cheese, and is a great flavor and color accent to the risotto.  It's slightly upscale comfort food that your family will love.

Easy Olive and Cheese Pizza

The hard part of making pizza at home is preparing the dough, but with this recipe, you'll be making pizza all the time.  The toppings for this pizza are olives, tomatoes and basil, but you can use whatever you like.  That combination is popular at my home because my father is allergic to mushrooms. He can't eat the Mango Mushroom Pizza that I always prepare for our "pizza nights".  The little one is obsessed with olives, so this one is her favorite as well.

Asian Fusion Bamboo Risotto

Bamboo shoots are young, crisp and tender. They have a similar texture to asparagus, but a very different flavor. I've been thinking a lot lately about how to take a traditional risotto and make an Asian fusion version, and it occurred to me that bamboo would be an excellent flavor to add to the dish.

The basics of the risotto are still the same. A little oil, arborio rice, broth, and a vegetable.  I didn't put cheese because I was making an Asian version, and I added some turmeric and paprika for color.  The dish is finished with some red chili oil and fresh cilantro.

Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna

Lasagna are always a hit at home, especially during the winter. The layer of spinach and béchamel sauce make the dish very creamy and filling. 

It's suitable for both meat eaters and vegetarians. My little sister-in-law who's deathly allergic to nuts and eggs can also share this dish with all of us.

It's a great dish to make in advance as you can prepare it the day before and keep it in the refrigerator overnight.