One Year Blogoversary!

One year ago today

Mangiabella was born

into the ever expanding blogosphere.

Who knew what a great adventure this would be,

how many amazing friendships would emerge?!

I am truly grateful.

So in the spirit of celebration,

I wanted to repost one of my favorite recipes

from one of my earliest posts

that just screams jubilee.

Sweet Bellas,

It's not that life is so short, it's that we wait so long to begin LIVING...

So come on...live a little...

take a break,

and dream a little fruiti-licious dream with me

Drunken Fruit Wedges w/Kiwi Cream

2 - 10" Flour Tortillas

1 Cup Strawberries, diced

1 Cup Mangos, diced

2 Tbsp of Grand Marnier*

*(or for those feeling a little less adventurous, you may substitute

Balsamic Vinegar for the Grand Marnier, it tastes fabulous)

4 Tbsp Sugar

1 Tbsp Cinnamon

kiwi cream *see below for recipe*

handful of fresh mint leaves

Oil for Frying

1) Cut tortillas pizza style into 12 triangles

2) toss strawberries and mangos with Grand Marnier and place in refrigerator at least 15 minutes,

the longer they marinate, the juicier they will be :)

3) In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar, then pour mixture onto a plate

4) Heat Oil in a frying pan until hot, appx. 350 degrees

5) drop chips in oil and fry in batches - fry flour chips appx. 1 minute

until just very lightly golden brown, and then flip -

you want them to be a little soft 'n' chewy but somewhat firm

6) lightly drain on a paper towel

7) toss chips in cinnamon sugar mix & plate

8) spoon marinated fruit on top of chips

9) top fruit with fresh kiwi cream *see below* and mint leaves

Kiwi Cream

1/4 cup of powdered sugar

3/4 cup of heavy whipping cream

2 kiwis, pureed

In a small mixing bowl, beat whipping cream and slowly add powdered sugar. Continue to beat until stiff peaks appear.

Gently fold in kiwi puree, mangia!

As Iron Sharpens Iron...

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

Once in a while, perhaps even once in a lifetime, are you surprised with a gift that is so rare, so special, that you never cease to marvel at how your life has changed since the very day you stumbled upon it.

I don't think I'll ever be able to truly express in all it's fullness how blessed I feel that such a gift was given to me, and it all began in the strangest of places....

It was just about this time last year that I entered a recipe contest. And through that recipe contest, a community of kindred spirits began to form. And within that community, a certain thread was birthed. And within that thread, friendships emerged. And through those friendships, one particular friendship became a sisterhood.

Sweet Bella Lorraine, I thank God continually for bringing you into my life. You know and understand me better than some who have known me for years. You sharpen my iron....fiercely. Your wisdom, beauty, grace, and strength proceed you. Your kindness, compassion, and encouragement refresh my soul. Your light shines BRIGHTLY, and my world is enriched in every way because of it. You are, and forever will be, woven into the tapestry of my life.

Happy Birthday Lorraine!

What a thrill it is to celebrate the day you were created.

Fearfully and Wonderfully made for a Divine purpose,

and with a destiny that only you can fulfill.

Won't you help me celebrate Lorraine today....stop by her beautiful blog

"A Multi-Dimensional Life"

You will be so very glad that you did. She will inspire you with incredible meals, poignant poetry, and her heart of gold. Beauty drips from her fingertips and her words....truly....are a GIFT.

As a special tribute to Lorraine, I would like to share two of her amazing recipes that I have personally made, and they are absolutely magnificent. The first, Meatballs Mafaldine w/Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce *pictured above*. Click HERE for the recipe complete with step by step video instructions.

The second, Pepper Rice Sautee w/Bacon & Cheese....to die for....click HERE for the recipe complete with step by step video instructions.

The next three dishes of hers that I simply cannot wait to make are her Cream Cheese Asparagus Souffle, Thai Infused Polenta Muffins, and Peaches n Cream Baked Alaska. sigh. Such a delectable repertoire of recipes under her belt. Keep shining Sweet Bella!!

May I also take this opportunity to wish my other sis, Sweet Bella Kelly, a very Happy Birthday today as well...you are an absolute treasure to me. It's difficult to describe with human words what a blessing you are to me....YOU ARE THE ONE AND ONLY EVER YOU!

On a final note, an early shout out to all those special women out there:

Happy Mother's Day !!!

"She walks in beauty like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies,

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes; ~ Lord Byron

‎"She's clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her Blessed..." Proverbs 31:25-28