Almond Paste vs Marzipan
1 Comment
In Italy, the terms almond paste, and marzipan are used interchangeably. In the United States, however, almond paste and marzipan are not the same thing. It is important to…
Pignoli
2 Comments
These moist, soft and chewy cookies are found in bakeries all over Sicily and southern Italy. They are a type of macaroon made with almond paste and topped with…
Olive Oil Poached Chicken with Fennel Sauce
Whether it be for fish, chops or chicken, the technique of poaching is not a new concept. Poaching is merely simmering food in a liquid until it’s cooked through.…
Balsamic Beets with Gorgonzola
Beets, native to the Mediterranean, are an excellent source of nutrients and minerals. Both the fleshy root and the greens are edible. Although they are not the prettiest vegetable…
Chocolate Espresso Olive Oil Cake
I am not what you’d call a chocoholic, but every now and then, when only something chocolate will do, this cake is guaranteed to satisfy the craving every time.…
Italian Steak Sandwich
1 Comment
Thin slices of frizzled beef, melted cheese and a bun that is crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside, are the quintessential ingredients of this…
Lemon Sorbet with Candied Basil
1 Comment
Lemon Spaghetti and fresh Limonata are just two examples of why lemon and basil are perfect together. The last time I made a pitcher of limonata, I discovered yet…
Italian Prune Preserves
Once upon a time, Santa Clara County was the largest fruit district in California. In 1919, 98,152 acres were planted in fruit trees. The majority were prune trees (7,652,000),…
Cheesecake
1 Comment
Every time I make this cheesecake, I am reminded of two things: to be grateful for time spent with family and of the “The Italian Place” in San Jose,…
Buon Ferragosto!
1 Comment
August 15 is one of the most important Catholic holidays. It celebrates the day that the Blessed Virgin Mary was “Assunta in Cielo” (Assumed body and soul into the…
Antipasti Pasta Salad
1 Comment
All the flavors of an antipasti tray … in a bowl! This pasta salad is loaded with salami, cheese, garbanzo beans, pepperoncini, olives, cherry tomatoes and more. This is…
Raspberry Ricotta Tart
If you need another reason to make the fresh raspberry preserves, this is it. There are many times I need to come up with a last-minute dish for guests…
Marinated Mozzarella
Marinated mozzarella balls are perfect for Merende (small bites). You have probably seen them in the deli section of your local supermarket but before you even consider placing them…
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
By using canned diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, you will have this soup ready in no time at all. First, I saute the vegetables then add the…
Fresh Cherries
Fresh, ripe seasonal fruit is the perfect snack or dessert. My place of choice to find the season’s best is at one of those country roadside stands or a…
Cappuccino on a stick
A frozen version of my favorite coffee drink is nothing more than accidental genius. Accidental is the operative word here. I was making several batches of flavored ice cubes…
Lemon-y Cream Sauce
My lemon-y cream sauce is the result of having a little bit left over of an ingredient called for in a recipe. It’s not enough to really do anything…
Mango Soft Serve
Last week, a reader from Mississippi commented on my Lemon Ice Box Pie. She thanked me for the recipe and reminisced how this soothing summer dessert was one of…
Chilled Summer Spa Soup
After making a batch of my flavored ice cubes, I got the idea to make a cold soup. I didn’t really want a hearty gazpacho, rather a light, cool…
2 Comments
Tender young arugula leaves, with their mildly bitter, peppery flavor is as commonplace to Italians as is parsley or basil. As one of the best vegetable sources of Vitamin-K,…
Categories
Archives
Tags
beef Biscotti breakfast brunch cake Catholic chocolate colazione contorni cookies Dessert Desserts dolci eggplant eggs extra-virgin olive oil faith family first courses fruit frutta holiday Italian Italian life Lemon Lent le verdure limone merende New Orleans pasta prayer primi piatti Recipe ricotta salad secondi piatti Sicilian side dish small bites soup Southern tradition vegetable vegetables
