• Recipes,  Something Savory

    Roman Stracciatella Soup

    Considered a “peasant food” in Italy, Stracciatella soup has been around for ages and originates from Rome. Stracciatella is simply an Italian version of egg drop soup. In this recipe, I made a few small modifications from the traditional recipes, including adding escarole and orzo to make it a full, albeit light, meal. It’s simple, comforting, and supremely simple to make. Enjoy!

  • Recipes,  Something Sweet

    Happy Easter!

    Wishing all a very Happy Easter!  I just baked this traditional Italian Easter pie and had to share. With layers of flaky, buttery phyllo surrounding a creamy ricotta center, flavored with fresh orange zest, vanilla and pine nuts.

    Check out the recipe for this delicious pie here, courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis.

  • Recipes,  Something Savory

    Three Garlic Pasta

    If you love garlic and are looking for a quick, easy dinner full of flavor, look no further than Three Garlic Pasta. It’s a supercharged version of “spaghetti with garlic and oil,” amplified by garlic prepared 3 ways – roasted, sliced and chopped. To roast the garlic in the oven, use a terra cotta garlic roaster or simply wrap full cloves of garlic in tin foil and roast in the oven for about an hour until garlic is soft and golden. Then, sauté thinly sliced garlic and chopped garlic in olive oil, for 2 more variations and textures of garlic. After tossing your three types of garlic with “al dente” spaghetti, olive oil, white wine, parsley, red pepper seeds, salt and pepper, you have a tasty pasta dish that is sure to impress. It’s Italian peasant food made elegant and new. Enjoy! 

  • Recipes,  Something Savory

    Caprese on a Stick : Cherry Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil Skewers

    I have a great recipe today for an easy, healthy and delicious summer appetizer that is fun to make. Instead of making a traditional tomato and mozzarella salad, try using skewers to create fun, pick-me-up “Caprese Sticks” that your guests will love. You can add variations to this recipe based on your favorite Caprese salad ingredients. I included Kalamata olives on some of my skewers for an extra twist!

  • Recipes,  Something Savory

    Crazy for Cacio e Pepe? Check Out Two Recipes from NYC Hotspot Maialino…

    If you have ever dined in Rome’s famous Roman Ghetto, you have most likely tried Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. Situated in the Sant’Angelo district, the Roman Ghetto is rich in history and boasts some of the best rustic “comfort-food” cuisine in all of Italy. Cacio e Pepe – meaning literally cheese and pepper – is so simple, but packs a major punch. The sharpness of fresh, salty pecorino romano cheese and freshly grated course black pepper tossed with perfectly al dente spaghetti is pure heaven.

  • Recipes,  Something Sweet

    Traditional Italian Easter Pie

    My favorite dessert for the Easter holiday has always been Italian Easter Pie. An Italian tradition, Easter Pie is made by mixing cooked rice with fresh ricotta, eggs, sugar and toasted pine nuts and wrapping the mixture in layers of crispy, buttery phyllo. Orange zest is added to take the ricotta and rice mixture to the next level. The pie browns beautifully in the oven and comes out with a golden brown top and sides.

  • Recipes,  Something Sweet

    Soft Anise Biscotti

    You will love this recipe for an unexpected twist on traditional biscotti. Instead of a crunchy, crumbly cookie, these biscotti are soft, spongy, cake-like and light as a feather! Have one in the morning with your coffee and you’ll be hooked. Read more for my recipe…

  • Recipes,  Something Sweet

    Lemon Anginetti (Italian Drop Cookies)

    Today I’d love to share a recipe for one of my favorite Italian cookies… Lemon Anginetti.

    These delicious Italian drop cookies are traditionally made for holidays and celebrations, but are a delightful choice for anytime of year. Although there are many variations of the traditional recipe, my favorite is the addition of lemon extract to create a light, scrumptious flavor. Recipe is after the jump!