How to Make Panna Cotta Nutella by Paula Jones of Bell'alimento

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Okay everyone, polish up your Italian language skills because today we're in the kitchen chatting it up with Paula Jones from Bell'alimento! Paula is a charming guest, and her Italian cuisine is oh-so comforting. At Bell'alimento the food is beautiful, but not complicated. Now that's my kind of food philosophy!

Paula is one of those people I knew I just had to meet, and soon. So I got up the courage to contact her for an interview. I was so nervous. I'm sure glad I asked because she said yes right away! Getting to know Paula was like meeting up with an old friend, whom I hadn't seen in years. We do have something in common....both Paula and I have fathers who are retired Air Force. That was our instant bond."Go Blue!" Right Paula?!

I invite you to join us in the kitchen today. Pull up a chair, we'd love to have the company.

Caio!

Paula was gracious enough to pass along two recipes for you all!  Enjoy!

Panna Cotta alla Nutella

Here's what you'll need:

1 pint of heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
.25 ounce {1 packet} knox gelatin
3 tablespoons COLD water
3 tablespoons Nutella - melted

What to do:
Into a medium size bowl add COLD water and sprinkle the gelatin package on top of water, DO NOT STIR, set aside. Place your cream and sugar into a sauce pan over medium heat. Stirring frequently with a wooden spoon until well combined, continue cooking until it nears boiling. Melt your Nutella for about 30 seconds in the microwave and then add to cream mixture. Whisk together to combine well. Remove from heat add vanilla extract. WHILE the cream is cooking prepare your custard cups (ramekins work fine as well) by spraying them with cooking spray. Then SLOWLY pour the cream mixture over the gelatin mixture and stir together until WELL combined.

Equally divide the mixture into your prepared custard cups. Place in refrigerator to set up for a MINIMUM of 2 hours OR until firm. To plate, run a blunt knife around the edges of the cups and the panna cotta should release easily. Garnish with fresh fruits or topping of choice.

Here's Paula's all-time favorite recipe! Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Here's what you'll need:

1 package spaghetti
4 large cloves of fresh garlic -minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 package of pancetta OR bacon (cut into small pieces)
2 large eggs -room temperature
kosher salt
1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
freshly cracked black pepper

In a large pasta pot add enough water to cook your pasta. Salt your water generously. Once water comes to a boil, add spaghetti & stir so that the pasta separates & cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. WHILE the spaghetti is cooking, in a large pan over medium heat add olive oil and cook pancetta/bacon until fairly crisp (about 3-4 minutes), add in garlic and cook for another minute (you don’t want your garlic to burn) While these are cooking. Crack your eggs into a small bowl & add 1 cup of your cheese. Stir together & set aside. Take a ladel of the spaghetti water and set aside. Drain your pasta well and add to bacon mixture. Is is IMPORTANT that your pasta is HOT when adding it to the mixture. Toss well (I find tongs work really well for this). Take off of heat. Add in your cheese & egg mixture & toss well. If you find the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with a little of the pasta water (remember you can always add more so add sparingly) Season well with pepper. Garnish with the remainder of your cheese. This dish is best eaten immediately.

Comments

[Christy]

Great interview. Love her site!!

[lisa bailey]

Wonderful interview with Bell'alimento. Her recipes are wonderfully delicious and simple. Thanks for posting that.

[Cookin' Canuck]

Fun interview with Paula. Good to hear her voice, rather than just reading it.

[Mac]

Christy,

Welcome!

Glad you liked the interview. Paula and I sure did have a good time. I love her blog, too!

[Mac]

Hi Lisa,
Welcome!
Yes, Paula's recipes are easy and delicious. Glad you enjoyed the interview!

[Mac]

Dara,
Welcome, thrilled to have you here!

Paula really does have a voice with an endearing quality. She is a lot of fun! And I adore both her Italian and Southern accents. :-)