Pasta al tonno (Pasta with Tuna Sauce)

Frankpasta, primi piatti22 Comments

Here’s a quick note on another staple weeknight dinner: pasta al tonno. Very fast and almost as easy as opening a can. Ingredients Serves 2-3 200g (7 oz) spaghetti, linguine, penne or other pasta of your choice For the soffritto: 1 or 2 garlic cloves, slightly crushed and peeled 1 … Read More

Frittata ai peperoni (Bell Pepper Frittata)

Franksecondi piatti3 Comments

A frittata is a great solution to those nights when you want something savory but don’t have much time (or desire) to make anything elaborate. The basic technique for making a frittata has appeared on this blog before, but a particularly tasty frittata is one made with peppers and onions–a … Read More

Bollito and other boiled dinners

FrankEmilia-Romagna, Piemonte, sauces6 Comments

Some of our favorite Sunday meals during the cold weather months are boiled dinners. I usually make homemade broth in the afternoon and, not wanting anything to go to waste, the boiled meat and vegetables that went into the pot are usually dinner that night. Bollito misto If you’ve made … Read More

Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Frankcontorno9 Comments

While it’s true that we mostly eat Italian at home, there are some dishes that even I have to admit the French do better. (I hope Angelina isn’t listening….) One of them is potato puree, also known as mashed potatoes, and, more specifically, the incredibly buttery version made famous by … Read More

Minestrone: A Primer

Frankprimi piatti, reference, Soups32 Comments

Many people think of minestrone as the kind of hearty fare best eaten in the cold weather months. Minestrone is wonderful in fall and winter, of course, but it can actually be enjoyed year-round, its component ingredients changing with the seasons, served hot in the winter, warm in the spring … Read More

Al contadino non far sapere…

Frankdessert12 Comments

In our house dessert is usually a piece of fruit. But now that the weather is turning cooler, cheese, especially aged cheese, is making a reappearance on the dinner table. It’s a great way to end off a meal and, of course, fruit and cheese are a divinely inspired combination. … Read More