Food, Travel, and Cooking!
Just got the word…the shipment of extra virgin olive oil from Amelia in Umbria has arrived in Vancouver! And I’ve been told it’s extremely good this year. Fabulous news! The 2014 harvest was hit particularly hard. Either the oil was in short supply or not available at all due to terrible weather conditions at the […]
Meatballs are hard not to like! They’re quick and easy and you can have a meal on the table in no time, and the are child friendly too! I think these are especially good with mashed potatoes, Colcannon (a mashed potato/cabbage combo.) or buttered noodles and a green veg. Makes 4 Servings For the Meatballs: […]
A fitting end to an era for us. We had been attending the annual Vancouver International Wine Festival’s Vintner’s Brunch for 12 consecutive years and always looked forward to the event. We had a wonderful time, tasting and sipping for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon…not a bad way to wrap up the weekend […]
I was inspired to create this pasta after tasting my husband’s lunch at Trattoria Da Leo in Lucca, Italy. It’s not exactly the same but it’s still damned good. I like to use cauliflower when it’s in season because I think it’s sweeter, but this can be made anytime and it will still be a […]
Soups such as this one, make a tummy warming meal, especially on a cold, rainy or snowy night! I often make soups on the weekend for a no-fuss meal or two during the week. Crusty bread or rolls are all you need! Makes 10 Servings 1 Tbsp. EVOO ¾ lean ground beef 2 ½ cups sliced […]
I love making stews in the fall and winter months or even on a cool spring day when comfort food is what we really crave. This one is a winner! I highly recommend using fresh rosemary for both the stew and dumplings. Either broccolini, lightly steamed, buttered cabbage, kale or Brussels sprouts, or in for […]
This is the best version of Cacio e Pepe I have made so far, although in Rome, where the dish originates, we found they use tonnarelli aka alla Chitarra. a thick spaghetti and usually it’s fresh. I would recommend the Spaghetti alla Chitarra pasta made by either Rummo or good pasta from the Napes/Gragnano area. […]
In Mexico, this soup is known as Albondigas sopa. Albondigas are meatballs. And it’s very, very good! If you like it a little bit hotter, use a hotter salsa, or add a finely chopped jalapeno or serrano chili when sauteeing the onions. Make some guacamole and salsa to serve with corn chips and there you […]
The colours of the Italian flag! I am always on the look-out for great tasting vegetarian pasta dishes and think this one fits the bill. Makes 8 Servings For the Lasagne: 2 Tbsp. EVO 3 large red bell peppers, chopped 15 oz. good quality ricotta cheese 1 ½ lbs. broccoli, flowerets cut into ¾” pieces […]
Who doesn’t love a good lasagne? I think you’ll really like this recipe! The Turkey Sauce is rich, aromatic and delicious! 1 batch Turkey Sauce 1 (15 oz.) container whole-milk ricotta cheese 3 cups (packed) coarsely grated whole-milk mozzarella cheese 1 ¼ cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, divided 16-20 sheets no-boil lasagne noodles (approx. 7×3”), […]