Small Bites (Merende)

Broccoli Rabe Bruschette

Bruschetta is the perfect small bite. It can be sweet (blackberry breakfast bruschetta), savory (tuna bruschetta), or a little bit of both (jam-y fig & ricotta bruschetta with crispy prosciutto). …

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…

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.…

Blackberry Breakfast Bruschetta

  Bruschette are the perfect small bites (merenda) and are great anytime of the day. These nourishing small meals are defined by the season and what’s in my pantry. They…
Parmesan Wafers with Tomato & Bread Soup

Parmesan Wafers with Tomato & Bread Soup

A few crumbles of a good quality Parmesan is a delight to savor. I have taken this Italian treasure of a cheese and turned it into wafers that are a…
Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano

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Parmigiano Reggiano, is one of Italy’s gifts to the world of food and is an essential staple in many kitchens around the globe, including mine. It’s unmistakable aroma, milky taste…
Vegetable Panini

Vegetable Panini

When it comes to making panini, (Italian for sandwiches), it begins and ends with the bread! I prefer using Ciabatta, an Italian rustic looking bread that is available in loaves…
Marinated Baby Artichokes

Marinated Baby Artichokes

  Native to the western and central Mediterranean, the artichoke is a domesticated variety of the wild cardoon. Cardone, in Italian, is a thistle and looks like large stocks of…
Roasted Rosemary & Honey Almonds

Roasted Rosemary & Honey Almonds

  Almonds are packed with healthy fats, protein and fiber. This simple snack is both sweet and savory and the perfect nibble any time of the day or night. For…
Polpettine Di Cavolfiore

Polpettine Di Cavolfiore

  Cauliflower mixed with cheese and egg, shaped into balls and then rolled in breadcrumbs and fried, are a delicious choice for a first course or vegetarian entree. The traditional…
Fresh Tomato & Cheese Tart

Fresh Tomato & Cheese Tart

  This savory summertime tart is a terrific choice to utilize the season’s bounty of fresh flavorful tomatoes. The flaky buttery crust compliments the luscious ricotta and Parmesan cheese filling.…
Potato & Onion Frittata

Potato & Onion Frittata

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  Growing up, I remember my mother making a frittata of potatoes and onions. It was never served for breakfast or a fancy brunch, rather it was our evening meal.…
Asparagus Tart

Asparagus Tart

  Asparagus is my favorite spring vegetable! When tossed with ravioli it becomes a lovely light lunch and combined with lemony chickpeas creates a perfect picnic salad. If I’m in…
Pistacchio Biscotti

Pistacchio Biscotti

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  Pistacchio Di Bronte, the pistachio grown on the western slope of Sicily’s Mount Etna, is harvested only in odd years. If you missed 2019’s crop, the next harvest will…

Sicilian Pizza

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  When visiting Palermo, Sicily, a “must do” on everyone’s list should be to explore the bustling outdoor markets. Last year, while exploring all that Sicily had to offer, that’s…
Honey Roasted Fennel

Honey Roasted Fennel

  Fennel, a favorite Italian vegetable, customarily eaten raw with a bit of salt, sees the year’s second crop in Autumn. We enjoy it in soups, salads, a creamy bowl…
Tuna Bruschette

Tuna Bruschette

  Bruschette is the quintessential small bite and is the perfect choice for summertime eating! The tuna salad can be prepared in advance so, all you have to do is…
Sicilian Girl