Apple Bacon & Pecan Salad with Creamy Provolone Dressing
I love a good salad! And I am not talking about a plate of iceberg lettuce with bottled dressing! There are a multitude of easy-to-find ingredients that add flavor,…
Fruits
Caramelized Pear & Pecan Salad w/Gorgonzola
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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…
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,…
Honey-Nut Stuffed Dried Figs
Snacking on dried fruits and nuts (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) is an essential part of the Mediterranean diet and my pantry is generally stocked with a variety of…
Peach & Prosciutto Bruschetta
My inspiration for this bruschetta (singular) comes from the “small bites” of Italy, known as merenda. The nourishing small meals are defined by the season and since July is…
Poached Figs with Ricotta
I have said many times that dishes do not have to be difficult to prepare nor costly to be delicious. A simple bowl of poached dried figs nestled on…
Olive Oil Zucchini Bread
Summer squash is abundant this time of year. We have eaten it grilled and oven-fried, in a refreshing cold soup and a marinated salad. If you love zucchini and if you…
Orzo Chicken & Fruit Salad
Whether it’s a simple meal for game night, a light lunch with the girls or the solution to what to bring to a potluck pool-party, this orzo salad works…
Avocado Toast
When I lived in California, we had an amazing avocado tree that produced an abundance of ridiculously large fruit. Although, I am blessed to have several citrus trees in…
Orange Marmalade
I feel quite blessed to have several citrus trees in the yard. There is one prolific lemon tree directly out the kitchen French doors, literally within arm’s reach, bearing…
Raspberry Preserves
I haven’t done traditional canning in years. I much prefer recipes that do not require special equipment, take very little time to prepare and no hot-water-bath for the jars…
Flavored Ice Cubes
A scorching Arizona summer screams for ice-cold beverages. My favorite beverage happens to be water. I enjoy aqua natural (still water) and aqua frizzante (sparkling water). I’m fortunate to…
Macerated Oranges
In Italy, every dinner does not conclude with a heavy dessert, in fact, dessert is rarely served at all. Unlike typical American dinners that end with a slice of…
Balsamic Berries
Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale, the richly flavored, slightly sweet, vinegar, from Modena, Italy, in the Emilia-Romania region, has been enjoyed by Italians for centuries. Balsamic vinegar, a versatile condiment, is…
Budino di Ricotta
Luscious and creamy, this cold pudding (budino) is so delicious that you won’t be able to put down your spoon. This dessert requires no cooking and takes only minutes…
Melone e Mozzarella
Tuscan melons are a type of cantaloupe … the best type! Originating in Italy, this fruit with the sweet aroma, will seduce your senses, the moment you slice into…
Fresh Ricotta & Strawberry Bruschetta
Another batch of homemade ricotta, a basket of fresh-picked strawberries and the taste of summer is just a bite away! My mid-morning pick-me-up, all I need is a cappuccino and…
Fichi Marmellata
The first house I ever lived in on my own was in Willow Glen (San Jose area of California), and what Realtor’s would call “cozy and charming” meaning it…
Grilled Peaches with Cannoli Cream
There’s nothing better than picking your own sweet and juicy fresh fruit from the trees. Sampling as you go with juice dripping down your arm, sitting at large picnic…
Watermelon Gorgonzola & Balsamic Drizzle
In Italy, watermelon is the most prominent fruit of the summer. After spending a day in the hot summer sun, there is nothing quite so refreshing as a cold…