WHERE HEALTHY AND FRESH MEET DELICIOUS
I love Paccheri pasta because of its large shape as it can be used in many different dishes such as lasagna-style dish, stuffed or just served with a hearty sauce. One of the famous Paccheri recipes in Calabria is Paccheri with swordfish. INGREDIENTS: SERVE 4 …
Even though it is only 13 days to spring, the cold weather is still sticking with us. Therefore, we still have time to enjoy comfort recipes to warm us up during the end of the winter season. This chickpeas recipe fits perfectly to beat the …
I like the simplicity of the tomato sauce, even if I believe in simmering the sauce for a long time to intensify the flavors. As every family has a different version on how to make this sauce, I find that it always tastes fresh, flavorful …
After three snow storms in one week and a very cold week ahead of us, I think nothing like a hot bowl of soup to warm up our body and to chase the chill away. INGREDIENTS: 1½ lb. cannellini beans 1 tablespoon olive oil 5 …
I like cooking beans. They are delicious, nutritious and full of fibers and protein. I cooked dried cannellini beans for this recipe; but you can choose your favorite beans such as Lima, Navy or Northern beans. INGREDIENTS: SERVE 6 1½ lb. cannellini beans 5 cups …
This kind of sauce reminds me of the fall when the pumpkins are abundant and in season. You can substitute the Calabaza with any available squash such as pumpkin, kabocha or butternut squash. As there are many variations to this dish. I personally oven-roast the …
This delicious and earthy soup tastes so good on cold winter days. INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. lentils 1 medium white onion finely diced 2 cloves of garlic crushed 6 cups vegetable stock more if needed 2-tablespoon tomato paste 1 bay leaf and 1 sprig of thyme …
Ragù Bolognese is one of my favorite sauces in Italian cuisine; it is so tasty and soul satisfying. While living in Italy I find out that every Italian cook has a favorite version of making the Ragù alla Bolognese, but the long slow cooking process …
To warm up on these chilly days, the bone marrow broth is very comforting and healing. Normally broths are the foundation for any good soups and sauces. Meanwhile a bone marrow broth can be served on its own, as it is very flavorful and nutritious. …
As a chef, I always consider flavorful stocks will make great base for soups and sauces. Homemade stocks are convenient, easy to make, flavorful, and contain no chemicals or preservatives. INGREDIENTS: 2 gallons cold water 2 medium white onions peeled and cut in quarters 4 …
This soup is so easy and delicious. My soup tastes like turnips, not overpowered by any other ingredients. That is why I chose sautéed apple to add sweetness to balance the flavors. INGREDIENTS: 1. Lb. turnips peeled, trimmed and cut to pieces 1 medium shallot …
There is no replacement for the great taste of homemade chicken stock; it is full of flavor and nutrition. The process of simmering for 2 hours enriches and augments the taste of the stock, which makes it an essential ingredient in many classic soups and …
I like making fresh pasta at home; it is an amazing experience full of satisfying pleasure of working with hands to create shapes and flavors. I had the privilege of learning to make fresh pasta while living in Italy and working side by side with …
The soup takes its name because of the similarity of its shiny color and its smoothness to the traditional bisque. This smooth and creamy soup can be served hot or cold, made with fresh tomatoes and a hint of fresh basil. It makes perfect lunch …
Try this quick and easy dessert for Valentine’s Day. A delicious mixture between cooked ripe pears and nutty flavors of the liqueur and the almonds. INGREDIENTS: 3 ripe Bosc pears peeled, cored and cut in halves 2 tablespoon melted unsalted butter 2-tablespoon hazelnut liquor (Frangelico) …
Homemade pizza tastes so delicious if you make it from scratch. Not only, you can cook the pizza according to the desired crispness but also, you can top it with your favorite toppings. INGREDIENTS: CRUST 2 cups of all-purpose flour 2/3-cup warm water 1 package …
I like this refreshing soup during cold nights even though I normally cook it in summertime when the tomatoes are in season. The charred tomatoes add the rustic and smoked flavor to the soup. INGREDIENTS: 2 Lb. ripe tomatoes washed, cut in halves 1 medium …
Get ready for winter citrus salads, It is citrus season and sometimes the simple recipes are the ones bursting with flavors. INGREDIENTS: SERVE 2 1 grapefruit sliced crosswise 1 orange sliced crosswise 1-tablespoon grapefruit 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 orange juice 1/2 cup …
Pears poached in saffron are delicious, especially when they are served with the reduced cooking liquid, which has a beautiful color and a fragrant smell. I like making this desert with Bosc pears as it cooks longer to become tender which allows enough time for …
There is no replacement for the great taste of homemade chicken soup; it is full of flavor and nutrition. Chicken soup makes perfect dinner during the cold nights. INGREDIENTS: 3 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ cup each of diced onion, carrots, potatoes …
It is beautiful spring day in the Garden State; the temperature starts rising up inviting us to picnics and outdoor activities. I made these fresh salsas and guacamole that you can enjoy with your friend and family during the nice weather. FAMOUS SMOKEY TOMATILLO SALSA …
A hot bowl of soup is certainly the best way to keep your body warm during these bitter cold days. As I mentioned earlier, I will occasionally post hot soup recipes during this wintertime. Today, this simple and hearty soup with two pounds of fresh …
Elegant and easy to prepare, this poached pears recipe makes a tasty dessert that will impress your family and friends. INGREDIENTS: 2 firm Bosc pears, cored, peeled and cut in halves 4 cup white wine Juice of ½ Orange ½ cup sugar 1 cinnamon stick …
This chickpeas based recipes is one of the most popular dish in the Middle Eastern cuisine. For a classic Hummus the main ingredients are always chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, cumin and garlic but it can be flavored with any desired spices or other ingredients. In this …
I made this dish while I have extra homemade tomato sauce and a fresh eggplant in hand. I was surprised how delicious this dish turns out to be, I loved the combination of the fried eggplant and the richness of the sauce, the basil adds …
Panettone is a soft, tall, cylindrical dome shaped Italian sweet bread with the festive aroma of raisins and candid fruits. In Italy, Panettone is an essential part of the holiday celebration especially during the Christmas season when it is eaten throughout the day, served with coffee …
This classic Hummus recipe is one of the most popular dishes in the Middle Eastern cuisine. I choose the roasted garlic as it gives the hummus a unique flavor, but you can choose your preferred flavors by adding your desired spices or ingredients. INGREDIENTS: Serve …
This ancient method of cooking that is still used today when it comes to preparing whole fish such as Branzino. I recently tried this method with a whole chicken and had great results – very tasty, tender, moist meat and not as salty as you …
One of my favorite recipes to welcome the fall season is the butternut squash soup – perfect to warm up on crispy autumn days. I like the sweet and the nutty flavors – a perfect to warm up on crispy autumn days. Butternut squash soup …
An easy recipe and great method of preparing Branzino as the salt traps all the flavors and juices inside the fish. A very flavorful and tasty dish. INGREDIENTS: 2 Lb. Branzino scaled and cleaned 2 egg whites 6 cups coarse sea salt 1 Tablespoon Olive oil and some for serving ½ …
Steamed fresh crabs is all about enjoying the process eating them from cracking, picking and smashing. One needs to be patient to earn that delicate taste. INGREDIENTS: 1Lb. wild live hardshell crabs 1 stack of celery sliced 1 bay leaf 1/2 lemon 1 sprig of …
I love mustard – the stronger it is, the better is. Mustard is great companion for your charcuterie board, your favorite sandwich, cheese plate, vinaigrette and salad dressing. This recipe can be easily tailored to your desired flavor. INGREDIENTS: ½ cup of mustard seeds ¾ …
August or Lobster season as I called it, which means it is time to enjoy the perfect lobster roll with affordable price. It is the time when the prices are sharply dropped for the consumers and this delicacy presented on the table more often. I …
I like my lobster roll with just a little bit of melted butter, without the overpowering flavors such as mayonnaise and crème fraiche. INGREDIENTS About 4 pound live lobsters Split top hot dog buns 4-tablespoon of unsalted butter 2-tablespoon lemon juice STEPS: In Large pot, Bring about …
The classic ratio of making the perfect jam is that the quantity of the sugar should be half of the fruit. This formula is one of the most common methods with great results, which ends up with a well-balanced flavor and texture. INGREDIENTS: 1 Pound …
I have been trying countless times attempting many versions by testing the cooking time and the right temperature before achieving the perfect homemade crispy kale chips. I always wanted to avoid wilted and saggy chips or the over-burned chips with dark edge. This recipe will …
These perfectly cooked homemade chips will satisfy your salty craving without leaving the house. INGREDIENTS: 3 Medium Idaho potatoes Vegetable oil for frying Kosher salt STEPS: First, heat the vegetable oil in saucepan or deep-frying to 365 degrees using the thermometer. Peel the potatoes skin …
This hearty Catalonian sauce is rich and flavorful. It is terrific as a dip or as a condiment with grilled vegetables, fish, meat, and chicken, or as a spread on toasts, the use of Romesco sauce is endless which makes it one of my absolute …
When I received a beautiful large bunch of kale this week, I realized I have plenty than making a kale salad. So the first thing comes to my mind is kale pesto. In this recipe, the sweetness of the kale and the nutty flavor of …
One of the main characteristics of the feta cheese is that it crumbles easily which makes it perfect choice for salads, flat breads, dips and so on. And because of its bold and rich flavor, feta cheese makes perfect appetizer such as feta marinated in …
This recipe is one of the simplest ways to enjoy your rhubarb when they are in season, it can be a substitute for your classic rhubarb recipes such as pies and crumbles. In this recipe the rhubarbs sweetened to perfection to balance its tartness and …
One of the first recipes I mastered while I was living in Italy was the classic pesto, the one based on basil, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Then I have learned that the pesto can be adapted to many varieties according to your cooking preferences. …
The idea of this recipe comes up when I was living in Tuscany, where we produce our own honey and where lavender plants are spread all around the property. It is a great combination to cook with these two local harvests. The aroma took me …
Rhubarb and strawberry go very well together and they come both in season at about the same time, so this is definitely going to be a perfect recipe. You can buy fresh Rhubarb when they are in season and freeze them since they have short …
I prefer to use my spiralizer machine in spring, as there are big selections of produce available and in season. I like using spiralizer, as it is much quicker and neater as well as the vegetables come out very beautiful. This creative way to make …
I like to keep my recipes fairly simple and easy without sacrificing the flavors and tastes. Belgium endives are expensive lettuce and some may find them a little bit tasteless. That is why; I like grilling them, which adds a character and smoky flavor. I …
Spring is the best time to enjoy the smooth flavor of the goat cheese. So I made this simple marinade, which will take your ordinary goat cheese to the next level. Perfect for your spring picnics and or just adding it to your salads, sandwiches …
Eggs are one of the nature’s most perfect foods, especially when you consider how economical it is to put this protein on the table. As a busy father, I am always looking for healthy choices for my family. I consider eggs as one of the …
In the Garden State, Asparagus has a short season, so I try to have it on the table as often as possible to take the advantage of the freshness and the quality. Therefore, I have been very creative of making different asparagus dishes to please …
Not only eggs have high quality of protein and nutrients, but they are quick and easy to cook as well. That is why; I always have a box of eggs available, either for busy days or for an elegant meal. In this recipe, I picked …