We all know what pasta embodies, but have you ever wondered what “carbonara” means? Carbonaro means charcoal in Italian, but to this day, the connection to this savory, flavorsome dish remains uncertain. Some food historians believe this pasta may have been popular among charcoal makers working in the Apennine Mountains; or perhaps it is…
Tag: Italia
Replace Bottled Sauce with 20 Minute Magnificent Marinara
While there are hundreds of amazing brands of pasta sauces on the market, I don’t buy bottled sauce anymore…period. Here’s why. This rich, thick, bubbly brew costs about $3.50-$4 a batch, possesses all of the freshness under the Tuscan sun and puts a smile on the face of everyone who consumes it. The Mmmms are infinite! Reasons…
Italian Pride: Portions of Pasta’s Past
Since most all of my recipes will be centered around Italy this week, today, I would like to share a bit about pasta; its origin, uses and soon some of my fondest childhood memories surrounding them. “Nothing says Italy like its food, and nothing says Italian food like pasta. Wherever Italians immigrated they brought their…
Tortelloni Italia Italian Pasta Salad
Today, during pasta week, we continue in the theme of Italia. This time using delectable aged cheese filled puffs of pasta. Mmm! 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…
Tuscan Panzanella-Italian Bread Salad
This week we will be exploring the wonders of salad–standalone, sandwich fillers, ethnic-based, potato packed and even an unusual, colorful veggie cornucopia! Today, I’m starting out with an old world, Italian, family favorite-Panzanella. This fresh, colorful spring and summertime salad offers an incredible and flavorful marriage of tastes–savory, salty, tangy, pungent and sweet. You may…
Italian Ricotta Rice Pie
This is a re-post from Easter, but I simply had to include this highly unusual masterpiece during our Pie week this week. It’s SO worthy of a re-post. Everyone and I mean everyone I serve it to always asks me for the recipe. It’s that good! This Ricotta Rice pie recipe of my Mama Carmela’s…
Napolitana e Siciliano Easter Egg Lasagna: Italian Fare For New Beginnings
This is a quick and easy version of my Mama Carmela’s famous Easter Lasagna. The addition of hard-boiled eggs and sliced meatballs were influenced by her northern Italian background and make this dish extra delicious and one of a kind! I’ve adapted her recipe and made it “today” friendly for ease of preparation by using…
Italia’s Easter Ricotta Rice Pie
This Ricotta Rice pie recipe of my Mama Carmela’s and Grandma Lena’s is dedicated to the Camarata family and to the memories of Easter Sundays spent at our cottage by the lake. This is one of our family’s traditional Easter desserts and like many Italian dolces, it is simple and lightly sweet with just…
“Festa della Primavera” A Spring Festival & Italia in Full Bloom
Spring and summer offer the most stunning flower festivals in Italy. The displays of fiori colori are breathtaking! Simply find a street “camminare lungo una strada” and you are enveloped in Italian spring… Today, on March 20th the celebration “Festa della Primavera” offer guests, of most every town in Italy, streets covered with gorgeous, multicolored flowers,…
Italian Bacon & Egg Pasta with Tomatoes & Kale
Una Pentola (One-Pot) Bacon & Egg Pasta with Tomatoes & Kale Another perfect, simple, quick, easy and flavorful example of “Northern Italian Peasant” food at it’s finest! This recipe was inspired by my Mama Carmela’s love of fresh field greens. At the first sight of mustard greens, she would gather her tools and the hunt…
Once Upon a Spice 