grilled zucchini ribbons
The simplicity of cooking seasonal, fresh zucchini is hard to beat. In the summer, you can grate or thinly slice for salad and they need...
ricotta cheese & spinach filling
A very easy ricotta cheese based filling that can be used to for eggplant rollatini or pasta shells. It’s super easy to make, and adds great flavor to Italian style...
Classic Onion Soup
Nothing like a super satisfying bowl of this savory soup oozing with cheese on a cold winter’s night. Julia Child perfected the recipe in her cookbook, Mastering the Art of...
shredded Brussels sprouts salad
Brussel sprouts are a vegetable that can take some time to acquire the taste to enjoy, and usually are not a favorite of kids. I...
roasted butternut squash soup
Nothing says winter like a warm bowl of butternut squash soup. Serve this to start to a winter meal, or as a full on meal maybe with a large hunk...
bulgur wheat with tomatoes, eggplant & pomegranate molasses
Bulgur wheat is a wonderful grain that is common in parts of the Levant and Persia.
Mini arancini rice balls
If you have any leftover risotto, which tends to be more glutinous when cold, arancini balls are the ideal way to use up extra.
Risotto with mushrooms
Another flavor of risotto made with mushrooms. Select a variety of mushrooms that are fresh and will give the risotto a nice flavor. I think the best is a mixture...
A basic risotto with parmesan
Making risotto requires time. Time to allow the starch in the rice grains to slowly release creating the creamy consistency but firm bite of each grain.
shaved fennel, orange and almond salad
This salad is fantastic, especially if you are looking for another way to eat your greens.
Classic Agnolotti dal Plin (meat filling for ravioli)
During the time of Italian Dukes, the large amounts of meat left over from celebrations were used to make Agnolotti al Plin. If you have any extra pieces of meat,...
Ricotta ravioli filling
Super easy and classic filling for any shape of ravioli. The creamy ricotta cheese is seasoned with just enough flavors to create a delicate filling. If you are feeling adventurous...
ravioli dough
Ravioli dough is slightly different than a noodle pasta dough in that it has more egg yolks that create a greater amount of moisture, more...
fresh homemade pasta
Why not try making homemade pasta noodles? It is not difficult and adds an extra bit of pizzazz to any meal.
hearty lentil soup with spinach
This is a super simple soup that is backed with protein and iron. I like to add the spinach at the end to make it more nutritionally rich but it...
winter salad with persimmons, pears, grapes and nuts
A gorgeous fall or winter salad with the bounty of seasonal fruits that complement a warm roasted meat or chicken. Actually it can even be...
Linguine alle Vongole (linguine with clams)
One of the best memories of summers in Portugal is Linguine with clams. How unusual that an Italian dish ignites the tastes, sights and sounds of another country.
Pumpkin and ricotta filled ravioli (by hand) with butter and sage
Heavenly, creamy and seasonal homemade pumpkin ravioli that takes a bit of effort but results in an unforgettable dish. I recommend if you have never made your own pasta or...
Delicious eggplant with sun-dried tomatoes & pomegranate
I first served Eggplant with Pomegranate at dinner for friends, and to this day when I see one of the guests, she still mentions the...
Quiche with zucchini (courgettes), leeks and cheddar
My beautiful friend, Laura, always makes the most amazing quiches. Last time she came to visit, I insisted we make a quiche together.
Pasta Amatriciana
If you have ever been to Rome, Italy, you surely have seen Amatriciana pasta on the menu. It is a staple in Roman cuisine but has many different versions- adding...
smoked salmon toasts with creme fraiche&chives
Salmon is such a healthy, hearty fish and thinly sliced smoked salmon makes a lovely companion to pre-dinner drinks- whether in the summer or the...
Lemon risotto with a dab of pesto
Incredibly delicate with the perfume of lemons, a beautifully balanced dish that brings forth the essence of each ingredient. This recipe is delicious and creates a dish that can be...
pasta with peas & fresh ricotta
Since some people find pesto rich or overpowering, I created this recipe to smooth the flavor of pesto in order to make it easier and sweeter on the palate.
pasta with pesto & mascarpone
Since some people find pesto rich or overpowering, I created this recipe to smooth the flavor of pesto in order to make it easier and...
Orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe & romanesco
Orecchiette pasta translates to pasta with “little ears” due to its round, squidgy shape. The pasta is one of my favorites and not often seen on restaurant menus – not...
Spaghetti with creamy lemon sauce
Ahhh lemons, how I love them in almost anything. This is a very simple sauce that truly is all about the lemon flavor.
Easy Cacio & Pepe Pasta
I have been making this pasta forever and am never disappointed. With just a few ingredients – pasta, cheese, butter, olive oil, salt and ground...
my favorite rigatoni pasta with eggplant & ricotta sauce
In a perfect world, I would eat pasta at every meal…along with a crunchy, crispy salad…just pure happiness. And rigatoni pasta is one of the best shapes of pasta! Rigatoni...
creamy tomato soup to love
What a delicious way to show your love. Creamy tomato soup is surprisingly satisfying, and the heart-shaped croutons add a fun, loving way to make it more special for any occasion....
minted lamb meatballs with fresh peas & asparagus
These lamb meatballs are light and delicious because of the blend of fresh mint and parsley. It is best made in spring when fresh peas...
spiced up lamb Koofteh
I have made a lot of meatballs with beef, turkey, pork, and veal but Persian cuisine introduced me to the lamb meatball. Each region has a different name for its...
little gem with beets, red onion and feta dressing
Salads are a good start to any meal, especially if you are serving a main course that is heavier in texture and flavor, such as a stew, beef or even...
simple green salad with fennel
This salad is extremely simple and full of flavor. The fennel is what makes it so good….well the fennel and really tossing the salad with...
fabulous fish cakes
Fish cakes are delicious for a light and flavorful lunch or a starter course. Slightly unexpected and always appreciated, it is hard to go wrong with this recipe. The only...
It’s pesto
Fresh basil has such a strong, wonderful fragrance. It fills a room with its aroma and just begs to be put into some amazing dish. Liguria is a region in...
rich and warm french onion soup
Having returned from a cooking class called ‘French Cooking at Home” at Sur La Table in San Francisco, I was reminded how delicious a hot,...
luscious Burrata cheese with tomatoes or roasted peppers
Burrata or mozzarella cheese makes an easy, delicious first course or side dish for any type of meal- Italian or otherwise. The flavors of tomatoes can vary tremendously when not...
crispy pork in lettuce cups with lime chili dressing
A recipe with lots of flavor and one that can be made well in advance- the flavors of the pork actually get better if made the day before. Served as...
Marcella Hazan’s classic Bolognese sauce
Marcella Hazan is the author of the most popular Italian cookbook in the US, called Essentials of Italian cooking. Her bolognes sauce, or ragù, is...
the perfect meat sauce (for filling)
There are hundreds of different Bolognese sauces, also known as ragù. This one is my own recipe that has been adapted over the years. The use of two different type...
Pasta Bolognese sauce (Ragù)
There are hundreds of different Bolognese sauces, also known as ragù. This one is my own recipe that has been adapted over the years. The use of two different type...
fresh and easy tomato sauce
This sauce is quite simple and is made with fresh cherry or baby tomatoes. I like to mini San Marzano Plum tomatoes but buy what...
roasted kale with chickpeas
Roasting kale, as in this recipe, makes a wonderful side dish, complement to fish or meat and even a tasty snack. You can complete all the steps many hours before...
