The undeniable simplicity of this salad is astounding! The crunchy astringent taste of the cucumbers, the sweet crisp edge of the carrots, cashews and red peppers, the pungent, licorice notes of the cilantro and basil and the spicy, salty, sweet and sourness of the lime, soy and vinegar and chili produces a memorable flavor explosion…
Tag: basil
Your Last Minute July 4th Appetizer: Stuffed Italian Salad Shells
Where’s the marinara?! Where’s the ricotta?! Not in these delectably gorgeous stuffed pasta shells with a twist! Yes, time to think outside the box…pasta box and incorporate “chopped” salad that is. 🙂 I’ve found these crunchy delectables transport well, so they’re great appetizers for parties, picnics and gatherings. What I noticed most was how quickly…
Beginnings: Mini Caprese Bites- Margarita Shrimp Cocktail Shots & Baby Chicken & Waffles
Here we have fun, striking and super quick mini accompaniments to your Leftovers Party, cocktail gathering or simply an impromptu get-together. These impressive little ditties go together in a flash, taste AMAZING and aren’t they just simply adorable?! Ingredients: 1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved 10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds…
Magnificent Marinara; 20 Minutes to Pasta Perfection
Marinara became a catchall term for tomato sauce in Italy because its ingredients are all plentiful in Campania, the area around Naples that sent so many families to the United States in the last century. Italian-American cooks treated it as a multifunctional ingredient: a starting point for other sauces, the base of soups, the acid…
“Eat Pray Love” Pizza Napolatena—“Something Beautiful” Official Recipe
“I think I deserve something beautiful.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love Pizza Napolatena, is a type of pizza that originated in Naples, Italy. Neapolitan pizza is traditionally made from simple, fresh ingredients: a basic dough, raw tomatoes or fresh sauce, basic mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and olive oil–no fancy toppings here. One of its…
Want to Visit Italia? Try the Terrific Tastes of Tuscan Tortelloni Salad, Fantastico!
For those not aware, Tortelloni are stuffed pasta, the same shape as tortellini, but a bit larger. They are usually stuffed with various types of aged cheeses and or ricotta and leafy vegetables. Their larger shape allows for more interesting and bigger ingredients. Don’t be shy, this stunning display is much easier to prepare than…
“The Sicilian” The Ultimate Italian Burger!
Every time I develop something Sicilian inspired “The Godfather” theme rings incessantly in my mind and memories of my Sicilian father weigh heavily into the equation as well 🙂 Grazia, Daddy! Obviously, this burger is an indulgence rather than every day fare, but as they say “variety is the spice of life.” And today I…
Preserve Your Superb Herbs!
Is your basil bushy? And your oregano out of hand? Yes, we all have wonderful intentions for our herb gardens and get overly zealous and buy every potted herb in sight at the nursery during the onset of summer, but now what? Preserve your herbs! It’s simple quick and tastefully easy! Dig out your ice…
Guest Chef Wednesday! Summertime Pasta! Ellie’s Penne with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Ellie’s pasta recipe is simple, quick and extremely scrumptious! When we tested it we were so surprised it took less than 15 minutes to prepare! The salty sweetness of the sun-dried tomatoes, pungent fresh garlic and licorice-like, crisp basil provided a combo of flavors that even the kids loved! What an easy, delicious summertime pasta…
Balsamic Glaze: The Mysterious Dark Decedent Dynamic Drizzler…
Balsamic glaze is just an elaborate way of saying “reduced balsamic vinegar” and is also known as “reduction.” It’s a very simple way to add a lot of flavor to dishes without adding a lot of extra calories or fat. Trader Joe’s offers an excellent brand or you can make your own by simply reducing down…
Once Upon a Spice 