Pasta Fagioli

The epitome of poor man's food. Pasta & beans. Pasta e fagioli. Or, as it has come to be known here in the North East, pasta fazool (I cringe to write that). Whatever you call it, however you make it - it's an easy, quick and delicious dinner. Perfect for a chilly weeknight! Buon Appetito! 

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Jarred Tomatoes "I Pomodori"

It's an annual tradition for so many Italian-American families. You'll see them in driveways and garages, on back patios and front porches; cutting, cooking and jarring tomatoes. The Mollano family in Nanuet New York were kind enough to let us come to their home and share their tradition with us. PLUS watch how you can win a cookbook!

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Turkey Meatballs with Elite Lifestyle Cuisine

Celebrity Chef Carlo Filippone joins me in the Cucina this week to share his healthy turkey meatball recipe! Plus we learn about his meal prep company, Elite Lifestyle Cuisine! It's what's being served this week in Cara's Cucina!

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Pumpkin Waffles

These delicious waffles are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside! Busting with the flavors of fall you're definitely going to want to add these to your weekend breakfast routine! Plus, the leftovers freeze really well so you can pop 'em in the toaster on weekday mornings! 

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Summer Pasta with Zucchini & Ricotta

Summer's NOT over just yet and I have one more dish bursting with fresh summer flavors! This dish is so simple and uses one of my favorite flavor combinations! Zucchini with basil, lemon and ricotta! It's the perfect pasta dish for summer. 

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Caponata

This traditional Sicilian dish is the perfect way to use up Summer's bounty of garden vegetables! Roasted eggplant, red peppers and tomatoes come together for a rich flavor that is perfect on crostini, sandwiches or even by itself! My grandmother used to make this for my Mom and her siblings as a summertime lunch when they were kids.

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Lobster Rolls from Langosta Lounge

This New England classic goes ALL Jersey as Chef Marilyn Schlossbach of Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park puts her special twist on lobster rolls! Check out her recipe & step by step video! 

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Grammy's Green Bean Salad

Necessity is the mother of all invention. And when my grandfather had tons of green beans from the garden, my grandmother had to come up with something to DO with them. This green bean salad recipe is her solution. 

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Berry Cobbler

This easy summer dessert is perfect in its imperfection. A great dish to make if you're short on time OR new to baking. Nothing here has to be too precise, and you don't have to work hard to make it look pretty. It's also a great dish to make with the kids cause they get to use their hands! I hope you all enjoy this delicious summer recipe! 

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Rat's Restaurant, Zucchini Salad

Watch how to make a delicious salad using summer zucchini, fresh ricotta and pickled cherries with Chef Ed Crochet of Rat's Restaurant in Hamilton NJ! Set within Ground For Sculpture, this restaurant offers a beautiful dining experience. Try the salad at home or make a day trip to Rat's and check out the Grounds!

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Moscow Mule

We always love when Mixologist Carlos Ruiz comes for a visit, especially before the weekend! This  time he shows us how to make a super popular, Moscow Mule! Watch him do his thing with the video above, and then follow the recipe below (and maybe multiply it) to make them at home!

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Italian Hot Dog

Try this Jersey classic at your next BBQ or cookout! Hot dogs topped with onions, peppers and potatoes! Served on an Italian roll! This isn't your average dog, it's an Italian Hot Dog!

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Ceviche

Who doesn't love a summer dish that requires NO heat!? Ceviche is a great way to get in fresh veggies and delicious seafood without ever turning on a grill or burner. This dish is truly the magic of the kitchen as the acid in fresh citrus juices cures the fish to perfection! Try my recipe for dinner tonight!

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Buck Burgers

Try something new! I invited Pope & Young Record Holding Hunter Rich Stollery to the Cucina to teach us a bit about hunting and show us his Buck Burger recipe! Seriously, give them a try! 

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Red, White & Blue Potato Salad

We're celebrating the Red, White & Blue with this star spangled salad! Baby red, white and blue potatoes get roasted off with some fresh dill and rosemary. Then dressed in a light mixture of mustard, Greek yogurt, fresh herbs and olive oil! If heavy, milky potato salad is not your jam - this version definitely will be! The perfect side dish for ANY July 4th cook out or BBQ! Enjoy!

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Grilled Strip Steak with Chef Jesse Jones

Chef Jesse Jones is back in the Cucina for Father's Day and showing us how to grill up the perfect strip steak for Dad! You'll never grill steaks the same way again! 

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