Last week I told you about our visit to the Acetaia Villa San Donnino to see how traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena is made. While I would argue that the authentic, traditional version of Balsamic Vinegar is best if you can get your hands on it, I also think it's important to be able to...
Vegetables
Pasta with Zucchini and Ricotta
There are a lot of things Italy does really well. For one, they really respect their ingredients. You don't have to speak their language to see that it is deeply ingrained in their heritage. You only really eat what you grow yourself, or what is grown in your immediate vicinity. You're buying from the person...
Apple Cole Slaw with Poppy Seed Dressing
One of my favorite things to enjoy at a picnic is Cole Slaw. There's a restaurant near our cabin that we really like going to, and their cole slaw has a distinct apple-y flavor to it, so I thought this recipe would be the perfect thing to accompany our first feast of Barbecue Ribs for the...
Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Dip
I'll be the first to admit that so far this year, my life has been...comical. A chain of events that would make for a decent storyline in a sitcom...like how my purse was stolen from a popular Canada-based donut/coffee chain by an employee, then the ridiculousness that followed was...well, it was something. Or how our...
Erbazzone (Savory Spinach and Mushroom Pie)
Erbazzone is basically a vegetable pie/tart that could be served as an appetizer, brunch, or main dish. The history of this dish originates in the Parma region of Italy, where they have ideal conditions for producing exquisite Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Yum. Seriously, can I go there, like right now? Cured meats and artisan...
Cavolo Ripieno (Italian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
I'm not sure about you all, but I am definitely growing weary of the arctic tundra snowpocalypse that we have been experiencing here in the mitten state lately. Case in point: my husband went hiking this weekend and he and his buddies built and slept in igloos. True story. I went ahead and passed on...
Homestyle Turkey Noodle Soup
When it comes to soup, homemade is just better than store-bought. In my previous experiences making homemade stock (usually chicken), I didn't roast the bones in the oven prior to making the stock like I did this time. This method gives a more complex depth of flavor. What better way to use up leftover turkey?...
Cream of Mushroom Soup
This Cream of Mushroom soup should not have the same name as the "stuff" in a can at the grocery store. It is rich, velvety, full of flavor, and perfectly heart-warming on a cold Winter's day. (It is -5 degrees as I write this.) A traditional meal at an estate the caliber of Downton Abbey...
Tomato & Sourdough Soup
Today was a soup kind of day. Cold, rainy, blah. One of those days where you don't really feel like cooking dinner when you walk in the door at 8pm. Then this soup happened and everything was better. It's simply satisfying, and oh-so easy to prepare. Tomato & Sourdough Soup Credit: Jerusalem, A Cookbook...
Old-Fashioned Dressing & A Recipe For The Leftovers
I must confess, I'm not usually a big fan of homemade dressing/stuffing. (Technically, this is a dressing, since it isn't being stuffed into the bird, but I will probably always call it stuffing out of habit.) It always seems to be too wet or too dry, or to full of rosemary, or something else that...