This is my Halloween recipe for you, the ultimate… food porn (!), and as I like to joke to my friends, my personal warning to the entire male population 😛 I recently went fishing on the Oregon coast and caught a pretty big Pacific Salmon. Since I like to think that “if you must […]
Del maiale non si butta via niente, means nothing can go lost from the pig. Growing up in the Italian countryside, I had a sense of what this exactly meant by watching my grandfather curing the pig, the one that he had raised and that the butcher slaughtered for him just the day before. One […]
Balsamic vinegar has become quite popular among chefs, amateur cooks and foodies. But how do you exactly use balsamic vinegar? How do you select, use and store this precious ingredient? To explain, we need to take a step back. In fact, there are many different kinds of balsamic. The subject is actually quite complicated even […]
This insalatone, literally a large salad, is something that you would find on pretty much every cafe lunch menu on the Italian peninsula. It’s something that Italians adore: an easy, light and healthy way to take care of your midday meal. When summer arrives, I feel the need for a fresh plate, and this is […]
This week, instead of a recipe, I thought about sharing with you some magic moments from last year’s trip to Sicily. I went to the Aeolian Islands, or Isole Eolie, one of the most enchanted places of the Mediterranean. The Eolie (or Lipari) islands are a group of 7 volcanic islands located between Naples and North […]
I love pasta that mixes and matches vegetables, and every season offers an array of tastes, textures and colors to play with. Since I am a CSA member, I often take my clue from my weekly box, and this week, these ingredients were among the offerings. I thought about adding sweet peas, a classic spring […]
There is something inexplicable about food trends. They start somewhere, in the kitchen of a chef, or a notable food trendsetter, and they then become huge – and my concept of huge has drastically changed since I moved to the United States! Fads catch on way more widely than I have ever experienced before, and […]
This is probably the meatball recipe I prefer in terms of taste, but I don’t cook it very often because of the additional time, calories and mild hassle involved in deep-frying. It’s much easier to simply simmer meatballs in tomato sauce, and you know how I love easy recipes! But, I made it again […]
This recipe is a true classic of Northern Italy. It is probably the most iconic recipe made with asparagus. You will be surprised by its simplicity and balanced flavors: the sweet asparagus are enhanced by the savory Parmigiano and nutty, mellow eggs. In Italy, this dish is typically served in spring, when asparagus and eggs […]
I love fresh filled pasta such as tortellini and ravioli, but most of the time I just do not have the time to make it myself, and the store-bought are not an option for me (too far from my standard!). Since I truly miss its taste, I came up with a compromise solution: what if […]
In this salad, bitter dandelion greens contrast wonderfully with salty, decadent, almost crispy pancetta. And, the garlic-infused tangy dressing makes them just… Irresistible. I just love the bitter, distinctive taste of dandelions. And knowing that they are a super healthy food makes them even more appetizing to me. Whenever I have time, I take a […]
Eggs are a classic spring ingredient, and frittata is a fabulous Italian way of using them. With stinging nettles, another seasonal wild ingredient, frittata takes on a new life and becomes a truly original dish. Serve with plenty of crusty bread and a green salad for a great main course, or just slice and serve […]
Stinging nettles (also known as burn nettle, burn weed and burn haze) definitely have a well-known downside, which I used to bump into very often growing up in rural Italy. But, because of its abundance, stinging nettle often appeared as food on my childhood table in fresh pasta, risotto and frittata. Besides stinging, which you […]
When I was a child, this is the pastry my grandma from Apulia (Puglia in Italian) would make me every Easter. It’s traditional to that region but is prepared throughout the South of Italy. In times past, Scarcella was a treat that not only signaled the end of Lent in Apulia, but had deep significance, part […]
Fresh raw artichoke hearts are a wonderful addition to any salad, and the one with Parmigiano-Reggiano is the most classic Italian combination, one that you would find on many restaurant menus in Italy around this time of the year. The crunchiness of the raw artichokes blend divinely with the mellow, deep taste of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Just try […]
This pasta is incredibly yummy and rewarding, with an interesting sweet, nutty taste. The combination may seem unusual to many, but artichokes are widely used in Italy and are very common in pasta dishes. In pasta, artichokes are often paired with shellfish or bottarga, a salted-cured roe of tuna or mullet, a food specialty original […]
It is impossible, and foolhardy, to declare: “I have the definitive ragù di carne.” A thousand voices will respond that, no, they have the best or the most authentic meat sauce recipe. Every family in Italy has its own concoction, and – to be sure! – it is The Best. My family is no different: […]
Deep-fried artichokes are a true classic from central and southern Italy. This dish totally brings me back to my grandma’s kitchen. I close my eyes, and I can still see her at the stove, making these delicious treats for large family gatherings. Everyone loved them so much that we would hover in the kitchen and […]
Artichokes are in season and are great tasting vegetables, or, I should say… flowers! In Italy, there are many different varieties that are usually not available in the US, such as the violetto, shown in the photo here. Most of the American artichokes belong to the green globe variety. They are pretty large, usually weighing about 1 pound […]
Today I was a guest at AM Northwest! I prepared Tiramisu: probably the most famous Italian dessert, perfect for your Valentine dinner. The recipe is part of my Iphone app Cook with Grazia: quick Italian recipes, a collection of 20-minutes traditional Italian recipes. In fact, this dish is super easy to make and only takes 20 minutes […]
Have you been hit hard by the recent cold weather? Make yourself a bowl of Ribollita, one of my favorite soups. Hearty and herbaceous, loaded with leafy green vegetables, Ribollita is also very satisfying: beans, potatoes and bread provide an almost creamy texture. Not to mention the addition of thyme, which delivers an aromatic twist. […]
When we make these frittelle… Well, one leads to another and you cannot stop eating them! These zucchini fritters, flavorful and aromatic, make a perfect snack or hors d’oeuvre for a party. As with any deep-fried dish, they are best still warm, but with their intriguing mix of mint, basil and garlic, they are fabulous even […]
Meatballs in tomato sauce – or Polpette al sugo – is a real classic of the Italian cuisine. This recipe is a life saver, since my kids love it so much. That is why I usually try to cook a larger batch and freeze part of it to have a meal ready for another night.
These are the cookies I grew up with. It’s a family recipe, no one else makes them quite this way. It’s not complicated, not at all. It’s basically a shortbread recipe. Except that — well, being a family recipe, there is a secret ingredient. My mom taught me the recipe; she suspects my grandma (the […]
If you have been to Italy you have probably tasted or heard of Vov: a luscious, velvety, creamy liquor. What you may not be aware of is that it’s truly easy to make, and its homemade version is at least as good as the bottled one, still unavailable in the US.
My family is so keen on this recipe that I sometimes cook too much meat on purpose, just to have leftovers – and an excuse to make Crocchette. With the bounty of Thanksgiving leftovers just around the corner, this is a perfect, mouthwatering way to use those turkey scraps. But any leftover meat will definitely […]
Dull day? All you need is a fireplace, a glass of medium-bodied red wine such as Chianti, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and… These crostini. Still redolent of the fragrances of woods and fall season, these crispy bites are aromatic, indulgent, with just a touch of tanginess. My friend Cinzia gave me this recipe (grazie Cinzia!), which she […]
A dear friend of mine (ciao Zikki!) from La Spezia gave me this very quick and delicious recipe some time ago. It is a great dish to enhance the taste of newly pressed extra virgin olive oil, and it should be cooked only if you have some olio nuovo of the best quality in […]
November first is a catholic holiday in Italy. We celebrate All Saints’ Day. Schools and businesses are closed, and usually an excuse to spend a long weekend home (not this year – it’s falling on a Sunday). Since the following day, November second, is All Souls’ Day, the weekend usually include a visit to the […]
Have you ever glimpsed a perplexed expression on your waiter’s face after you tried to order Fettuccine Alfredo in a restaurant in Italy? Or have you ever ordered pasta marinara, expecting a tomato sauce, and instead received a shellfish pasta? And how about trying to get an… Hawaiian Pizza??? The food served in many Italian restaurants in the United […]
I grew up in a family of food enthusiasts, and yes, I developed a deep love for everything food. It is a love I truly hope to be able to transmit to my three children. Teaching your children to feel at ease at the stove can dramatically change the way they live their lives, and […]
Unlike the New York Times’ infographic on extra-virgin olive oil that I commented on some time ago, I really enjoyed their infographic last week. It simplifies some of the concepts behind one of the greatest Italian cheeses — often nicknamed il re dei formaggi, or the king of cheeses: Parmigiano-Reggiano. However, here are a few […]
Learn how to make Pasta Flavia, a quick fresh summer dish that only takes 20 minutes. The recipe is part of my app “Cook with Grazia“.
This recipe will hopefully give an answer to my neighbors on what did I do with those wild greens (what is this bizarre woman picking on the sides of the paths???). Well, I was gathering dandelions for this amazing salad! Dandelions are a very versatile greens, with a well defined, bitter taste, something in […]
Pasta piselli e prosciutto – A kid’s favorite Play dates, sleepovers and such my friends? Need to get food into a group of hungry, rambunctious kids when you have no idea what they will and will not eat? Being a mom of 3, I have been there — multiple times! For this worst case-scenario situation […]
Risotto con gli Asparagi I have tasted hundreds of risottos in the US, and far too many of them are not authentic. So here is the recipe for the real, delicious Italian risotto. This is a great seasonal recipe, one of my favorites, and a terrific Mother’s Day brunch idea. This is – hands down […]
Pasta al Sugo di Noci This recipe is unusual, sophisticated and soul satisfying. The sauce originates from the Liguria region, where is often used on pansoti, a local fresh pasta similar to ravioli with a herby, vegetarian filling – but works great on any semolina pasta. Pasta with Walnut Pesto is ready in minutes and […]
Easter Savory Pie When I used to live in Italy il lunedì dell’Angelo, or Easter Monday, a group of us would gather and decide on a daytrip somewhere. This is actually how many Italians spend that day: out on a picnic or sightseeing. Where I grew up, in humid Pianura Padana, we would head […]
Frittata con asparagi This is the best asparagus frittata recipe ever! It’s a killer dish, one I was craving this week. This frittata captures in a bite the subtle changes in the air, the essence of the season. Its taste is delicate and smooth — but vibrant, and vital at the same time: exactly […]
Salsicce con le cime di rapa I love this sausages recipe, with its unusual and assertive flavors. My grandma was from the Apulia region, and she introduced me really early to the unique taste of rapini. I find that their strong, almost bitter taste wonderfully balances the buttery, rich sausages to create a hearty, […]
What is extra-virgin olive oil? Very simply: mechanically squeezed olive juice. Choosing a great product should be, at least in theory, a no-brainer: as in any other fruit juice, we would go for the freshest juice, made with the perfectly ripened – in this case, mostly still green – great quality olives…. But many aspects […]
Castagnole di Carnevale Ahhh… Carnevale! It breaks winter grays into an explosion of color and amusement. Who doesn’t love wearing costumes, going to parades with festooned floats and… eating special treats? These traditional deep-fried sweets are usually not available during the rest of the year so they must be enjoyed while they last. Here […]
I have to confess: Sunday morning I chocked on my morning espresso while looking at my fresh copy of the New York Times. Are Italians a nation of impostors? This is what at least I got from reading the page from Nicholas Blechman and Tom Mueller. The information the New York Times provided really didn’t […]
Have you ever tried to choose balsamic vinegar and being overwhelmed by the variety of choices and lack of information? Well, it happened to me far too many times. I have been looking at reasonable priced products versus very expensive ones without knowing if the cost was worth it or not; fancy bottles and more […]
Fettuccine Alfredo – the Recipe on-the-ground research – here it is for you – the real, authentic fettuccine with Alfredo sauce recipe! Grazia’s recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo Total Time: 20 minutes Yields 4
Fall means chestnuts to me – and all the great memories that come with it. In Italy, as Christmas approaches, chestnuts can be bought on the street, grilled over hot coals, wrapped in paper to eat right away. Nothing is more enjoyable than a bunch of hot roasted chestnuts to cheer up your cold hands […]
Coppa di testa Happy Thanksgiving everyone! While you are enjoying your turkey, this time of year Italians traditionally would celebrate… pork! I come from a farming area in the North, where every family used to raise its own pig to slaughter in winter. This tradition, although still alive in few families today, used to happen […]
I just finished reading – and watching – Mark Bittman’s tribute to the late Italian cookbook writer Marcella Hazan, and something popped out from the article: Julia Child’s comment on Italian cooking. “I don’t get the whole thing with Italian cooking,” Child told Bittman. “They put some herbs on things, they put them in the […]
I just love receiving my weekly box with fresh, organic, gorgeous goodies… I feel like a child unwrapping presents at Christmas! Wow — this time around I got so many pears!!! Not a difficult dilemma: I will just make… Classic pear jam. There is nothing like homemade jam – with its fragrant, intense,
Since I moved to the U.S. in 2001, I have been mystified about this strange, nearly ubiquitous phenomenon known as the Alfredo sauce. I mean: how could I, a food journalist and recent transplant from Italy, not know about it? Yet it was everywhere I turned in the U.S. — on Italian menus, on supermarket […]