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…
Italian
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,…
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…
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…
Candlelight Concerts
If you enjoy great music with talented musicians, Candlelight Concerts offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Thousands of candles illuminate the venue creating an amazing ambiance. Whether you’re looking to find something…
The Receiving of Ashes
Ash Wednesday begins the holy season of Lent, which is structured to spiritually prepare us to walk with the Lord through his passion and celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday.…
Italian Sausage & Tortellini Soup
For many, soup is the ultimate comfort food, whether it is a soothing light stracciatella or a hearty pasta e fagioli. When the weather turns cold, nothing satisfies quite like…
Holiday Eggnog Biscotti
Every year our church’s women’s club hosts a much-anticipated event, the “Nativity Tea.” It is our biggest fundraiser of the year and is always a sell-out! The hall is beautifully…
Fusilli with Fennel, Red Wine & Sausage Sauce
This is a hearty pasta dish with Italian sausage in a robust red wine and tomato sauce. I serve it with bruschette. It is a meal on its own, however,…
Bruschetta with Balsamic Burst Tomatoes & White Beans
Tuscan white beans, also known as Cannellini beans or simply white beans, fall in the category of complex carbohydrates. Not only do they offer a good dose of fiber, but…
Potato Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
Gnocchi (pronounced nyok-ee) go way back to Roman times. They were made from semolina dough, mixed with eggs. Roman legions spread the dish throughout the European region where they have…
lemon Pesto Pasta
I love lemons! They are little powerhouses of flavor. Behind his (or her) bright yellow jacket, awaits an assertive little fruit just bursting to be squeezed or zest. This simple,…
Fresh Blueberry Crostata
The thing I enjoy most about Summer is the fresh fruits and vegetables that are not only available during the warmer months, but you can buy or pick them at…
Pasta with Truffle Mascarpone Cream Sauce
Italian truffles, worth their weight in culinary gold, are highly coveted and sought out to take an ordinary recipe to superb new heights. Tartufo, as they are called in Italy,…
40 Days
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40 days—the duration of Lent—is one of the most symbolically significant periods of time in the Bible. Lent, the special season that precedes Easter, is an English word and…
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…
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…