Condiments (Condimenti)

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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 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.…

Rosemary Lemon Sea Salt

  Rosemary, native to the Mediterranean region and a regular ingredient in Italian cooking, is one of my favorite herbs. While living In Tucson, I had several huge plants. These…
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) mixed…
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,…
Artichoke lemon & Pistachio Pesto

Artichoke lemon & Pistachio Pesto

  This light and bright pesto is simply perfect for spring and after you taste it you will want to keep some on hand. Initially, I was going to make…
Giardiniera

Giardiniera

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  The Italian giardiniera, pronounced jar-dih-NAIR-ah, means from the garden and is a classic combination of vegetables. Cauliflower, red bell peppers, carrots, celery and serrano chili peppers are mixed and…
Homemade Mascarpone

Homemade Mascarpone

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  Requiring only two ingredients, a candy thermometer, some cheesecloth and a bit of patience is all that is needed to make your own mascarpone. This milky-white, super smooth, soft…

Light Basil Pesto

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  Pesto is an Italian sauce that is a specialty of Genoa, Italy. It is never cooked (or heated for that matter) and is made with fresh basil, extra-virgin olive…

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

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  Traditionally, hummus consists of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini (ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. The beauty of the basic recipe is that you can change…

Roasted Garlic lemon Cream

  Some days it is just too darn hot to cook. This is especially true if you live in the Grand Canyon state of Arizona! So, standing in front of…

Roasted Garlic

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  I prefer to use roasted garlic in dishes when I want a more mellow, slightly sweet garlic flavor. This is particularly true in those recipes that do not get…

Orange Marmalade

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  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…

Better than Nutella Chocolate Spread

  I have made several attempts over the years to come up with a chocolate spread that I feel is worthy of sharing. The flavor was always great, rather it…