Mangia Con Elena

  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies IG: @mangia.con.elena Do you love soft, cake like cookies? If the answer is yes then these pumpkin cookies are perfect cookies for you!  These cookies freeze exceptionally well but I am sure they will not make them to the freezer. Incredibly flavourful with a great crunch from the pecans, sweetness from the little morsels of chocolate and warmth from cinnamon and pumpkin. A great fall inspired treat for Thanksgiving or just because. Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and get baking!  This recipe will yield about 24 cookies depending on the size that you prefer! We like them bigger because more to love!😁 Ingredients 🍪 1 cup of pumpkin puree (make sure it is puree and not pie filling) 🍪 1 cup of fine sugar 🍪 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil 🍪 1/2 tsp vanilla 🍪 1 large egg 🍪 2 cups flour 🍪 1.5  tsp of cinnamon  🍪 2 tsp of baking soda 🍪 a pinch of salt 🍪 1 tsp milk (I used almond but any would work) 🍪 1 tsp baking...

Nonna's Italian Meatballs/Polpettone IG: @mangia.con.elena The other day I made a large batch of meatballs.  I make them very simple with few ingredients,   keeping with my Italian upbringing and the way my mother taught me. I then lay them flat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper, freeze them, place them in freezer bags and store for when I want to make pasta, lasagna, pasta al forno or this delicious wedding soup. I will always make a large batch of regular sized meatballs and mini ones. As I do, my mind wanders to the hours that I would spend rolling meatballs with my mother at the little kitchen table. What I didn't know then was that I was making memories that I cherish deeply and hopefully pass these traditions on to my children.  Typically, the meat is a combination of ground pork, veal and beef. I prefer to use chicken or turkey instead of the veal but that of course is up to you! Let your taste buds be your guide! The ingredients are just guidelines as this re...