Crescia: It’s not for just Easter anymore
Since a very young age, I can remember eating Crescia at Easter time. It’s one of my earliest food memories. The aroma of this cheese …
‘mbrecciata – A Perugian bean and ancient grain soup
Like so many other cities in Italy, Perugia (home of Italy’s famous chocolate industry) has its own unique cuisine and dialect. While visiting this lovely …
Beat the Winter Beiges! Sicilian Blood Orange Sangria to Pizazz Your Palate
Aah, the winter beiges! Trips to the local farm market this time of year tend to be rather uninspiring – fresh heaps of gorgeous colorful …
Lentil and golden beet salad with hazelnut gremolata
It’s the dead of winter, when one’s tastes go to deep earthy root vegetables such as beets and lentils. Never mind that it’s 70 degrees …
Braise, Baby, Braise! Vinegar Braised Chicken with Pancetta and Onions
When a chill fills the air, few meals up the comfort factor more than a succulent, warming braise…that fork-tender cut of meat bathing in some …
Caramelized and braised fennel
Fennel is probably my favorite vegetable. Every time I eat it, I am reminded of Italy. Fennel seeds and more recently pollen show up in …
Pasta alla Norcina
When we visited Umbria this fall, I expected the region to be a mere stepchild to Tuscany and its cosmopolitan, touristy vibe. Instead, we found …
Simply Soul Satisfying Soups for Fall
The simplest of meals can feed the soul. With the Thanksgiving holiday (and all its excesses) behind us, it is the simple soups of fall …
Crostata di marmellata (Jam-filled crostata)
Why haven’t I made this before??? Every time I’ve been to Italy, I’ve enjoyed a crostata filled with jam as part of a classic Italian …
Finding Our Roots in Le Marche: ‘Passatelli Asciutti’ with Sausage and Tomatoes
Growing up, my brother and I often helped our mother make a holiday staple – ‘passatelli in brodo’ – a recipe she learned from my …
Yup, Another Kale Recipe: Sautéed Kale and Cannellini Beans with Shaved Parmigiano
I know, I know – we are all sick of hearing about kale. We all know how good the leafy, obnoxiously healthy green is for …
Eat Your Beets! Roasted Beets and Carrots with Gorgonzola and Beet Vinaigrette
Many of us grew up being forced by our well meaning parents to eat certain vegetables. For me, this form of parental torture was evident …