Farro, Figs and Friends: Wild Mushroom Farro Risotto with Roasted Figs
Wow – farro is hot right now! I wanted to make this recipe for company a few weeks ago but when I tried to find …
Lobster alla fiorentina – Why should T-bones have all the fun!
Bistecca alla Fiorentina (or ‘beefsteak Florentine style’) is the famous and super simple preparation of thick T-bone steaks on a nice hot grill. The beauty …
Tutti a Tavola! Debra’s Wilted Kale and White Beans
Our guest at our table today is Debra who writes inspiring and magical posts as My Italian Garden on her personal Facebook page. Deb and I …
‘Cucina Povera’: Chestnut Crepes with Fresh Ricotta and Honey
The Tuscan kitchen is based on the concept of ‘cucina povera’ which literally translates to ‘poor kitchen’. This way of cooking, or should I say …
Eat Your Vegetables-Italian Style
Italians sure know how to eat their veggies in style. I still remember the first time I crossed paths with something called a sformato. I was …
Swordfish involtini on the grill (Involtini di pesce spade alla griglia)
The Sicilians don’t have the corner on cooking with swordfish (pesce spada) – the Calabrians, who share the same sea with Sicily, have their own …
Just octopus! – Spaghetti con polpo
There’s a joke running around the Los Angeles restaurant scene that if your menu doesn’t include a kale salad, a fancy octopus salad, and PBR, …
Pollo con melanzane (Chicken with eggplant, tomatoes and pancetta)
As we continue our Calabrian adventures, I’ve been cooking with the aid of the excellent cookbook, My Calabria. This is a great source for all …
Insalata di calamari (Squid salad)
This is an awfully fancy bowl on a fancy place mat for such a simple salad. My sister is the photographer in the family, so …
Garlicky Swordfish Calabrian Style
The Tyrrhenian Sea off the Calabrian coast is chock full of the majestic swordfish (pesce spada) that migrate through this region in late spring …
Delverde ‘Dish Your Blog’: Mezzi Rigatoni with Saffron Creme, Tuscan Kale and Crispy Prosciutto
Over 100 years ago, our grandparents arrived in this country from Italy, leaving family, friends and traditions behind in search of a brighter future. I …
Pasta ‘Ncasciata (Baked Pasta with Eggplant)
In Calabria, vegetables are king—especially in summertime. Every meal headlines the fresh vegetables that are in season, while meat or fish play a supporting role. …