Castelvetrano & Ricotta Salata Antipasti
No Comments
Castelvetrano is a town in the province of Trapani, Sicily, and it is here where I first tasted the olives of the same name. Castelvetrano olives are firm, a…
merende
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…
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
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
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
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.…
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…
Sicilian Pizza
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…
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…
Polpettone con Ricotta
I have made various types of meatloaf and I have made meat rolls using flank steak (braciolone), but I have never made rolled meatloaf before now. Polpettone con Ricotta…
Apple & Sage Turkey Meatballs
Sweet apples, tart cranberries and the warm, earthy essence of fresh sage are the flavors of Fall and are what these versatile meatballs are all about. They are great for…
Polpette al Brindisi
Every town in Italy has their version of a particular dish and this meatball recipe is no exception. My son, Joe, and I were in this southern Italian town…
Gorgonzola-Stuffed Figs with Balsamic Drizzle
I have never tasted better figs than those hanging from the trees in my grandparent’s back yard. Picked at the perfect moment of ripeness, they were soft, sweet, succulent…
Peach & Prosciutto Bruschetta
My inspiration for this bruschetta (singular) comes from the “small bites” of Italy, known as merenda. The nourishing small meals are defined by the season and since July is…
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Eggplant Bruschetta
There are endless possibilities when it comes to making bruschette (plural). For me, it’s a matter of what ingredients I have on hand. Bruschette are terrific any time of…
Arancine
Arancine, meaning “little oranges” in Italian, is a popular Sicilian specialty. This savory snack is a saffron-scented rice ball with a meat filling, breadcrumb coating and is fried to…
Lemon & Rosemary Roasted Cece
Cece is the Italian name but, you may know this lovely legume by chickpeas or garbanzo beans. I always have cans at hand for hummus, salads and snacks, as…
Baked Broccoli Frittata
This is an easy frittata to put together and can be prepared in advance. For a simple breakfast or brunch, I cut them into squares and set them out…
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
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…