Orecchiette
In a town that is spread over the tops and slopes of several hills, with quiet streets draped in bougainvillea and houses painted only in whitewash, is where a most…
Recipes
Passata di Pomodoro
Tomato Passata or Passata di Pomodoro, as it is known in Italy, is made with only one ingredient – Tomatoes. Tomato passata is simply a tomato puree. There is, however,…
Chickpeas with Kale & Ricotta Salata
Chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans and cece in Italian, boast an impressive nutritional profile. Even though they’re small, these little legumes are an excellent source of fiber and protein and packed…
Balsamic Cherry Tomato Jam
Sweet and tangy, this cherry tomato jam can be made in mere minutes and might just become your favorite condiment. Using a combination of both brown sugar and balsamic vinegar…
Cucumber Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing
Feta, a Greek cheese, is known for its creamy yet tangy taste and soft, crumbly nature, and paired with cucumbers, provides a nice contrast to the mildness of the cucumber.…
Ricotta Toast with Pistachios
This ricotta toast is one of my go-to light meals when I want a quick healthy bite, usually for breakfast with a cappuccino or a mid-morning snack. A thick layer…
Piccole Polpette in Brodo di Manzo
Tiny meatballs cooked in broth is one of those meals that is so very comforting you can taste the love. My grandmother made it for my grandfather and my mother,…
Eggplant & Pears with Parmesan Shavings & Honey Drizzle
In my grandparent’s house dessert was usually a piece of fruit, that we picked fresh from the trees in the yard. Quite often it was eaten with a bit of…
Involtini di Melanzane (Eggplant Rolls)
We love Eggplant in this house, whether it is roasted, grilled or fried. I had just made marinated melanzane, a flavorful salad/side dish, to take to a potluck luncheon. I…
Fresh Fennel Mostarda
Recently, I purchased several bulbs of fennel. I used them in sardine and fennel salad, eaten raw with salt, and in fennel salad with creamy dressing. Having a couple of…
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
This delicious salad is a fusion of flavors featuring orzo pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, Ricotta Salata (or feta cheese) chickpeas and Kalamata olives. Toss with a vibrant red wine…
Mary’s Cake
After Mass on Fourth of July weekend, our women’s club hosted a wonderful “Hospitality Sunday.” There was plenty of coffee, tea and juices to accompany the vast variety of home-baked…
Strawberry Tiramisu
I love fresh strawberries when they are in season and if it’s still cool enough to bake, I will make a strawberry crostata. However, summer seems to be here to…
Seared Herb Crusted Chicken
Quite often when I know I’m going to have a busy week and not much time (or desire) to cook, I’ll prepare foods in advance. This chicken, coated with dried…
Herbs de Provence Vinaigrette
Italians, as a rule only dress salad greens with extra-virgin olive oil, a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, a sprinkling of sea salt and a few grinds of pepper.…
Grilled Romaine Salad
Romaine grows well in the Mediterranean climate. The name “romaine” suggests that the lettuce might have originated in Rome. This lettuce is more than just a tasty leaf that adds…
Roasted Vegetable & Cheese Panini with Balsamic Glaze
This is a hearty, soul-satisfying sandwich and takes your typical grilled cheese to another level. Healthy and flavorful roasted vegetables layered between your favorite cheese on slices of brioche are…
Asparagus Ham & Cheese Strata
Whenever I am having family/friends over for brunch, I like to make a dish that can be prepared the night before and makes several servings. Quiche, frittata and strata are…
Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Crunchy Chickpeas
This is such a simple, healthy and delicious soup, that you will want to make it again and again. Roasting the cauliflower is an important step as cauliflower develops caramelized…
Sicilian Lemon Ricotta Cake
Fiori di Sicilia, meaning flowers of Sicily in Italian, is one of my favorite ingredients. I use it in biscotti, my Sicilian olive oil cake, and panettone bread pudding. It…