A Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

A Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

A northern Jersey friend enjoyed this yellow onion and anchovy whole wheat pasta dish several years ago at da Flora, one of my favorite North Beach restaurants. The food memory haunted her ever since. She hasn’t been to San Francisco since that dinner at da 

Mighty Minestrone–A Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe

Mighty Minestrone–A Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe

There’s been a chill in the air so I decided to make my first soup of the fall season. Minestrone was at the top of my list. It’s easy to make, delicious and good for you. The most difficult part of this recipe is chopping 

Lazy Lasagna Ready in an Hour

Lazy Lasagna Ready in an Hour

I promised to make a lasagna for our office potluck lunch Thursday. As I got ready for a trip to LA I tried to beg off making the lasagna. I knew I wouldn’t be in the mood to make a lasagna because I was flying 

Marcella Hazan Tribute: Pork Loin Braised in Milk

Marcella Hazan Tribute: Pork Loin Braised in Milk

Just before I left for a wonderful birthday celebration with friends in Provincetown on Cape Cod and Boston I learned that Marcella Hazan, the extraordinary Italian cook and teacher had passed on September 29. Marcella was one of my early teachers. She opened up a 

Artichoke, Leek & Potato Soup

Artichoke, Leek & Potato Soup

The large artichokes at the farmers market were beautiful. I grabbed 3, heavy and still tightly closed. Should I stuff them, bake them, steam them? Nope. I wanted something quicker to prepare so I decided to make artichoke soup instead. The hardest part of this 

Cabbage Steam-Sauteed with Pancetta

Cabbage Steam-Sauteed with Pancetta

Desperation one night led to this tasty dish. I bought a head of cabbage intending to make an Italian-American cole slaw. It didn’t happen. Now what? As I looked in the fridge for something to eat when I got home from a long day at 

Calamari Salad

Calamari Salad

I’m cooking dinner as a birthday gift for a friend and I’m in the mood for this calamari salad as part of the antipasti. The steamed calamari is sweet and tender bathed in the zesty olive oil and lemon dressing. The celery and onion add 

Braised Baby Back Ribs with Potatoes

Braised Baby Back Ribs with Potatoes

I’m back in Emilia with this dish, the region surrounding Parma (prosciutto, parmigiano reggiano) and Modena (balsamic vinegar) that lies in north-central Italy. They like their pork in these parts. This is a simple but really rich stew. The potatoes begin to break apart while 

New Gianni Video Now Live

New Gianni Video Now Live

Sorry if you couldn’t access the video episode Gianni: From Italy to North Beach in my earlier post. You can watch it now. Here’s the Hungry Village video. Meet some of my friends from a week living in a Roman neighborhood and how that experience colors 

Fat Macaroni with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce

Fat Macaroni with Ricotta and Tomato Sauce

Tomatoes overflow the farmers market. I bought fresh organic San Marzano tomatoes with this pasta dish in mind. I’m in the mood for rich and creamy so I’m mixing ricotta with the quick-cooked tomato sauce and serving it with giant dried pasta tubes. The classic 

Food, Family & Friends

Food, Family & Friends

Why I’m passionate about cooking.

Fettuccine with Squash Blossom Cream Sauce

Fettuccine with Squash Blossom Cream Sauce

Are you afraid of squash blossoms that are flooding farmers markets now? Don’t be. The blossoms are versatile and easy to cook up. Grab some if you can. Stuff the blossoms with mozzarella and anchovy and fry them coated with a light batter. Use them as 

Grilled Swordfish with Salmoriglio Sauce

Grilled Swordfish with Salmoriglio Sauce

The Sicilian summer heat came early one morning. Rows of fish packed on ice sparkled in the morning sun as we searched the open-air fish market for the perfect catch for dinner. I almost bumped into this guy in the picture below swinging a long 

Eggplant “Meatballs”

Eggplant “Meatballs”

An old woman in a soiled white apron stood at the top of the stairs leading to a basement trattoria a cigarette dangling out of her mouth. We were wandering around the backstreets in Naples behind the big fancy hotels facing the marina and Castel 

Broccoli Rabe and Italian Sausage

Broccoli Rabe and Italian Sausage

Here’s one of my favorite dishes that’s easy and quick to make for a weeknight dinner. You’ll be eating in a half hour or so. Roast the sausage in a hot 425 degree oven until they’re golden brown. While the sausage is roasting steam/saute the broccoli