A tasty, healthy and easy recipe to prepare for family meal. I suggest that you enjoy it as a main course accompanied by mash potatoes or steamed rice. I learned this appetizing recipe when I visited beautiful Rome this summer. A wonderful cook and friend (Patrizia) generously shared her family recipe with me. Italian cuisine…
Insalata di Fave, Pesche, Pinoli e Ricotta (Broad Beans, Nectarines, Pine Nuts and Ricotta Salad)
This light salad is a contrast of different flavors that all blend together. They create a harmonious taste that ranges from the sweet taste of nectarines, the nutty of songino lettuce, pine nuts and broad beans and the creamy one of ricotta cheese. This salad is not only beautiful and tasty but it is also…
Zucchine Ripiene alla Ligure (Stuffed Zucchini Ligurian Style)
Spring is coming soon, so let’s start thinking about the best fruit and vegetables that this season offers us. One example is zucchini, rich in water, vitamins (E, C and folic acid), fiber and potassium, a perfect partner to help you lose weight and remove toxins (for a couple of very light recipes, see Zucchini…
Cavolfiore Saltato in Padella (Sauteed Cauliflower)
Sauteed cauliflower with pine nuts and raisins is another story: tasty and appetizing. Once you taste it you will never go back to boiled cauliflower. This recipe is very easy to prepare and extremely delicious to eat. You can enjoy it as a side dish with grilled chicken breast or other grilled meat. Cauliflower is…
Spiedini di Sarde all’Arancia (Stuffed Skewered Sardines with Orange)
This is a typical dish of Sicily, land of sea, sun and, of course, an extraordinary culinary tradition. It blends together the taste of the most typical ingredients of this beautiful land: fish, citrus, capers, pine nuts and raisins. The sardine‘s fishy taste goes well well with the citrus flavor of orange, the tangy capers,…
Salmone in Crosta (Salmon Wrapped in Puff Pastry)
What could be a delicious and elegant holiday dish that will wow your guests? Try a salmon fillet wrapped in spinach and flaky puff pastry. The delicate taste of salmon blends well together with the flavor of spinach and toasted pine nuts. It is quite easy to make, but the result is water-mouthing and very…
Fichi al Forno con Pecorino e Pinoli (Baked Figs with Pecorino Cheese and Pine Nuts)
This quick and easy recipe is a delicious starter. The combination of figs and pecorino toscano is one of those classics that is always enjoyable. The sweet taste of figs (very healthy too!) blends well with the distinct taste of pecorino cheese. If Parmigiano Reggiano is the king of the Italian cheeses, pecorino toscano is considered…
Pasta con i “Broccoli” (Pasta with “Broccoli”) – Vrocculi Arriminata
This tasty primo piatto (first course) is typical of Sicily, but it’s not uncommon to find variations in the ingredients if you eat it in another province. Perhaps it is better known by its name in Sicilian dialect pasta with vrocculi arriminata, which translated into Italian means pasta with broccoli in the pan. I should…
Insalata con Avocado, Clementine e Pinoli (Avocado, Clementines and Pine Nuts Salad)
This colorful and nutritious salad is a real treat for the eyes and for the palate, something I usually prepare in winter when clementines are juicy and delicious in Italy. The addition of toasted pine nuts give a crunchy, sweet and nutty flavor to this fresh dish. The dressing is prepared with lime that adds…
Coniglio alla Ligure (Ligurian Rabbit)
This summer I was cooking for some American tourists staying on Lake Como and one asked me to cook rabbit, so I thought it may be a good addition to the blog. The, coniglio alla ligure, Ligurian rabbit, is an appetizing second course from region of Italy’s Riviera; in fact, for a long time this…
Caponata (Eggplant Stew)
Caponata is a delicious dish, typical of the Sicilian cuisine made with sautéed vegetables (mostly eggplants) and seasoned with sweet and sour sauce. Sicilians are very proud of it because it is made only native Sicilian ingredients. It can be served cold either as an appetizer or as a side dish, but you can also…
Pan dei Morti (Bread of the Dead)
The Pan dei Morti (bread of the dead) are traditional Italian cookies prepared for the Day of Dead (Commemorazione dei Defunti) celebrated on November 2nd, the day following All Saint’s Day (Ognissanti). On these two holy days Italians honor the souls of deceased relatives and loved ones, and many believe that the spirits return to Earth…
Lasagne al Pesto (Pesto Lasagna)
Lasagne, one of the most popular Italian dishes, has a long and interesting history. A popular tradition traces its origin to the ancient Greeks. In fact, the name “lasagna” is actually not Italian at all! It comes from the ancient Greek language, “laganon”, but over time, the term lasagne has come to refer to layers…