Recipes

Roasted Rapini

Rapini, also known as Broccoli Rabe, is a superhero of vegetables! It boosts your immune system, improves digestion, protects your eyesight, supports heart health, strengthens bones and detoxes. This cruciferous…

Sardine and Barley Grain Bowl

This is a light but satisfying dish to be enjoyed in the heat of summer (when I don’t feel like cooking) or as a modest, meatless meal during Lent. I…

Cannellini Bean Soup with Sauteed Swiss Chard

Beans such as cannellini, are an incredible part of a healthy diet because they provide you with a high protein and fiber content without overloading a meal with calories. A…

Citrus Vinaigrette

When you add lemon juice or zest to a dish, whether it’s sweet or savory, magic happens. Suddenly, roasted vegetables, such as asparagus or broccolini, aren’t just simple side dishes,…
Palline all’Arancia

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…

Mediterranean Grain Bowl

After I was married, the first house my husband and I bought was only a couple of miles away from my mother. Quite often I would stop by for a…

Creamy Lavender Ranch Dressing (or Dip)

My new adventure in cooking with lavender has been successful thus far. I’ve enjoyed rave reviews for my lavender scones, lavender limonata and my lavender biscotti. This creamy- tangy ranch…

Mediterranean Lemon Chicken

In this delicious dish, chicken thighs marinate in olive oil, white wine, lemon, and Herbs de Provence. The chicken is then transferred to a skillet and as the chicken cooks…

Herbs de Provence

Herbes de Provence is a multi-purpose spice blend that is made with dried herbs that are commonly grown and used in France’s Provence region. As French cuisine gained popularity in the…

Lavender Biscotti

From vanilla pecan to triple chocolate pistachio, the majority of biscotti I make include some type of nut. This biscotti is different. It still has the crisp crunch of the…

Lavender Lemonade

Nothing says summer like a refreshing glass of ice-cold lemonade. I make Lavender lemonade basically the same way I prepare Italian limonata (lemonade). It begins with making a simple syrup…

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…

Cooking with Lavender

From the field to the kitchen – Can you really cook with Lavender? Yes, however, many have never tasted it and only know that it looks pretty and smells nice.…

Lavender Sugar

During the months of May and June, I have had the opportunity to visit lavender farms in northern California, meet with the owners and learn all about this fragrant herb.…

Roasted Parmesan Asparagus

Fresh asparagus, whether it is roasted and tossed with ravioli, made into a tart, a salad or served with eggs, is something we look forward to every spring in California.…

Strawberry Crostata

To me, Spring just screams strawberries! I serve them fresh with a splash of balsamic vinegar, toss them into salads, add them to my fruit pizza, and strawberry bruschette. And…
Sicilian Girl