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RISOTTO VERDE
¾ LB ARBORIO RICE 4 TBS BUTTER 6 OZ FRESH SPINACH LEAVES – rinsed and chopped 4 TBS OLIVE OIL 1 SMALL ONION – chopped 6 TBS PARMIGIANO 1 CELERY STALK – chopped SALT – to taste 1 SMALL CARROT – chopped FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER 1 QUART CHICKEN BROTH Sauté the spinach, carrot, onion Continue reading
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KALE, SAUSAGE AND WHITE BEAN SOUP
1LB ITALIAN SAUSAGE – out of casing 2 TB OLIVE OIL 1 MEDIUM ONION – roughly chopped 1 CARROT – roughly chopped 1 CELERY RIB – roughly chopped 4-5 GARLIC CLOVES – peeled and chopped RED PEPPER FLAKES – to taste KOSHER SALT – to taste FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER 1 LB KALE – stems Continue reading
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LA BEFANA AND THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
(In our house better known as the Feast Day of the 3 Kings and Little Christmas) January 6th is known as the Epiphany across many parts of the world, but for Italian children its main significance is the celebration known as “La Befana”. Traditionally, this is the day that an elderly, witchlike woman visits houses, Continue reading
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NEW YEAR’S EVE IN ITALY
“Anno Nuovo, Vita Nuovo” is the greeting that is traditionally exchanged at midnight! New Year’s Eve in Italy also goes by many names, one of which is La Festa di San Silvestro and in Italy normally huge dinners are the norm along with many other traditions. Some Italians rent houses in the countryside to celebrate Continue reading
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LASAGNA MARINARA
Not your typical meat filled lasagna, and not your cheese filled. This is surprisingly filled with a variety of fish! LASAGNA 1 BOX (16 ounces) LASAGNA NOODLES1 ½ LBS COOKED FISH – your favorite, such as cod, sea bass, monk fish, crabmeat, lobster meat or shrimp, all cut into bite size pieces or chunks 1 Continue reading
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ARANCINI RICE CASSEROLE
An easy to make casserole with the great taste of Sicilian Rice Balls when I don’t have time to make traditional Arancini. 1 LB GROUND BEEF 3 CUPS ARBORIO RICE 2 EGGS – beaten 1 TB OLIVE OIL 3 CUPS TOMATO SAUCE – or more as needed 1 CUP PEAS – frozen, allow to defrost Continue reading
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Happy Boxing Day
What is the history of Boxing Day? According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the custom arose because servants, who would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day, were allowed to visit their families the next day and employers would give them boxes to take home containing gifts, bonuses and, sometimes, leftover food. While here Continue reading
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Merry Christmas to All!
“And the angel said unto them,Fear not, for behold, I bringyou good tidings of great joy,which shall be to all people.For unto you is born, this dayIn the city of David, a Savior,which is Christ the Lord.” Wishing you Christmas Blessings! I WAS PLEASANTY. SURPRISED, BUT VERY PLEASED, TO SEE A DOG FIGURE AS PART Continue reading
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Christmas for our family!
In our home, Christmas is so much more than just a meal — it’s a beautiful two-day celebration steeped in Italian traditions that have been lovingly passed down through the generations. Each dish we prepare comes with its own sweet story and special place in our hearts. Christmas Eve, for us, is a time for Continue reading
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A LITTLE GOOSE STORY Despite the fact that it’s a prized turkey that Scrooge sends a little street urchin to buy at the end of A Christmas Carol, goose was the original centerpiece on the Cratchit’s menu as shown to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present since turkey was too expensive to be considered. In Victorian Continue reading
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