Italian
fresh mozzarella, sweet cherry peppers and arugula pie
Flatbreads have been consumed by the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. The humble pizza/pie (an expanded version of a flatbread), became popular in the USA in the mid-1900s when the Neapolitans came over for factory jobs. According to history.com, the first documented pizzeria was Lombardi’s in Manhattan, licensed to sell pizza in 1905 and is…
Read MoreSan Francisco Cioppino
Born when Italian immigrants in San Francisco stewed the catch of the day in tomato. Clams, mussels, shrimp, squid and scallops: easy to make and packed with flavour.
Read Moregrilled radicchio with bagna càuda
Sometimes less is more and in cooking terms it’s spot on. Simple ingredients can make any dish shine. Bagna càuda is an Italian sauce made with butter, olive oil, garlic and anchovies. The Italians eat it with fennel, peppers, carrots, cauliflower. Fresh bread dipped in this sauce is simply scrumptious! Or, give your taste buds…
Read Morefried olives stuffed with cheese
What is your favorite snack? Do you go back to the same one time after time or do you like to venture out and try new ones? If you have not tried fried olives, you must! They are a crunchy flavor bomb! I’ve made these a few times now and each time it’s with a…
Read MoreAntipasto Salad
Romaine with chickpeas, fresh mozzarella, salami, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers and olives in a balsamic vinaigrette.
Read Morelinguine with clams (linguine alle vongole)
This is a busy time of the year with most of us running around doing last minute errands in preparation for the holidays. When I’m short for time, pasta is my savior and the time it takes to cook it I can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes! Toss in some clams and…
Read Morebroccoli affogato crostini
Affogato in Italian means drowned. Most are familiar with the dessert version using a scoop of vanilla ice cream and topped with a shot of hot espresso; simple and really quite scrumptious. Broccoli affagato is a simple Sicilian recipe that can be used on toast (crostini), in pasta or on its own as a side. …
Read Morepork scaloppine sandwich
Before I chat about this insanely delicious pork scaloppine sandwich, I want to give a high five to the farm-to-table experience in Nova Scotia that’s been brewing here for years. Farm-to-table movement isn’t new nor is it unique to this corner of the world. But what I will say is this; it’s the reason I…
Read Morepasta with haddock
I am the first to admit that we don’t enough fish (mea culpa). The Mayo Clinic recommends two servings a week. Some weeks we eat that and some weeks we don’t…especially when we’re on a vegetarian kick or the carnivore in me takes over. The fish balance is a thin line for me. I need…
Read MorePasta e Patate (pasta and potato)
Pasta e Patate is a recipe from a dear friend of mine. I met Francesca in Singapore back in 2001. I had heard glowing accounts of her Italian cooking classes and was eager to meet this culinary wizard. Francesca did not disappoint. Her kitchen was light and airy and her cheery disposition made all who…
Read MoreNova Scotia Mussels – Italian style
Even though I cook through the week, it’s our weekends that I look forward to the most. Whether we are entertaining or it’s just the two of us, I like to plan a nice meal. And when I say nice, it doesn’t mean a long time in the kitchen…just a few key quality ingredients.
Read MoreFried Eggplant with Tomato Sauce
Eggplant, also known as aubergine, has not always been popular and yet there are oodles of eggplant recipes out there making this nightshade plant shine. I’m sure if you ask your friends if they like it, you’ll receive mixed reviews. It must be a North American thing ’cause everywhere else this humble plant is consumed…
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