We said goodbye to our outdoor grill back in late October. Covering it for the winter is always a bittersweet affair. But the end of the warm weather doesn’t have to mean the end of grilling. I get good use out of my trusty stovetop grill—a bistecchiera in Italian—throughout the … Read More
Salvia fritta (Fried Sage Leaves)
You may love sage like I do, for flavoring stews and beans, or sautéed with melted butter over stuffed pasta. But have you ever considered enjoying sage for its own sake? If you’ve ever experienced the peppery, rather bitter taste raw sage, the thought might not appeal to you. But … Read More
Shrimp Scampi
This blog is dedicated to continental Italian food—the kind of food you’ll find in Italy. But as long time readers will know, around this time of year we feature an Italian-American recipe. This year’s feature is a popular dish with a funny name: Shrimp Scampi. Funny to those who know Italian, that … Read More
Barchette di sedano con gorgonzola e noci (Celery Boats with Gorgonzola and Walnuts)
I don’t know about you, but when I’m making a “major” meal in the Italian manner, I tend to focus on the primo and the secondo. More often than not, I pick up dessert at a local bakery. And the antipasto? Well, when I’m pressed for time—and that tends to be … Read More
Peperoni al gratin (Peppers au gratin)
Here is one of the simplest ways to make peppers and, to my mind, one of the most delicious: peperoni al gratin, or peppers au gratin. Oven roasting intensifies and sweetens the natural flavors of the peppers, while garlic, olives and capers add piquancy, and a topping of seasoned breadcrumbs savor … Read More
Pomodori ripieni di tonno (Tuna Stuffed Tomatoes)
At our house, summer is a time for unfussy, often no cook eating. Even the most hardcore ‘foodies’ tend to get a little lazy in the kitchen when the hot weather sets in, and I’m no exception to the rule. Here’s a great example of the kind of thing we like … Read More
Torta Pasqualina (Easter Pie from Liguria)
Savory pies and enriched breads figure prominently on the Easter dinner table. We’ve already featured a couple Neapolitan examples on the blog: the casatiello and the incredibly rich pizza rustica. Today we head north to Liguria to present another classic savory pie served around Easter time: la torta pasqualina or, “Easter Pie”. … Read More
Cocktail di gamberetti (Shrimp Cocktail in the Italian Manner)
New Year’s Eve in Italy, as for so many other special occasions, means a special meal, the cenone di Capodanno, or ‘big supper’. Like Christmas Eve, this meal is often “lean” or fish based—at least before midnight, when it’s time to break out the cotechino sausage and lentils for good fortune. (In modern times, however, … Read More
