Pasta alla Norma: Rigatoni in a Tomato & Eggplant Sauce

Pasta alla Norma: Rigatoni in a Tomato & Eggplant Sauce

A classic from Catania on the eastern shore of Sicily, this wildly popular pasta took on its name in honor of favorite-son Vincenzo Bellini’s opera Norma 180 years ago. You’ll find it on menus all over Sicilia now. A couple of you asked about this dish 

Stuffed Peppers (Peperoni Ripieni)

Stuffed Peppers (Peperoni Ripieni)

I had a hankering for stuffed peppers for a while so I made some today. Peppers are flooding the farmers market and a couple of big, ripe red bell peppers called out to me this morning. The roasted stuffed peppers are tender and sweet. The arborio 

Pasta Primavera: Bowtie Pasta with Spring Vegetables

Pasta Primavera: Bowtie Pasta with Spring Vegetables

The farmers markets are overflowing with early spring vegetables so I just had to make Pasta Primavera, farfalle (bowtie) pasta with just-arrived asparagus, fava beans and sweet peas. Pasta Primavera is a classic Italian-American dish concocted by Sirio Maccioni and made famous at his Le 

Easter Savory and Sweet Ricotta Pies

Easter Savory and Sweet Ricotta Pies

The Spring holidays are upon us. Passover is covered. We’ll be at Joyce Goldstein’s Seder celebrating the Italian Jewish kitchen. (Our private table is full. Sorry to those of you who wanted to join us. Maybe next time.) Now I’m getting ready for Easter. I’m making 

Battle of the Chefs in North Beach

Battle of the Chefs in North Beach

My friend Viola Buitoni hails from Perugia in the region of Umbria. Viola is a wonderful cook and Italian culinary teacher and she’s hosting Battaglia dei Cuochi, the Battle of the Chefs, this Monday March 19 at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club on Stockton overlooking 

St. Joseph’s Day Is Coming! Make Zeppole

St. Joseph’s Day Is Coming! Make Zeppole

March 19 is St. Joseph’s Day, also Father’s Day in Italy. It’s the time of year to make a special sweet, Zeppole di San Giuseppe. You find zeppole all over Italia this time of year. Each region makes them in their own way. In North 

North Beach Farmers’ Market Is Back

North Beach Farmers’ Market Is Back

I missed the Sunday North Beach farmers’ market since the tents were rolled up last October. But spring has sprung and the market re-opened last Sunday. It’s in a new location on Powell between Union and Columbus right across from Washington Square Park. This is a much 

Cook with Gianni Live in North Beach

Cook with Gianni Live in North Beach

Cooking Class at Cookhouse My friend Chef Tom Herndon of Hipp Kitchen asked if I wanted to do a cooking class showcasing the rustic food of Italia. Tom teaches those with food allergies and sensitivities so I’m cooking without gluten, dairy, shellfish, soy or peanuts. 

New Year’s Eve Menu

New Year’s Eve Menu

Here’s what we’ll be eating for our North Beach New Year’s Eve dinner. Quick and delicious dishes to get you ready to roll into 2012 with friends and family.

Holidays in America

Holidays in America

Lidia Bastianich’s PBS special “Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday Tables and Traditions” is a celebration of family traditions, the common immigrant experience and the importance of food in 4 ethnic cultures. Watch it. You’ll feel good.

North Beach Discovery: Fresh Truffles from Italia

North Beach Discovery: Fresh Truffles from Italia

Fresh truffles arrive in North Beach from Italia. Get them while they last at Cavalli Cafe.

Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes (Cena di Vigilia)

Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes (Cena di Vigilia)

UPDATE: There is now a video recipe for Cioppino, the simple and easy seven-fish San Francisco stew: WATCH NOW Italian-American families have their favorite dishes for Christmas Eve fish dinner – some serve 7 fish (for the 7 sacraments or 7 virtues), some serve 10 (for 

A Post-Thanksgiving Melting Pot Dinner

A Post-Thanksgiving Melting Pot Dinner

Two branches of the family gathered in northern Jersey to enjoy a great Italian-American meal with a Syrian twist.

A Jersey Thanksgiving

A Jersey Thanksgiving

We’re all gathered in northern Jersey for our Italian-American Thanksgiving dinner, 3 generations in the kitchen today. My sister Rose and her daughter Wendy are in charge, I’m just the sous chef. RoRo has been rocking in the kitchen since 7 this morning and barking 

Free Recipe: Salsa Verde (Green Herb Sauce)

Free Recipe: Salsa Verde (Green Herb Sauce)

A really versatile condiment that you can serve with vegetables, fish or meat.