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 …
Tag: food
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 …
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 …
Braised Baby Back Ribs with Potatoes
I’m back in Emilia with this dish, the region surrounding Parma (prosciutto, parmigiano reggiano) and Modena (balsamic vinegar) that lies in north-central Italy. They like their pork in these parts. This is a simple but really rich stew. The potatoes begin to break apart while …
New Gianni Video Now Live
Sorry if you couldn’t access the video episode Gianni: From Italy to North Beach in my earlier post. You can watch it now. Here’s the Hungry Village video. Meet some of my friends from a week living in a Roman neighborhood and how that experience colors …
Fat Macaroni with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce
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 …
Fettuccine with Squash Blossom Cream Sauce
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 …
Grilled Swordfish with Salmoriglio Sauce
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 …
Eggplant “Meatballs”
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 …
Fresh San Marzano Tomatoes with Pappardelle
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 …
Italian Braised Beef Brisket
Slow braised beef brisket served with aromatic vegetables is a simple and favorable one-plate lunch or dinner.
Flourless Potato & Onion Focaccia
A focaccia made with a potato dough with a sweet onion, olive and caper filling topped with a golden breadcrumb crust.
Couscous with Veal, Cauliflower, Red Peppers & Saffron
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, …
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 …