Ciao a Tutti,

So here we are, Monday night, and you're all pasted to your computers  in eager anticipation of this week's fabulous nonna and her recipe that she's brought along from the farthest reaches of the slender peninsula we call Italy.  I can hear the flames being turned on and the rattling of various pots and pans in the background, really I can. Guess what?  You won't need them.  Well, not all of them.

Baking is one of my favorite pastimes.  In fact, it's a downright passion.  There's nothing more I love than experimenting in the kitchen with desserts, baked goods, and anything else with sugar, flower and vanilla.  So this week, I'm going to bring you one of my first and easiest creations, the Nutella Chip Cookie!  It's a unique spin on an old favorite, and without a doubt one of the recipes that is made frequently in the Rago dwelling.

While the base is your garden variety chocolate chip cookie, I've decided to mix it up a little and add both white and semi-sweet chocolate chips.  The diversity in chocolate flavors will really stand out once we add our Nutella, that hazelnut and milk chocolatey heaven-in-a-jar, makes-everything-better magical something.  In addition to the truckload of chocolate chips, we're going to use a whole jar of Nutella (Nutella people, let's talk!)  By the time you're ready to put them in the oven your whole kitchen will be overflowing with the most delicious, swirling aromas known to anyone with a functioning nose.

There are, as always, minor modifications you can make.  For example, when I needed to study for exams, I'd just throw in some espresso powder (Lavazza people, let's talk!) for an extra boost.  The only real problem with these cookies is that I can never seem to make enough...

Over the next few weeks, we'll be trying out more baking oriented recipes, all of which are Nutella based (seeing a pattern?)  This won't be replacing Cooking with Nonna, it's simply a chance to introduce a whole new angle on the simple joys of baking. I'm really excited about the opportunity to bring you an entirely new type of cooking experience, and I know you'll become the Nutella addict that lives inside of each and every one of us!

Next week, Nonna Rina will be entertaining us with -- ready? -- Homemade Ravioli!  You won't want to miss this, campers!

Tanti Baci,

Rossella