The Best Italian & Italian-American Recipes on the Internet
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Summer just arrived and I’m starting to get in the mood for the bounty slowly hitting the market. This simple yet complex salad is my bridge to the new season. Insalata cruda e cotta is an interesting mix of fresh and cooked vegetables and will be …
The escarole in the market today was gorgeous, light green heads with fresh, tender leaves. I get 2 uses from a head of escarole. Save the yellow-green inner leaves for a simple salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon or red wine vinegar and …
We trained to Naples from Rome and settled in to our apartment in the Spanish Quarter high above Via Chiaia and Via Toledo, Naples major shopping streets. We have a half floor of an old palazzo and our landlady Filomene lives right next door. She …
Giulia, the petite and effervescent aunt of my Roman producer, stopped by the apartment as we were setting up for the video shoot. She was doubtful that a guy from San Francisco could cook Roman dishes and she wanted to see for herself. Giulia does …
I met up with Alessandro, my produce vendor friend in the Campo di Fiori farmers market as the sun began to break through the early morning clouds. I was especially interested in what he harvested from his garden and from the wild. He had these …
La Vignarola, stewed spring vegetables, is a simple dish that’s a real crowd-pleaser in Rome this time of year and you can be eating some in about 30 minutes. Quickly braise each of the 3 spring vegetables separately. Brown guanciale or pancetta with a little …
I’m hosting an informal Easter dinner next Sunday. Some of the friends at the table will be with me in Rome and Naples in a few weeks so I’m serving dishes from those 2 cities. We’ll start with a savory deep-dish pie, Pizza Rustica filled …
Natale con i tuoi, la Pasqua con chi vuoi, Christmas at home and Easter with whomever you wish” is an old Italian saying. Friends are coming to my place for Easter dinner next Sunday. I’m making 2 traditional Easter deep-dish pies from Naples that will bookend …
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 …
Spring is taking hold so I thought I’d make something to celebrate, an egg pie with tender, thin asparagus. Actually “La Squadra”, is gathering at my house for lunch. My Rome and Naples traveling companions and I need to finish planning our final week in Campania …
A Working Roman Holiday
Campo di Fiori, the farmer’s market in the historical center of Rome was ablaze in the morning sunshine. The stalls were overflowing with spring bounty. Peas, artichokes, fava beans, chicory and other leafy treats, even early tomatoes, were everywhere. I was scouting the market as …