Tweet The Crescent City is known for many “sweet” things, such as, King Cakes, a brioche-type pastry, which is a huge part of Mardi-Gras traditions, Sfinci, creamy ricotta-filled puffs of ...
Spotlight Recipes
Marsala-Poached Pears
Tweet The Sicilian city of Marsala, (from the Arabic “Mars-el-Allah,” meaning the ...
Ricotta Gnocchi
Tweet Gnocchi (pronounced neeyo-kee) are small dumplings. They should be light and ...
Mangia Bene!
The French Market
The historic French Market stands today as an enduring symbol of pride and progress for the people of New Orleans. The first iteration of today’s French Market was erected in 1791, when the city’s French administrators erected an open-air market on the river side of the levee between St. Ann and Dumaine Streets. Since that […]
Caramelized Pear & Pecan Salad w/Gorgonzola
One of my favorite ways to enjoy pears is the simplest, fresh off the tree with a handful of walnuts. Now, add crumbles of Gorgonzola and a drizzle of honey and you’ve got a healthy, slightly decadent snack. Or turn it into a delicious toasted walnut and pear salad. Caramelizing the pears and the addition […]
Anchovy Spaghetti
Recipes, such as, Cacio e pepe, Capellini and Clams and Spaghetti alla Carbonara, are what I call “Pantry Meals.” Even when the cupboards and frig are seemingly bare, just take a closer look. The ingredients to make a delicious and satisfying meal (apart from fresh parsley) are all pantry staples. Also, don’t let the anchovies […]
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God acknowledges and celebrates Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus Christ. This holy day of obligation is a liturgical celebration observed on January 1, which falls exactly one week after Christmas, the end of the octave of Christmas (Only Christmas and Easter enjoy the privilege of an octave, […]
Braised Beef with Shallots & Carrots
Braising, a method of slow cooking in liquid, takes advantage of tougher (and usually less expensive) cuts of meat and has been around for centuries. Chuck roast, a budget-friendly cut, is my choice for this recipe, I also prefer it in soups and stews. The process begins with thoroughly browning the meat, which is the […]
Mincemeat Christmas Cake
My paternal grandmother made this cake every Christmas. The recipe was given to her by a very dear friend on December 2, 1953. We didn’t know what was in it, but my sister, Theresa, and I really enjoyed this moist, flavorful (not fruitcake) cake. During a recent phone conversation, she mentioned how nice it would […]
Palline all’Arancia
In Sicily, even before the making of pastries and confections became a source of income for the convents, the tasty treats as gifts were an acceptable currency by which the cloistered nuns could purchase the attention of the outside world. A tray of petite pistachio cakes or almond cookies was a fair exchange for a […]
Chicken with Roasted Lemons, Olives & Capers
Lemons, olives and capers are classic staples in the Sicilian pantry. Individually, they bring additional flavor to many a dish. Now, put them all in one bowl and you have a burst of flavor in every bite! The lemons are not merely a garnish, as roasting makes them tender enough to cut with your fork […]
Sardinian Spice Cookies
Papassini are traditional Sardinian spice cookies and without a doubt, the best spice cookie I have ever eaten! The combination of citrus, raisins and spices, produces a depth of flavor that gets even better after a few days. They are addictive. As an added bonus, your kitchen will be permeated with the most amazing aroma. […]
Roasted Rosemary & Honey Almonds
Almonds are packed with healthy fats, protein and fiber. This simple snack is both sweet and savory and the perfect nibble any time of the day or night. For other healthy bites that you might enjoy, try honey-nut stuffed dry figs, gorgonzola-stuffed figs with balsamic drizzle, lemon and rosemary roasted cece and roasted crunchy cece […]
Follow @CookSicilian on Twitter
