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. …
Marchigiana Fava Bean Soup
Every year I plant fava beans in my garden and I ask myself, “why?!” The plants take a lot of room in the garden (though …
Quails with fresh peas
Springtime is well underway here in Los Angeles! Flowers are fully in bloom mode; the few trees that lose their leaves are leafing out (most …
An Ode to Escarole :-)
Ciao ciao, dear friends! A nice quiet, chilly Saturday morning here in Pennsylvania! After a crazy, busy work week, it feels exceptional to just sit …
Pollo alla maceratese
I’m constantly amazed at how a few ultra-fresh ingredients, simply prepared, can make such a flavorful Italian dish. Today, I picked lemons from our backyard …
Le Marche: Polente con le vongole
Le Marche—the region of Italy on the Adriatic Coast east of Umbria—remains largely unknown to most Americans. Europeans and South Americans know about it and …
My Mom’s Passatelli and An Old Meat Grinder
One look at my mom’s old meat grinder and my eyes instantly well with tears. Never fail. How can that old beast resign me to …
Angello fritto
Courtesy of the Marche region of Italy, this recipe may drive America’s backyard grillers crazy! Frying lamb chops?? In the summer?! How heretical!! Yet this …
End of Summer at Mussel Beach – Cozze alla marchigiana
I was in the Pacific Northwest this week visiting family and as usual, I was amazed at the abundance of fresh local seafood available in …
Zucchine ripine all marchigiana (Stuffed zucchini Marche style)
This is a very special recipe for me. In 1993, I visited my relatives near Senigallia, Italy for the first time. Lena, my dad’s cousin …
Melanzane in potacchio
I’m still on my eggplant kick, so here’s a crazy-simple recipe especially for those first-time eggplant cookers. This recipe and the whole style of “in …
Brodetto alla senigalliese
The Marche region of Italy is blessed with 180 km of fertile coastline, so the seafood available is deeply ingrained into Marche’s food culture. In …