The Best Italian & Italian-American Recipes on the Internet
I was hungry and wanted something I could whip together in less than an hour. I was thinking about gnocchi and decided to make ricotta gnocchi instead of potato gnocchi that take longer. Just make sure you drain excess liquid from the ricotta in …
Last call for black winter truffles. If you live in San Francisco you can buy them at North Beach’s Il Cilentano on Columbus. They’re also still available from online purveyors. Don’t miss out on enjoying these “Diamonds of the Kitchen.” Treat yourself, maybe even make …
We took the fast hydrofoil from Napoli for a quick ride to the island of Ischia. We’d never been before and were determined to check out this gem in the middle of the Bay of Napoli. It was a hot summer day so we hugged …
I love paccheri, big fat pasta tubes that trap sauce inside and close and open as you spear one with your fork, sometimes making a smacking noise. They’re fun to eat. Hungry, low energy? You’ll be eating this dish in the time it takes to …
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 …
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 …
It’s ridiculous how a few quality ingredients can make such a sumptuous pasta dish. When in Rome cacio e pepe is one of two pasta dishes that I order at one of my favorite restaurants as soon as I arrive. If you’re really hungry and …
Don’t miss the next recipe video: Subscribe now to my YouTube channel. I love this time of year when the first of the early spring vegetables start to hit the market. Pencil-thin asparagus, tiny peas, and tender fava beans are among my favorites, so I just had …
Don’t miss the next recipe video: Subscribe now to my YouTube channel. Growing up in northern Jersey when my Mom took out her small black cast iron pan Sunday morning we knew we were in for a treat. She was getting ready to make crespelle (crepes) for …
I always have to satisfy a variety of diets at my table. A recent lunch gathering was no exception – vegetarians amongst the meat eaters! But, I had a strategy… My method for vegetable sides, sauces or soups is to start with the universal base. …
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 …
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 …
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 …