N is for Noodles

This Chicken Caprese Noodle Salad is a great main course for those hot summer days.  All the flavors you love in a Caprese Salad tossed with Spinach, Noodles, and Chicken.

N is for Noodles.......

Remembering Memorial Day-Greek Orzo Salad and a Book Review

Let us take a moment before we begin the busyness of our day to offer silent gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms and benefits we enjoy each day.

photo courtesy of Vecteezy through Google images

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese #SundayFunday

This Macaroni and Cheese Casserole can be made ahead of time to be baked right before dinnertime.  Nobody will know that the creamy deliciousness is due to the inclusion of cauliflower in the sauce, packing extra nutrition, to boot.  The perfect side to that Easter ham.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Make-Ahead Easter Recipes today...

Irish Minestrone Soup #MoviesandMunchies

Unlike Italian Minestrone, Irish Minestrone contains no beans and includes bacon.  It is perfect as a starter, a delicious lunch, or a hearty dinner when served with some soda bread and a salad.

I was inspired to make this soup after watching Leap Year, our Movies and Munchies selection for March. I am sharing it today in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

D is for Dumplings

These tender Italian Dumplings are made with Ricotta cheese instead of potatoes and then coated in a delicious, comforting, and creamy Mushroom Sauce.

D is for Dumplings....

Seared Scallops with Tomatoes and Basil #MoviesandMunchies

I am hosting our Movies & Munchies group this month and chose the Netflix film Terri McMillan Presents: Tempted by Love.

Z is for Ziti

All the flavors you love in lasagna come together in this Baked Ziti Casserole with a lot less fuss and muss.

A Favorite Italian Wine? How do I begin to choose? #ItalianFWT

Our challenge this month, given by Camilla of Culinary Cam, was to share our favorite Italian Wine.  Say what?!!  Am I really expected to choose just one Italian wine out of all the wonderful wines they have to offer?

I've decided to share a new Italian wine I enjoyed recently at a wine tasting.  This wine is from the Langhe region of Piedmont, a white wine in a land known for its reds.

Pumpkin Gnocchi #SundayFunday

This colorful gnocchi takes only minutes to make.  They are delicious as a main vegetarian dish in a garlic butter sauce or as a side to whatever protein you are serving.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are cooking up Pasta today.....

Italy-Day 12, Val d'Orcia, Artisinal Pasta Factory, Montalcino, and Wine Tasting

 Another amazing day in the beautiful Val d'Orcia.  Today, we started off at a pasta factory that prides itself on using ancient grains that are grown organically and then turned into pasta using nothing more than the ground grains and water.

Italy Day 10 - Spoleto and Truffle Hunting

 Day 10 started off quietly.  We got to sleep in a bit. After a leisurely breakfast, we walked into town, passing the Roman Theater that still hosts performances to this day.

Butter Roasted Tomato Sauce, The Weekly Menu and a Book Review

This pasta sauce is ready in less than an hour, but it tastes as though it has simmered all day long.  This sauce can be prepared and kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  Simply rewarm it and toss in a little of the pasta cooking water to loosen it for coating the pasta.

I was inspired to make this pasta dish after reading Under the Knife by Tess Gerritsen....

Bean and Kielbasa Stew #SundayFunday

 Ready in less than half an hour, this stew is hearty, delicious, and best of all, it only uses one pot.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing One-Pot Meals today..................

A Culinary Visit to Umbria before my Actual Visit to Umbria #ItalianFWT

We are leaving next month on a long-anticipated trip to Italy.  We are flying into Naples, spending time on the Amalfi Coast, and spending a few days in Rome before heading to Umbria and Tuscany.  We will spend a day in Florence before catching our flight home.

P is for Pasta with Preserved Lemons

Looking for a quick, delicious, and easy meal?  I've got you covered with this pasta in a simple sauce made with only 5 ingredients, ready in the time it takes to boil your pasta.

P is for Preserved Lemons and Pasta.......

A Vatican Cookbook Review for #EattheWorld

When my sister visited Italy, she returned with a wonderful gift for me.  This cookbook, compiled by the Swiss Guard, shares their favorite recipes, as well as those of the Popes who have served in Vatican City.

I am getting excited about my upcoming trip to Italy in September, so I chose Vatican City, the smallest Country in the world, as my choice this month as we Eat the World......

Pasta with Sweet Corn Pesto #SundayFunday

This Pasta dish is tossed with a delicious Sweet Corn Pesto.  It makes a wonderful Meatless Entree, taking advantage of the fresh garden produce available right now.

 

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating National Corn Month.......

Pesto alla Trapanese #MoviesandMunchies

This pesto, originating in Sicily, certainly does not get the attention it deserves.  The Sicilian version of pesto has a fresh tomato base, is full of herbs, and uses almonds instead of pine nuts. It is delicious!!!

I was inspired to make this Pesto after watching Nonna's for our Movies and Munchies group this month......

Macaroni Ranch Salad #SundayFunday

This quick, easy pasta salad is made in less than 20 minutes with whatever ingredients you have available.  I am sure this is one of the reasons this Southern-American dish became a classic.

It's National Country-Cooking Month......

Pasta Portofino, A Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I had almost forgotten about the Dan Armstrong/Oscar Cozy Mysteries until my friend Cam posted a review of 3 books of the series, reminding me that I had fallen behind.  So I ordered Murder in Portofino, the 8th in the series, published in August 2024.