Easter Tart: Torta di Pasqua
Easter is the celebration of the rising of Christ from the dead. When celebrating Easter with meals, signs of Spring are used to remind us …
Pastiera: Neapolitan Easter Pie
There are many versions of the traditional Italian Easter dessert, Pasteria, featuring my favorite ingredient, creamy ricotta. This Neapolitan version uses arborio rice instead of …
Stuffed Calamari from Capri: Calamari Ripieni alla Caprese
Stuffed calamari is served all over Italy. On the island of Capri they are served stuffed with ricotta, Parmesan cheese and marjoram (or oregano) and …
Torta di Patate e Spinaci: Potato and Spinach Pie
Potatoes – yum. Potatoes and spinach – yuum. Potatoes, spinach and cheese – yuuuuuuum! I served this dish for the Festa last week and it …
Homemade ‘Palm’ Pasta for Palm Sunday
Palms for Palm Sunday. My cousin’s family has a long held tradition of making a wide fresh pasta shaped like ‘palms’ for Palm Sunday. So for …
Simple Pleasures: Prosciutto-wrapped Asparagus with Balsamic Reduction
Simple pleasures. I am always searching for easy antipasto for my dinner parties and this easy prosciutto-wrapped asparagus does the trick. Easy to prepare ahead of …
Spaghetti with Fava Beans and Ricotta: Spaghetti con Fave e Ricotta
You know it’s Spring when you start seeing Fava Beans at the Farmers Market. These beans, as good as they taste, must be the biggest …
Crescia: An Easter bread
I must say I hate baking. It’s not really cooking, it’s a chemistry experiment. So follow this recipe to the letter and even with that, …
Dario’s Aquacotta: The best ‘cooked water’ you have ever had
Aquacotta – literally ‘cooked water’. But the best darn cooked water you have ever had! According to the Academia Barilla, the herdsmen and coal men …
Chicken under a Brick: Pollo al Mattone
“Chicken under a brick” is a simple but very functional recipe that comes from Tuscany but has a southern Italian version that uses lots of …
Pici all’ aglione: Tuscan pasta with tomato-garlic sauce
I just returned from a brief winter escape in Tuscany. Sigh. Every time I return, a tiny bit of my soul remains behind in the hills. The …
Ravioli of the Island of Capri: Ravioli Alla Caprese
Ravioli alla Caprese is the most simple yet delicious “primo” on the Island of Capri. Using the best ingredients of fresh ricotta, Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese and …