Zabaione

I went to Rome a week ago an while it was my first time in Italy, it certainly wasn't the first time I had come in contact with it. While everyone knows that pizza and many different kinds of pasta are Italian cuisine, the Italian desserts are somewhat overlooked. I guess that anyone is able to name the ice-cream "gelato" (which actually means ice-cream but is much different from what can be bought in a store) and tiramisu but other than that? 

I've come across a recipe for Zabaione, or alternatively spelled Zabaglione, in a search for more Italian dessert recipes after I made Cantuccini about 2 years ago. I've made Zabaione couple times now because it is simple yet challenging, incredibly rewarding and infinitely customizable. See, it's only egg yolks, sugar and wine. And a lot of whisking. A LOT! It is usually served with fruit like strawberries and blueberries but you can also use soft sweet bread like panettone or a soft sponge cake. Yum.

Valentine Vanilla Heart Muffins

As the 14th February rears its heart-shaped head, you too might crumble under the pressure of being all romantic and decide it's time to make something for your significant otter. The way to a man's heart leads through his stomach (unless you plan to stab him, in which case it's better to start a bit higher) but I'm quite positive that anyone enjoys muffins especially if they are enhanced by a cute heart inside.

I discovered the idea for these muffins at a really cool site dedicated to stuff inside cupcakes and adapted it to an easy muffin recipe. Eventually, I tried to make frosting but once again it didn't end up well and I am a proud owner of a delicious cream spread that's good on cinnamon toasts but is too runny to be used as frosting. Anyway, here's the recipe!