I started making turkey bolognese sauce for a private client that preferred a lighter version of the classic Ragu Bolognese, which traditionally is made with ground beef or sometimes a mixture of beef and pork, and realized I prefer it with ground turkey, too! I add turkey bacon to the sauce for a little extra flavor,…
PIZZA WITH BACON, SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND RED ONION
As with most situations in life, just about anything gets better with practice. And that definitely rings true with pizza. Even after your first try you’ll learn a lot about making pizza in your own kitchen and what works for you. With a few shortcuts, this is a great weeknight pizza. I buy pizza dough…
WINTER PAPPA AL POMODORO
While summer fresh tomatoes make for a great pappa al pomodoro in the warmer months, here’s my version of the Tuscan classic you can enjoy year-round. If you have tomato sauce on hand this dinner, or first course, can be on your table in under 10 minutes. This soup is the perfect use for a…
SPAGHETTI AND SAUSAGE MEATBALLS
These “meatballs” are the perfect weeknight dinner. Armed with a big batch of Simple Tomato Sauce in your refrigerator or freezer, this pasta dinner requires minimal prep thanks to sausage. Rather than make meatballs from scratch, roll your favorite sausage into balls for a quick meal. Now, it may not be the most authentic version of the…
ESCAROLE WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE
A good salad doesn’t have to be anything more than some fresh greens with a flavorful vinaigrette. I love serving hearty escarole, my favorite winter green, because it can stand up to a powerful dressing, like this lemon vinaigrette, and doesn’t quickly wilt. This cold weather salad pairs with just about anything from seafood to a pizza…
STEAMED LITTLENECK CLAMS AND TOMATOES
I’ve been hesitant to post a shellfish recipe (but here we are, I clearly got over it). I like to avoid fussy, expensive or hard-to-find ingredients and instead focus on recipes you can easily replicate whether you live on the Atlantic coast or a in mountain town. Good quality fish and shellfish can be a…
SIMPLE TOMATO SAUCE
I like to cook with local and seasonal produce as much as possible, but sometimes in the winter it can get a bit tricky. That’s when I find myself reaching for canned tomatoes. Whether you’re putting them up yourself or buying imported tomatoes from the grocery store, these canned summer beauties can enhance winter meals…