Best Gifts For The Home Cook

My 5 recommendations for holiday gift ideas for the home cook in your life! These are all staples in the Cucina and I think every home cook should have 'em!

Potato Gnocchi

I'm sharing my great-grandmother's recipe for hand-made potato gnocchi! Born in northern Italy, she taught me how to make these perfect pasta pillows from scratch, and now I'm sharing them with you! This is a cherished recipe for me and I hope it becomes one for you as well!

Southwest Style Stuffed Pepper

Check out how to make these delicious Southwest Style Stuffed Peppers! Bell peppers, stuffed with quinoa, corn, salsa and black beans make a delicious and easy dinner; AND perfect lunch leftovers the next day! Healthy meal planning at its best!

Prime Rib Roast

The star of the show! This prime rib roast will blow your guests away - but you don't have to tell them just how easy it was to make! Follow my simple recipe and enjoy a blessed & beautiful Christmas!

dinner, Holiday, recipesCara Di FalcoDecember 20, 2017cucina, caras cucina, cara di falco, food, cook, cooking, holiday, christmas, christmas dinner, dinner, rib roast, standing rib roast, prime rib, prime rib roast, beef, meal, recipe, recipesComment

Cardamom Spiced Crumb Cake

This crumb heavy cake is perfectly spiced to make anyone's "nice" list! Make it for guests, or give as a gift! Don't forget if you haven't already, subscribe on Youtube and you could WIN Food & Wine's Dessert book!

baking, breakfast, brunch, dessert, Holiday, recipesCara Di FalcoNovember 29, 2017cucina, caras cucina, cara di falco, food, cook, cooking, bake, baking, dessert, food & wine, cookbook, crumb cake, cardamom, holida, holidays, christmas, cake, how to, how to make, how to cook, how to bake, how to make crumb cake, breakfast, brunchComment

Pasta Alla Griccia

Learn how to make this classic Roman dish! With only three ingredients it's the perfect weeknight meal. Al dente pasta, bathed in pork drippings and cheese - really what more could you want!? A crack of fresh black pepper and dinner is ready!

dinner, pasta, recipesCara Di FalcoNovember 8, 2017cara di falco, caras cucina, cucina, food, cook, cooking, pasta, pasta alla griccia, guanciale, pancetta, bacon, pork, pork cheek, italian, italian food, italian cooking, Rome, Roman, fall, winter, cold, hearty, easy, quick, 3 ingredient, pecorino romano, cheese, how to, how to make, how to cook, cooking class, online cooking class, free cooking class, recipe, recipes, holiday, holidays, meal, family, classic, dinner Comment

Stuffed French Toast

I am celebrating Mom's by making this beautiful and delicious stuffed French toast! Soft challah bread is battered in eggs and stuffed with sweetened mascarpone cheese and fresh strawberries! Perfect for Mom!

breakfast, brunch, Holiday, recipesCara Di FalcoMay 10, 2017cucina, caras cucina, cara di falco, food, cook, cooking, breakfast, brunch, mom, mother's day, may, spring, french toast, strawberry, strawberries, recipeComment

Risotto con Pollo

I was challenged to come up with a Mexican/Italian fusion dish for Cinco de Mayo...this Mexican inspired risotto is packed with flavor! I hope you enjoy my Italian take on "arroz con pollo."

dinnerCara Di FalcoMay 3, 2017cucina, cara di falco, caras cucina, food, cook, cooking, mexican, italian, rice, risotto, cinco de mayo, may, spring, meal, family, recipe, dish, chicken, fresh, how to, how to make, how to cookComment

Baklava

Learn how to make this traditional Greek dessert as we get ready for both Easter & Greek Easter! Flaky layers of fillo stuffed with nuts and honey make for a delicious treat! This recipe is one my Uncle has used and perfected - Enjoy!

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Chicken Cacciatore

An Italian classic and the perfect winter meal! I'll show you how to make fall off the bone chicken cacciatore. Follow along step by step to make this "poor man's food" style dish. Chicken, sausage and mushrooms come together in a hearty tomato sauce for a stick to your ribs meal the whole family will love!

dinner, recipesCara Di FalcoFebruary 22, 2017cucina, cara di falco, caras cucina, food, foodie, cook, cooking, dinner, meal, recipe, italian, italian food, italian cuisine, how to, how to make, how to cook, chicken, sausage, mushrooms, tomato, chicken cacciatore, family Comment

One Dish Wonder - Chicken Dinner

Life Coach Kathy Lindert is back in the Cucina to show us another One Dish Wonder! Check out her recipe for a one dish chicken! Easy and healthy, plus a quick clean up? What more could you want on a weeknight?

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One Dish Wonder - Baked Eggs

Special guest, hypnotist & life coach, Kathy Lindert joins us in the Cucina this week to show us one of her "one dish wonder" recipes! Fast, fresh & easy, this baked egg dish will keep you powering through the morning rush all week long! Then check out Kathy's site to learn more about how she's helping people!

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Pernil (Roast Pork Shoulder)

Need to feed a crowd on Game Day (or any day?) Learn this simple and delicious recipe for pernil, or roast pork shoulder. Cara shows you an easy, flavorful marinade and tells you how to get that skin perfectly crispy. Your group will love this dish served with easy sides like rice or potatoes! Yum!

dinner, Holiday, recipesCara Di FalcoFebruary 1, 2017cucina, cara di falco, caras cucina, food, cook, cooking, roast, pork, pork shoulder, pernil, boston butt, game day, super bowl, meal, recipe, family, friends, crowd, easy, spanish food, latin food, dinnerComment

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

Learn how to make this delicious winter dish. Butternut squash gets roasted and turned into a creamy sauce. While the traditional ricotta filling gets an added nutritional boost from baby spinach! This hearty dinner will warm you up on a cold day - and for days to come because it makes even better leftovers!

dinner, lunch, recipes, vegetarianCara Di FalcoJanuary 18, 2017cucina, cara di falco, caras cucina, food, cook, cooking, fall, winter, vegetarian, butternut squash, pasta, stuffed shells, shells, ricotta, stuffed pasta, dinner, lunch, recipe, how to, how to cook, how to makeComment

Grammy's Ricotta Cheesecake

Learn how to make this creamy Italian classic. My grandmother's ricotta cheesecake is a holiday must have! Now I'm sharing her recipe with you! The easiest cheesecake you'll ever make, it only requires a few ingredients. Whip it up for your holiday party or any time!

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Struffoli

Put down that mushy stuff from the store! Learn how to make real, Italian struffoli, just like grandma! My Mom is my extra special guest this week as we show you the easiest way to make the dough, form the struffoli, fry 'em up and finish them off! Join me in the Cucina!

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Butternut Squash Soup

Learn how to make this easy and delicious soup. Perfect for holiday celebrations and cool weather! Simply roast butternut squash, onion and apple. Then puree until smooth. Add in vegetable stock and spices and finish with half & half! Vegan alternates available!

dinner, lunch, recipes, vegan, vegetarianCara Di FalcoNovember 30, 2016cucina, cara di falco, caras cucina, food, cooking, cook, how to, how to make, how to cook, butternut, butternut squash, butternut squash soup, soup, fall, winter, family, meal, easy, delicous, roast, puree, onion, apple, vegetarian, vegan, recipe, NovemberComment

Thanksgiving Stuffing

There's Thanksgiving, and then there's Italian Thanksgiving! Of course I have to add sweet sausage and red wine to the stuffing! Here's my recipe for a favorite holiday side dish!

dinner, Holiday, recipesCara Di FalcoNovember 17, 2016cucina, cara di falco, caras cucina, food, cook, cooking, baking, dinner, thanksgiving, holiday, stuffing, dressing, sausage, chestnuts, cherries, apple, pear, fall, winter, meal, family, dish, butter, wine, onion, garlic, celery, italian, italian sausage, recipe, NovemberComment

Apple Pie

Watch how to make this fall classic! Fresh autumn apples come together with cinnamon, sugar, clove and nutmeg to create the perfect ending to any holiday meal.

baking, dessert, HolidayCara Di FalcoNovember 10, 2016cucina, cara di falco, caras cucina, food, cooking, baking, dessert, pie, thanksgiving, holiday, apple, fall, winter, flavor, sweet, recipe, NovemberComment

EcoSpaces School

In the middle of Newark NJ is a school that is teaching kids to grow, harvest and prepare healthy foods. And then bring that knowledge home to their families. Join me as I learn more about Phillip's Academy EcoSpaces School.

food educationCara Di FalcoOctober 28, 2016cucina, cara di falco, caras cucina, food, cooking, newark, brick city, education, learning, school, students, kids, children, healthy, eating, lifestyle, choicesComment