Things won’t be the usual boisterous and outrageous costumed party for Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. What Mardi Gras needs in a pandemic is a muffuletta, a line backer size sandwich stuffed with Italian cured meats and cheeses. Some say the sandwich origin…
Now that cold weather has set in, our cooking has turned to comforting foods like soup (zuppa). Italians are acknowledged masters of the craft, with differing names for varied creations that range from brodo and minestra to zuppa and minestrone. We’re all famil…
Cauliflower. Either you love it or say no thanks. This snowy white vegetable brings back memories for some of sulfuric smells wafting through the kitchen as it boils away in a pot. It is often overlooked in favor of other vegetables but today’s treatment of cauliflo…
Now is the perfect time to take advantage of in season citrus fruits and use them in salads and cooking. This salad with grapefruit, blood oranges and dates play off nicely against the sturdy and slightly bitter greens, but milder lettuces like romaine or bibb are good to…
Now is the time when everything seems new again (well almost) to take stock of what spices are in your pantry. After all, spices are the flavor rock stars of the food world. You probably have jars of opened, half opened and forgotten -on- the- back of the shelf -spices lo…
To ring in 2021, I decided that cooking a standing rib roast was in order to send miserable 2020 packing. For New Year’s Eve, the menu will feature this succulent roast along with duchess potatoes, roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts and for dessert, consoling …
Italians consume an estimated 5.5 pounds of panettone per family each Christmas season. Panettone is Italy’s most popular Christmas bread and its origins are in Milan, with many folklore stories surrounding its name and creation. This tall cylinder of sweetnes…
This Christmas season will be low key for many of us as we let go of some of our holiday traditions and gatherings but we can still brighten the holiday with our immediate family by preparing some of our favorite dishes. These can’t eat just one puff pastry pinwheel…
Fish chowder is so easy to make and perfect for these cold days. Save time and buy already cut up chowder fish to make it; this one uses salmon and haddock but any combination is good and most fish stores have a variety of cuts. This goes together fast and is ready in 15 …
Need a healthy dessert in a hurry? Bake apples, Italian style by utilizing the microwave. In about 8 minutes you will have baked apples that are a perfect wintertime treat. Cortland is the best apple to use because it holds its shape. To save time, make them before prepar…
Mary Ann's newest book contains over 150 recipes, 60 gorgeous food photos, and many scenic pictures of Italy taken by Mary Ann on her travels through the years.
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