International cuisine website “Saveur” features an article called “Pasta’s Predecessor: The History of Gnocchi,” that I found really interesting when trying to figure out how the little potato dumplings came to be. As with all traditional foods, there is controversy about where in Italy the dish originated, as well as when it was first developed, …
Continue reading “Say ‘oky gnocchi’ to trying this creamy pasta dish”
I know that most of the recipes I share with you in this space are “sometimes” foods. From pasta-laden, full-fat casseroles swimming in cheese to decadent desserts with more sugar than a bag of Pixy Stix, I know the temptation is real. But we all need some recipes that look and sound a bit sinful …
Continue reading “Lighten up and try a new lasagna recipe this week”
I bought so many mushrooms this week. And when I tell you that even the cashier at our local grocery store asked me what was up with the mushrooms, you know I definitely bought more than a normal person does. What can I say? I love a good sale. And this sale included big, beautiful …
Continue reading “Cap off this week with a yummy spinach mushroom lasagna”
We decided to have a few friends over for dinner this past week, and I decided it was finally time for me to try this amazing-looking recipe for a baked Italian dish. Joey was gracious enough to help me out by manning the saute pan. He was busy cooking the sausage and onion and asked, …
Continue reading “Make a ‘rigaton’ of food with this sausage pasta bake”
In an online article, author Ossiana Tepfenhart explains that there are lots of foods we now consider “fancy” that were once “poor man’s food.” Dishes that fit the bill include lobster, oysters and even caviar. Another dish that she could have included? Ratatouille. The summer stew, native to Nice, France, was once considered a humble …
Continue reading “Want to be a French chef? You can d’ouille’ it!”
With the weather finally warming up, it’s about the time of year when you begin meeting yourself coming and going, it seems. There are so many activities outdoors, and staying inside after the harsh winter on top of a pandemic makes me want to spend every moment I can out in the yard or taking …
Continue reading “Spring is time to come out of your shell”
Whenever a friend or family member is under the weather or hurt or grieving, one of my first inclinations is to try to feed them. An article from 2016 by Adam McDaniel lays out the reasons human beings love to share food—part of it being sharing culture and part of being sociology. “Food has a …
Continue reading “A gift of casserole is not easy to ‘spaghett’”
One of the spots Joey and I chose to visit for our honeymoon over a decade ago was Philadelphia, Pa. As one must when visiting Philadelphia, we tried Philly cheesesteaks at several restaurants around the city. True die-hards will be sad to know that I was not brave enough to try any of my sandwiches …
Continue reading “Cheesy pasta is just the thing to ‘Philly’ you up”
I managed to hit the local grocery store at just the right time a few nights ago to score a couple huge steaks on a great sale. I was pumped about my luck, and I decided to grab a few sweet potatoes for a side dish to go along with them for a killer meal. …
Continue reading “How ‘yam’ I still surprised at this point?”
Is it just me, or has it been particularly difficult to decide what to make for dinner lately? OK, so I know it’s definitely not just me—it’s Joey, too. If you’re not having this same “let’s stare at each other until one of us breaks and makes a decision” moment every evening, I envy you. …
Continue reading “‘Ciao’ down on Tuscan sausage pasta”