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, …
Cooking Le Marche Style: Vongole in Potacchio
Ciao, tutti! As I write this post, my brother and Mark are relaxing in the little village of Scapezzano, Italy – in the very house …
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 …
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 …
Italian Comfort Food! Pork Shoulder Braised in Milk (Maiale al Latte)
OMG, you guys! It has been almost a month since I posted!! The holidays were a glorious whirlwind of cookie exchanges, seven (ok, make that …
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 …
Harvest Dinner: Easy Roasted Chicken with Grapes and Shallots
So you guys, you have to make this roast chicken! Why?? It is super simple. It screams FALL. The delicious aromas wafting from your oven …
A Late Summer Harvest: Timballini di Melanzane
As the heat of summer fades to the cooler chill of fall, my garden harvest begins to slow. The last of the tomatoes remain on the …
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 …