Fresh San Marzano Tomatoes with Pappardelle

Fresh San Marzano Tomatoes with Pappardelle

I scored the first of the organic San Marzano tomatoes from Happy Boy Farms at the Thursday Galleria farmers market in San Francisco’s financial district. I was lazy and wanted a simple sauce so I didn’t cook it at all. This pasta can be on 

Italian Braised Beef Brisket

Italian Braised Beef Brisket

Slow braised beef brisket served with aromatic vegetables is a simple and favorable one-plate lunch or dinner.

Flourless Potato & Onion Focaccia

Flourless Potato & Onion Focaccia

A focaccia made with a potato dough with a sweet onion, olive and caper filling topped with a golden breadcrumb crust.

Couscous with Veal, Cauliflower, Red Peppers & Saffron

Couscous with Veal, Cauliflower, Red Peppers & Saffron

Sicily has been on my mind. I recalled a remarkable day on the northern coast where I learned of 2 new ingredients for my Italian-American cooking, couscous and saffron. We spent a delightful day in San Vito lo Capo lounging on the soft pink beach, 

Orecchiette with Arugula

Orecchiette with Arugula

I snagged some baby arugula at the Petaluma farmer’s market yesterday. Simply drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, a drop or 2 of red wine vinegar and sea salt, the tender peppery arugula is a summer treat. But arugula isn’t just for salads. I have 

Raw & Cooked Salad

Raw & Cooked Salad

Summer just arrived and I’m starting to get in the mood for the bounty slowly hitting the market. This simple yet complex salad is my bridge to the new season. Insalata cruda e cotta is an interesting mix of fresh and cooked vegetables and will be 

White Bean & Tuna Salad

White Bean & Tuna Salad

I love cannellini beans and Sicilian canned tuna. Putting these 2 pantry staples together in this salad makes me very happy. You can use canned beans but since there are only 2 main ingredients in the salad I like to use dry beans. They aren’t 

Braciole–Neapolitan Stuffed Beef Rolls

Braciole–Neapolitan Stuffed Beef Rolls

These braciole are beef rolls filled with prosciutto, provolo and a bread stuffing with chopped egg, parsley, garlic and pecorino. The braciole braise in San Marzano tomatoes to create a sauce with deep rich flavors and a brick red color. In Italy the sauce is 

Prosciutto Wrapped Prawns

Prosciutto Wrapped Prawns

I didn’t want anything heavy for lunch. I had a hankering for shrimp but didn’t want to spend a lot of time cooking some up. Here’s a simple dish that will be on your table in 15 minutes after you peel and clean the prawns. 

Suppli al telefono: Fried Arborio Rice Balls Video

Suppli al telefono: Fried Arborio Rice Balls Video

Suppli are tasty egg-shaped fried arborio rice balls. The surprise in the middle give them their name.

Escarole 2 Ways

Escarole 2 Ways

The escarole in the market today was gorgeous, light green heads with fresh, tender leaves. I get 2 uses from a head of escarole. Save the yellow-green inner leaves for a simple salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon or red wine vinegar and 

Spinach Pies–My Bridge to Italy

Spinach Pies–My Bridge to Italy

Making spinach pies today is a culinary bridge from the States to my upcoming temporary home in Naples. The filling is inspired by the  “Wimpy Skippy,” a crowd-pleaser from Caserta Pizzeria on Providence’s Federal Hill, an Italian-American bastion. I’ll find variations of spinach pies, called 

Meatballs Neapolitan Style

Meatballs Neapolitan Style

My trip to Italy is fast approaching. I wanted to do a couple of posts before I leave and the dishes had to be simple. Meat-eaters love meatballs. These are from Naples and may be a bit different than what you’re used to eating here 

Pasta & Chickpea Soup (Pasta e Ceci)

Pasta & Chickpea Soup (Pasta e Ceci)

I’ll be in Rome and Naples soon so I’ve been cooking dishes from both cities to get ready for the trip. Here’s another Roman favorite that would be at home in Naples as well. The Romans prefer long pasta in their chickpea soup and the 

Roman Stewed Spring Vegetables

Roman Stewed Spring Vegetables

La Vignarola, stewed spring vegetables, is a simple dish that’s a real crowd-pleaser in Rome this time of year and you can be eating some in about 30 minutes. Quickly braise each of the 3 spring vegetables separately. Brown guanciale or pancetta with a little