Posts categorized as Recipes

I was a bit skeptical when I saw the word “anchovies” hit my inbox from NY Times Cooking. But this is one of the few newsletters I actually read and trust… so I clicked. What interested me about this recipe was the cabbage and parmesan – it’s an unlikely combination. Also, cabbage has basically zero calories. I thought this would be a healthy, unique one to try. These days, I flip flop from pescatarian to vegetarian. For this reason, I don’t make bolognese. My secret though –  to get that […]

I’m a big banana person. The mild taste with a hit of honey rum flavor is so, so good. The soft texture is unlike most fruit –  pretty unique when you think about it. They’re easy to eat, which makes them a great, healthy grab-and-go snack. Bananas are a good source of fiber, vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. And they’re only about 105 calories and quite filling. Last week I had a craving for banana bread. I haven’t made this in a long while but you know… […]

I spotted the most beautiful artichokes in Trader Joe’s. They were large and barely had browning. I had to buy them. I was so excited about this find, I actually called my mother from the crowded store to share my enthusiasm. She’d get it. Her first words were, “HOW MUCH ARE THEY??,” “$2.59 each,” I said. She grumbled, “That’s high, but for this time of the year it’s ok, get them.” I wasn’t asking for permission but I appreciated her blessing. I’ve written before about artichokes on my blog but […]

  Last week my friend Olga generously gave me a bag filled with superfoods –  several types of raw nuts, seeds, chia, hemp, grains, wheat flour and lentils. I was very grateful to be the recipient of this bounty and promised to make beautiful meals with my gifts.  My father taught me how to make lentil soup as a kid and the recipe is a family staple. Sometimes I modify that recipe, spicing it with curry, turmeric and ginger for an Indian flare. I thought I’d use the legumes first, […]

Chances are you’ve seen focaccia flower bread recipes popping up everywhere in your social feeds. My natural inclination as a “traditional cook” is to snub food trends. But I have to admit, this recipe looks pretty, pretty. Also… I love flowers… and I love bread. So I put my food snobbery aside and jumped on the bread wagon. Also, I’ve been meaning to venture into breadmaking and baking to challenge myself this winter. Here was the opportunity. The incentive for me was adorning the bread with beautiful flower depictions made […]

I often get my food inspiration on-site at the supermarket. I was in Key Food the other day and saw cute, tiny, orange habanero peppers. I thought it would be tasty to stuff them and make a  spicy treat. Admittedly, I also thought the little peppers would look adorable when photographed for instagram (I know, I know). I made a delicious, unconventional breadcrumb filling with garlic and herbs, more an Italian vibe than Spanish inspired. Long story short, as predicted, they looked amazing on my IG account and the likes […]

A few weeks ago I made the most decadent, highest calorie macaroni and cheese dinner I could possibly come up with. Why? Because it was my birthday, I had Covid and it’s a very cold January. I needed comfort… and food. Cheese normally does the trick, no? This meal is creamy and delicious. Make sure to use medium shell macaroni. They hold the cheese well, making every bite perfect. Just as if you were preparing baked ziti, don’t over cook the pasta because it continues to cook in the oven. […]

My 10-year-old goddaughter for Christmas gifted me red serving baskets with adorable checkered liners. She knows red is my color and the theme of my kitchen decor. She’s so thoughtful! The baskets are the ones you’d see at a drive-in movie or old-school diner. I wanted to make food fitting for their use. Hamburgers, hotdogs, or French fries would work well. I went with my favorite out of the three, French fries. I realized after looking up a few recipes that I’ve never made fries correctly. I learned you’re supposed […]

I worked at Marzullo’s Bakery on Long Island when I was 16 years old. Marzullo was one of those tough Italian types. I felt intimidated by him at that young age. But I respected him and learned a lot from Tony. He was an incredible cook and baker. Sometimes he’d make us lunch in the back kitchen. I’ll never forget this linguine with clam sauce. It was absolutely, perfectly delicious. Other times Tony insisted that I test out foods and pastries he was experimenting with. You just didn’t say no […]

I had the idea to convert our spare guest room, where I work, into a legitimate office. It’s been a long time coming and now I’m finally getting around to doing it. In the room is a bookcase. I was sitting at my desk the other day and swiveled my chair around. I looked at the bookcase and realized I couldn’t remember the last time I pulled a book off the shelf. I notice how many cookbooks I have – 20 maybe more! Googling recipes online is our go-to these […]