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Prosciutto wrapped Melon Bites – Food styling by Juliane Porter. Photo by my beautiful friend, Aimee McNamee

With warmer weather now in full swing, I was thrilled when I recently spotted the first organic melons of the season back in the market.  Time to share my beautiful little appetizer recipe for Prosciutto Wrapped Melon Bites.  This mouthwatering combination of fresh, sweet melon wrapped in salty, Italian ham is always a hit!  You can create a gorgeous platter by using contrasting jeweled party pics to hold each delectable package in place.  In addition, I love using a combination of classic white porcelain, clear glass and/or shiny silver bowls as serveware for parties.  The look is clean, allowing the gorgeous colors of the food to pop rather than being muddled amongst too many other colors.

Oh… and don't forget to serve Prosciutto Wrapped Melon Bites with these delicious Limoncello Cocktails ~ they're the perfect compliment!  

Enjoy!

Recipe for Prosciutto Wrapped Melon Bites

Ingredients:

  • 1 Canteloupe, peeled, cored and cut into 1" bite sized chunks
  • 2 packages thinly sliced prosciutto (about 8 slices), sliced into long strips

Method:

  1. Wrap each melon cube with a strip of prosciutto and secure with a jeweled party pic
  2. Serve chilled

Question of the day:

What are some of your favorite warmer weather foods?

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Company's Coming! Pancetta Linguine Frittata Muffins


There comes a point in life when one realizes the value of a having a repetoire of sorts to fall back on… A favorite inspirational book.  Classic riding boots that last a lifetime and look chic anywhere fall, winter & spring.  A perfectly tailored black, silk dress… a ballerina bun.  And recipes that can be made in advance and taste better reheated.  

Company's Coming! Frittata Muffins are a mainstay of my repetoire.

I've been making them for years.  Anytime I know I'll have friends or family for breakfast I bake up a batch of these, along with these Blueberry-Coconut Macadamia Muffins, and pop them both in the freezer for easy, delicous breakfasts my friends and family love.  In fact, both recipes improve with reheating because the process crisps the outside slightly, providing a perfect contrast to the soft, steamy middles.  I love serving both sweet and savory breakfast options, aromatic and fresh out of the oven in a mere 15 minutes!

Company's Coming! Pancetta Linguine Frittata Muffins are a fun little package of egg, smoked cheese, pancetta and linguine.  Satisfying, yet small enough to stay light.   Add fresh fruit, yogurt and coffee alongside, and you've got a delicious, stress-free breakfast you and your guests will love!

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Pancetta Linguine Frittata Muffins share a platter with Blueberry-Coconut Macadamia Muffins

 

Recipe for Company's Coming Pancetta Linguine Frittata Muffins

 (Makes 12 Muffins)

  • 8 ounces fresh (refrigerated) linguine
  • 7 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cream
  • 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
  • 6 ounces diced pancetta
  • 5 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese diced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh, italian, flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  1. Using kitchen shears, cut the fresh pasta into smaller, 3 inch pieces. Cook pasta in salted water, just until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite (as it will be cooking in the muffins as well.) Drain the pasta into a colander.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray a standard sized 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray
  3. Add the eggs, milk, cream, and mascarpone to a blender and blend until well combined. Pour the mixture to a large bowl. Add the cut pasta, pancetta, smoked mozzarella, grated Parmigiano, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, Stir the ingredients to combine.
  4. Using a small ladle, divide the mixture evenly into each of the 12 muffin cups filling to the top with the pasta and liquid. It’s a little messy filling the cups, but don’t worry it’s worth it!
  5. Bake until firm and cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes.  Allow to cool for a couple of minutes and remove from tin.

Make ahead tip:  To freeze, allow muffins to cool completely on a wire rack then wrap individually in saran and place in a freezer baggie for up to 2 weeks. To serve, place frozen muffins on a cookie sheet and place in 350F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Giada de Laurentis

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Pancetta Linguine Frittata Muffin about to be devoured!