Recent Posts

Steak Pizzaiola

Steak Pizzaiola

If you ever watched the TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond” you’ll remember that this was Ray’s favorite dish. This recipe brings the lush and juicy flavors of pizza together with the bold and substantial flavor of a beef steak.

Risotto

Risotto

Creamy and savory, Risotto is a great side dish for any meal, not just Italian. Any recipe you find will tell you to use Arborio rice (and I’m sure that would make the best risotto) but I’m not trying to impress Gordon Ramsey and I 

Pesto

Pesto

Pesto is another great way to add Italian flavor to pasta without using tomato sauce. This can make a great side dish for steaks and chops. Growing your own basil is a big help – the pesto will taste fresher, it costs far less than 

Peposo – Tuscan Peppered Beef

Peposo – Tuscan Peppered Beef

I found this recipe from Chef John at Food Wishes. He tells the story of how the poor terra cotta workers in Tuscany invented this dish to cook while they were working near the pottery ovens. They used a lot of garlic and black pepper 

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata

A unique combination of butter, lemon juice and capers (or, as I prefer it, with kalamata olives in red wine) give this chicken dish a complex flavor.

Chicken Lombardy

Chicken Lombardy

This is a variation of the Olive Garden classic. The chicken is fork tender and full of flavor. This is a savory dish that can satisfy a crowd, along with some pasta and a salad.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

If you would like some Italian flavor without the red sauce, give this a try. It’s a little like breakfast Italian style with eggs and pancetta (Italian bacon). The legend is that this is a meal coal miners made at work taking eggs and pancetta 

Braciole

Braciole

Did you ever watch the show “Everyone Loves Raymond”? This is the dish that Deborah made that Frank loved so much (and made Marie so angry). And it is really very good. Beef steak, pounded thin, wrapped around a delicious Italian stuffing, browned, and then 

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs is kind of a cliche but when made from scratch is absolutely delicious. I used to think “why not just add Italian sausage to the sauce” and then I made them and found out why. The browning that takes place adds a 

Sue’s Meatloaf

Sue’s Meatloaf

Sue makes such great meatloaf that I’ve never wanted to even try and make it myself. This recipe is moist and full of flavor.