Print This Post
Whenever I think about cooking Italian sausage, I think about Sam Giancana, the mob boss who was gunned down while frying up some Italian sausage, onions and peppers in his basement kitchen — only 4 blocks from my house! Of course that was several years ago, and I haven’t crossed anyone (lately) so I’m usually [...]
Print This Post
This is a slightly unconventional way to serve the traditional ingredients of a caprese salad,with the fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil all tossed chopped into bite-sized chunks and tossed together with olive oil, and a bit of salt and pepper.
There’s something extremely satisfying about growing your own food, and this salad is extra special because [...]
Print This Post
D’Andrea’s was a small Italian deli in a storefront tucked into one end of an aging ’50s era strip mall in Berwyn, IL (Cermak Plaza, made famous in the movie Wayne’s World) that served the most delicious home-style Italian foods — homemade sausage, lasagna, sub sandwiches, mostacolli, olive salads, meatballs, pepper salads and more, all [...]
Print This Post
I was intrigued by the word Tuscan when I found this recipe at Simply Recipes, and when I discovered that you cook it on the stove, I was hooked. Even though this summer has been remarkably cool, leaving the oven off from June-August is my goal this year. And did I mention a mushroom sauce? [...]
Continue reading about Tuscan Stove-Top Meatloaf with Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Print This Post
This simple and delicious meal is perfect for a quick grilled dinner. The basic marinade can be used on a variety of meats and cuts for a strong oregano-based Mediterranean flavor. I was originally going to make chicken kebabs but laziness got the best of me and I decided to grill/stir-fry marinated chicken pieces in [...]
Continue reading about Grilled Greek Mediterranean Chicken with Vegetables
Print This Post
Mama Lena’s Italian Kitchen was a legendary Chicago restaurant that operated in the Chicago’s Gold Coast in the late 60s through the early 80s. Unfortunately I never went there, but very fortunately, I found the Mama Lena’s Italian Kitchen cook book, A Pinch of This and Pinch of That at a local thrift store — [...]
Print This Post
I have wanted to make my own pizza dough for awhile, but I always end up buying it from my local Italian deli or Trader Joe’s. 99 cents and so easy, and pretty tasty. I had made pizza dough many years ago (pre-kids, when I had more time and more patience) and I knew it [...]
Print This Post
There are many variations of white bean salads and this tasty recipe is colorful, quick and easy to prepare. Make it ahead of time because the flavor improves as it marinates. The flavor and texture of freshly cooked white beans is superior to canned, and white beans cook more quickly — about an hour with [...]
Continue reading about Italian White Bean Salad with Fresh Vegetables Recipe
Print This Post
Sometimes you want something a little different on the grill — easy, not too expensive, and quick too. This recipe for grilled stuffed chicken breasts is a simple change of pace using a prepared blend of Italian cheeses (parmesan, mozzarella, asiago, romano, provolone and fontina), a jar of artichokes, and basil. It’s just a few [...]
Continue reading about Grilled Stuffed Chicken Breast with Italian Cheeses and Artichokes
Print This Post
This simple Italian marinade recipe works well on chicken, turkey, beef or vegetables. It’s a flexible marinade; similar ingredients can be substituted, but always use olive oil (extra virgin is recommended) for the best Italian flavor.
Olive Oil - 3/4 cup
White Wine - 3 Tblsp. (or substitute lemon juice or vinegar)
Basil - 2 Tblsp. fresh, chopped [...]
