This Creamy Tomato Sauce is a great tomato-based pasta sauce with a luxurious and satisfying creaminess that makes for a nice change from traditional marinara on spaghetti night. If there's any cooking skill that I HIGHLY recommend everyone developing, it's knowing how to make a few sauces. Once you've got a few sauce methods in...
Italian
Crispy Thin Crust Pizza
Our first meal when we arrived in Italy was pizza. Exhausted and jet-lagged, we were feeling hungry and groggy. We walked the route from our apartment along the main street of our little town to explore our new surroundings, and then picked up two pizzas to bring back with us for lunch (or dinner to...
Authentic Italian Tiramisu
Tiramisu was invented in Treviso, very near our apartment here in Italy. It only seemed fitting that I should order tiramisu at every establishment that offered it on their menu during my three month stint. Having concluded my Tiramisu tasting study , I feel like I am prepared to try to perfect the ultimate, authentic Italian Tiramisu as my...
Minestrone with Pesto
It's nearly time for me to pack things up and head back home to the US. In preparation for our departure there are lots of things to be done, details to be arranged, etc. But a girl's gotta eat! In an effort to avoid many more trips to the market before we leave, I made...
Homemade Gnocchi with Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce
If there's one thing I thought would be easier to get used to while living here, it would be the lack of conversation. In two months, I have only spoken to my husband of course, and my family a few times via Skype. Everything else is patchy Italian for survival. While I'm definitely not lacking...
Nutella Tartlets with Banana
There's this rumor going around the Internet that there is a threat of a Nutella shortage looming...Well, I guess I owe you all an apology then. My Nutella comsumption has increased sevenfold since we arrived in Italy. Why? I'm not sure. It could be that it's so delicious, and the Italian version seems somehow creamier...
Homemade Focaccia
I love bakeries. I wish I could live in one. Seriously. The next best thing to living in a bakery is baking where you live, I suppose. Baking bread, especially Italian bread, can be tricky in a home oven. It's tough to get the temperature hot enough for it to turn out with the correct...
Bolognese (Ragù alla Bolognese)
All meat sauces are not created equal. While there's nothing wrong with tossing some ground beef into your favorite tomato sauce, there happens to be a much better, more authentic way to prepare a meat sauce that will sort of take your breath away. Believe me-- this is coming from the person who likes ground...
Zeppole
Fried dough. It sounds so plain and mundane, but when you think about it--the possibilities are endless. Countless regions around the world have their own versions of fried dough that are part of their culinary heritage. Beignets in New Orleans. Churros in Mexico. Sufganiya are enjoyed in Israel and around the world in celebration of Hanukkah. Bomboloni...
Baked Parmesan Polenta
Polenta is a staple in Italian cooking. I must admit though, I am late to the polenta party. I don't love creamy polenta served in a bowl. It reminds me too much of cream of wheat, and the texture is just not my favorite. That being said, I do love the flavor, which is where baked...