This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is a show stopper. Not only it looks like a real pumpkin but it makes your mouth water just smelling the fragrance of delicious fall flavors: pumpkin, cinnamon, chocolate and raisins. The best part? It doesn’t require any special equipment or tedious preparation. In fact, this pumpkin shaped bread is …

Have you ever dreamed of a healthier, lighter and more digestible version of pizza? I have good news for you. This Roman Style Pizza or Pinsa Romana is an ancient, healthier and more digestible version of classic Neapolitan pizza. If you dig deeper into its origin, the recipe traces back to the times of Roman …

Orecchiette with broccoli rabe is one of the signature pasta dishes from Apulia, city of Bari in particular. This is a classic “poor man’s dish” or cucina povera that dates back to ancient times. A couple of simple local ingredients like homemade pasta (orecchiette), seasonal veggies (broccoli rabe), anchovy fillets, extra virgin olive oil, garlic …

Who doesn’t love soft and creamy texture of eggplants? Its mild and delicate flavor makes eggplant a perfect veggie (or it’s actually a FRUIT!) to pair with all sorts of flavors. That’s why eggplant is the main ingredient of some of the iconic Italian dishes. Parmigiana {Eggplant Parmesan} If you ask an Italian to name …

It’s like having a pizza, but low fat, low cal, and naturally gluten free 😊 Eggplants, hands down, is one of my favorite veggies. I love them in any shape, form and pairing. And so do I feel about pizza. But eating classic pizza too often is bad for the tummy and waistline, you know …

On a hot summer day, is there anything better than indulging yourself with one of these fresh, mouth watering desserts? 😊 The best part? Most of them are ready in under 20 minutes and there’s ZERO baking involved 😉💃 Lemon Semifreddo With Ricotta & Fresh Mint Sauce The lightest, semi-frozen dessert you can imagine! Its …

Are you tired of conventional steamed spinach or broccoli sides? This sauteed broccoli rabe will give you the perfect variety to classic healthy green sides. For those of you hearing about this leafy vegetable for the first time, let’s see what broccoli rabe actually is. What is Broccoli Rabe? Broccoli rabe is a green leafy …

Is there anything more appetizing than these colorful polenta squares topped with creamy mushroom ragu and perfectly melted cheese?? And while it got you thinking I bet your mouth is watering. Like always, here some of the tricks to make your polenta squares easier, tastier and all around irresistible. Polenta / Cornmeal Classic polenta usually …

Let’s not talk about canestrelli as classic shortbread cookies from Northern Italy (Liguria and Piedmont region in particular) – even though that IS true. But what is more important is this. As you put a cookie in the mouth it immediately feels like heaven. Delicious lemony flavor, super soft and butter-ly texture with a light …

If you’re looking for simple, delicious, no-fuss dish that can be served in many different ways then you’ve got to try this green beans and potato salad! Slightly crunchy green beans are paired with soft potatoes and seasoned with delicious olive oil, vinegar and parsley dressing. Add finely chopped garlic if you like a bit …

Cuccidati Siciliani, also spelled as “cucciddati” are typical Italian Fig Cookies from Sicily that are made during Christmas time and big holidays. Shortbread pastry dough stuffed with soft, fragrant mix of dried figs, nuts, chocolate, candied fruit and a hint of cinnamon is what makes cuccidati cookies unforgettable from the first bite. Cuccidati Origin Speaking …

Pumpkin Tortelli or Tortelli Mantovani is a traditional pasta from Northern Italy (Lombardy region) made particularly for Christmas Eve. Pumpkin, as a protagonist of the season is also a key ingredient in the filling of these tortelli. But Tortelli Mantovani are called so for a reason. It’s not just simple pumpkin that sets them aside, …

Have you ever heard of Italian mustards? It’s not a conventional type of mustard, but rather a type of condiment in and of itself. To make Italian Mustard, candied fruit such as quince apples, green apples, pears and more are cooked in mustard-flavored syrup. Today we are making one of the most classic and one …

Also called Brutti Ma Buoni are traditional Italian cookies made with cooked meringue and chopped hazelnuts. Their origin is pretty vague. Some thing they were first seen in a family-owned pastry shop in Gavirate, Lombardia. Others believe they come from Piemonte region or even Emilia Romagna. Whatever the truth is all agree that they are …

Cold days are here, which means it’s the best time to indulge yourself with a hot bowl of homemade pasta. With all seasonal fall foods like mushrooms and chestnuts these tagliatelle is luxury in the bowl. Trust me, with homemade semolina flour pasta (tagliatelle, fettuccine or pappardelle are the best) that texture, that tiny little …