Another great family recipe enjoyed during my moms childhood on the farm was Sweet Kettle Corn. Her mom would pop up a large batch of popcorn for the adults while they spent the evening playing cards. This is a favorite snack featured at County Fairs and Town Markets all over America.
Ooey Gooey Blonde Brownies (Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies)
Here is a classic recipe from the little blue vinyl cook book from my childhood. I’m not sure where my mom got this recipe but it was always a favorite and so easy to make when you are having a serious dessert craving and you have nothing in the house to eat. In fact, that is just what happened while I was home visiting my mom.
Lasagna Bolognese
When I returned home to California for a visit, my sister asked me to make Italian Style Lasagna. My sister is known for her very hefty and delicious “American” style lasagna that is full of different cheeses, sausage and ground beef and costs a fortune to make. So we had told her how simple lasagna in Italy is and she really wanted to try it. I don’t know if it will be a game changer for them but this is how they do it in Italy…
Old Fashioned Peach Crisp
Ahhhh, the peak of the Summertime is late July, and nothing says Summer better than a homemade peach crisp slowly melting a dallop of vanilla ice cream that has been scooped on top. Peaches are one of my favorite fruits, from the fuzzy soft skin to the blush of red around the gnarled pit, I love this summer stone fruit!
Ossobuco alla Milanese (Milan Style Veal Shanks with Saffron Risotto)
As I stroll the meat isle at the grocery store in italy I am often baffled at the descriptions on the packages such as Macinata Scelta Bolvino Adulto, which simply is ground beef. But the age of the beast, the type of animal (pig, cow, chicken, etc…) Where it was raised as well as the cut are all important parts of the description. I often can’t find cuts that I am familiar with from America and so end up with less than the desired effect when cooking my standard recipes.
Arancini (Fried Rice Balls)
So I have finally mastered the Risotto and have been enjoying its creamy decadent wonder every week now. Amazing flavors like Pumpkin Risotto, Milanese Risotto, Mushroom Risotto, Radicchio Risotto and Shrimp Risotto. There is the rare occasion when all the risotto does not get eaten up and the bowl licked clean and you find yourself with leftover risotto in the fridge.
Pasta Carbonara
Carbonara was a dish that alluded me before I moved to Italy. It flies contrary to the cooking style of Americans. We view all sauces as containing cream or tomato sauce but this is not true of Italian pasta. The sauce is usually very simple, so simple we can’t imagine it to be correct.
Steamed Mussels and Fettuccine (Cozze e Fettuccine)
We live in Nettuno, a beach town one hour south of Rome. The only thing Italians love as much as sun tanning on the beach is sauntering up from their sun beds into the Borgo for a steaming plate of mussels and pasta.
Easy Authentic Italian Tiramasu
I currently live in Italy and this recipe for Tiramisu has become my new “go to” recipe for making a dessert for company. It is prepared the day in advance, it’s easy and always a hit! Whenever we have guests arriving from the US we always make this dessert and it woos them everytime, but even my Italian friends love my recipe and rave about how authentic it is, high praise indeed!
Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Salad (Bun Bo Xoa)
With Keto Adaptable Recipe!
I love living in Italy and trying ALL the delicious food that is available here. However, you can take the girl out of California but you can’t take the California out of the girl. I am used to a multi-cultural cuisine and I still get a serious craving for food that is NOT Italian. Tonight I am craving Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Salad!