One of the most well-loved Sicilian pasta dishes has a strange nickname, Norma. Why is it called Pasta alla Norma? No, it’s not named for an old Italian nonna, rather it’s believed to have been renamed after one of the tragic operas by Vincenzo Bellini with the same name. They say that a Catanian (someone […]
The “angry” pasta (arrabbiata translates to angry) from Lazio is one of the traditional favorites around Italy, and the rest of the world. Although it seems very simple, basically tomatoes and chili peppers, it is a classic that still needs a bit of attention to perfect. Let’s start by discussing the different components that are […]
What in the world is Spaghetti alle Vongole? It turns out, it is a delicious pasta dish made with clams, and it is a part of traditional Neapolitan cuisine. There are loads of Neapolitan dishes that are based around fresh seafood, but some stand out amongst the others. Spaghetti alle Vongole (Spaghetti with Clams) is […]
One of the most popular Italian dishes of the 1980s is coming back with a vengeance. Popular at all times of the year, it is especially enjoyed in the Winter; the rich creaminess warms you up, and the bright tomato flavors help you think of Spring. Although it is a fairly simple dish, Penne alla […]
Of all the doughs (bread, pie, short dough, and pasta), pasta dough may be the simplest – aside from a few bread recipes. Most pastas are a mix of just flour and water. What is Spinach Pasta? Enriched pastas add eggs to the mix, giving the pasta a richer color and flavor. And then there […]
Many of the most loved traditional dishes come from the simplest of backgrounds. This dish, Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino is one of those dishes. It is as simple a pasta dish as you can get, while still calling it cooking (tossing pasta in butter just doesn’t quite count). However, don’t think that means it […]
What is Genovese Sauce? La Genovese is puree of onions flavored mainly with meat and is considered one of the greats of the Neapolitan kitchen; a dish that bears witness of superb cooking before the arrival of tomato! The Origins of Genovese Sauce… Some people say that in the 16th century, the private chefs of […]
I make fresh pasta from scratch every week. It reminds me of my Nonna who taught me how to make all the different shapes and varieties of pasta. This recipe combines some of my favorite ingredients, Porcini mushrooms, leeks and prosciutto with my favorite fresh pasta—pappardelle. The flavors are powerful and pronounced, while being true […]
The first time I ate bottarga was in a trattoria in Rome; the owner-cum-chef wasn’t overly friendly when I asked for a menu and tersely said that it changes daily because he only cooks the best and the freshest. Then he gave me three options. I learnt, that day, that in most Italian eateries it’s […]
Like all other countries on earth, Sardinia has had her fair share of problem but it hasn’t had a negative effect on the people at all – they are extremely hospitable and generous to a fault and will invite a stranger into their homes to share a meal at the drop of a hat. Pasta […]
Anelletti al Forno. From the city of Trapani in Sicily comes this delicious baked pasta dish, similar to a Baked Ziti, but with a smaller pasta shape. I switched out the usual meat sauce of pork and beef and used ground turkey, which is lighter and perfect for the hotter days of Summer. I sent […]
I love the flavors and colors of vegetables in the Summer! Just seeing all the fresh and brightly-colored vegetables at the farmer’s market makes me want to create beautiful recipes. Roasting red peppers with the sweet cherry tomatoes, brings out their creaminess and flavor in a different way than just sautéing them. It becomes a colorful […]
Prosciutto and peas are meant to go together, there is even a famous pasta sauce that adds cream to these two ingredients. I was in an inventive mood, and instead of making the basic ricotta and spinach stuffed pasta shells, which you can easily find in the frozen section at your local grocery store, I […]
The Italian region of Bologna is the home of fresh and filled pastas. They have the most unique shapes and each pasta shape compliments specific dishes to hold up to the different sauces. Garganelli looks similar to penne but it has a small flap and holds cream sauces perfectly. You can find it at […]
Summertime in the Mediterranean brings back so many memories from when I was young. The freshest seafood prepared simply and elegantly. Not a long time ago at the fish market, I saw these beautiful squid and thought about creating a recipe that mixed up many regions and flavors from Italy: from Tuscany, handmade Strozzapreti pasta, which translated […]
This dish is one of the most iconic recipes from Bologna. I was feeling nostalgic and wanted to create a traditional meal from scratch, that took me back to my time in Bologna. I decided to make this popular dish following the exact recipe, so I made the pasta dough, rolled it with a pasta […]
Italians love artichokes. Throughout Italy, there are so many dishes with artichokes and they vary by region. You can find the famous Roman artichokes deliciously prepared in the Jewish Ghetto in Rome and you can find beautiful violet ones in Sicily. Just like in Italy’s famous outdoor markets, you can find them fresh in the […]
Lobster ravioli is my favorite all-time recipe. Any ravioli dish is pretty special, little hand made pasta pillows filled with delicious filling, but when filled with fresh lobster, they become the most elegant and luscious dish. My family used to own a restaurant in Italy, named after my Bisnonno’s (great-great-grandfather) nickname, and we served the […]
If you are a meat lover this recipe is for you. It uses the most traditional Sardinian pasta with a delicious meat sauce, easy and quick to make. Who know?
A classic Roman recipe, a first dish representation and celebration of Italian cuisine based on bucatini, tomato, guanciale and pecorino cheese. The interpretations of the original recipe are varied but mainly involve different proportions between these four main ingredients. Pasta all’amatriciana is simple to make, delicious and easy enough that anyone can do it and […]
The calamarata pasta with bottarga, zucchini and calamari is an inviting and delicious pasta dish. Easy and quick recipe to prepare, the result is very tasty and suitable for any occasion. The delicate flavors of zucchini and calamari are enlivened by the presence of tuna bottarga, a perfect dish for a late summer dinner with […]
Treat your family and friends to this flavorful end-of-summer penne pasta recipe. What could be better than harvesting fresh produce from the garden and turning it into a delicious meal in the same day? Penne pasta recipe with Campagnola sauce is colorful and full of wonderful flavor and textures. Use the best, freshest ingredients possible–in […]
We all know Italians are famous for their pasta dishes. From spaghetti to gnocchi, from marinara sauce to Bolognese sauce, Italians know how to make pasta! One of the most widely known and loved Italian pasta recipes is Carbonara. It may be surprising but Carbonara is actually a rather recent Italian dish that has spread […]
This summer dish hails from southern Italy, a region with distinctive flavors that tend to be lighter and slightly spicier than in other parts of the country. Sweet, fresh San Marzano tomatoes make a wonderful, flavorful sauce for this recipe, but any simple canned tomato sauce will work as well. Aside from this, fresh ingredients […]
There are many Italian baked pasta, or pasta al forno, recipes, the most common in the U.S. being lasagna and baked ziti. This particular dish is a bit reminiscent of baked ziti, though meatier and creamier. Although this baked penne pasta recipe is traditionally considered a primo, it is hearty enough to stand as a […]
