Apple Bacon & Pecan Salad with Creamy Provolone Dressing
I love a good salad! And I am not talking about a plate of iceberg lettuce with bottled dressing! There are a multitude of easy-to-find ingredients that add flavor,…
secondi piatti
Anchovy Spaghetti
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Recipes, such as, Cacio e pepe, Capellini and Clams and Spaghetti alla Carbonara, are what I call “Pantry Meals.” Even when the cupboards and frig are seemingly bare, just…
Braised Beef with Shallots & Carrots
Braising, a method of slow cooking in liquid, takes advantage of tougher (and usually less expensive) cuts of meat and has been around for centuries. Chuck roast, a budget-friendly…
Chicken with Roasted Lemons, Olives & Capers
Lemons, olives and capers are classic staples in the Sicilian pantry. Individually, they bring additional flavor to many a dish. Now, put them all in one bowl and you…
Meatballs and Sauce
My maternal grandmother did not cook from recipes. I never saw her open a cookbook. To my knowledge, she didn’t have any. The meals she prepared were committed to memory.…
Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup
As a child, I remember my mother preparing stuffed bell peppers on numerous occasions. It’s one of those recipes that you can prepare in advance, tend to four children,…
Melanzane alla Parmigiana
Whenever my son, Joe, and I try a new Italian restaurant, the “one dish” that is a make-or-break decision to return, is eggplant Parmesan. The ingredients should compliment one…
Mediterranean Beef Stew
This richly-flavored stew, served on a bed of ancient grains, will awaken your taste buds and take them on a Mediterranean journey. Ladle into shallow bowls and serve with…
Mediterranean Fish With Sicilian Vinegar
Although this is a great warm weather dish to enjoy al fresco, while sipping a limonata, it’s also a perfect choice during the holidays. For many, this is a…
Creamy Beef Stew
Some of my family’s favorite dishes are the ones that are the easiest to put together and either simmer on top of the stove, such as stufato di manzo…
Baked Lamb & Potatoes
For many, lamb is a seasonal favorite. The rosemary and lemon (a classic combination) permeate the lamb chops and flavor the potatoes at the same time. This is an…
Fresh Herbs & Citrus Chicken
Fresh herbs and citrus infuse the chicken with their bright and robust flavors. This recipe utilizes both the zest and the juice of oranges and lemons. By first, marinating…
Beef-Barley Soup
In this month of January 2016, it seems that just about everyone in the country, from coast to coast, is experiencing unusually cold weather. A few days ago, it…
Chicken Marsala al Forno
One of my favorite meals is veal Marsala and if I’m dining out and it’s on the menu, it’s difficult for me to resist. This baked (al forno) recipe…
Taste of Sicily Meatballs
Passoli e pinoli (currants and pine nuts) are commonly used in many Sicilian dishes. Currants are black Corinth grapes that have been dried like raisins, only they are much…
Southern Comfort Brisket
It’s smart to plan ahead if you’re thinking about making this slightly sweet brisket. Although it takes 2 hours to cook, it basically cooks itself as it makes its…
Sicilian Spezzatino
Braised, roasted, simmered and stewed, these are the types of dishes that are calling my name. When the weather is cold outside, few things are more comforting than a…
Stufato di Manzo with Polenta (Beef Stew)
This stew is the equivalent of the basic “little black dress,” the essential recipe to have in your repertoire that you can serve anytime. You can dress her up…
Balsamic Braised Chicken
Roasted, poached, grilled and fried, these are just a few of the ways I have prepared poultry this year, but during the fall and winter months, there is nothing…
Cavoli Ripiene (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
Last weekend, my girlfriend and I attended a fundraiser, Taste for Nourish, a non-profit dedicated to providing family and community support for children with feeding challenges. These children are…