Eggplant Balls

Eggplant Balls

I never had polpette di melanzane (eggplant “meatballs”) before I stumbled upon them 8 years ago in Napoli at a family trattoria behind all the fancy hotels facing the Bay of Naples on the Lungomare. Despite the literal translation “eggplant meatballs” there’s no meat in 

Lamb Chop and Artichoke Kitchen Invasion

Lamb Chop and Artichoke Kitchen Invasion

More Roman Food in North Beach. Bravo! Maurizio Bruschi, the chef/owner of Ideale, the classic North Beach Roman restaurant on Grant for over 20 years, and his partner Giuseppe Terminiello, recently opened Piccolo Forno on Columbus. Piccolo Forno brings another Roman culinary tradition to North 

Ravioli & Gnocchi Kitchen Invasion

Ravioli & Gnocchi Kitchen Invasion

North Beach’s The Italian Homemade Company on Columbus is my go-to spot for fresh pasta made daily. Mattia Cosmi, who hails from Le Marche and his wife Alice Romagnoli, an expert pasta-maker from Rimini in the Romagna region on the northern Adriatic coast are the 

Manicotti Kitchen Invasion

Manicotti Kitchen Invasion

Only in America! You Can’t Get These Manicotti in Italy I’ve been eating at North Beach’s da Flora for over two decades and never had a bad meal there. When my friends and I want to share a leisurely family-style 4-course meal we always head 

Christmas Eve Feast of 7 Fish Recipe Roundup

Christmas Eve Feast of 7 Fish Recipe Roundup

I’ll be with family and friends for Christmas. Our Neapolitan family tradition is to prepare a 7-fish Christmas Eve dinner, La Festa dei Sette Pesci. Seven fish unless I’m with the Sicilian branch of the family, then it’s 13! I hope you will be with 

Porchetta War: Who will win?

Porchetta War: Who will win?

I shot a porchetta episode a while ago. It’s a favorite among my friends and family so I had to share my recipe. And the episode got lots of views and tons of positive comments. Then, things suddenly turned nasty. The Italians got involved. They 

Make A Perfect Antipasti Platter

Make A Perfect Antipasti Platter

An antipasti platter is your culinary canvas. Lay out a couple of your favorite Italian cheeses and salumi (cured meats) that pair well together. Add some veggies for color. Olives maybe? And what about some taralli scattered all around? A feast for the eyes but 

Food Network? Me?

Food Network? Me?

Whadda youse crazy? I can’t compete on Food Network. I don’t like tension in the kitchen. My focus is the food not the drama. And I gotta do things my own way. When inspired I share recipes on my blog. When my producers’ and my stars 

Turkey, Stuffing & Gravy the Italian-American Way

Turkey, Stuffing & Gravy the Italian-American Way

This year I’m making a roasted boneless turkey breast stuffed with spinach and prosciutto. But I’m thinking fondly of my whole succulent roasted turkey and stuffing. Did I make the wrong choice for my Thanksgiving table? Nope, I’ve gotten over my ambivalence. I’m sticking with the 

Cook and Eat a Whole Pig With Gianni

Cook and Eat a Whole Pig With Gianni

We’re doing a special Christmas episode over here in Gianni-land ™ and we want you to be part of it! Remember my classic recipe for porchetta? I made it the way I ate it growing up: Italian-American style! But I got flamed by a bunch of Italian Italians 

Roasted Turkey Breast with Spinach & Prosciutto Stuffing

Roasted Turkey Breast with Spinach & Prosciutto Stuffing

This is part two of our Thanksgiving special. Check out part one here. I’m not in the mood to roast a whole turkey this year so I came up with this easy tasty boneless breast roast that’s ready after about 90 minutes in a hot 

Pumpkin Ricotta Cheesecake

Pumpkin Ricotta Cheesecake

Want a light dessert for your holiday table? I love this ricotta cheesecake with pumpkin as an end to a fall meal. It’s a nice change from the heavier New York cheesecake. Pumpkin ricotta cheesecake is easy to make. It doesn’t have a pastry crust 

Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil

Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil

This is part one of a 2 part Thanksgiving special. Stay tuned for part two next week. Easy and delicious, mashed potatoes flavored with mellow roasted garlic and extra virgin olive oil, pairs well with meat, fish or poultry. My Mom didn’t call them mashed potatoes, she called 

Squash Blossom Sauced Ravioli from North Beach’s New Italian Homemade Company

Squash Blossom Sauced Ravioli from North Beach’s New Italian Homemade Company

The Italian Homemade Company opened in North Beach on Columbus between Filbert & Greenwich a few days ago. I visited this morning for the first time. It was like stopping by someone’s kitchen in northern Italy. I’m making a light pasta cream sauce with zucchini 

Father’s Day Cookies: St. Joseph’s Pants (Cavazune)

Father’s Day Cookies: St. Joseph’s Pants (Cavazune)

Father’s Day is next Sunday, June 15. I’ve been thinking about my Dad with love and gratitude. Though he passed long ago he is still with me. Dad immigrated to America early in the last century. He did not have an easy life but he prevailed.