Seppie con piselli (Cuttlefish with peas)
I’m in Italy!—in the region of Marche, along the Adriatic sea—staying in the town where my grandfather grew up (he immigrated to America in 1911, …
It’s raining artichokes! – Baby Artichoke Risotto
We have arrived in the hilltop town of Scapezzano, where my grandfather grew up and our cousins still live, in the Marche region of Italy. …
Marchigiana Fava Bean Soup
Every year I plant fava beans in my garden and I ask myself, “why?!” The plants take a lot of room in the garden (though …
Quails with fresh peas
Springtime is well underway here in Los Angeles! Flowers are fully in bloom mode; the few trees that lose their leaves are leafing out (most …
Pollo alla maceratese
I’m constantly amazed at how a few ultra-fresh ingredients, simply prepared, can make such a flavorful Italian dish. Today, I picked lemons from our backyard …
Le Marche: Polente con le vongole
Le Marche—the region of Italy on the Adriatic Coast east of Umbria—remains largely unknown to most Americans. Europeans and South Americans know about it and …
Recipes for The Feast of the Seven Fishes
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a big deal in our family. Although the origins of this feast are somewhat mired in controversy, it …
Eggplant-Wrapped Veal Meatballs
I received a cookbook as a birthday present from some work colleagues back in 1992. It’s by Jo Bettoja and is all about southern Italian …
Garganelli with sausage and fennel ragù
I’m trying to figure out why it took me so long to make garganelli. I think it was because a cookbook I have said to …
Angello fritto
Courtesy of the Marche region of Italy, this recipe may drive America’s backyard grillers crazy! Frying lamb chops?? In the summer?! How heretical!! Yet this …
End of Summer at Mussel Beach – Cozze alla marchigiana
I was in the Pacific Northwest this week visiting family and as usual, I was amazed at the abundance of fresh local seafood available in …
When life gives you too many zucchini…. Make zucchini bread (or one of these many recipes)!
Another summer, another mountain of zucchini, right?? If you are like us, we always plant too many plants and end up with piles of zucchini. …