Our last day in Italy last spring was certainly memorable. The train back to Rome from Bari was cancelled midway through our trip due to a landslide on the tracks and, while we got eventually got there, we had a little four hour “adventure” along the way involving panicked crowds … Read More
Baked Clams Oreganata
It’s that time of year again. As longtime readers will know, once a year during the month of October— Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month—this otherwise continental Italian cooking blog take a moment to feature a classic dish from the Italian diaspora in the United States. This year we’re featuring Baked … Read More
Pomodori gratinati (Gratinéed Tomatoes)
It’s a bittersweet time of year this, as the summer comes to a close. Autumn is my favorite time of year. (Or at least it used to be before the advent of gas powered leaf blowers. Don’t get me started…) And yet, as I get older, I find that I … Read More
Pasta ai peperoni (Pasta and Peppers)
September is here and, for many in the northern hemisphere, the return to work this means autumn is already here. And here in US, last Monday was Labor Day, which. marks the unofficial end of summer. And yet foodwise September is a transitional, you might even say schizophrenic, month. We … Read More
Tagliata di manzo con rucola e parmigiano
Like many people, we do a lot of grilling in the summertime. More often than not, especially when I’m grilling for a crowd, I opt for a grigliata mista or mixed grill, with its tempting spread of sausages, pork, lamb, chicken and more. But when I’m grilling for myself and … Read More
Parmigiana di melanzane alla siciliana (Sicilian Style Eggplant Parmesan)
The parmigiana di melanzane or Eggplant Parmesan that my grandmother Angelina used to make, a version typical of the hinterlands of Naples with its eggplant dipped in egg and fried, then layered with mozzarella, parmigiano-reggiano and tomato sauce and baked in a hot oven until bubbly and golden brown on … Read More
Americano Cocktail
Is there any aperitivo as welcome on a summer evening as the Americano? If there is, I haven’t found it yet. What is an Americano? Equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, topped up with sparkling water and garnished with an orange slice. It’s as refreshing as the popular Campari Spritz … Read More
Fagiolini e patate (Green Bean and Potato Salad)
It’s a testament to the vastness of Italian cookery that, even after 14 years of blogging, I find that I’ve managed to miss an uber-popular dish like this staple of summer tables, fagiolini e patate or Green Bean and Potato Salad. Well, better late than never… If you haven’t tried … Read More
