I know what you're thinking. Soup is the last thing you want to make - let alone eat - when the temperatures are soaring. I hear you. However, when you are tired of grilling and the crockpot, you might need to shake it up a bit and make some of this soup. (You won't even have to heat up the oven!) I love this bisque because it features some ... [Keep Reading...]
Recipes
Make cooking into a creative competition for kids (with pizza dough recipe)
The smell of garlic mixing with basil wafted to my nose. Laughter filled the room as kids rolled out billowy pizza dough into creative shapes and ran to the "market table" to retrieve ingredients. In the corner, some oil and Italian sausage were sizzling in an electric skillet. "What will help thicken our sauce?" one called out. "How much ... [Keep Reading...]
Building community in the kitchen: The secret is in the sauce (and three recipes!)
Cooking has always been a place of creativity, community and comfort for me. I grew up in the kitchen stirring sauces with my mama, kneading dough with my Italian Nana, and rolling lumpia egg rolls with my Filipino grandma. As an adult, I have gathered many friends and family members in my kitchen to cook together. When I was a young married ... [Keep Reading...]
Grilled Italian Chicken with Strawberry Salsa: Berrylicious!
One of my absolute favorite parts of living in the Central San Joaquin Valley is being in the heart of our country's fruit bowl. I don't live on a farm but our city is surrounded by them. I was driving down the street the other day and I started dancing in my seat when I saw my favorite strawberry stand was open. You haven't really tasted ... [Keep Reading...]
It’s a truffle, no it’s a cake: Flourless Chocolate Torte
"Mama, we don't have to worry," came the sweet voice of my 5-year-old from the back seat. "About what, baby?" "Daddy's birthday. I know God is going to make him the biggest birthday cake in Heaven." I smiled at the thought. April 2nd would have been my beloved's 43rd birthday. He's been in Heaven for three birthdays now. We still ... [Keep Reading...]
Chili Pizazz & Honey Cornbread: Something warm for your insides
I grew up in Chicago. I always loved my mom's spicy chili on brrrrrr-cold winter nights. This chili packed with veggies and served with a slice of warm, crusty bread was a family favorite. The winter months always stretched a little longer than I wanted in the Midwest so chili kept our insides warm. My Italian mama spent lots of hours creating ... [Keep Reading...]
