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Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe that we are beginning a brand new year once again. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Despite being ill for a while, we had a great time with our family though our week together went by far too quickly.

I always love it when January comes around as I feel like I have a fresh start. In 2014, I want to continue on my path to create healthier meals, to exercise a little more, and to try and take time each day to enjoy my path in life.

Though it seems we just left Umbria, in just a few months time we will be heading back to begin a new rental season that is already fully booked. I also plan to travel more while we are in Italy this year and have trips to Sicily, Puglia, and the Dolomites on my "to do" list.

I know much of the United States is presently experiencing frigid temperatures with lots of ice and snow. I hope everyone stays warm and safe!

Top 2013 Italian Food Forever Recipes

I cannot help but look back over 2013 and realize what it great year it has been. The year end is always a time when I find myself feeling reflective, particularly when I have just taken some much needed time off from blogs and social media to spend quality time with my family over Christmas. I feel excited and rejuvenated as we move into the new year and I have lots of ideas for Italian Food Forever.

Farro Salad With Grilled Vegetables
In this recipe, I chose to mix farro with my favorite vegetables but you could add just about any vegatable you chose. Grilled asparagus, mushrooms or artichokes would also be delicious in this salad. In place of the capers you could add pitted, sliced olives or even lightly toasted pine nuts. A sprinkling of crumbled goat cheese is another tasty addition that creates a whole different flavor. Get The Recipe......

Ricotta Sformata
This is a nice appetizer, or light first course to serve either with just a simple topping of butter and grated parmesan, or with a dollop of tasty tomato sauce.

I had first tasted a similar dish at Il Cibreo restaurant in Florence, Italy. This recipe is so simple, you can make it up in minutes, and takes less than 30 minutes to cook. I do find however, it has much more flavor if served just barely warm rather than hot. Get The Recipe......

Pasta With Lentil Bolognese
This is a really hearty pasta dish that uses lentils in place of meat and is a great option for "meatless Monday". I learned to love lentils after living in Umbria, and prefer to use the small beige or green lentils in my kitchen. Lentils are a nutritional powerhouse, and are high in fiber, are an excellent source of six important minerals, two B vitamins, and protein. Best of all they are fat free! Get The Recipe......

Buttery Almond Jam Bars
The holidays are now behind us, and I really had a wonderful holiday week with a houseful of family members. Nothing like 5 young grandkids running around the house to keep life busy, fun, and a tad noisy! Every year I always bake a bunch of Christmas cookies that everyone snacks on throughout the holidays and though I always make our traditional family favorites, I also like to try out a few new cookie recipes each year. Get The Recipe......