There is an old saying about pasta that goes like this: “cooked pasta waits for no one.” Most people I know think that they have the technique down of how to cook pasta, even understanding the nebulous “al dente” phrase for when it is really cooked…
My outdoor grill has been teasing me to light her fire and that can only mean one thing: its time to grill homemade Italian sausage! And I know what you are thinking, but no, you don’t need a meat grinder and loads of other equipment to do this; all you need is a go…
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting your hands dirty for the first time, you can avoid that frustration that comes when the plants that you thought were so healthy and thriving suddenly bite the dust. Here are ten simple practices to put in place to avoid …
For close to twenty years, the rhubarb plant that my husband long ago committed to the soil has been a loyal garden friend. Always showing up when expected, always graceful and full of sturdy elephant-like leaves and bright red stalks, it suddenly is no more. I had to mak…
It wasn't that long ago that I had to haul three to four trash bags - all stuffed to the gills - to the curb on trash day. But I've been a (one trash) bag lady ever since I started composting. So what exactly is composting? Think of it as nature’s way of recycling…
An old saying goes: “Cooked pasta waits for no one.” Amen to that! There is nothing worse than being served a plate of cold pasta. I keep that quote on my refrigerator door! Believe it or not there are ways to make sure that the pasta about to served is piping…
Mortadella is not baloney. It is a key product of Bologna, Italy; however, and it is a cooked finely ground pork product studded with cubes of fat and often flavored with peppercorns or pistachio nuts. Mortadella must contain 60% pure lean loin or shoulder meat and 40% f…
There is an art to grilled pizza, but some people are afraid to try this method. Why should they try it? Because grilled pizza produces that nice smokey taste and slightly charred edge that approximates the taste of true Neapolitan pizza. You can achieve the taste by adh…
Got leftovers? From Easter? Here is a great way to use up that Easter ham. Make mini size mac and cheese in a muffin tin. This recipe if from my new book Ciao Italia Family Classics. Baked Macaroni and Cheese Makes 12 – 14 servings2 tablespoons unsalted butt…
Poor Popeye, relegated to eating spinach in a can, which all but destroyed its nutritional value. Instead he could have been getting his iron intake from eating fresh spinach, one of the first most welcome vegetables of spring. This plant is native to Asia and has many he…