Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

Fresh Blueberry Crostata

The thing I enjoy most about Summer is the fresh fruits and vegetables that are not only available during the warmer months, but you can buy or pick them at…

No Kid Hungry

As the first day of Autumn draws near, children everywhere will be settling into the new school year, but tragically, many children will go to school without the most important…

Lavender Scones

After visiting Capay Lavender Farm, I knew the first thing I was going to make with lavender was going to be scones. It was a bit of a no-brainer as…

Blackberry Breakfast Bruschetta

  Bruschette are the perfect small bites (merenda) and are great anytime of the day. These nourishing small meals are defined by the season and what’s in my pantry. They…
Vegetable Panini

Vegetable Panini

When it comes to making panini, (Italian for sandwiches), it begins and ends with the bread! I prefer using Ciabatta, an Italian rustic looking bread that is available in loaves…
New Orleans Beignets

New Orleans Beignets

  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…
Ricotta Omelet with Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette

Ricotta Omelet with Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette

  Frittata is the Italian word for omelette. I often use the words frittata and omelette interchangeably but, technically they are different. A frittata is flat with the ingredients (usually)…
Fresh Tomato & Cheese Tart

Fresh Tomato & Cheese Tart

  This savory summertime tart is a terrific choice to utilize the season’s bounty of fresh flavorful tomatoes. The flaky buttery crust compliments the luscious ricotta and Parmesan cheese filling.…
Burro di agrumi e formaggio

Burro di agrumi e formaggio

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  If you’ve ever used a compound butter, a mixture of fresh herbs and softened butter, you know that it adds inimitable flavor and moisture as it melts on beef,…

Granita alla Fragola

  History tells us flavored ices date back to ancient China, but the first frozen dessert in Italy actually came from Sicily. Arabs brought an icy treat of frozen water,…
Ricotta “Cake Mix” Cake

Ricotta “Cake Mix” Cake

  Over the years, I have made various types of cakes with ricotta (even pancakes), such as, almond ricotta cake, blueberry breakfast cake and lemon ricotta cheesecake. This cake is…
Potato & Onion Frittata

Potato & Onion Frittata

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  Growing up, I remember my mother making a frittata of potatoes and onions. It was never served for breakfast or a fancy brunch, rather it was our evening meal.…
Asparagus Tart

Asparagus Tart

  Asparagus is my favorite spring vegetable! When tossed with ravioli it becomes a lovely light lunch and combined with lemony chickpeas creates a perfect picnic salad. If I’m in…
Handmade Cappuccino

Handmade Cappuccino

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  In Italy, coffee is more than a beverage, it’s an important part of every day life, a social phenomenon, a religious experience and one more reason Italy is suffering…