Pasta fasul – The comfort stew of my childhood
Growing up we called it “pasta fasul”. This warm and comforting thick stew was frequently on the table when the weather turned cool in autumn …
Risotto with Sausage, Green Apple, Pecorino and Honey too!
Montalcino may be best known for its splendid Brunello but it has some lesser known gems as well. Amongst its rolling hills fly amazing honeybees, …
A Lemon Tree after the Rain (and a Super Simple Lemon Pasta)
A family trip to Tuscany and a lemon tree after the rain. A seed is planted. For years, whenever the family gathered, talk inevitably turned …
Buona Primavera! A Spring Vegetable Risotto
I tend to get emotional at the farmer’s market in spring. The colors at the market turn from the winter beiges to the vibrant glorious …
“Wild” Mushroom Risotto
A few years ago I finally got around to reading Michael Pollan’s decade-old book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma. I loved the entire book, but as I …
Nesting in Winter: Spaghetti Nests (Nidi di Spaghetti)
Winter. In all its frosty glory…how I pine for spring! To be fair, winter in my hood has been fairly mild this year. No snow …
Flavors of Fall: Chestnut and Pear Ravioli with Saged Brown-Butter
There is something deeply satisfying to me about the changing of the seasons. Perhaps it is the shedding of the old and familiar season; perhaps …
Garganelli with sausage and fennel ragù
I’m trying to figure out why it took me so long to make garganelli. I think it was because a cookbook I have said to …
A Summer’s Riff on Pesto: Arugula, Basil and Walnut Pesto
Ahhh, the summer garden. How I love the quiet time amongst my little plants in spring, waiting for their roots to take hold and for …
Pillow Soft Gnocchi That Would Have Made Our Mother Proud
Growing up in an Italian American household meant that our household chores were, at times, a bit different than those from other neighborhood kids. Included on …
Paccheri with bottarga and lime
My sister Michele and I have written recently about Italy’s region of Marche, the birthplace of our paternal grandfather Guiseppe. Le Marche is truly one …
Risotto alla Milanese – The Real Deal
Risotto alla Milanese is one of Italy’s most famous dishes. I once was at a dinner party where someone started playing that silly game in …