As always I'm sharing some of my favorite (and friends and family favorites) recipes for Thanksgiving dinner! This dish is a GREAT alternate to mashed potatoes! Low calorie and low carb, mashed turnips make a great substitute. Adding in a few carrots helps sweeten the dish and of course, a few pats of butter never hurt! Want to make them vegan? Use olive or coconut oil instead. And of course you can add in whatever kind of milk you normally use in your house!
Read MoreThis is pumpkin in a WHOLE new light! Savory pork is seasoned with warming Fall spices, then braised in pumpkin puree and stock along with onions, carrots, and kale for a 1 pot winter dish that will fill everyone up and keep 'em happy! Serve with crusty bread for the perfect cold weather dinner!
Read MoreWith cold weather settling in and the holidays coming up - someone is BOUND to catch a cold. And there's nothing more naturally healing than a bowl of homemade chicken soup! This easy soup is loaded with good for you nutrients AND it can be stored in the fridge or freezer for runny nose emergencies! If you prefer, you can add pasta or cooked rice at the end!
Read MoreCider doughnuts are one of my FAVORITE Fall foods! And while I love grabbing them fresh and hot from a farm after picking apples and pumpkins...I can't be there every day! So I figured out how to make donuts at home!
Read MoreChef and recipe developer Julie Hartigan joins us in the Cucina this week! She's teaching us her skinny shrimp scampi recipe along with some great kitchen tips for easy weeknight meals in general!
Read MoreOverdid it with the apple picking? Not to worry! Here's a quick, easy, sugar free recipe to preserve all that Fall bounty! Homemade applesauce is great with roast meats, in baked goods and even all on its own!!
Read MoreChef Eric LeVine is my special guest this week! We're showing you how to make a fabulous wild mushroom risotto for Fall. Talking about Taste of Hope NJ AND Chef's new gig!
Read MoreLearn how to make meatballs just like Mamma D! This is our family recipe and, like all good Italian children, I think MY Mom makes the best! But feel free to tell me how YOUR family makes their meatballs in the comments section!
Read MoreWatch how easy it is to make hummus at home! This snack is not only good for you, but quick and simple to make at home! PLUS learn how to make your own baked pita chips from pita bread!
Read MoreEnjoy these last days of Summer by using up her bounty of heirloom tomatoes in this fresh, delicious galette! Fast and easy and LOADED with good-for-you nutrients, it’s a great appetizer and/or vegetarian dish!
Read MoreThere's something about seafood that just screams Summer for me. And since we're winding down these last lazy, hazy days, I couldn't think of a better dish to serve up than spaghetti with clams! It's quick and easy, packed with fresh Summer flavors, and great for entertaining!
Read MoreThis simple summer dessert keeps everything outside on the grill! These are VERY easy to make and make a great presentation for guests! Serve them up with something sweet and cool - like whipped cream, ice cream or even some whipped ricotta!
Read MoreThis salad is a meal peppers dream! You can make it on your weekend and portion it out for the week! It can even sit in its dressing because it's quinoa based so it won't get soggy. Top it off with my Mediterranean spiced chickpeas OR grilled chicken if you're a carnivore.
Read MoreI may have cheated a little on the title here. This isn't tuna salad slathered in mayo. This tuna salad will actually benefit your body and keep you feeling full for HOURS! And the story of where I found it is the best part of all! (hint, got the idea in an airport!) Check out the video to see how I make tuna salad, Cucina style!
Read MoreMy friend Mike Favetta joins me in the Cucina this week showing us his version of pasta cacio e pepe! This classic Roman dish only has 3 ingredients but is often difficult to make! Mike shows us what he learned from the "Nonna" downstairs from his apartment in Milan!
Read MoreThis is NOT what Americans know as tiramisu. It's not cake, and it's not purely whipped cream - hell it's not even cooked eggs! (you'll be fine) This is an amazing recipe that turns out delicious and is fun and easy to make! Just make sure you get the right cookies! (The Italians were really insistent on the Pavesini) Snag those at the link in the recipe.
Read MoreThis simple salad makes great use of leftover or stale bread. As in all things Italian - nothing goes to waste! Soaked in good olive oil and white balsamic - along with the juices from fresh tomatoes and onion - the salad is PACKED with flavor! Let it sit up to overnight to maximize the flavor!
Read MoreMy dear friend Chef Jesse Jones is BACK in the Cucina showing us how to make his classic Southern fried chicken and sweet potato waffles! And we're talking about his new book, "POW! My Life in 40 Feasts" which you can purchase at the link in this post!
Read MoreCheck out this tried and true recipe for sweet and savory guava ribs! Perfect for the 4th of July or ANY BBQ! Pork ribs are roasted low and slow and then slathered in a mix of BBQ sauce and guava jelly! Super easy to make and SO delicious!
Read MoreI can't think of anything more impressive than hand made pasta. It's literally the way to anyone's heart! These ravioli are fun to make with and for family and friends - plus they have the easiest sauce EVER! Thanks again to the staff at Certosa di Pontignano AND Florencetown for showing us this one!
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