Posts categorized as Recipes

I’ve finally gotten around to posting our Christmas Eve Baccalà ball recipe which some of you have expressed interest in. It’s a long process but tradition warrants this meal a must on Christmas Eve. A Sicilian tradition on the Feast of the Seven Fishes: “The most famous dish Southern Italians are known for is baccalà (salted cod fish). The custom of celebrating with a simple fish such as baccalà is attributed to the greatly impoverished regions of Southern Italy.” I was thinking though, why only make this once a year? It’s essentially a finger food, perfect for […]

The below is a dip my mom made for Grandma’s birthday, another hit like her Fusilli Salad. I made the dip this past Saturday for a dinner party. My only recommendation on the below is to get “cocktail” or “baby” artichokes. I read in Cook’s Illustrated once that baby artichokes don’t have those harsh inedible leaves like their grown up brother. (kinda like me !) Sometimes in the marinated artichokes, you can get one of those leaves, which isn’t fun. The reviews were consistent the second time around, delicious! Its […]

I made this recipe I found on Cooking.com a few weeks ago for Grandma’s birthday party. It was a hit! Making pesto is expensive but worth every nickel – it’s scrumptious. As an added zing, you might want to add a cup of chopped black olives to the salad. I always alter recipes to make them my own or cater to my guests. A little hint: you may want to thin the pesto with a little extra water, since it’s thick. Let us know how yours turns out. Enjoy! Serves 4 […]

As summer comes to a close, here in Rockaway we are getting ready for the cold weather. Our bountiful garden is still producing the last of the vegetables that we all enjoyed this summer. The wonderful bright green basil has been picked and placed in freezer bags to sweeten every pot of tomato sauce we will enjoy this winter. Some of the basil has been transformed into tasty pesto, (not my favorite). With the daily picking of the tomatoes, I am able to create small batches of delicious simple tomato […]

Below are the Five Commandments of Frying. My Mother taught me these rules, her Mother taught her…. and now I share them with you. 1) Buy a deep fryer. If you’re the person who always hosts the parties (planned and unplanned) I recommend buying a deep fryer. The benefits are countless. You get an even, golden-hued fry that’s restaurant quality with a professional look. It’s fun and fast. In seconds the fish, eggplant, etc. is done.  A deep fryer eliminates the common problems of pan frying (see commandment #4). There are many models and sizes out there. Find […]

My first experience with Indian food was when I worked at Bear Stearns for a Brit. It was never called Indian food, it was “curry”. We used to order curry sometimes when we were hungover or whenever anyone had a hankering for it, which was often. Earlier this year,  I had the privilege of  spending a lot of time in London where I visited Brick Lane, which boast the best Indian cuisine in London. I have grown to love Indian food over the years and especially since I’ve started cooking […]

This was my fourth visit to Rustico cooking classes on 39th St. off of 5th Ave. in Manhattan and once again, it did not disappoint. I have gone to the classes alone and with groups of friends. People often ask me why I bother to go to the cooking class, since I am — as I have been told — a pretty good cook. But what is life about if we do not continue to learn something new? And after every class I have learned new techniques or recipes worth […]

Grandma Mary’s Artichoke Pie is actually quiche. I don’t know why we call it pie, we just do. I never thought twice about it until I asked my Grandmother about the recipe. Grandma Mary worked at the A&P on Jamaica Ave in Belrose for 23 years. By the time she retired, Grandma was making about $20 an hour which was a lot back then. We called her money bags!  She seemed to enjoy her work – she was known as a great bag-packer. She new about the sales first and that pleased […]

There’s food that you just start craving when the weather is vortexing. I turn to soup, hearty meats, red wine and a touch of whiskey here and there. Possible explanations for these cravings… We are less active and less social in the winter, which could increase anxiety and depression and lead to stress eating and overconsumption. (I’m guilty of all mentioned here) Comfort foods are generally sweet, fatty and calorie-dense, which may help temporarily improve mood and alleviate anxiety or stress. In other words, many people may be self-medicating with […]

It’s winter and we may get sick – ugh. Here’s a tip we all forget about, and it’s a cheap alternative to all the drug store stuff. If I feel like I’m getting a sore throat, I immediately grab for the salt. As a kid, I remember my Mom making me gargle with warm water and salt when I complained of  a sore throat or ear pain. And like magic, it absolutely soothed my discomfort. My Grandma Pauline actually rinsed her mouth with warm salt water once a day. I remember her […]