A Post-Thanksgiving Melting Pot Dinner

A Post-Thanksgiving Melting Pot Dinner

Two branches of the family gathered in northern Jersey to enjoy a great Italian-American meal with a Syrian twist.

A Jersey Thanksgiving

A Jersey Thanksgiving

We’re all gathered in northern Jersey for our Italian-American Thanksgiving dinner, 3 generations in the kitchen today. My sister Rose and her daughter Wendy are in charge, I’m just the sous chef. RoRo has been rocking in the kitchen since 7 this morning and barking 

Italian-American Thanksgiving – Roasted Turkey, Chestnut-Sausage Stuffing, and Gravy

Italian-American Thanksgiving – Roasted Turkey, Chestnut-Sausage Stuffing, and Gravy

Recipes for Italian-American roasted turkey, chestnut and sausage stuffing and turkey gravy.

Giardiniera (Pickled Vegetables)

Giardiniera (Pickled Vegetables)

Giardiniera, flavorful marinated vegetables, is a staple in the Italian kitchen. Make up a batch. Great on sandwiches or on an antipasti platter. It’s versatile!

Pickled Peppers

Pickled Peppers

Here’s a really simple recipe to capture the bell pepper bounty in a jar for your winter pantry. Just slice the peppers into strips, make the vinegar brine and put everything in a jar. Pickled peppers, or “vinegar peppers” as my family calls them, keep in 

Weekend Recipe: Cioppino

Weekend Recipe: Cioppino

Cioppino has been on my mind lately. Some of my fans asked me to share my recipe so I just had to make it today. Cioppino is a San Francisco original created by the Italians on Fisherman’s Wharf in the 1800s. The local story is 

Lidia Bastianich is an Inspiration

Lidia Bastianich is an Inspiration

Lidia Bastianich inspires me. She’s been a mentor for a long time. I have 6 of her cookbooks and I read them often. Lidia’s Italy has been a PBS blockbuster cooking show for years. I’ve watched them all but my absolute favorite is the one 

Weekend Recipe: Cavatelli with Arugula

Weekend Recipe: Cavatelli with Arugula

Cavatelli with arugula is a simple, pristine and delicious pasta dish from Apuglia in southern Italia. Make the sauce in the time that it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta.

Friday Recipe: Roasted Pork Tenderloin & Toy Box Tomato Salad

Friday Recipe: Roasted Pork Tenderloin & Toy Box Tomato Salad

The toughest part of this meal is cutting the toy box tomatoes in half. You can be eating dinner in about an hour. The crusty, tender slices of pork tenderloin are bathed in a pan sauce scented with garlic, sage and rosemary. The marinated toy 

Weekend Recipe: Sonoma Sole

Weekend Recipe: Sonoma Sole

The sole filets take on a golden crust and are flakey and moist. The edges are crisp and nutty. The caper butter sauce gently enhances each bite. The mellow broccoli spears round out the plate. A really quick and healthy lunch or dinner.

Friday Recipe: Halibut Roasted in Parchment

Friday Recipe: Halibut Roasted in Parchment

A simple healthy dish that can be made in a jiffy any time of the year.

Strawberry Liqueur (Liquore di Fragole)

Strawberry Liqueur (Liquore di Fragole)

When I can’t stand the cold winter rain anymore a sip of this aromatic nectar with a kick does the trick.

Village News: Is It Fall Yet? North Beach Festa Italiana & Pizza

Village News: Is It Fall Yet? North Beach Festa Italiana & Pizza

Saturday’s annual SF Italian Athletic Club’s Festa Coloniale Italiana on North Beach’s Washington Square was quite an event–food stalls, wine tastings, live music, even a fountain temporarily installed in the Club’s ballroom.

Friday Recipe: One-Pan Pork Chops with Potatoes and Sweet Cherry Peppers

Friday Recipe: One-Pan Pork Chops with Potatoes and Sweet Cherry Peppers

Tired at the end of a long day? You can make this full-flavored dish in one pan in less than 30 minutes. Easy to make and an easy clean-up too.

Tulare Giant Plum Crostata

Tulare Giant Plum Crostata

We’re nearing the end of summer and the plums have been superb. I wanted a final plum celebration to tide me over until next season.