Tuna sauce (“tonnato”)?! On pork?! Served cold?! 😲 What is going on here?! Welcome to an epic summer Italian-style with a delicious twist on a classic!

The summer of 2021 is shaping up to be quite a season. People are making up for lost time by visiting with friends and family they’ve missed, going to places across the globe they love, and eating out at neighborhood restaurants again. Here in Los Angeles, the streets are filled with people, summer concerts are back and you can hear the sounds of parties everywhere.

Continue reading Roasted Pork Loin with “Tonnato” Sauce at Our Italian Table.

Tomorrow, I begin my 2 week food cleanse – Italian food blogger style! (Look for healthful Italian recipes throughout the coming weeks!)  Half of Our Italian Table, the east coast half  :-), is foregoing some vices (vino, caffeine, grains, dairy) for a few weeks to give this little ‘ole body a break from the excesses of the holiday season and get revved up for the year ahead! I know you are probably thinking – ‘yea, good luck with that!’  (But seriously, join me if you can and send me your favorite recipes and we will post them!

Continue reading Artichoke Risotto with Fondue (Risotto ai Carciofi con Fonduta) at Our Italian Table.

Italians, like many cultures, have some fun and interesting traditions to ring in the New Year. One has been tradition in our family for as long as I can remember – lentils absolutely must be served for New Years, most often with sausages (but in a pinch, my mother just made lentil soup.) Lentils (or lenticchie in Italian) are believed to bring good luck and prosperity throughout the year due to their round shape, signifying money.

Continue reading New Year’s Eve: Get that Red Underwear Ready! (And A Sparkly Citrus, Beet and Fennel Salad) at Our Italian Table.

Most Italian wines are still named for their provenance (where they come from), which makes sense because the wines of Italy are so closely tied to the regional cuisines: they have emerged over time together, and pair well. We Americans are so used to labels that feature the grape varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio) that the Italian designations associated with place — even more complex and confusing than the French ones, not to mention featuring many more varietals — can seem overwhelming and possibly not worth the bother!

Continue reading Food-friendly Barbera at Our Italian Table.

I have been dreaming about this dish since I tasted it in Piedmonte a few weeks back!! Sweet roasted peppers, creamy tuna, tangy balsamic….I couldn’t wait to give it a try at home.  Palm Sunday dinner provided the venue. My family has long since become accustomed to my culinary experiments (good or bad – just ask them about my strawberry gelatin tarts that turned into strawberry crumble yesterday) – but this one was a hit and so easy to make.

Continue reading Roasted Peppers with Tuna Mousse and Balsamic Reduction at Our Italian Table.

Unexpectedly finding myself in Piedmont for a weekend in March, I toodled around the gentle hills of the region that is known as the Langhe.  I excitedly set out in search of truffles and Barolo, the kings of the region. After a quick stop in the sleepy town of Barolo, I found myself perched on a hill overlooking the snow-capped vineyards below. In the quiet of the winter day, the little town of La Morra, set against a backdrop of the Alps, was the perfect spot to find a bite to eat.

Continue reading Best of Piedmont: Restaurant Bovio Ristorante (La Morra) at Our Italian Table.

My unexpected drive through Piedmont last weekend left me with an appreciation for the wonderful food of this region. The rolling hills of what is known as the Langhe gently slope towards the incredible peaks of the north. The cuisine of this peaceful area offers up some of the best that Italy offers – the Alba white truffle, the Valle D’Aosta influenced fontina,  the native hazelnut – all offered with glasses of ruby red Barolo. 

Continue reading Hazelnut-crusted Fontina and Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken Breasts at Our Italian Table.

I unexpectedly find myself in the northwest corner of Italy! When I realized that I could drive from a meeting in France to a meeting in Geneva and pass through both Piedmonte and Val d’Aosta, I was in! After driving along the spectaclar coast of France and Italy, I pointed my car inland towards the snowy peaks that I could see in the distance. The drive north of Genova was, as expected, through some very industrial surrounds but after toodling up and over a few rather tall hills, the snow topped mountains gave way to rolling valleys tucked below.

Continue reading Postcard from Piedmonte: The land of white truffles and Barolo at Our Italian Table.