To

Peppino and to all dessert-lovers of the world!

This book contains eighteen desserts;
the number 18 is the symbol of life.


If we want to fight effectively against the Mafia,
We should not look at it as a monster,
Nor consider it as a cancer or an octopus,

We have to admit it looks like us.

Juge Giovanni Falcone
(1939 1992)


CASA NOSTRA, DESSERTS OF COSA NOSTRA

Did you know?

The most well-known Italian desserts in the world are almost all Sicilian: Panna Cotta,
Tiramisu, Cannoli, Cassata and many others.
Be seduced by the Pineapple Big Shot, the Chocolate Cupola and Hazelnut and
chocolate bullets!
This richly illustrated book has been cooked with love. It includes my grandmothers
flagship Sicilian desserts recipes spiced up with humor and some information on the
Sicilian Crime Organization - Cosa Nostra!
It will cheer family meals, dinners with friends, birthday parties and other moments of
life
It is now your turn to cook!
Enjoy your meal!


SUMMARY

1.ZABAJONE, SABAYON
ONORATA SOCIET

2.TIRAMIS AL CAFF, COFFEE TIRAMIS
LUPARA BIANCA

3.BIANCHITTUS, WHITE CHRISTMAS COOKIES
OMERT

4.CREMA DI DON PEPPINO, DON PEPPINO CREAM

5.SPUMA DI SAN TOMMASO, SAINT THOMAS MOUSSE
CHISTU E A STISSA COSA

6.BUDINO CON LE NOCCIOLE, HAZELNUT FLAN
ECCELENTE

7.PEZZO GROSSO ALLANANAS,
PINEAPPLE BIG SHOT


8.PALLOTTOLE ALLE NOCCIOLE,
HAZELNUT AND CHOCOLATE BULLETS

9.CANNOLI SICLIANI, THE SICILIAN CANNOLI, STUFFED RICOTTA BISCUITS
NENTI SACCIU

10. CASSATA SICILIANA,
THE LEGENDARY SICILIAN CASSATA

LA FAMIGLIA

11. PANNA COTTA
UOMO DONORE

12. SCORZE DI ARANCIA AL CIOCCOLATO
CHOCOLATE ORANGE PEEL
UCCIARDONE

13. SPUMA DI MANDARINO
MANDARIN MOUSSE
BACIO LE MANI

14. BUDINO DI SPAGHETTI
SPAGHETTI CAKE
SANGU LAVA SANGU

15. BIANCOMANGIARE ALLE MANDORLE
ALMOND BIANCOMANGIARE
IN GALERA

16. CUPOLA
LA COMMISSIONE, THE COMMISSION

17. DOLCETTI ALLE NOCCIOLE
HAZELNUT SMALL CAKES
PENTIMENTO

18. ZEPPOLE DI SAN GIUSEPPE
SAINT JOSEPH CAKES
REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD!

1.

ZABAJONE,
SABAYON
ONORATA SOCIET


Did you know?
The Onorata Societ

Is the first name of the Sicilian Mafia The Honored Society or honor society. The
Mafiosi call themselves men of honor because the term mafia is almost vulgar or
literary.
The Sicilian Mafia is called Cosa Nostra, which means Our Thing or our business.
The title of this book was inspired from it and transformed into Casa Nostra, which
means our house or home.

For 4 people
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Level: Easy

4 egg yolks
4 tablespoons of sugar
glass of Marsala

Beat the eggs with the sugar until the mix is smooth.
Add the Marsala and continue to mix.
Put everything in a pan in a water bath for ten minutes while continuing to mix.
Do not boil.
Your Sabayon, once creamy by cooking, can be eaten cold or hot.

2.TIRAMIS AL CAFF,
COFFEE TIRAMIS
LUPARA BIANCA


Did you know?
The Lupara Bianca
Is a way to kill for the mafia and to make the body disappear. The failure to return the
body to the family is a major insult in this very Catholic society; as the members of the
family cannot mourn.
The Lupara is the sawed-off shotgun used in the Sicilian countryside in the last century.
It is a sign of mafia crimes in the symbolic of execution even if the way to kill evolved
and changed.
Bianca means white.

For 4 people
Preparation time: 20 minutes
To leave two hours in the refrigerator
Level: Easy

250 grams of Mascarpone

100 grams of cream
100 ml of Marsala
Sponge Fingers
50g icing sugar
Cocoa powder or grated dark chocolate

Take the equivalent of 5 espressos.

Add the Marsala to the coffee.
In a bowl, put the cream with the icing sugar and mix vigorously until you obtain a
homogeneous substance.
Add the mascarpone and continue to mix.
Put some of the liquor mixture of coffee with cream.
Soak the Sponge Fingers in the rest of coffee and Marsala.
Once well soaked, place them at the bottom of the dish.
Then, spread a layer of cream mixture on top of it.
Repeat with a second layer of Sponge Fingers.
Cover with a final layer of the mascarpone mixture.
Sprinkle the whole cocoa powder or grated chocolate on it.

Refrigerate two hours before serving.


3.BIANCHITTUS,
WHITE CHRISTMAS COOKIES
OMERT

Did you know?
Omert
Is the law of silence.
We do not talk in Sicily. A person not holding his tongue is very unpopular. A mobster
who talks to the police is considered to be pariahs, an infamous and deserves to die.
In the civil society, it is not seen favorably to complain to the police, to file a complaint
or testify for matters that do not concern you, even if you have seen them. You must
make your own justice and avenge yourself without having to seek the help of a
representative of the state.

For twenty cupcakes.

Preparation time: 35 minutes
Level: Easy

2 egg whites
200 grams of sugar
150 grams of almonds
Lemon peel, 1 lemon

Whisk the egg whites and fold in gently the sugar and the almonds and the lemon zest.
Make small pile with a tablespoon on a non-stick plate.
Put 20 minutes in oven at 140 C


4.CREMA DI DON PEPPINO,
DON PEPPINO CREAM

Did you know?
The Dons are the leaders of the Sicilian Mafia. We immediately think of Don Vito
Corleone, the charismatic and colorful character in the Godfather, but it is only a
creation of the mind and a fictional character.
In the same style, but real this time, we may mention Don Cal, Don Calogero Vizzini,
head of the Sicilian Mafia Bosses during the prewar, who favored the American landing
on the island during World War II.
Don Vito Cascio Ferro, who established the system of American gangsters in Palermo
and Don Paolino Bont, Francesco Paolo Bontate, patriarch of the Palermo Mafia.

For 4 people:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
To leave two hours in the refrigerator
Level: Easy

200 grams of fresh whipped cream

100 grams of sugar
200 grams of pears in syrup
Sponge Fingers
1 cup of water
Marsala

Whip the cream.

Melt the sugar in water in a saucepan, stirring constantly.
Mix the pears with the syrup.
Stir in the sugar.
Pour into a bowl and place a few soaked Sponge Fingers with Marsala and syrup.
Leave two hours in the refrigerator.
Serve in individual bowls.


5.SPUMA DI SAN TOMMASO,
SAINT THOMAS MOUSSE
CHISTU E A STISSA COSA


Did you know?
CHISTU E A STISSA COSA
Is a phrase in Sicilian dialect, meaning This is the same or the same for him.
For those who speak Italian: Questo la stessa cosa in Tuscan.
As the Omert is required and it is impossible to introduce oneself to a mafioso saying,
Hello, I am part of the business too!
A friend is required to introduce you to another mafioso with this expression meaning
that he is man of honor as well.

For 4 people:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
To leave an hour in the refrigerator
Level: Easy

200 grams of pears in syrup

A glass of milk
70 grams of brown sugar
Marsala
Stir the ingredients in the mixer starting with pears, milk, sugar and a shot of Marsala.
Leave one hour in the refrigerator.
Serve in individual bowls.
Enjoy it fresh.



6.BUDINO CON LE NOCCIOLE,
HAZELNUT FLAN
ECCELENTE

Did you know?
The Eccelente

Is a term used to define the mafia punitive action against a state representative, a
lawyer, a policeman or a politician.
So it is simply the death of a former partner that has become an obstacle or the
punishment for well conducted investigation.

For 4 people:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Level: Easy

20 grams of hazelnuts
100 grams of sugar
30 grams of Sponge Fingers
40 grams of butter
5 eggs

Mix the butter with the sugar until the mixture becomes creamy.
Stir this mixture to the egg yolks, one at a time, while stirring.
Then, add the hazelnuts and crumbled Sponge Fingers.
Whisk the egg whites and gently fold them into the mixture.
Pour the cream into a saucepan and cook for 15 minutes over low heat in a double
boiler.
Then pour into individual molds and allow them to cool completely before serving.

7.PEZZO GROSSO ALLANANAS,

PINEAPPLE BIG SHOT

For 4 people:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
To leave four hours in the refrigerator
Level:Easy

450 grams of pineapple in syrup

glass of rum
70 grams of sugar
Sheets of gelatin or agar agar
Mix pineapple with the syrup.
Stir in the sugar and rum, leave to macerate few moments.
Dissolve the gelatin and cook in a saucepan and stir the mixture so that it takes
consistency.
Pour into a mold and refrigerate for 4 hours.
Turn out and serve fresh.


8.PALLOTTOLE ALLE NOCCIOLE,
HAZELNUT AND CHOCOLATE BULLETS


For 4 people:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Level: Easy
120 grams of powdered hazelnuts
120 grams of unsweetened cocoa powder
A strong cup coffee
Powder sugar

Mix the ingredients with a spoon until they form a thick paste.
Take a teaspoon and fill it with cocoa paste and let it fall into the sugar.
Serve and enjoy immediately.



9.CANNOLI SICLIANI,
THE SICILIAN CANNOLI, STUFFED RICOTTA BISCUITS
NENTI SACCIU

Did you know?
Nenti sacciu
Means I know nothing in Sicilian, therefore Non so niente in Italian.

This is what the Sicilians say to the police when questioned.

I saw nothing, I heard nothing Obviously!

For 6 people:
Preparation time: 60 minutes
Level: Difficult

Biscuits:
300 grams of flour
2 egg yolks
1 egg whites
2 tablespoons of coffee liquor
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Vegetable oil for frying

Garnishing:
1 kg of ricotta
80 grams of powdered sugar
200 grams of white chocolate

Mix the flour, the egg yolks with the whole egg slightly beaten and coffee liquor in a
bowl until it gets smooth. If necessary add a little water to make it creamier.
Mix and put it in the refrigerator.
Work the dough sheet 2 to 3 mm thickness by cutting squares of a few inches.
Wrap the dough around the Cannoli mold.
Make the biscuits fry until they are crispy.
Remove from the mold.
Let to cool.
Stuff them with ricotta garnish.

Garnishing:

Mix the ricotta, sugar and chocolate in a saucepan, melted earlier in a water bath until
the paste gets smooth and thick.
Serve your cannoli with icing sugar and decorate with crushed pistachios.

Travaillez la pte en feuille de 2 ou 3 mm dpaisseur en dcoupant des carrs dune
dizaine de centimtres.

Enroulez la pte autour du moule Cannoli et soudez la pte.

Faites frites les biscuits jusqu ce quils soient croustillants.

Retirez les moules.
Laissez refroidir.

Farcissez-les avec la garniture la ricotta.

10. CASSATA SICILIANA,

THE LEGENDARY SICILIAN CASSATA
LA FAMIGLIA


Did you know?
LA FAMIGLIA
The family is sacred in Italy and of course in Sicily.
The Mafia is also a family affair.
Mafia groups are organized into Famiglie, families, even if they dont all have blood
ties.

For 6 people:

Preparation time: 60 minutes

Level: Difficult

For the Genoese Pan di Spagna

6 eggs
300 grams of flour
250 grams of sugar
glass of milk
A sachet of baking powder

For the cream

500 grams of Ricotta
300 grams of sugar
100 grams of chocolate
sachet vanilla sugar

Garnish with almond paste

200g ground of almonds

200 grams of sugar
1 dl water
400 grams of candied fruit
Marsala

For the Genoese Pan di Spagna

Break the eggs and separate the whites from the yolks.
Mix the egg yolks with the sugar until it becomes creamy.
Stir in the flour and add a pinch of salt.
Whisk the egg whites and fold into the mixture.
Add the cooled melted butter.
Pour into a mold of 24 cm in diameter and place in preheated oven at 180 C for 35
minutes.

Ricotta cream

For 4 people
500 grams of fresh ricotta
300 grams of sugar
sachet of vanilla sugar
100 grams of melted chocolate

Mix the ricotta with the vanilla sugar and the sugar.
If the mixture is too hard, add a few tablespoons of milk.
Once you obtain a homogeneous mixture, add the melted chocolate.
Stir well.

Pasta Reale
Marzipan

Work the almond paste with the rolling pin until you obtain a paste half a centimeter
thick.
Cut strips of the size of the mold in height and 4 cm thick.
Cover the inside of the mold with it, then do the same with a slice of Pan di Spagna you
carefully cut the same measures.
Glue the two together with syrup which is water based with sugar and a small glass of
Marsala.
Then pour the Ricotta cream in this preparation and cover with another layer of the
Pan di Spagna, pasting it with the syrup.
Let it dry and unmold.
Make the icing for your Cassata and decorate with candied fruit.
Leave for a few hours in the refrigerator before serving.

11. PANNA COTTA

UOMO DONORE


Did you know?
LUOMO DI ONORE

Is a mafioso, a man of honor who has sworn to be part of the Organization, following
a ritual after being proven and having killed a man.
He swears loyalty to Cosa Nostra and to reveal no secrets, until death.

For 4 people:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Leave two hours in the refrigerator
Level: Easy
500 grams of cream
270 grams of sugar
Gelatin or agar agar
1 sachet of vanilla sugar
1 small glass of Cognac or Marsala

Preparation on a bed of caramel or berries.

Warm up the cream over low heat incorporating the sugar and vanilla sugar. When the
mixture begins to boil, remove from heat.
Next, prepare the gelatin or vegetable agar agar in a half liter of water. Heat and
remove from heat.
Mix together and pour into individual cups on a bed of caramel or berries.
Allow to cool before putting 2 hours in refrigerator.
Turn out and serve.


12. SCORZE DI ARANCIA AL CIOCCOLATO
CHOCOLATE ORANGE PEEL
UCCIARDONE



Did you know?
The Ucciardone
Is Palermos prison and takes its name from a central area of the Sicilian capital.
It is a historical strategic point for Cosa Nostra that marks its time.
For decades, it was the place where Cosa Nostra had the authority to establish its
dominance over the city.
This is also the place with the Maxi Trial took place, in the 80s in the green sacrosanct
Aula Bunker, the high-security courtroom for the biggest trial against Cosa Nostra in
history.

For 4 people:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Level: Easy
Candied orange peel
Butter
Cooking dark chocolate

Heat the chocolate and butter in a water bath until you obtain a homogeneous liquid
mixture.
Remove from heat.
Dip the candied orange pieces.
Cover them with a thick layer of chocolate and let dry on a rack.
Once dry, they can be stored for a long time. If you resist

13. SPUMA DI MANDARINO

MANDARIN MOUSSE
BACIO LE MANI



Did you know?
BACIO THE MANI
Literally, I kiss your hands, the term Bacio le mani is a way to greet a man of
honor.
Note that it was formerly the term applied to the nobility or clergy.
This greeting keeps its entire submission connotation of course.

For 4 people
Preparation time: 20 minutes
To leave an hour in the refrigerator
Level: Easy

12 Tangerines
70 grams of sugar
300 grams of cream
4 egg yolks
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Gelatin or agar agar
1 small glass of mandarin liquor

Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until these form a creamy and smooth mix.
Squeeze the mandarins.
Filter the juice and stir it into the cream.
And set it on low heat until boiling.
Add gelatin to improve its texture.
Pour into cups and place in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.
Decorate with a piece of tangerine peel or grated chocolate.

14. BUDINO DI SPAGHETTI

SPAGHETTI CAKE
SANGU LAVA SANGU


Did you know?
Sangu lava Sangu
The blood washes blood in Sicilian dialect, or those who speak Italian : Il sangue
lava il sangue in Tuscan.
This expression is often used in Sicily; the familys honor will only be restored when
vengeance is made.
The blood of enemies is the only way to wash the names of those who have lost one
family member by homicide.

For 4 people:
Preparation time: 60 minutes
Level: Easy
200 grams of spaghetti
100 grams of sugar
2 eggs
80 grams of butter
50 grams of raisins
1 sachet of vanilla sugar
liter of milk
Flour
Salt
Pour the milk into a saucepan with the vanilla sugar and allow it to boil.
Then break the spaghetti in half and dip them in the mixture. Cook for half an hour,
stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Remove from heat and let it cool.
Add two eggs, mix well, and add raisins, soaked in water, well drained and floured.
Pour the mixture into a mold and bake in a water bath for 45 minutes at 180 C.
Turn out and serve with zabaglione.
(See recipe number 1).



15. BIANCOMANGIARE ALLE MANDORLE
ALMOND BIANCOMANGIARE
IN GALERA



Did you know?

IN GALERA
Means taking in or in jail.
The prison experience is very important in the career of a mafioso.
It helps to consolidate his experience, strength, since he has overcome this difficulty.

For 4 people
Preparation time: 20 minutes
To leave two hours in the refrigerator
Level: Easy

1 liter of milk
200 ml of almond milk
225 grams of sugar
30 grams of crushed hazelnuts
Gelatin or agar agar
Cinnamon

Put the milk and almond milk in a saucepan and allow it to heat with gelatin and sugar.
Stir occasionally until the mixture gets to boil.
Add the cinnamon and the crushed hazelnuts.
Then put all the cups in the refrigerator for several hours until it takes consistency.
Serve your Biancomangiare unmolded decorated with grated chocolate or flaked
almonds.

16. CUPOLA
LA COMMISSIONE, THE COMMISSION


Did you know?
LA COMMISSIONE
The Commission reunion are meetings of all bosses of Cosa Nostra talking, like in the
movies, about their future actions and major assassinations.
These appointments are nerve-wracking and challenging because many of the Bosses
are rivals, if not enemies.
The Cupola is named after the churches domes, so numerous in Sicily, but also after
these special meetings.
For food lovers, its a delicious cake named so because of its shape.

For 4 people:
Preparation time: 25 minutes
To leave four hours in the refrigerator
Level: Easy

120 grams of sugar

120 grams of bitter cocoa
200 g whipped cream
liter of milk
3 egg yolks
Gelatin or agar agar

Mix the sugar and egg yolks until they become creamy.
Put in a saucepan and stir in the milk, agar-agar and cocoa powder until it boils.
Remove from heat and let it cool.
Before putting it in its rounded shaped mold (bowl), whip the cream and add the
mixture to it to make patterns.
Refrigerate for 4 hours.
Turn out before serving and decorate with whipped cream.


17. DOLCETTI ALLE NOCCIOLE
HAZELNUT SMALL CAKES
PENTIMENTO

Did you know?
Pentimento
In a society where the Omert is required, it is absolutely banned talking to a member of
the security forces or to a judge. It is question of honor.
However, since the Second Mafia War in 1981 and the killing between the families in
the area of Palermo, and the great work of jurists such as Judge Giovanni Falcone and
Paolo Borsellino, a boss agreed to speak in 1984. He was the first person to do so in
History. His name is Tommaso Buscetta. He decided to turn his coat because according
to him, Cosa Nostra had lost its identity.
Others will follow him and allow the judiciary to understand the hierarchy of the
Octopus, get the meaning of its language and its rules, whereas before, they could not
understand it, even though they were Sicilian.

For 4 People:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Level: Easy

100 grams of sugar

100 grams of flour
100 grams of butter
100 grams of crushed hazelnuts
2 eggs
Icing sugar
Beat the eggs and sugar until you obtain a creamy and smooth mix.
Add the melted butter, the flour and the nuts and mix well.
Put in small individual molds, buttered if necessary.
Bake at 180 C for 25 minutes.
Leave it to cool, unmold and decorate them with icing sugar or grated chocolate.

18. ZEPPOLE DI SAN GIUSEPPE

SAINT JOSEPH CAKES
REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD!

For 4 People:
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Level: Easy

250 grams of honey

1 cup of water
Flour
Icing sugar
Pour the honey into a saucepan with a glass of water and allow it to boil.
Then remove from heat and gradually add the flour, stirring until you obtain a paste.
Work with your hands by rolling a small amount of dough to make a sausage, join the
two ends and fix by pinching them between your thumb and forefinger.
Once the preparation is complete, fry oil in a deep fryer and dip the donuts inside.
Place on absorbing paper for the excess fat to come out and serve hot with icing sugar.
To eat hot or warm!