Pizza Maker’s Meatloaf Recipe

Pizza Maker’s Meatloaf Recipe

A pizzaiola (pizza-maker) always has tomato, mozzarella, pecorino, basil and oregano on hand so why not make a meatloaf? Got 30 minutes? Then you have time to make this tasty meatloaf. Everything goes into casserole dish and bakes in the oven for 20 minutes. A 

New Year’s Eve Italian Rules & Recipes Galore

New Year’s Eve Italian Rules & Recipes Galore

Are you ready for your New Year’s Eve celebration? Be sure to include these Italian tips and recipes in your plans. You won’t be sorry in 2014 that you did. There’s an Italian saying that what you do on New Year’s Eve you’ll do all year 

New Year’s Hearty Bean, Ham & Cabbage Soup Recipe

New Year’s Hearty Bean, Ham & Cabbage Soup Recipe

I’m just back from Christmas in the redwood forests overlooking the Pacific on the northern Sonoma coast a few hours north of San Francisco. Our Christmas dinner on top of the ridge included roast turkey and baked ham. When I got ready to head back 

Bow Ties? Wandi? Cenci?–A Sweet Crackly Holiday Recipe

Bow Ties? Wandi? Cenci?–A Sweet Crackly Holiday Recipe

I love these delicate fried dough ribbons that show up on the table at the end of the meal this time of year. I have 2 problems with them though. I don’t know what to call them and once I start eating them I can’t 

Cioppino: Christmas Eve Stew of Seven Fishes from San Francisco

Cioppino: Christmas Eve Stew of Seven Fishes from San Francisco

For a quick and easy 7-Fish Christmas Eve dinner watch this video recipe to make cioppino, a San Francisco Italian fish stew, all in one pot.

North Beach is San Francisco’s Heart

North Beach is San Francisco’s Heart

What’s not to love in North Beach, the heart of San Francisco? Carl Nolte’s Chronicle column surveys it all. Plus, a North Beach food shopping spree and a marvelous art exhibit.

North Beach Shopping Spree Ends with Shadow Ravioli

North Beach Shopping Spree Ends with Shadow Ravioli

“Make homemade ricotta ravioli for Saturday’s dinner,” my Seattle friend told me before she boarded her plane. And so started a day of shopping and eating in North Beach with friends. Those are my shadows on the dining room wall. I’m holding a tray of ricotta 

Roasted Beet Salad Recipe

Roasted Beet Salad Recipe

The Virginia branch of the family gathered at my nephew’s beautiful new house on Smith Mountain Lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains. No one but my sister and brother-in-law knew I was joining 3 generations for this Thanksgiving gathering. As each wave of the family arrived 

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 

Mighty Minestrone–A Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe

Mighty Minestrone–A Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe

There’s been a chill in the air so I decided to make my first soup of the fall season. Minestrone was at the top of my list. It’s easy to make, delicious and good for you. The most difficult part of this recipe is chopping 

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 

Marcella Hazan Tribute: Pork Loin Braised in Milk

Marcella Hazan Tribute: Pork Loin Braised in Milk

Just before I left for a wonderful birthday celebration with friends in Provincetown on Cape Cod and Boston I learned that Marcella Hazan, the extraordinary Italian cook and teacher had passed on September 29. Marcella was one of my early teachers. She opened up a 

Artichoke, Leek & Potato Soup

Artichoke, Leek & Potato Soup

The large artichokes at the farmers market were beautiful. I grabbed 3, heavy and still tightly closed. Should I stuff them, bake them, steam them? Nope. I wanted something quicker to prepare so I decided to make artichoke soup instead. The hardest part of this 

Cabbage Steam-Sauteed with Pancetta

Cabbage Steam-Sauteed with Pancetta

Desperation one night led to this tasty dish. I bought a head of cabbage intending to make an Italian-American cole slaw. It didn’t happen. Now what? As I looked in the fridge for something to eat when I got home from a long day at 

Calamari Salad

Calamari Salad

I’m cooking dinner as a birthday gift for a friend and I’m in the mood for this calamari salad as part of the antipasti. The steamed calamari is sweet and tender bathed in the zesty olive oil and lemon dressing. The celery and onion add