Posts Tagged ‘Recipes’

My husband thinks I’m silly for decorating the house for Valentine’s Day. He tolerates Christmas and Easter but he can’t help making snarky comments about this Hallmark holiday. I tell him, “But… it makes me happy!” I enjoy rearranging and switching things up in the house. Re-designing makes your living space feel fresh and It’s also an incentive to clean! Or, in Matt’s words “Yo this is corny.” Whatever. In addition to seasonal decorating, I also love seasonal cooking. My mother-in-law Maureen dropped off a bunch of old magazines a […]

Everyone is talking turkey but I’m talking soup. I’ve been cooking a different soup each Sunday – escarole soup, vegetable soup, french onion soup, lentil soup – Italian style and an Indian curry version. This past week I made split pea soup for the first time. I’m not a big pea person but I wanted to give it a try anyway, to experiment. Because storage of dried peas is easy and low-cost, many cultures have pea-based soup recipes. The traditional split pea variety originates in the 19th century. Sailors would […]

If you remember, a year ago I wrote about my decision to become a vegetarian. Since September though, I’ve introduced two portions of meat protein a week into my diet. I still hold the same feelings about industrial mistreatment of animals and the effects of meat processing on our global environment. When I do choose to eat meat, I buy the free-range, grass feed, humanely treated products. True vegetarians may see this as a  “step back” but I’m trying my best to be accountable while managing my personal health. The […]

It’s mid October and I still have tomatoes on the vine but they’re not turning red. I’ve noticed a few critters getting to some so I decided to take ’em as is and make fried green tomatoes! It was my first time frying up green tomatoes. The combination of soft, tart tomato with the fried crunchy cornmeal coating was delicious. And when you add in a creamy creole dipping sauce you end up with the perfect comfort food. And the perfect snack to eat while watched the classic… Fried Green […]

Paula’s Pesto (makes 1 cup) 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed 1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino romano 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (don’t use cheap stuff) 1/3 cup pine nuts 2 medium sized garlic cloves, minced ½ lemon squeezed Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Directions: Mix all ingredients in a food processor except the olive oil, salt and pepper. Once roughly chopped, slowly add the olive oil, then salt and pepper to taste Seal tightly in a container. You can freeze pesto by adding a layer of […]

Previously published in The Wave. A few weeks ago on the drive to my cousin Sarah’s baby shower (Yay! Sarah and Dan!), I was talking with my Aunt Brenda about dieting. I told her since I’m not eating much meat, I’ve been munching on way to many carbs. Brenda said she’s been experimenting, using cauliflower as a bread substitute. “It’s really trendy now Paula, you should give it a shot!” And so I did! If you’re looking for a creative low-carb bread alternative, make a batch of cauliflower “bread”. I was […]

My brother-in-law JUMBO says it’s like eating a salty wet sponge. This is highly upsetting to me. He and other olive-haters are missing out on one of the most delicious of Italian pleasures. The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean region, Asia, and Africa. It was one of the first trees harvested by humans some 7,000 years ago.  Now, it’s grown in warm climates worldwide. There are hundreds of cultivars with distinct, rich, savory flavors. Olives are commonly served in all manners of deliciousness – marinated, cured and stuffed. They’re […]

Shortly after my sister Natalie got married she hosted her first family party. “Bryon, can you go to the food store and get the pickies?” she said to her husband. Bryon was happy to help and went to the store. An hour passed. Bryon came home frustrated and empty-handed. “I asked everyone in the supermarket where the pickies were and know one knew what the hell I was talking about??!” Natalie realized he was clueless about what she meant, and rightfully so. “Pickies” is a DiGioia-ism, a word used by […]

I had a little get together with some friends last week to carve pumpkins. My friend Meredith Urban, designer and owner of De La Mer 1981 clothing, brought to the party her grandmother’s sweet pickles. They’re honeyed and buttery with a tang, sliced thin and so so delicious (Grandma Rita we need that recipe!). My husband is a pickle fanatic. I had to hide them in the back of the fridge so he wouldn’t eat the jar in one sitting (gavone!). Grandma’s Rita’s pickles reminded me of a recipe for […]

My friend Melissa brought over homemade dressing the other night and wow, it was delicious. Not only is Melissa a creative talent (she’s a jewelry designer) she is an excellent cook. Making dressing in advance means less mess. Prepare it for the week and your not bringing out the oil, vinegar, and spices every day. The dressing is sweet, tart, and rich – but not overpowering. I used it on salad. The dressing would also work very well over roasted chicken or sautéed veggies – yummers! Give it a shot and get creative. I want to experiment with Melissa’s dressing and maybe add chopped […]