Roasted Baby Eggplant
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Roasted, stuffed, grilled and fried, are just some of the methods Italians (particularly southern Italians and Sicilians) use to turn this versatile vegetable into a vast variety of dishes.…
vegetables
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Frittata
Whether this frittata is paired with a hot cup of coffee and fresh oranges on a cold winter morning or a refreshing iced tea and vine-ripened tomatoes on a…
Oven-Fried Zucchini
We eat a ton of vegetables in this house. Most of the time these vegetables are roasted, grilled, sauteed, marinated and eaten raw but, every now and then, they…
Sweet Potato & Andouille Hash
Hash became notably popular during and after World War II, due to the rationing of fresh meat and for many, it came in a can (Hormel corned beef hash).…
Pomodori al Forno
Romas, beefstakes, heirlooms and cherries, so many tomatoes, so little time. Recently, I purchased several pounds of tomatoes which I intended on using in a variety of recipes. “Intended”…
Mini Italian Sausage-Stuffed Peppers
A sandwich of Italian sausage, onions and peppers is typical street food of my beloved Sicily. I have served and eaten it on many occasions, from various local and…
Caprese Bite
My Caprese bite is a natural for merenda, just that one perfect bite of a classic! They are easy to make and great to have on hand for a…
Baked Ricotta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
In Sicily, Ricotta di Pecora, (sheep ricotta) is made from the milk of the local sheep, it is not a cheese but a fresh dairy product made from the…
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Delicious dishes don’t have to be complicated, as is the case with this classic combination of melone e Prosciutto (melon and Prosciutto). Starting off many an Italian meal, this…
Mini Orzo-Stuffed Peppers
This is the mini version of my Orzo-Stuffed Peppers. Just the right size for merenda (snack). Serve them as a delicious first course or bring a tray of peppers…
Cauliflower Tart (Crustless)
There are four major groups of cauliflower and hundreds of varieties used around the world. Of these groups: Italian, Northwest European biennial, Northern European annual and Asian, the Italian…
Carciofi alle Brace (Char-Grilled Artichokes)
As Pellegrino Artusi, the best-selling nineteenth century Italian cookbook author said, “everyone knows how to cook artichokes on a grill”. Well, if you haven’t attempted it yet, here’s your opportunity…
Frittata con Zucchini
A ridiculously quick and easy way to get a perfect frittata (Italian omelet) for one. It seems I always have leftover roasted or grilled veggies of some kind in…
Marinated Zucchini Salad
This is another one of those recipes that travels well. Whether you’re off to the beach or an extended road trip, salads prepared without mayonnaise have a longer “cooler”…
Fricassea di Funghi
The only fricasee dish I can recall was with chicken in a wonderful lemon-y butter sauce. I only have mushrooms tonight so I thought I’d try and recreate that…
Cauliflower in Lemon-Caper Sauce
Capers are a small but distinctive ingredient in Sicilian cooking. The caper bush grows wild on the Italian Islands of Salina (Aeolian Islands, north of Sicily) and Pantelleria (Strait…
Cauliflower Greens and Eggs
I am always looking for alternatives to replace breakfast potatoes. When I made Cauliflower Greens Restelli the other day, I had an “Ahah” moment. Now, that dish is delicious…
Spinaci alla Siciliana
This is a classic Sicilian vegetable dish. It can be prepared with spinach, chard, mustard greens (or any other leafy greens). Nutritious and delicious this recipe literally takes only…
Tomato & Mozzarella Salad
You might not recognize this salad the way it’s presented. I certainly didn’t when it was served to me at a fine restaurant in Las Vegas. I ordered insalata…
Bell Peppers and Eggs
My mother was not a huge fan of fish, so our meals during Lent consisted of vegetables, beans and legumes and of course pasta. The meal that I associate…