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 …
Eggplant-Wrapped Veal Meatballs
I received a cookbook as a birthday present from some work colleagues back in 1992. It’s by Jo Bettoja and is all about southern Italian …
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 …
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 …
You Had Me at Gelo ☺ Gelo d’Anguria (Watermelon Pudding)
Eating watermelon on a hot summer’s day is sort of like sticking your head in the fridge to cool off. Am I right?? That ‘ahhhh’ …
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 …
Caponata alla Siciliana Revisited
I’ve been on an eggplant kick lately. It’s summertime and eggplant are everywhere in the farmer’s markets and grocery stores. People seem to be terrified …