Fettuccine with Black Truffle Sauce

Fettuccine with Black Truffle Sauce

Last call for black winter truffles. If you live in San Francisco you can buy them at North Beach’s Il Cilentano on Columbus. They’re also still available from online purveyors. Don’t miss out on enjoying these “Diamonds of the Kitchen.” Treat yourself, maybe even make 

Spaghetti al Limone

Spaghetti al Limone

We took the fast hydrofoil from Napoli for a quick ride to the island of Ischia. We’d never been before and were determined to check out this gem in the middle of the Bay of Napoli. It was a hot summer day so we hugged 

Cacio e Pepe: Spaghetti with a No-Cook Pecorino & Black Pepper Sauce

Cacio e Pepe: Spaghetti with a No-Cook Pecorino & Black Pepper Sauce

It’s ridiculous how a few quality ingredients can make such a sumptuous pasta dish. When in Rome cacio e pepe is one of two pasta dishes that I order at one of my favorite restaurants as soon as I arrive. If you’re really hungry and 

Pasta Primavera: Bow tie pasta with early spring vegetables

Pasta Primavera: Bow tie pasta with early spring vegetables

Don’t miss the next recipe video: Subscribe now to my YouTube channel. I love this time of year when the first of the early spring vegetables start to hit the market. Pencil-thin asparagus, tiny peas, and tender fava beans are among my favorites, so I just had 

Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni

Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni

Don’t miss the next recipe video: Subscribe now to my YouTube channel. Growing up in northern Jersey when my Mom took out her small black cast iron pan Sunday morning we knew we were in for a treat. She was getting ready to make crespelle (crepes) for 

Tortellini in Brodo: Homemade Stuffed Pasta in Broth

Tortellini in Brodo: Homemade Stuffed Pasta in Broth

I always have to satisfy a variety of diets at my table. A recent lunch gathering was no exception – vegetarians amongst the meat eaters! But, I had a strategy… My method for vegetable sides, sauces or soups is to start with the universal base. 

A Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

A Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

A northern Jersey friend enjoyed this yellow onion and anchovy whole wheat pasta dish several years ago at da Flora, one of my favorite North Beach restaurants. The food memory haunted her ever since. She hasn’t been to San Francisco since that dinner at da 

Lazy Lasagna Ready in an Hour

Lazy Lasagna Ready in an Hour

I promised to make a lasagna for our office potluck lunch Thursday. As I got ready for a trip to LA I tried to beg off making the lasagna. I knew I wouldn’t be in the mood to make a lasagna because I was flying 

Fat Macaroni with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce

Fat Macaroni with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce

Tomatoes overflow the farmers market. I bought fresh organic San Marzano tomatoes with this pasta dish in mind. I’m in the mood for rich and creamy so I’m mixing ricotta with the quick-cooked tomato sauce and serving it with giant dried pasta tubes. The classic 

Fettuccine with Squash Blossom Cream Sauce

Fettuccine with Squash Blossom Cream Sauce

Are you afraid of squash blossoms that are flooding farmers markets now? Don’t be. The blossoms are versatile and easy to cook up. Grab some if you can. Stuff the blossoms with mozzarella and anchovy and fry them coated with a light batter. Use them as 

Fresh San Marzano Tomatoes with Pappardelle

Fresh San Marzano Tomatoes with Pappardelle

I scored the first of the organic San Marzano tomatoes from Happy Boy Farms at the Thursday Galleria farmers market in San Francisco’s financial district. I was lazy and wanted a simple sauce so I didn’t cook it at all. This pasta can be on 

Orecchiette with Arugula

Orecchiette with Arugula

I snagged some baby arugula at the Petaluma farmer’s market yesterday. Simply drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, a drop or 2 of red wine vinegar and sea salt, the tender peppery arugula is a summer treat. But arugula isn’t just for salads. I have 

Spaghetti with Clams Straight from the Bay of Naples

Spaghetti with Clams Straight from the Bay of Naples

Neapolitans love clams. The outdoor fish stalls have clams of all sizes just out of the bay on display in buckets of water. For me, the smaller the better. I love vongole verace, those clams the size of your thumb, but you have to cook a 

St. Joseph’s Day Spaghetti

St. Joseph’s Day Spaghetti

March 19 is the Feast of St. Joseph, Festa di San Giuseppe. It’s a big day in Italy and a big day among Italian-Americans. St. Joseph’s Day is Father’s Day in Italia. Joseph was Mary’s husband and helped raise the young Jesus. St. Joseph is also Sicily’s 

Spaghetti all’Amatriciana

Spaghetti all’Amatriciana

Here’s one of my favorite spaghetti sauces that’s ready in the time it takes to cook the spaghetti. The recipe comes from the the small hill town of Amatrice in the Sabine Hills northeast of Rome. You see spaghetti all’Amatriciana in all the trattorie in