I like to think I’m a bit adventuresome when it comes to trying different food and living in Asia for 11 years certainly has presented some interesting things to eat. However, I’ve never tried a persimmon until now. I am happy to report that this refreshing fruit is sweet and tastes like a cross between…

You know when you browse through a cookbook or food magazine and say, hey, this is something I have to make? Well, this dish caught my eye and I was hooked! Another recipe from Jamie Oliver’s new magazine. Did you know that researchers have identified at least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function…

Having just returned from a glorious 10 day cruise around the Eastern Mediterranean (which included 4 ports in Greece), this recipe seems to be so appropriate for a couple of reasons. One, I just discovered Jamie Oliver (my all time favorite chef) has a new magazine out called, ‘Jamie Magazine’. I’ve been a Jamie fan…

Summer time……..a two week vacation for The Culinary Chase! Cheers!

Panzanella is a bread salad popular in the summer months. This Italian dish originated in the regions of Tuscany, Umbria, Marche and Lazio. It is quick to make, requires no cooking (unless adding boiled eggs), and is the perfect thing to enjoy on a hot summer day, especially at a picnic. The beauty of panzanella…

A meal ready to serve within 25 minutes! Pancetta (sometimes referred to as Italian bacon) is a type of dry cured meat. It is pork belly that has been salt cured and spiced (nutmeg, pepper, fennel, dried ground hot peppers and garlic are often featured), and dried for about three months (but usually not smoked).…

What a lovely appetizer to show off to your family and friends! Radicchio is a garden plant from the north of Italy and is also known as red Treviso or red chicory. It offers a spicy bitterness that can add a bite to dishes when used raw, or that can be tamed through grilling or…

A beautiful way to enjoy fennel and fish. Fennel is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb with culinary and medicinal uses. Fennel is crunchy and slightly sweet, adding a refreshing contribution to the ever popular Mediterranean cuisine. It’s also a good source of fiber, folate, and potassium. Hiramasa kingfish has a delicate texture that is…

Frittatas are one of my favorite meals to make and are easy to whip up for a speedy mid-week dinner. A frittata is a type of Italian omelette with additional ingredients such as meats, cheeses, and vegetables. They make a great antipasto and are just as delicious the next day for breakfast or brunch. What…

What a perfect dish to salute summer! A simple, no-fuss salad that is sure to satisfy the most demanding foodie. Traditional fresh mozzarella is usually sold in containers of brine, shaped into delicate balls. Fresh mozzarella can be purchased in Italian specialty shops, cheese markets, and some natural foods and grocery stores. Originally made from…

What I like most about this dish is that it’s easy to prepare and quick to cook. You can have all the ingredients prepared in the time it takes to cook the linguine. Linguine is flat like fettuccine but narrow like spaghetti and is often served with seafood or pesto. Serves 4recipe by Jo Pratt…