Culinary Expert Donatella Arpaia Previews New Collection

On October 3, lifestyle and culinary expert Donatella Arpaia previewed her new kitchen collection that will be available via HSN. I got to experience the new collection first hand at her Chelsea restaurant, "Donatella."

The new collection from Donatella, exclusive to HSN, truly takes the work out of entertaining. If you are like me, you enjoy food and good friends, but sometimes the thought of preparing everything and being the host is a bit daunting. The new products ranging from a pizza oven to fresh Italian ingredients makes entertaining enjoyable. Donatella has created a cohesive entertaining collection at accessible price points ranging from $24.95-$129.95

The Collection:

At, perhaps, the core of the new line is the pizza oven. This oven pairs perfectly with Donatella's pizza dough mixes and tomato sauces. The oven features a pizza stone, but can also be used for a variety of foods such as garlic breads. The collection also includes an array of polished stoneware in beautiful color offerings. A baker, serving tray, and ramekins are all available in stoneware. My favorite was the ramekins which are both microwave and oven safe. They are the perfect size for making individual servings of mac & cheese as they can go straight from oven to table. 

In addition to items above, Donatella will be selling her world famous meatballs as well sets of her pizza dough (plain, Italian herb, and garlic) and tomato sauces (Marinara, Spicy Arrabbiata, and Tuscan  Vodka). All the array of foods are made with the freshest ingredients. Additionally, party disposables are available in a myriad of colors. These were another one of my personal favorites since it is a super easy way to have presentable looking napkins and placemats that are disposable without having to resort to white paper options. As I mentioned, this collection really makes entertaining for guests that much easier. 

Seeing the products first hand, I can attest that the quality is great. Additionally, Donatella's signature dishes were being offered, and the food options are equally as great. I had a moment to speak with Donatella, and she is very excited about the upcoming collection which will be available on HSN/HSN.com October 7th and filled me in on some exciting future developments!

About Donatella Arpaia:

Donatella has become an influential figure in the worlds of food, business, and entertaining. She is the longest standing judge on Food Network's Iron Chef America and is a regular contributor to The Today Show. Additionally, she was included in the New York Post's "most powerful women."

Photos: HSN/HL Group

Tasteful Tuesday: Tiramisu

A good Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts...love. We've been cleaning out closets, drawers, ect. around here lately and I came across a folder filled with recipes and the one that caught my eye a is for a twist on the traditional Tiramisu....i thought I'd share:

Blueberry-Lemon Tiramisu:

It only takes about 25 minutes to put this together and then it needs to be chilled overnight.

makes 9 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 lemons
• 3.75 c. blueberries
• .75 c sugar
• 4 tbsp. water
• 1 container nonfat Greek Yogurt
• 1 pkg ladyfingers

1. From lemons, grate 1.5 tsp. peel and squeeze .25 cup juice.

2. in a saucepan combine 1.5 c blueberries, .25 c sugar, and 1 tbsp. water. Heat on medium 5 minutes, or until blueberries soften and juice thickens, stirring occasionally. Transfer to bowl an stir in 1.5 c blueberries. Set aside

3. Prepare lemon syrup: in microwave safe bowl, combine .25 c sugar and remaining 3 tbsp. water. Cook in microwave on high 1 minute. Stir in 3 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon peel.

4. In medium bowl, stir together nonfat yogurt and remaining .25 c sugar, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, and .5 tsp lemon peel.

5. In a baking dish, arrange half of ladyfingers and brush with half of lemon syrup. Spoon blueberry mixture evenly over ladyfingers. Arrange remaining ladyfinger over blueberries. Brush with remaining lemon syrup. Spoon yogurt mixture on top, spreading evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight. To serve, top tiramisu with remaining blueberries.

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