antipasto
Grilled Peppers
We grill all year round but when the weather is warmer we use the barbecue weekly. We grill anything – bread, cheese, veggies, meat, fish, fruit, you name it we’ve most probably grilled it. A couple of years ago John and I were on a cruise around the Adriatic Sea and one of the ports…
Read MoreShrimp on Polenta Rounds with Sun-Dried Tomato Relish
It was one of those days. I needed some sort of dinner inspiration (read nudge) and feeling too lazy to leave the house (I had already been out), I leaned forward to inspect the contents of the fridge and noticed a jar of sun-dried tomatoes right at the back. I usually keep these sort of…
Read MoreCauliflower Breadsticks
I’m a big cauliflower fan but I wasn’t always…I didn’t dislike it I just wasn’t enamored with it. As a kid and young adult cauliflower in my world was served with a cheese sauce. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the combination but I always felt that the cauliflower on its own was oh so…
Read MoreSlow-Roasted Tomatoes
Slow-roasted tomatoes are about the closest I’m ever going to get to sun-dried. The ones available here are mass produced and to be honest, aren’t that appealing. According to TLC, the practice of drying tomatoes for use throughout the winter began in Italy, where tomatoes were placed on the tile roofs of houses until the…
Read MoreSausage Stuffed Mushroom Caps
There are oodles of recipes for stuffed mushrooms but most require too much cooking for my liking. I want a simple yet mouth-watering appetizer to whip up while I chat to my friends. Sausage and mushrooms are perfect companions and pair them with garlic and fennel…it becomes a snack your guests will find hard to…
Read MoreBaked Ricotta Dip
Fall might be just around the corner but this is a recipe that knows no seasons. Ricotta is an Italian cheese that is made from the leftover milk whey from cheese and the name in Italian means recooked. Ricotta cheese is so versatile. It’s perfect in savoury and sweet dishes. I’ve used it in lasagnas,…
Read MorePolenta Sticks with Mozzarella and Salami
I love simple ingredients as they tend to work symbiotically to create great flavors. Less is more…I know this sounds cliché but it’s true and not just in the food world. The more ingredients you use the greater the risk of losing the essential flavor of your food. When the ingredients are good, they need…
Read MoreBaked Fontina Dip
I was on the train into the city and caught a glimpse into my future. I spotted an elderly couple who were deep in conversation. They looked so cute together; her silver hair was a bit disheveled and his white mane slicked back. Both were in great shape. He pulled out two books from his…
Read MoreCaprese Salad (insalata caprese)
Insalata caprese is a tomato and mozzarella salad from the island of Capri. This simple yet delicious Italian antipasto makes perfect use of local heirloom tomatoes which are available now in grocery stores and markets. Extra-virgin olive oil highlights the sweetness of the heirloom tomatoes and is the only dressing needed. What makes this salad…
Read MoreGrilled Garlicky-Herbed Shrimp
Grilled, poached, fried, battered, roasted, sautéed, steamed – you name it I’ve tried it. Shrimp are one of my favorite crustaceans, they take little time to cook and there are health benefits, too. Shrimp is a nutritious alternative to meat proteins as it is low in calories and saturated fat. It is an excellent source of…
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