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. …
A Tasty Spinach Sformato Recipe with Parmesan Sauce
Lets talk sformato! A what, you might ask? A sformato – a light, savory Italian custard-y treat. Think ‘flan’ with an Italian accent. I first …
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 …
Zucchine ripine all marchigiana (Stuffed zucchini Marche style)
This is a very special recipe for me. In 1993, I visited my relatives near Senigallia, Italy for the first time. Lena, my dad’s cousin …
Melanzane in potacchio
I’m still on my eggplant kick, so here’s a crazy-simple recipe especially for those first-time eggplant cookers. This recipe and the whole style of “in …
Caponata alla Siciliana Revisited
I’ve been on an eggplant kick lately. It’s summertime and eggplant are everywhere in the farmer’s markets and grocery stores. People seem to be terrified …
Somewhere Beyond the Sea: Sicilian Clams with Fennel Broth
When the summer heat comes swooping in, I always have a hankering for clams – a big, soupy bowl of briny littlenecks bathed in garlicky …
Baby red kale and leek frittata
It’s spring and the farmers’ markets are bursting with new crops. I spotted some baby red kale on a recent venture and thought what a …
The Scent of Spring: Wild Ramp and Ricotta Tarts
I have a confession – yes, again. I have never eaten a ramp before this year. Well, actually, its bigger than that – I didn’t …
Food Karma: Soufflé di Formaggio, Miele e Noci (Soufflé with Cheese, Honey and Walnuts
I was supposed to be at yoga class this morning but a soufflé laced with cheese and drizzled with chestnut honey led me astray. My ‘down …
Pesce crudo – Don’t call it Italian sashimi!
Pesce crudo (Italian for “raw fish”) and Japanese sashimi both rely on ultra-fresh seafood, but that’s where the similarities end. Italians near the coastline have …
Bringing Tuscany Home: Anchovies Marinated in Parsley Pesto and Chickpeas
With Tuscany fresh in my mind, I knew the moment I woke up this morning what I was going to make for lunch today. One …
