In My Father’s Memory: Laughter, Ladybugs and Chicken Marinated in Red Wine
My father passed away in 1981 at the tender young age of 54. He died suddenly that day, leaving us all to figure out how …
Soul Food Italian Style: Piadina Romagnola
It never ceases to amaze me how different the breads of Italy can be from region to region. Emilia-Romagna’s bread is no exception. Unlike the …
Spring’s Sweet Bounty: Strawberries with Balsamic and Black Pepper
The local farmer’s market is beginning to fill to the brim with spring’s fresh bounty – tender asparagus, baby peas, young lettuces and my favorite …
Bon Appetit’s June Cook the Cover Challenge: Spaghetti with Parsley Pesto
My family is a huge Bon Appetit family. We have subscribed for years and years and years. We have cellars full of back issues. We …
The Magic of Montalcino and Why I Travel
I first set foot in Montalcino in 2006 by pure happenstance. Our family had finally pulled off that family reunion we had been talking about …
The Magical Little Island of Pantelleria: Pasta with Shrimp, Toasted Almonds and Breadcrumbs
A few years back, I was on a mission to visit as many of the islands of Italy as I could. I still have quite …
Involtini di Pesce Spada (Sicilian Swordfish Rolls)
Sicilians really do love their fish and especially their swordfish. Sicily’s enviable position surrounded by three seas explains why fish holds such a revered place …
Simply Roasted Artichokes: A Sunny Taste of Spring
Spring is synonymous with artichokes for me. And with the days finally turning a bit warmer here, spring cannot arrive fast enough. I grow ridiculously …
Sicilian Ricotta Pie (Torta di Ricotta)
For me, Easter is not complete without a slice of ricotta pie. I go weak in the knees when I think of this dessert and …
The big launch is almost here – announcing Footsteps Italy!
I simply can’t wait any longer to tell you my big secret about Footsteps Italy! For over a year, I have been working with my …
Simple Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Sauce
In Sicily, they make a highly concentrated tomato paste called ‘estrattu’ and it is a true labor of love. They start with an enormous amount …
A Hug from My Grandparents – Sicilian Style
I first visited Sicily back in 2004. I wrote this piece when I returned from that wonderful trip and promptly forgot about it. I recently …