I wanted to stay in the Italian theme today with visions of Amalfi still lingering in my mind and in the wake of last week’s post on Balsamic glaze. So there’s really no recipe, just a pairing of deliciously memorable flavors. Sliced figs, tiramisu mascarpone and a drizzling of balsamic glaze offer a perfect delectable…
Tag: Italy
The Amalfi of My Dreams… Bella Italia
As I bask in the warmth of the Arizona sun—the woodpeckers sing, the doves coo their morning songs. Yet, my visions and dreams on this clement, sun-drenched morning reside in Amalfi—the true home that lies deep within my heart….as deep as the depths of the Mediterranean Sea that envelope this exquisite yet, haunting city of my…
Sicilian Sausage & Alfredo Cheese Braided Pizza Bread
Another Saturday Night Special at home! I’ve converted Mama Carmela’s ham bread recipe into a “busy chef” version using Alfredo sauce as the base and also for dipping. Most pizzerias will sell pounds of their dough to the public. Find your favorite place and ask for a couple of pounds. This luscious bread is best…
Quattro Formaggio—4 Cheese Pizza Margherita
The intense flavors of this luscious pizza can stand up to any meat-packed version; the marriage of the essences of these 4 appetizing cheeses are like no other combination. Plus, the subtle flavors of fresh basil and oregano compliment this pie to new heights! Vegetarian pizza at its finest! Ingredients 1/4 cup extra virgin…
Italian Savory Pies–Molto Bene!
Today is dedicated to savory cakes, pies and tarts. In Italy, there are variety of Italian savory cakes, pies and tart recipes for all occasions. They can be served warm or cold, as starter or one-plate meal accompanied with a green salad. The most used ingredients are meats, fish, vegetables and eggs and can be…
Tuscan Panzanella—Italian Vegetable & Bread Salad
This fresh, colorful summertime salad offers an incredible and flavorful marriage of tastes–savory, salty, tangy, pungent and sweet. You’ll want to frequent your local Farmer’s market for the freshest ingredients available. Feel free to mix and match vegetables in season for a variety of flavors. This salad is perfect served alone for a quick lunch…
“Una Pentola” One Pot Toscana Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheese) Red Pepper & Olive Pasta A Vegetarian Dream!
Tuscan food, by tradition, is light, appetizing and extremely colorful. Feel free to experiment with any foods that fit into the latter categories and Create, Create! Here’s my version of a lighter, but very satisfying Tuscan dinner. Served with a side of grilled Italian sausage (if you’re not a Veggie) and caramelized butternut squash. Bellissima!…
Pasta alla Puttanesca “Una Pentola” One Pot
The history of pasta Puttanesca carries many colorful Italian folk tales (Refer to my prior post) This slightly salty, piquant tomato sauce is full of flavors that will certainly pique your culinary senses. Don’t allow the use of anchovies to scare you away—this sauce tastes nothing like fish. Their use simply enhances the delicious tangy flavors. Puttanesca…
Capers: More Than Mere Adventures! When & Why to Use this Highly Under-rated Little Green Orb…
Capers are a tasty pungent additive or seasoning for many Italian, Mediterranean and French dishes. Many Foodies are simply crazy about the flavor that they impart. Caper berries are mainly olive green in color and are about the size of a small pea. Usually available in a pickled form, capers are an important commercial plant…
Puttanesca! This Pasta Has a Past!
The history of Pasta alla Puttanesca carries many colorful Italian folk tales. This quick, tangy, salty, tomato-based pasta sauce is not simply that—it has a past! Some believe that this sauce was initially created by a restaurant owner who had many guests come to his restaurant to eat late one night as he was about…
Once Upon a Spice 