Well here we are… the beginning of May… locked down and staying safe. But thankfully we have cooking to keep us sane. Fortunately, I also have the garden to keep me occupied. What started off in January as my annual ritual to plant fava bean seeds has morphed into my “victory garden.” With all that is is going on around us, it’s satisfying to feel the rhythm of the seasons continuing around us.

The first fava bean harvest for 2020

Fava beans are one of those you- love-them-or-you-hate-them things.

Continue reading Fava Bean and Young Pecorino Torta at Our Italian Table.

Way back in 2009, one of my first food posts was for an apple crostata. I just ran into a friend at church this weekend who told me she has been using that recipe for all kinds of crostatas for years. I thought it was about time to dust off this recipe and make sure it was fresh. My biggest surprise was what a terrible picture I took of this wonderfully simple dessert. I’ve never been much of a food photographer (that’s my sister Michele’s speciality), but I could certainly do better.

Continue reading The crostata revisited at Our Italian Table.

I have a confession – yes, again.  I have never eaten a ramp before this year. Well, actually, its bigger than that – I didn’t even know what a ramp was until this year.  (Don’t judge, ok?)  But last weekend, I spent a delightful morning at a cooking demonstration hosted by a local farm, Blue Moon Acres.  The engaging guest chef, Ian Knauer was a former food editor for our-much-beloved-now-defunct Gourmet magazine and has his own award winning PBS series called The Farm.

Continue reading The Scent of Spring: Wild Ramp and Ricotta Tarts at Our Italian Table.

The house is decorated for Christmas and the presents are piling up!  Christmas carols have been blazing from the ipod all week and the holiday cheer has already begun to flow. I have been busily planning the menu for our Seven Fishes feast on Christmas eve as well as a few other meals for the houseful of company I am expecting in a few weeks. (I will post the 2012 menu for our Feast next week!) With no travel for work this week, I have been cooking up a storm and giving some of the recipes a dry run in advance of the holiday. 

Continue reading From My Little Test Kitchen: Fig Tart with Gorgonzola and Caramelized Onions at Our Italian Table.

When we were growing up, my mother tried to convince my sister and me that a frittata was a good use of leftover spaghetti. At the time, we would have nothing to do with it. The idea of eggs mixed in with yesterday’s leftovers made my skin crawl.

Now, as an adult some forty years later, I cranked out six frittatas for a women’s luncheon that I had the honor of being asked to cook for.

Continue reading The Art of Frittata at Our Italian Table.

Ooooh, spring is in the air!  Days here are turning just a bit warmer and although still chilly, my thoughts turn to the delectable bounty of food that will soon be in the markets….including my favorite, spring artichokes.  And although artichokes can now be found in the market year round, the fresh spring crop has that extra spring in its step (pun intended :o).   The April issue of La Cucina Italiana features an article on these wonderful treats and after scanning my issue, was craving some creamy artichoke goodness for dinner last eve. 

Continue reading Carciofi Gratinati con Ragu di Pollo: Artichoke and Chicken Gratin at Our Italian Table.

All those tomatoes – what a wonderful time of year!! I have been roasting basket after basket and storing away in the freezer for those colder days ahead.  I made this simple but delicious tart for a recent dinner party and it was a huge hit.  The dough comes together in a snap and is flavored with yummy basil and garlic. This is also a great do-ahead dish. You can reheat or serve at room temperature….enjoy and happy summer!!

Continue reading Easy Summer Tomato and Mozzarella Tart at Our Italian Table.

This is one of those recipes that as you are making it, you’re saying to yourself, “this makes no sense”. But some how it turns out great.

This recipe is inspired by the abundant winter time citrus crop and wonderful almonds found all over the island of Sicily. Enjoy as the Dolce course after a traditional Sicilian meal.

Pair with a glass of Moscato or small glass of Limoncello.

Continue reading Torta di mandorle con glassa arancione (Almond Cake with Orange Glaze) at Our Italian Table.

Oh my!! It has been almost a month since I posted, my dear friends! Summer has been filled with travels near and far and I have so much to post…recipes, travels, great eats! And I promise to do so over the next few weeks! Summer is in full swing here in Pennsylvania and I am overrun with zucchini and cucumbers from my little garden. Time to get creative ….this very simple zucchini tomato torta is a quick and easy way to use up some of that zucchini. 

Continue reading Summer Zucchini Tomato Torta at Our Italian Table.

Ahhh, I think I could make a small fortune helping Italian based companies translate their website content to english!  I chuckle at some of the best intentioned translations.  I was recently poking around the website of a rather well-known Italian pasta maker who offers a wonderful repertoire of recipes.  But alas, every time I find one that tickles my fancy, I realize that the recipe is missing some key details – what type of pan?

Continue reading Rustic Torta with Artichokes, Carmelized Onions and Tomatoes at Our Italian Table.