Recent Posts

pasta-with-sausage-and-cabbage
Main Dish, Pasta

Pasta with Sausage and Cabbage

 

 Pasta with Sausage and Cabbage is a crowd pleaser! We’ve made it so many times I can’t keep count anymore. Even our friends who claim that they “don’t like cabbage”, love it. This dish is hearty, economical and easy to make. It consists of pasta, Italian sausage, savoy cabbage, leeks, […]

Roasted-Butternut-Squash-Agrodolce
Side Dishes

Roasted Butternut Squash Agrodolce

 

 Roasted Butternut Squash Agrodolce is a new and different twist on butternut squash! The squash is roasted in the oven than dressed with a tangy sweet-and-sour vinaigrette, and topped with pomegranate seeds and fresh mint! The roasting imparts a deep, rich flavor to the butternut squash. The pomegranate seeds bring […]

pork-braciole
Main Dish, Meat

Pork Braciole

 

 Pork Braciole is a celebratory dish in our house! This year we are making it for Christmas dinner. It does require some work in advance, but then you just put it in the oven to cook. Serve it with a side of pasta and a salad and dinner is complete. […]

mexican-wedding-cake-cookies
Baked Goods, Desserts

Mexican Wedding Cake Cookies

 

 Mexican Wedding Cake Cookies are one of the most popular cookies that I make every Christmas. They’re little morsels of buttery deliciousness studded with pecans and covered in powdered sugar! What’s your favorite cookie? My Christmas gift giving amounts to decorative tins filled with cookies. The decorative tin boxes are […]

Sicilian Sesame Seed Cookies
Baked Goods, Desserts

Sicilian Sesame Seed Cookies

 

 Sicilian Sesame Seed Cookies go by many names like Biscotti Regina, Giugiuleni or, as Joe’s family calls them, Cimino Cookies. This cookie is shaped like a little loaf of bread covered in sesame seeds. It is isn’t overly sweet, but is perfect for dunking! These cookies are a holiday favorite […]

Vanilla-tutu-cookies
Baked Goods, Desserts

Vanilla Tutu Cookies

 

 I make Vanilla Tutu Cookies every year at Christmas time. They are a moist, yet dense vanilla cookie covered with icing and decorated with sprinkles. They’re the perfect cookie to dunk into a cup of coffee. I learned how to make Vanilla Tutu Cookies from my Sicilian mother-in-law, Anna Rose, […]

chocolate-tutu-cookies
Baked Goods, Desserts

Chocolate Tutu Cookies

 

 Chocolate Tutu cookies are a staple holiday dessert in most Southern Italian/Sicilian families. The spelling actually varies by region and family. Joe’s family uses the spelling tutu, but tetu, toto and even dodo are common variations. They all describe this little round chocolate cookie covered in a thick icing. This […]

gingerbread-cookies
Baked Goods, Desserts

Gingerbread Cookies

 

 My mother made these Gingerbread Cookies every year at Christmas time. They are made with a nice blend of spices, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and are sweetened with molasses and brown sugar. These cookies are thin, crunchy and addicting! A Holiday Tradition I still uphold the Christmas tradition of […]

chicken-marsala-over-spaghetti-squash
Main Dish, Meat

Chicken Marsala over Spaghetti Squash

 

 Chicken Marsala over Spaghetti Squash is a rich and satisfying dish. It makes the perfect intimate dinner for two, but can be a great dinner party entrée as well. It is a variation of traditional Italian scaloppini dishes, of which there are many varieties throughout Italy. What is Chicken Marsala? Scaloppini is […]

cinnamon-apple-filled-cupcakes
Baked Goods, Desserts

Cinnamon Apple Filled Cupcakes

 

 These cinnamon apple filled cupcakes topped with a maple swiss meringue buttercream encapsulate all the delicious flavors of fall in one yummy treat! They take a few steps to make, but are totally worth it! The cupcakes are light and fluffy with just a hint of cinnamon. Then, they’re packed […]