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The Barely Italian
Barga at Sunset 2012 © Sauro Rigali
Sauro Rigali, Barga, Italy
Sauro Rigali from Barga, Italy (Lucca, Tuscany) was a beloved photographer of the life and events which took place in Barga. He was not only extended family, but a friend to all the Rigali ancestry throughout the world.

Sauro was kind and had a great sense of humor. He is dearly missed by all of us since his passing.

I would like to share some of his photography with you. All rights are reserved for his family. Please do not use without their permission. I have permission from his son, Riccardo Rigali, to share these with you, for your enjoyment. I wish I knew the history of each photo and when I learn more, I will include it.

© Sauro Rigali


© Sauro Rigali

© Sauro Rigali

© Sauro Rigali

© Sauro Rigali

© Sauro Rigali

© Sauro Rigali

© Sauro Rigali

12:55 PM No Punti per la polizia grammatica
Star Wars Rebels Chopper Chip Cookies Recipe
Star Wars Rebels Chopper Chip Cookies Recipe AKA Giulianna's Killer Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
AKA White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Recipe
Everybody loves cookies! One type of cookie or another. Some prefer crisp cookies, others prefer them soft and chewy. The other day I posted a Bosskotti (Biscotti) recipe for you which is a dry cookie meant for dipping. Today, I'll share with you my base recipe for various "chip" cookies. In my family it's known as Giulianna's Killer Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe, killer being a descriptive for "the best ever." However, because I 💓 Star Wars...I transformed it into Star Wars Rebels Chopper Chip Cookie Recipe and you can print the free party food label!!! 😁Don't forget you can substitute a gluten-free flour mix, such as Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour 1 to 1.


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Giulianna's Killer Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe AKA Star Wars Rebels Chopper Chip Cookies
by The Star Wars Mom/Chef - Giulianna Rigali 1997 (Choc Chip Recipe) 2016 (Chopper Chip)
This base recipe is my "secret recipe" to the best tasting chocolate chip cookies, but you can use it with any substitute of chips and/or nuts. It's delicious, soft, and chewy. My Spin on Nestle Toll House Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter, salted
  • 2 Tablespoons molasses
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 3.4 oz package instant french vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour mix (such as 1 to 1)
  • (Variations listed below)
  • 1 packaged "choppered" up Wilton Orange Candy Melts (optional)
  • 1 cup chopped Macadamia or other nuts (optional)
  • 3 cups Chocolate Chips: mixture of semi-sweet and milk (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, beat the butter, molasses, sugars, vanilla, and pudding mix. 3. Add in baking soda, salt, and eggs. Beat again until well blended. 4. Add all of flour and mix in. Then add 3 cups of whatever chips/nuts you desire to use in this recipe. Some of my variations will be listed below 5. Scoop cookie mix by heaping cookie scoop onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Do not flatten. 6. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Take out and let sit on pan for at least 2 minutes before moving to a rack to finish cooling. Variations: (1) A mixture of 3 cups of chocolate chips. (2) 3 cups of Chopped up Orange colored Wilton Candy Melts and Macadamia Nuts combined to make Star Wars Rebels Chopper Chip Cookies. (3) 3 cups of Butterscotch Chips. (4) 3 cups of Chocolate Chips and Chopped up Walnuts combined. (5) 3 Cups of Sea Salted Caramel Chips. (6) You get the idea...your imagination is the only limit! :)
Details
Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 50 mins Yield: 2 dozen large cookies
11:47 AM No Punti per la polizia grammatica
Supreme Snoke-anoff AKA Vegetarian Stroganoff
Vegetarian Stroganov / Stroganoff AKA Star Wars Supreme Snokeanoff
According to my DNA, I'm less than 1% from the area of Siberia/Russia. And what a great excuse to make a Vegetarian version of Beef Stroganoff. I turned it into Supreme Snokeanoff for a Star Wars Recipe.

Is it any coincidence that RUSSIA has been in the US news recently and I made Stroganov?  Do you think the cooks at the Kremlin ever google Stroganov recipes and will end up making my version of their beloved classic?  

Vegetarian Ingredients for Stroganoff
Perhaps you will be surprised to learn that my family and I eat vegetarian meals about half of the week. I try different vegetarian meat substitutes, as I do prefer them to be soy and gluten free when possible. I actually like the vegetarian substitute for ground beef much better than the real thing.

However, when I eat barbecued meat...it's still the real deal! Oh, but I digress, so here is our family's Vegetarian Stroganoff recipe, AKA Supreme Snokeanoff. Прия́тного аппети́та! (Prijatnogo appetita!)

Don't forget to print out the free Star Wars Themed food label for Supreme Stroganoff! 



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Star Wars Snoke Supreme Snokeanoff AKA Vegetarian Stroganoff
by The Star Wars Mom - Giulianna Rigali August-24-2017
A delicious vegetarian stroganov made more delicious as it's named after Star Wars Supreme Leader Snoke. Adapted from Betty Crocker's Classic Beef Stroganoff Recipe.
Ingredients
  • 20 oz vegetarian steak strips
  • 8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 2 med thinly sliced white or yellow onions
  • 1/2 cup butter, salted
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 2 cups vegetarian beef flavored broth
  • 2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sour cream
  • freshly ground pepper to taste
  • freshly grated sea salt to taste
  • 16 oz package egg noodles or other pasta (prepare noodles before starting stroganoff and rinse)
Instructions
1. Saute onions, mushrooms, and garlic in 1/4 cup butter. Add some salt. Saute until mushrooms are golden and onions are tender. Remove from skillet.2. Cook vegetarian beef strips in 1/4 cup butter and 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce until heated all the way through, usually about 6 minutes. 3. Stir in 1 cup of vegetarian beef broth, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer. 4. Whisk flour into remaining cup of vegetarian beef broth until smooth. Add to beef in pan and stir. Add onion and mushroom mixture back into pan. Stir until thickened, turn off heat. 5. Mix in sour cream, season to taste. Serve over hot egg noodles or other pasta.
Details
Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 40 mins Yield: 6 servings

12:25 PM No Punti per la polizia grammatica
Star Wars Rebels Hera Shey's Chcocolate Italian Cake Recipe
Oh, it's "Synful!" Star Wars Rebels Hera-shey's Italian Chocolate Cake Recipe.

When I get a request to make something, my creative mind shifts into gear and develops a Star Wars and Italian spin on whatever dish I'm kicking up.

Thus, when my best friend requested chocolate cake I immediately knew it would be Hera Syndulla's from the Star Wars Rebels series.

It just so happened I had some imported Italian Buffalo Butter that was sent to me from Cheese Importers in Longmont, Colorado. I had been waiting to use it in something very "Synful," rich, and special. It's this perfect creamy butter. It's nothing like the butter I purchase that is made from cow's milk in America. Butter made from Domesticated Italian Water Buffalo is perfectly lovely in flavor and texture. It's unsalted, but so divine. Where has it been all my life???

Delita Buffalo Milk Butter and Bel Gioioso Mascarpone CheeseAnyhow, my Acquired Italianism is showing. Here is my recipe for chocolate cake. We also have a chocolate frosting recipe from The Star Wars Chef Bretto. You can use whatever type of baking cocoa you desire in the cake. In the US, it's common to find Hershey's Chocolate brand and works for my word play for Hera-shey's Chocolate Cake!

Don't forget the free printable party food label to make eating this cake feel like a Star Wars Holiday!


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Star Wars Rebels Hera-shey's Chocolate Cake Recipe
by The Star Wars Mom - Culinary Artist - Giulianna Rigali August-21-2017
An Italian and Star Wars spin on a moist, delicious Chocolate Cake, named after Hera Syndulla. I used Buffalo Butter imported from Italy, but you can use whatever type you have on hand.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup butter, unsalted
  • 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/3 cup espresso or double strength coffee
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup baking cocoa (Hershey's unsweetened cocoa or your favorite)
  • 1 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour your three round baking pans. 2. In large bowl, add each ingredient, one item at a time and beat until blended. After all ingredients are added, beat well for 2 minutes. 3. Pour batter in prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. 4. Cool in pans for 5 minutes, then flip onto racks to finish cooling. Frost with Chef Bretto's Star Wars Hera-shey's Chocolate Frosting.
Details
Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 45 mins Yield: Three layer 8-9 inch cake


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Star Wars Hera-shey's Chocolate Frosting Recipe
by Star Wars Chef Bretto August-21-2017
A delicious, rich, mascarpone and chocolate frosting. Perfect for your Star Wars crew!
Ingredients
  • 8 oz Chocolate, melted (Hersheys milk or dark)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 cup butter, salted
  • 8 oz Mascarpone Cheese (or cream cheese)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups confectioner's sugar
  • extra milk or heavy cream
Instructions
1. Cream together softened butter and mascarpone cheese. Add melted chocolate, cocoa, and vanilla extract. Mix well. 2. Mix in 4 cups of confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar) and slowly add either milk or heavy cream until your frosting is the consistency you desire for spreading. 3. Frost a cooled 3 layer cake between layers and outside. Take additional chocolate bar and using a peeler, make some chocolate curls/shreds for cake decor. On this cake I took a toothpick and drew lines around it to give it the look of one of the Pillars of Lothal, the place Star Wars Rebels started and will possibly end.
Details
Prep time: 15 min Cook time: Total time: 15 min Yield: Enough to frost 3 layer cake


8:31 PM No Punti per la polizia grammatica
Lemon Balm Tea Time to Calm Me
My pot of Lemon Balm Tea in my "The Art of the Brick" cup.
Have you seen Nathan Sawaya's Lego Exhibit?   It's amazing, don't miss it if you enjoy Legos and/or art!
Sometimes I find it hard to focus and I have a couple of tricks which help me on days like this. I thought since I'm implementing them with success right now, I should share them with you, though I may have mentioned them previously.

1. Vivaldi! Oh my goodness, his music always puts me in a great mood and helps me crack the whip on finishing whatever project I've started. Any other Vivaldi lovers out there?  My kids may have been caught laughing at me when they catch me directing the symphony or playing my air violin. More proof of my Acquired Italianism!!! 


2. Lemon Balm tea. I make a pot of Lemon Balm tea with some Stevia thrown in and if anything has my mind stressing out...I find my shelter, my calm. I'm on my second cup now. 😀 I hope your day is going calmly, too!


2:43 PM 2 Punti per la polizia grammatica
Star Wars Bosskotti Cookies - Chocolate Chip Biscotti Recipe
Chocolate Chip Biscotti - Star Wars Bosskotti Recipe
Star Wars Biscotti
shaped into logs.
Biscotti are Italian "twice-baked" cookies. If you've never made them, you might be shocked at how easy this recipe is to make and even more delicious than store bought.

Slice Biscotti
diagonally.
I'll put a few photos of the steps to show you just how simple they are to make!!! If you've ever made chocolate chip cookies, then you can make these.

Don't forget to get the free printable Star Wars party food label on the Star Wars Mom website to display with these yummy bosskotti cookies. These are sure to be a hit with all ages!
Place Bosskotti on sides
and bake more.



 

 

 

 

Star Wars Recipe - Bosskotti AKA Chocolate Chip Biscotti (Family Friendly)


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Star Wars Bosskotti - Family Friendly Chocolate Chip Biscotti
by The Star Wars Mom - Giulianna Rigali August-16-2017
Biscotti so scrumptious, your Star Wars Kids will become bounty hunters in search of Bosskotti.
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup butter, salted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons almond extract
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 2. In a medium bowl, beat the butter, sugars, almond extract, vanilla extract, baking powder, and eggs until the mixture is creamy smooth.3. Stir in flour and chocolate chips. Mix until well blended. 4. Divide the dough in half and place half on each parchment lined baking sheet. Shape into logs, about 10-12 inches long and 3-4 inches wide. Straighten the edges of the logs somewhat. 5. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Rotate pans on racks half-way through. Remove from oven and let set for 10 minutes. Turn down oven to 325. 6. Using a bread knife or a chef's knife, slice the bosskotti diagonally in about 1/2 inch slices. Slice straight through so that you can place each slice on its side for the second bake. 7. After setting each slice on it's side, return pans to bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 more minutes or more if needed to bake them firm enough to dip. The cookies will set firm as they cool, as well. 8. Transfer to rack to finish cooling and drying for an hour. Then place in an airtight container. Enjoy dipping in coffee, tea, or milk.
Details
Prep time: 15 hour Cook time: 1 hour Total time: 1 hour 15 mins Yield: About 16 slices
8:34 PM No Punti per la polizia grammatica
Star Wars Spiced Peach Cobbler Recipe
Star Wars Recipe - Spicy Peach Cobb Vanth
aka Barely Italian Spiced Peach Cobbler
Chef Bretto is back in the kitchen and he's working with fresh, summer peaches. And like a good, young man should, he's wearing his Star Wars tee shirt!!!
Chef Bretto preparing Star Wars Recipe
Chef Bretto preparing
Spicy Peach Cobb Vanth

It's hard to believe how much he's grown up since he first started pursuing his passion for cooking/baking. What's even better about his love of food, is that when he makes a dish, he learns to appreciate the ingredients more often than not. Take peaches, guess who enjoys them now???  😁 🍑

Today's Star Wars recipe was fine-tuned and prepared by Chef Bretto. It's a recipe that's been around for many years in our family and recipes similar to this are online.

I don't normally care for the smell or taste of peaches, but I must tell you, he's made a peach-liker out of me! I think it's because he added more fresh grated nutmeg and cinnamon to this. He's a spice lover!

As usual, you can find the free printable food label on the Star Wars Mom website.





 

Spicy Peach Cobb Vanth Recipe
aka Barely Italian Spicy Peach Cobbler



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Star Wars - Spicy Peach Cobb Vanth
by Giulianna Rigali and Chef Bretto via www.italianoconnection.com August-15-2017
A spicy version of Peach Cobbler from the Star Wars Mom.
Ingredients
  • 8 peeled, pitted, and sliced peaches
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 medium lemon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/3 cup hot water
  • 1/4 cup cinnamon and sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 13x9 pan.2. Add peaches, lemon juice, 1/3 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cornstarch to a bowl. Mix well.3. Pour into prepared 13x9 pan and bake for 10 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, mix the flour, 1/3 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, and baking powder. Cut in the butter until it forms small pieces of dough. Add hot water and mix until it forms a dough. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the peaches, until it is well distributed across the top of the peaches. 5. Sprinkle dough with a thin layer of cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and add another thin layer of cinnamon and sugar. Place back in oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until golden brown. 6. Serve warm or cold. Top with ice cream or whipped cream.
Details
Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 40 mins Total time: 55 mins Yield: 13x9 Cobbler
9:43 PM No Punti per la polizia grammatica
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I'm up for adoption by any full-blooded Italian families (just kidding mamma). Otherwise, I am forced to accept the DNA claim that I am less than 2%, even though my genealogy claims I should be more!

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