Insalata mista
The ingredients in most parts of Italy are so delicious and fresh that most of the salad and vegetable dishes are very simply prepared. You...
Zucchini with garlic & basil sauce
Caramelizing the zucchini in this recipe creates a different flavor which is deeper and richer. For a more summer version, you could lightly soften the zucchini and add a squirt...
Torta Caprese Limone (Lemon Almond Cake)
Just the idea of lemon, almonds and white chocolate makes the heart race. It's one of those cakes that just makes you happy....and when you bite into it, you'll be...
Summer salad of peaches, arugula, prosciutto and mozzarella
The bitterness of the greens with the sweetness of a perfectly ripe summer peach combines well with the salty flavor of a thinly sliced piece...
Pasta with summer zucchini, lemon and basil
I first made this pasta at a cooking class. We learned to make the pasta using a hand cranked pasta machine which was quite relaxing, and less time consuming than...
torta della nonna
How can you not love a tart named after a grandmother, “torta della nonna” or Grandmother’s tart?
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...
rolled eggplant with filling
This dish has a few moving parts but can be made in stages, prepared a few hours ahead, and you will be ready for any dinner. T
Lentils with pancetta, spinach & garlic olive oil
In Italy, lentils are served on New Year’s Eve in the belief that they will bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year. In Roman times, each little round...
delicious Italian spaghetti & meatballs
There is almost nothing as comforting as a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. Nothing sophisticated or too complicated but a plate of warm, satisfying pleasure...
braised artichokes Florentine style
Artichokes are one of the more "fiddly" vegetables. What I mean by that is you don't just cut off a few stems and boil or roast. They need to be...
An Italian vegetable Farro salad (insalata di Farro)
The perfect warm weather salad with Farro at its heart and any type of roasted vegetable as the complement.
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...
chocolate almond and amaretti custards
I’ve never been big on pudding but for these little custard pots, I’ll make an exception.
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.
homemade ricotta with lemon & pepper
My nephew brought over some fresh ricotta one day when we were making ravioli. I was beyond impressed and told him it was too much for me to ever consider. ...
garlic bread
Who doesn’t love garlic bread? Somehow it works just as well with a plate of spaghetti or a big bowl of soup.
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...
Pasta with eggplant (alla Norma)
Pasta all Norma is a classic recipe containing only vegetables. The flavors of the eggplant, tomatoes and onions create a luscious sauce that coats the pasta in a delicious sauce.
fresh homemade pasta
Why not try making homemade pasta noodles? It is not difficult and adds an extra bit of pizzazz to any meal.
raspberry crostata
Do you like a slightly crispy crust that is not too rich and not too thick? Here you go, this recipe is just right for...
frittata with zucchini and mushrooms
Basically a frittata is an open faced Italian omelette or I often think of it as a type of quiche without the crust. The key difference between a frittata and...
Pinzimonio- fresh vegetable salad
Pinzimonio is fresh, seasonal vegetables or shaved vegetables, tossed together in a lemon-olive oil based dressing, no salad greens necessary.
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...
whole wheat pizza dough with mozzarella and tomatoes
My preference is whole wheat pizza crust. I like the texture better than regular white dough. It tends to be more chewy and satisfying.
focaccia with rosemary
Focaccia....most common in Liguria, Italy made popular by the city of Genoa. In other parts of Italy the name is schiacciata or crescentina.
vanilla coconut panna cotta with persimmons, oranges and pomegranates
The topping of persimmons, oranges, and pomegranates is best in late autumn and early winter when persimmons are in season.
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...
Florentine grilled steak (bistecca all fiorentina)
The simplicity of this recipe makes it ideal for any meal. The addition of a rub of fresh garlic after grilling adds such depth of...
A tomato and mozzarella salad
Fresh and wonderful tomatoes mixed with mozzarella, basil, olive oil- the perfect harmony of flavors. I cannot eat enough of this!
Aperol Spritz
An Italian aperativo that is not too sweet and not too sour with a wonderful flavor that hints of orange. I love to serve an Aperol spritz before lunch or...
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...
have to have a Hugo spritz
Move over Aperol spritz, here comes the Hugo. My Italian friends have moved onto this drink because it is just plain cool.
Italian Cornetti (brioche)
Start flexing your pastry muscles and prepare to embark on your journey to Italy! The Italian cornetto is a cross over between a French croissant and brioche. It contains less...
salmon with fresh pesto
Fresh pesto can be delicious on a variety of different fishes but works especially well with a luscious piece of salmon fillet. The spicy, bright...
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...
roasted potatoes with garlic & rosemary
These potatoes are my go-to side dish because not only are they easy to prepare but they complement many different types of proteins – chicken, beef and fish. Many recipes...
swordfish with tomatoes & olives
The key is to check the fish while in the oven, grill or pan, and remove just before you think it is done – looking for the fish to be...
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...
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 pepper – you have a...
torta caprese – chocolate almond tart with orange whipped cream
What I love about a Torta Caprese, is that like so many Italian desserts, it is not too sweet, and the consistency of the cake...
veal with prosciutto and sage (saltimbocca alla romana)
Literally the name of this Roman recipe means “jump in the mouth” referring to how delicious the meal tastes. Some people feel uncomfortable serving veal, and a good substitute for...
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...
Orzo rice with or without fresh peas
Is it pasta or is it rice? Whatever you think it is, orzo is easy to make and results in a good complement to many...
simply delicious mini frittatas
Super easy and perfect for a crowd or less during brunch, breakfast or lunch, and so much lighter than quiche. Mini or cupcake size, the frittatas can be partially prepared...
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...
tiramisu di Alessandra
My very good friend Alessandra is from Padua, Italy and a fantastic cook. Actually, both she and her husband, Luigi, are incredible hosts. An invitation...
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...
An easy Lasagne
Why is this lasagne easier? Because Bechamel sauce is eliminated and only a meat sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese is layered. I prefer no Bechamel because the density of the...
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...
