Mains

Mains

Chicken Patty Lettuce Wraps

I always think sitting outside on the patio enjoying a summer dinner is the perfect way to enjoy these!  Whether served in Butter/Bibb lettuce cups or as we’ve done once or twice, as sliders served with Sriracha Mayo.  The patties are terrific served with a Thai noodle salad.  I also think you could easily substitute […]

Mains

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Harissa Chickpeas

I came across this recipe a few years ago, tried it and loved it.  Simple ingredients, not difficult to make and so darned tasty! I don’t particularly like tinned chickpeas so I soak and cook them myself a day or so before I want to use them. Once cooked, I store them and their cooking […]

Mains

Oxtails Roman Style – Coda alla Vaccinara

My take on one of the stars of Quinto Quarto/the 5th Quarter Roman “cuisine.”  Trattoria Sora Lella on Isola Tibernia (Tiber Island) in Rome was the basic inspiration for my oxtails and it’s delicious.  Over the years I’ve added things I’ve seen in other preparations from places in Rome such as Trattoria Agustarello and Trattoria […]

Mains

Cod With Tomatoes, Raisins and Almonds

Served with a loaf of crusty country bread, this is one of our very favourite preparations for cooking cod. The recipe is from the lovely cookbook “ My Kitchen in Rome,” written by Rachel Roddy who lives in Rome but was originally from England. The recipe calls for pine nuts but as the Italian/Mediterranean pine […]

Mains, Vegetables & Side Dishes

End of Summer Zucchini Gratin

We’ve headed into fall and the remaining Romanesco zucchini need to be used…now what? I’d pretty much run through the  “zucchini repertoire” so I needed to come up with something for dinner.  There’s leftover barbecued corn from the night before…hmmm.   Kind of macaroni and cheese without the macaroni using zucchini and corn instead! We made […]

Mains

Eggplant Timballo

When it’s eggplant season…and they look so gorgeous, well you just have to cook something with them!  There’s Timballo, Eggplant Parmigiana, Pasta alla Norma, or even cubed up, sautéed and tossed on to a pizza. And those are only my Italian favourites. Middle Eastern eggplant preparations ring all my bells too! Makes About 6 Servings […]

Mains

Beer Braised Beef Stew

When fall and winter is upon us, there is nothing more comforting than a tummy warming stew. This is one of my all-time favourites. You can make it as spicy as you like and if you like to put potatoes in your stews, feel free. You can change out the turnips for 4 or 5 […]

Mains

Phyllis’ Cabbage Rolls

Makes a roasting pan full! And would be great as part of a casual potluck or a buffet! Cabbage Rolls hold a very special place in my heart. I’m not sure where Mom got her recipe, probably from someone in her family. I have adapted her original recipe with a couple of my own ideas […]

Mains

Braised Chicken with Ramps

Ramps are a rite of spring if you’re lucky enough to find them!  A simple braise with just a few  ingredients.  A clove of garlic plus either the green tops of scallions or some chopped up chives can be used if you can’t find those ramps. For The Chicken: 1 (3 lb.) chicken, cut into […]