Spring is finally here you say? Well, not around these parts. It’s cold and wet, and there’s snow on the ground—comfort food weather. And is there anything more comforting than melted cheese? Today’s recipe, one of two dishes called frico, is something like a potato pancake, only you pile on lots … Read More
Sformatini di fagiolini (Green Bean Timbales)
A traditional sformato is an old fashioned dish. It’s a dish that takes some time and care to make, involving several steps. The kind of thing many people can’t be bothered with these days. But I think it’s well worth the effort. Not quite a quiche, not quite a soufflé, not quite … Read More
Spaghetti alle cipolle rosse e alici (Spaghetti with Red Onions and Anchovies)
What would the world be without onions? Along with their close cousins garlic and shallots, they seem to make their way into just about every savory dish. That’s certainly true of Italian cooking, at least. And yet, except maybe for onion soup, it seems onions are always the proverbial bridesmaid, … Read More
Zuppa di orzo (Italian Barley Soup)
Italian cuisine is known for pasta, gnocchi, risotto and polenta. More recently many people have come to know farro. But did you know that Italians also enjoy barley? Here is a simple, basic Italian Barley Soup—zuppa di orzo— that is both healthy, appetizing and, if made in a pressure cooker, quickly … Read More
Cavolini di Bruxelles fritti (Fried Brussels Sprouts)
As the holidays draw to a close, we all want to eat a bit lighter. But with temperatures reaching record lows and snow falling, let’s not make it too light, shall we? Enter Ada Boni, the doyenne of traditional Italian home cooking and author of the iconic Talismano della felicità, … Read More
Risotto allo champagne (Champagne Risotto)
Risotto allo champagne, or Champagne Risotto, is a simple but elegant first course. It is very much follows the basic recipe for a risotto in bianco but gets its particular charm from the use of Champagne instead of wine. You might think it extravagant to cook with Champagne, but you only use a … Read More
Struffoli (Angelina’s Honey Balls)
Struffoli, small balls of dough fried and then covered in honey, is the quintessential Christmas sweet of Naples and its region of Campania. Although I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, it is very dear to my heart; it was one of nonna Angelina’s signature dishes, and it never … Read More
Patate dolci alla griglia (Grilled Sweet Potatoes)
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
