Mussels and Shells in a Saffron Tomato Soup
With Christmas Eve fast approaching, it’s time to starting thinking about that uniquely Italian-American tradition of the Seven Fishes. Probably born from the Italian tradition …
Drunken Octopus Salad
Octopus is finally available again in seafood stores in Southern California. In Italy, being able to buy freshly fished octopus is nearly a birthright. Along …
The crostata revisited
Way back in 2009, one of my first food posts was for an apple crostata. I just ran into a friend at church this weekend who …
Calamari ripieni alla marchigiana (Stuffed squid)
While we were in Marche, Italy this spring, we had stuffed calamari prepared by my cousin’s wife, Maria, several times. These beautiful squid from the …
Because Everyone Needs More Granita in their Life: Peach-Strawberry Granita
Summer is in full swing – bring it on, my friends. Life always feels so much more colorful during the summer months – sort of like …
Bring on Summer! Grilled Peach, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Salad
SUMMER.IS.FINALLY.HERE!! I live for these warmer months when the rhythm of life moves outdoors. Mornings in the garden (fighting off the rather large garden snake …
Basil-infused Cocktails to Start the Summer Right
Oh, dear friends. Sometimes you just have to let it all go and trust. This past week was a tough one….the Orlando mass shooting (when …
A Bolognese and a Battuto
When I was a kid, I used to sit at the kitchen table on a weekend morning watching my mother chop mounds of onion, celery …
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 …
Leeks Parmesan! A Spring #(not)recipe
Ooooh, happy Saturday! Spring has arrived! A freshness in the air. Tender leaves unfolding. Bees a buzzing. Spring veggies are springing forth. Oh joy 🙂 …
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. …