Mozzarella Pull Apart Christmas Tree

 I discovered this recipe while researching items to serve for an Italian Christmas Menu with our Family on Christmas Eve. 

I've adapted it slightly while still keeping the integrity of the original recipe.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 450 Degrees.

A Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper. Large enough to accommodate the Size of your Desired Tree.

Mozzarella Cheese Balls:

Enough to Create whatever size Tree you'd like. 

We bought 2 Containers of these that are 2.5 lbs each.

2 Tubes of Pillsbury Pizza Crust.

1 Egg.

4 TBS. Butter, melted.

1/2 C Grated Parmesan Cheese. (Plus additional for Serving)

1 TBS Finely Chopped Fresh Parsley. (Plus additional for Serving)

1 TBS Finely Chopped Fresh Rosemary.

1 TBS Fresh Basil Leaves, thinly sliced.

Marinara Sauce for Serving.

Instructions:

Roll out each Tube of Pizza Crust.

Cut each Piece into 2" Squares.

Wrap each Square around the Cheese Balls and Roll in your Hands to Seal Well. (Pinching and Sealing the Seams}

Arrange them Seam Side Down and Touching each other on the Sheet Pan in the Shape of a Christmas Tree.

In a Small Bowl:

The Egg Beaten with 1 TBS of Water to Create an Egg Wash and Brush it on the Dough Balls.

Bake for 15-20 Minutes, until Golden Brown.

Remove to a Rack to Cool for 10 Minutes.

In a Small Bowl:

Melted Butter

Parmesan Cheese

Parsley

Rosemary

Basil Leaves

Whisk Well.

Brush the Top of the Tree.

Sprinkle with the some Additional Parmesan Cheese.

Serve with a Bowl of your Favorite Marinara Sauce.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

 

Sicilian Almond Paste Cookies

 These Authentic Sicilian Almond Paste  Cookies or ( Paste di Mandorla) are easy to make and really delicious. They're Gluten Free and Dairy Free. Our family has ended up having individual Dietary Needs including, Gluten intolerant, Dairy intolerant and Sugar intolerant so I'm making these with Monkfruit Sugar Free Sugars.

Our family decided to have an Italian Menu for Christmas and these Cookies are perfect. 

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees.

A Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper and Baking Spray.

A Small Cookie Scoop.

Ingredients:

1 C Granulated Sugar ( I use Monkfruit Sugar Free)

2 Large Egg Whites, Room Temperature.

1 tsp Almond Extract.

A Pinch of Sea Salt.

2  1/2 C Almond Flour.

For Coating them:

1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar ( I use Monkfruit Sugar Free Powdered Sugar)

Directions:

In a Large Mixing Bowl:

Almond Flour

Granulated Sugar.

Whisk to Combine Well.

In a Large Mixing Bowl:

Egg Whites

Salt

Whisk until Soft Peaks Form.

Gently Whisk in Almond Extract.

Create the Dough:

Gradually Add the Almond Flour Mixture into the Egg Whites in Portions (Stir with a Wooden Spoon after each Addition)

The Mixture will seem Dry but that's OK. You can even Use Your Hands to Combine the Dough.

Use the Cookie Scoop to Create the Cookie Balls.

Form Small Balls with your Hands. (If the Dough seems to be too Sticky you can Spray your Hands with the Baking Spray or Dust your Hands with the Confectioner's Sugar.

The Cookies will be Small so you should be able to roll out 1 1/2 to  2 Dozen Cookie Balls.

Roll the Balls in Confectioner's Sugar.

Transfer them to the Sheet Pan.

Gently Flatten them a bit with the bottom of a Glass. (if they Crack a Bit on the Sides, that's OK)

Bake 15 - 20 Minutes.

They'll Rise a Bit and  appear Slightly Cracked, and that's fine.

Check them after 15 Minutes. They should be Golden Brown so Don't Over Bake Them.

Remove the Pan to a Rack to Cool for 5 Minutes and then Transfer the Cookies to the Rack to Cool Completely.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!