Castagnole di Carnevale are a wonderful treat for Mardi Gras! Italian tradition has it that just before the forty days of lent when one feels compelled to give up tasty goodies, is the time to indulge in sweet, fried foods. Castagnole have been part of this tradition since the 17th century, along with frappe and a…
Recipes
Pasta with Wild Boar Sauce
Pasta with Wild Boar Sauce is my favorite dish on cold winter days! If you don’t have pappardelle on hand then use another pasta like rigatoni or fettuccine. There are many dishes that I love but make infrequently because they just take too much time to prepare. I found that a pressure cooker or instapot allows…
Broccoli and Mussel Curry
Broccoli and Mussel Curry is a great way to occasionally switch out from my classic Italian style of cooking. I prefer a curry that has a hint of Thai flavors so I like to make mine with coconut milk. I had some fresh mussels and broccoli on hand and decided they would go together beautifully…
Beetroot Fettuccine with Butter and Sage
I love making Beetroot Fettuccine with Butter and Sage for a number of reasons. First off, I love making homemade pasta, both hand-rolled and with a pasta machine. It’s relaxing and there’s nothing quite like the consistency of freshly made pasta. One of my favorite things is beautifully colored pasta as it looks so great…
Creamy Lemon Spaghetti
Did you know that January 4th is National Spaghetti Day? So if you haven’t figured out what to make today – or any day! – then go for a great plate of spaghetti! I hadn’t made spaghetti with a creamy lemon sauce for a while so that’s what I made for lunch. We have a…
Pork Sausage and Lentils (Cotechino e Lenticchie)
Pork Sausage and Lentils (Cotechino e Lenticchie) Serves 4-6 Pork Sausage and Lentils is a traditional New Year’s dish in Italy. Lentils are purported to bring wealth and good fortune. In Lombardy dialect zecchini – coins from the 1500’s – were also called lenticchie, which gave rise to lentil’s association with prosperity and good health….
Pasta and Bean Soup – Pasta e Fagioli
Pasta and Bean Soup – Pasta e Fagioli I don’t know why I never posted my mother-in-law’s delicious recipe for pasta and bean soup – pasta e fagioli – but there you have it: it slipped through the cracks somehow. It was just when I made it the other day that I realized I had…
Easy Chocolate Truffles
My sister made these Easy Chocolate Truffle for a recent cookie exchange party and as she described them to me I knew they were a winner! Then when I saw a picture of them I was completely sold. The flavor is so rich and delightful, and incredibly chocolatey, you think you’re eating truffles. And so…
White Chocolate with Dried Fruit & Nuts
White Chocolate with Dried Fruit & Nuts is so easy to make: A guest brought this to a party at our home: white chocolate with pistachios and dried fruits. Tasty and gorgeous! So easy to make: Melt 300 grams of white chocolate over double boiler, then use a metal spatula to spread thinly on oven…
Farro Pasta with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Farro pasta with fresh tomato sauce is a luscious whole grain pasta dish! Sometimes the best pasta dish is the simplest: just a basic tomato sauce with olive oil, tomato, and garlic. Actually it’s the pasta dish we have most frequently. I confess that generally I prefer a standard egg pasta over anything else, but…
Holiday Gift Guide – Top Gifts for the Home Cook!
It’s the time of year when everyone is scrambling for that last minute perfect gift for friends and family. If you have an aspiring chef or an avid home cook in your family or among your friends here’s my Holiday Gift Guide – Top Gifts for the Home Cook. It’s my go-to list of absolute…
Leonardo da Vinci‘s Vineyard & Malvasia di Candia Aromatica Wines
Leonardo da Vinci‘s Vineyard & Malvasia di Candia Aromatica Wines are a side of the genius you may not be aware of. The genius of Leonardo da Vinci remains unparalleled and his works of art and scientific knowledge are world renowned. One thing you might not know about him is that he also cultivated a…