Caponata

    Well, summer is quickly winding down and the kids are back in school.  Soon fall will be here and the air  will feel a little cooler.  But, for now, gardeners everywhere are still reaping the rewards of their labor in the form of tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, etc.  This recipe is a great way to make use of all of those vegetables.

Fig and Pine Nut Tart

    Well, how has your summer been, friends?  Mine has felt like a whirlwind!  I mean, didn't school just end??  Didn't I just plant my garden with hopes of plenty of delicious tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant?? Where did the time go??  I had plans of sharing some great recipes with you throughout July and August, but..... things got a little overwhelming around here.....just life in general, I guess.  

Pork Filettino

    Today I'm sharing my slight adaptaton of one of Olive Garden's main dish recipes....Pork Filettino.  The pork is juicy and tender and the veggies are sweet and delicious after being roasted.  If the weather is cooperating, go ahead and grill the pork outside; if not, use a stovetop grill.  It works great!
 
     This recipe delivers a lot of flavor, without using a ton of ingredients.  And you can have it on the table in an hour.  I added a side of sauteed broccolini with lemon and garlic to round out the meal.....DELICIOUS!!

A Special Surprise and Mulberry Scones

    Well, I had a nice surprise recently.  The kind of surprise that, well, really surprises you!  You know, the kind that makes you wonder....."Where have I been?"......"How did I not see this coming?" 

    Now that I have your attention......

    It was a surprise that probably wouldn't get most of you all that excited, but it was such a blessing to me!  I've shared some about my Italian grandparents' garden here and how I love fresh figs, etc., but I'm not sure I told you about the mulberry tree that grew right near the back corner of their garage.  As we'd run along the side of the building to a back garden area, there it was, right behind the back left corner....The tree with the beautiful, long-ish berries, in shades of mauve and purple.  They were mild and delicious and something special that gramma and grandpa had in their yard that we didn't.  I've always thought it would be so wonderful to have one in my own yard........just another thing to remind me of my grandparents.

   

Orange Cornmeal Cake

    Today......something sweet!  This cake is delicious and refreshing........a perfect spring or summer dessert!  And, it contains two Italian ingredients you might not expect......olive oil and white wine!  That's right....a little unusual, maybe, but they give this cake a subtle and delicious flavor.  The cornmeal adds a little bit of texture. 
   
    Now, it's pretty well know around here that I have a real sweet tooth, and chocolate is at the very top of my list of indulgences.  That being said, I found this to be a very nice light, not too sweet dessert, totally acceptable to this "chocolate lover".

Homemade Cavatelli with Fresh Favas

    Well, we are  fully into spring, with the official start of summer just two weeks away.  The kids have finished the school year, so they're on "lazy" time already.  The garden is planted and I have several other projects waiting in the wings to be completed.  It seems that everywhere I turn there's something else that needs my attention......or someone's attention.  And......since I seem to be the one so acutely aware of all of these lovely "projects", I feel compelled to think about them constantly. when I have a little free time. :)  Sorry, I digress.....

     When I think of spring I also think of certain foods..........fava beans being one of them.  It's another  thing that reminds me of my Italian gramma and her large, thriving garden.  So, when springtime comes I start thinking about favas and where I can acquire some.  (Maybe I'll try to grow my own next year.) As usual, I'm the lone little Italian lady regularly asking my local supermarket to order all sorts of things (like favas) that, apparently, no one wants but me. 

Pepperoni-Mozzarella Pull Apart Bread

    Pizza.........one of humanity's great inventions!  And pepperoni pizza.......one of my kids' favorites!  So, when I saw this recipe on Facebook awhile ago, I knew I had to give it a try!   Balls of pizza dough dipped in a flavored oil, layered with lots of mozzarella and pepperoni and served with pizza sauce for dipping......really??  Did I have a choice?  This recipe has been calling to me for a few weeks now and finally  made it onto the table, or should I say, the t.v. trays in the living room. (We enjoyed it during a recent "movie night".)  It's really delicious.........filled with salty, cheesy, garlicky goodness!  And it's fun to eat......just pull off pieces and enjoy!  No fork or knife required!