Tag: Italian Cuisine

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 […]

My Stories

Pasta Rules!

I’m beginning to wonder if there’s something wrong with me!  Here’s why… An article I was recently reading in a local magazine included a photo not unlike this one, minus the basil leaf, of white spaghetti topped with a huge dollop of tomato sauce. And as soon as I saw it I had a visceral […]

My Stories

You’ve Come a Long Way Baby!

I have been totally consumed by recipe searches and cooking for a very long time! Except for a time out to get my Interior Decorating Diploma, something I’d wanted to do since I was in high school, my passion for cooking has always been at the fore. The baking thing all started when I was […]

Mains

Sausages With Black Grapes

This recipe is a specialty of Umbria in Italy according to Julia della Croce and comes from her cookbook “Umbria.”  I like to make this in the fall using local grapes from our farmer’s market.  I “tweaked” the original recipe just for fun! The beauty of the dish is that it’s so easy to put […]

Mains

Turkey, Hunter’s Style

This recipe for Tacchino alla Cacciatora is from Julia della Croce’s lovely cookbook “Umbria.” The book explores the foods and traditions of that region of Italy and is filled with great recipes. Turkey, either wild or farm raised, is eaten all over Umbria but not the whole roasted bird we are accustomed to in North […]

Mains

Osso Bucco With Tomatoes, Olives And Gremolata

We love Osso Bucco! We’ve even made it using turkey drumsticks! You can easily double the recipe if you have a bigger crowd or if you want leftovers to store. Using red wine and beef broth will make a more intense, richer sauce; depending on your mood! Both are excellent served with either polenta or […]

Pasta

Tuscan Veal, Sausage And Porcini Ragu

What can I say, this is delizioso! A ragu that can be served with fresh pappardelle or fettucccine.  If we feel like having pici (a thick, long Tuscan pasta) and I don’t feel like making it,  I substitute a dried pasta called Strangozzi made by De Cecco di Filippo, or  good quality Chitarra pasta.  Ah…how […]

Mains

Saltimbocca alla Romana

When my sage bush is turning out it’s new leaves is when I like to cook Saltimbocca.  Checchino dal 1887 Trattoria in Rome has it on their menu.  Having tried a number of Saltimbocca recipes, I find this one to be really simple and have rated it to be the best Saltimbocca I’ve made so […]

Pasta

Turkey Ragu For Pasta

I really like using ground turkey to make a lighter style of ragu. Anyone who loves Italian pasta needs a really good tasting ragu recipe and I think this definitely fits the bill.  Buon gusto!  I’ll be making it tonight with chitarra pasta (a long, thick square shaped pasta). For the Ragu: 1 medium onion […]

Appetizers, Mains

Phyllis’ Eggplant Parmigiana

Eggplant was something new to us until a few years ago.  Sad to say we’ve missed out on a number of years of deliciousness!   I love the ways countries around the Mediterranean cook them.  I’m been bent on getting to learn more about different preparations. While staying in Greve in Chianti a few years ago, […]