Mangia Vita

Author: Andrea DeCaro

  • Ham

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    This is less a recipe and more the way I work with a cooked ham. Holiday hams are great but I often find they are way more than my family can eat in one sitting. Additionally, hams can go on great sales during the non-holiday season and I love to take advantage of a good…

  • French Toast

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    Mix the eggs and milk together well in a measuring cup and strain through a small strainer into a shallow bowl, then mix in the vanilla and cinnamon. I do this to remove the stickier bits of the egg that can glob onto the bread. Heat a griddle pan on medium/low and melt about a…

  • Pico De Gallo

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    This is my mom’s favorite salsa. Dice all of the ingredients, making sure to cut the jalapenos and scallions very small. Mix well, taste for seasoning and spice. Adjust if necessary.

  • Salsa

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    This is my favorite salsa recipe. Put all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend well. Taste for spice and seasoning and adjust if necessary.

  • Tuna Salad

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    This is a classic Tuna Salad for sandwiches. Mix well and serve on toasted bread.

  • Cole Slaw

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    This a traditional creamy cole slaw. Perfect accompaniment for pulled pork, fried chicken, or barbeque. Clean and shred veggies and put into a large container with a lid. Add the white vinegar and sugar to a small jar and shake to dissolve the sugar. Taste the mixture to make sure the sweet/acid balance is to…

  • Caesar Salad

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    This is my cheater Caesar Salad recipe. It does not use raw eggs, but mayo instead. Dressing Clean, wash and spin dry the greens and add to a large bowl. In a small jar, add the dressing ingredients and shake to blend well. The dressing can be made ahead of time. Add the croutons, cheese…

  • Perfect Chocolate Cake

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    This is best chocolate cake I have ever had. Every time I have a different chocolate cake, I wish it was this one. There. I said it. Whisk together the dry ingredients, then add the wet to the same bowl and whisk until well combined. The batter is quite liquid. Prep your baking vessel. You…

  • Cream Cheese Frosting

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    Leave the butter and cream cheese out to come to room temperature. Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth with an electric mixer. This amount will top a 9×13 sheet cake or the tops of 2 – 8 inch rounds. For full coverage of a 2-layer cake, you…

  • Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting

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    Andrea DeCaro
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    Warm the cream just to simmering in a medium sauce pan. Turn off the heat and add the chocolate. Let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. Then with a spatula mix until the mixture is smooth and even. Put the mixture into the fridge to chill to about 70 degrees. Bring out the ganache mixture when…