Food Blog Spotlight : How to Cook Italian : Easy Recipes from CiaoFlorentina

Many people love Italian food. Although my late husband said he didn't. Even though he watched and sometimes recorded the cooking shows of Lidia Bastianich. When we subscribed to cable TV, he rarely missed an episode of Giada De Laurentiis. (O.o)

Image Credit:  Italian Food Map, Food Regions of Italy, by Nancy Nikko

I heart most things Italian, with food being at the top of my list. There are so many Italian food bloggers out there. In fact, my third post for this blog shone the spotlight on one of my favorite blogs: JovinaCooks Italian.

Here is another one of my favorite food blogs: Easy Italian Recipes – CiaoFlorentina.  Cooking advice is provided, and many recipes are gluten-free, paleo, and vegetarian. A few selected posts appear below to ignite your curiosity to know more and whet your appetite for some tasty Italian cuisine.

Chocolate Covered Oranges with Red Pepper Flakes * Christmas Recipes

The ultimate Chocolate Covered Oranges: tangerine and orange slices dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with red pepper flakes for a nice kick. It is that time of year ago when our orange trees are so loaded the branches started breaking. Which means there are oranges and tangerines all over our kitchen.

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Replace potato chips with a healthier alternative. How to Make Brussel Sprout Chips (Crispy) *

Crispy and light baked Brussel sprout chips with just a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Easy to make and loved by all! Who is as excited as me about fall and baking trays upon trays of these Brussel sprout chips?

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Vegetarian Calzone Recipe *

Italian vegetarian calzone, pizza pockets stuffed with veggies and cheese, and grilled in a cast iron skillet, a vegetarian's dream! First of all, you absolutely gotta make this vegetarian calzone, you guys! I had them for breakfast ,and I'm not even ashamed to admit it.

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10 Healthy Valentine's Day Desserts | KaleJunkie ❤️ (Reblog)

Sweet, Simple, and Better‑for‑You Valentine’s Day Treats ❤️

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean complicated baking or sugar-heavy indulgence. Sometimes the most heartfelt desserts are the ones that feel good to eat and easy to make — and this collection delivers just that.

ETERSION Heart Cookie Cutter 5 Pieces 5 Sizes

👩‍🍳 This roundup comes from Nicole Modic, the creator behind Kalejunkie, known for her wholesome, approachable recipes. Her post, “10 Healthy Valentine’s Day Desserts” (2022), highlights treats that are festive, flavorful, and aligned with a balanced lifestyle.

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What You’ll Find in Her Roundup

Modic’s list features ten thoughtfully curated recipes ranging from chocolatey classics to fruity, no‑bake favorites. Each dessert leans into whole ingredients, simple methods, and nutrient‑forward swaps — perfect for anyone who wants to celebrate love without feeling weighed down. The post is easy to browse and offers options for different tastes, dietary needs, and time constraints.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Valentine’s Day desserts have evolved over centuries. The tradition of gifting sweets gained momentum in the Victorian era, when ornate confections symbolized affection and luxury. Chocolate, in particular, became tied to romance thanks to innovations in cocoa processing that made it more accessible and more decadent.

Heart‑shaped treats also have deep cultural roots. In medieval Europe (around the 13th and 14th centuries), the heart symbol was associated with courtly love, and by the 17th century, it became a common motif in pastries and decorative foods. Today, heart‑shaped cookies, cakes, and chocolates remain some of the most iconic Valentine’s Day desserts.

Sources (MLA 9):

• Grivetti, Louis E., and Howard‑Yana Shapiro. Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage. Wiley, 2009.
• Mintz, Sidney W. Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History. Penguin Books, 1985.

🔗 Explore the Full Recipe Collection

Modic, Nicole. “10 Healthy Valentine’s Day Desserts.” Kalejunkie, 10 Feb. 2022.

Healthy Dessert Recipes for Valentine’s Day 💖 (Reblog)

Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats Worth Falling For ❤️ 

If you think Valentine’s Day automatically means sugar overload, think again. There’s a whole world of desserts that feel indulgent but still keep things light, fresh, and nourishing—and this roundup delivers exactly that. 

Gift Boutique Valentine Heart Shaped Gift Boxes 3 Pack 

This delicious collection comes from Rachel Conners of Bakerita, who specializes in gluten‑free, dairy‑free, and refined‑sugar‑free baking. 

• Her post, “50+ Healthy Valentine’s Day Desserts (Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free)” (2021), is a treasure trove for anyone who wants festive treats without compromising on dietary needs.

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What You’ll Find in Her Collection

Conners curates more than fifty+ recipes ranging from chocolate‑dipped delights to fruity bars, creamy tarts, and elegant cakes—all crafted with whole‑food ingredients. The post is organized so readers can quickly browse categories and pick desserts that match their mood, skill level, or dietary preferences. It’s a celebration of flavor-forward baking that doesn’t rely on traditional dairy, gluten, or refined sugar.

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Valentine’s Day desserts have a surprisingly rich history.

Chocolate became tied to romance in the 1800s, when Richard Cadbury began marketing heart‑shaped boxes filled with cocoa confections—a clever move that helped cement chocolate as the holiday’s signature gift.

And strawberries? Their association with love goes back even further. In medieval Europe, they symbolized purity and passion, and were often served at festivals celebrating love and fertility. Today, pairing strawberries with chocolate remains one of the most iconic Valentine’s Day treats.

Sources (MLA 9):

• Grivetti, Louis E., and Howard‑Yana Shapiro. Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage. Wiley, 2009.
• Wilson, Bee. “The Strange History of Valentine’s Day Treats.” The Guardian, 14 Feb. 2015.

🔗 Explore the Full Recipe Collection

Conners, Rachel. “50+ Healthy Valentine’s Day Desserts (Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free).” Bakerita, 2 Feb. 2021.

Foodie Friday : Figs ~ Enjoy a Raw Coconut Fig Slice ( and More Wonderful Way to Enjoy Figs)

It's another #FoodieFriday. Even though it's late in the day, this post will be published before midnight. If not, I might turn into fig! (Just kidding!) 

For this #FoodieFriday, the keyword is "fig".  (It was going to be "gumbo' but ... found this post about fig and went off in a completely different direction! :)  )  Before getting started, let me share this healthy tip.

TIP:  Need a pre-workout snack? Try figs! They are filled with calcium, magnesium and potassium.  (Source)

OK!  My first fig share is an awesome post found in a Google Plus Blogging community.  The G+ network was shut down do I'm glad I saved the link.

Raw Coconut Fig Slice (http://itislovelyfood.blogspot.ca)

I don't know if the fig was really the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. As far as I'm concerned it's a fruit that was heaven sent!

Here is a little bit about the fig. It's an excerpt from my article published at Wizzley.com. 

FIG TREES Genus Ficus The fig plant can be either a low-lying shrub or a tall tree.  They grow wild; or domesticated in the Mediterranean region and in California.  In Israel, the fig trees usually sprout buds in late spring; by the month of June (early summer) the tree is full of leaves; and in just a few more weeks, the figs are ready for picking. ... You can learn more about the ficus plant at PlanetFig.com

An additional fact.  In the Bible, the fig has two symbolic meanings.  Hope (if the fig tree fruitful): Desolation (if the fig tree is barren).



Here are more shares.  Enjoy!

The humble Fig.

The Fig...You can get it dried almost anywhere in the world and fresh and luscious from September through to autumn. There is nought like the taste of a fresh fig and dried they are different but sweet, with a chewy flesh and crunchy edible seeds.The fig tree has no blossoms on their branches ...The blossoms are inside the fig.

Dalmatia Spread Fig, 8.5 oz

Bring Me Some Figgy Fig Recipes. (shewearsmanyhats.com)

• Fig Jam with Vanilla and Black Pepper - Jenni Field's Pastry Chef Online
• Cracked Wheat Fig Halwa (affronplatter.blogspot.ca)
• 15 Sweet and Calcium-Rich Recipes With Figs
• Spiced fig, coffee & hazelnut cake
• Delicious Savory Melon and Fig Salad
• Fig Salad with Kale and Halloumi - Delicious Fig Salad Recipe