How comforting it is to have a steaming bowl of soup on a cold November day. One of our favorite soups in my house is Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup. It’s like a party in a bowl and is a real crowd pleaser. I can’t even count how many countries I have made this soup in: America, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Japan…I have been making this Tortilla Soup for years now and it never disappoints.
I have made this Polenta and Ragu on several occasions now. My first attempt was actually not mine at all but a generous Italian friend volunteered to come over and cook this hearty dish for some visiting friends. I loved the experience from top to bottom. My friends gathered in the kitchen and began preparing the polenta.
Mmmmm, Pumpkin Risotto! It was one of my first acquired recipes while living in Italy and one of my favorites! The Autumn, with its sunny days and cold nights is the perfect time to enjoy this Autumn vegetable while it warms your home and your family. Pumpkin Risotto is like eating macaroni and cheese, the color is orange and the texture creamy. The addition of butter and parmesan at the end adds that cheesy goodness that we all crave.
There are some things I will really miss about living in Italy, such as the produce I will just not be able to taste again until I return. One is the Porcini. This mushroom is available in the spring and fall and is native to the forests in this part of Europe. It does not have “gills” like the large Portobella we are familiar with in America. But it is similar in size. It is medium golden brown and thicker than a Portobello. The flavor is intense and woodsy but not as intense as a truffle.
What could be more homey than a chicken roasting in the oven with the smell of rosemary and thyme wafting through the air? The promise of a hearty meal soon to be set at the table. In our modern era of convenience foods the smells of a slow cooked meal are almost extinct. But this smell conveys the feeling of family and love and contributes to the families feeling of well being.
Seasons are changing and here in Italy fall is in the air. The mornings have that cool crisp feeling and we are starting our day a little later as even the sun wants to stay in bed longer. This slight change is bridging that gap between two seasons: the waning of Summer and the start of Autumn.
Its the end of summer and those of us who planted those adorable little basil plants in early summer with dreams of fresh pesto and bruschetta now have basil plants the size of trees spilling out of our Italian balconies. But have no fear, a sizable batch of pesto will soon cut those basil trees back down to size.
Shrimp Tacos originate from California, Baja California that is, and they are definitely my “go-to” dish. I first had them years ago at a restaurant in California and quickly went home and came up with my own version. They are fast and easy to make and I usually have the ingredients on hand.
Grilled vegetables are a great addition to any dinner menu, buffet table or Aperitivo spread. They help to balance out all of those platters of salami and prosciutto and cheese adding much needed fiber to the diet!
Nothing says “Summer Picnic” better than fried chicken and coleslaw. I recently had a friend who told me she learned how to make “the best fried chicken ever!” She told me the step by step instructions. I guess the thought stayed in my mind because I have had the urge to make fried chicken ever since.
