The Best Italian & Italian-American Recipes on the Internet
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
The Sicilian summer heat came early one morning. Rows of fish packed on ice sparkled in the morning sun as we searched the open-air fish market for the perfect catch for dinner. I almost bumped into this guy in the picture below swinging a long …
An old woman in a soiled white apron stood at the top of the stairs leading to a basement trattoria a cigarette dangling out of her mouth. We were wandering around the backstreets in Naples behind the big fancy hotels facing the marina and Castel …
Here’s one of my favorite dishes that’s easy and quick to make for a weeknight dinner. You’ll be eating in a half hour or so. Roast the sausage in a hot 425 degree oven until they’re golden brown. While the sausage is roasting steam/saute the broccoli …
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 …
Slow braised beef brisket served with aromatic vegetables is a simple and favorable one-plate lunch or dinner.
A focaccia made with a potato dough with a sweet onion, olive and caper filling topped with a golden breadcrumb crust.
Sicily has been on my mind. I recalled a remarkable day on the northern coast where I learned of 2 new ingredients for my Italian-American cooking, couscous and saffron. We spent a delightful day in San Vito lo Capo lounging on the soft pink beach, …
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 …
Mussels Steamed in Fennel-Mascarpone Broth
I ended my birthday celebration with 3 glorious days in Boston. I knew I had to eat at NEBO and booked a table. It was my birthday and my friends’ anniversary celebratory 4-course dinner. NEBO named for its original location in Boston’s vibrant Little Italy (North End Boston) recently …