Chicken (Veal) Piccata

I won’t touch veal because I know where it comes from. Any time a recipe calls for veal, I use chicken. Chicken is also a much less expensive cut of meat.

Rigatoni

This was a concoction that Mom came up when she realized we were out of spaghetti sauce. It’s a little Italian Mexican fusion

Chicken (Veal) Marsala

I don’t eat veal so I turn all veal recipes because I know where veal comes from and it breaks my heart. I turn all veal recipes into chicken because of this and also chicken is a healthier and less expensive option.

Chicken (Veal) Saltimbocca

I don’t eat veal so I turn all veal recipes because I know where veal comes from and it breaks my heart. I turn all veal recipes into chicken because of this and also chicken is a healthier and less expensive option.

Pesto

When you want pasta but the tomato-based sauce just doesn’t sound good 🙂 Fresh basil can be hard to find so this gives you the option of spinach, some people will also use kale. The base you use will obviously change the flavor but don’t be afraid to mix and match greens, play with this, see what you wind up with. Pesto is a thing you can truly make your own. Set a little extra aside and mix it with a little bit of mayonnaise for a pesto aioli for a salami sandwich. Also, if you can’t find fresh basil …

Italian Dressing

I don’t like bottled dressings because I see no point in sugar and preservatives in everything we eat. This is a favorite dressing that I make because I can change the oil, change the vinegar, and/or change the spices, and always have something different.

My Lasagna

In the book, there were 2 different lasagnas that were nearly identical from someone my mom worked with and a cousin-in-law. I took their ideas and doinked around to make one all my own with more flavor and a little kick.

Mexican Lasagna

This was something my Nana came up with. It’s different but really tasty. My Nana put Pace© Picante Sauce on almost everything. As a kid, I nicknamed her hot sauce Hazel 🙂

Italian Sauce

This has so many uses and it’s got a nice little kick to spice things up. Here you’ll find two uses for it; Italian Style Country Pork Ribs Italian Style Chicken Gizzards and Italian Sausage. It can also be thickened with a cornstarch slurry to pour over spaghetti. What you do with this is all up to you and your imagination.

Italian Style Country Pork Ribs

These ribs use Italian Sauce which can be found on this site. These ribs are melt in your mouth tender and have a lovely kick of spice from the sauce they’re paired with. I tend to serve them with pasta and garlic bread

Italian Sausage

Italian sausage has so many uses and I much prefer to make it at home rather than buy it in the store because then I have complete control over the spices in it, the heat level, everything. I use Italian sausage in spaghetti sauce, I’ll mix it 50/50 with beef for one of the most flavorful burgers you’ve ever sunk your teeth into, I’ll also do the same with meatloaf. It’s great fried up with eggs for a morning omelet. Its uses are pretty much endless. Just think outside the box and figure out where you could put this.

Pizza Mexicana

Pizza is something that everyone loves to enjoy from time to time.  This recipe is one of the best pizza recipes that I have ever made.  The pizza dough can be intimidating to make, but this recipe makes it simple and it has an amazing taste to it.  We love thin crust pizza so that is what I made.  You can make this as spicy as you want or as mild as you want.  There are endless possibilities when you are adding toppings as well. So get creative and get the kids involved in making this fun dish.

Spaghetti and Clams

I haven’t ever had clams before.  So this was a bit scary for me to make and to try.  I loved the idea of trying something new and seeing how well I liked it.  It was amazing.   CandiAnne’s Note: This was a favorite growing up and still is to this day. My uncle would get up at dark and he and his buddies would head out to the bay to go clammin while the tide was out. Having fresh clams was soooo yummy. We’d boil em up and eat them right out of the shell. This would also be …

Frittata

This frittata is a wonderful little appetizer or it could be served as a snack.  You can also make this into a wonderful dessert.  This could be even made into a breakfast dish.  The possibilities are endless.  You just need to get in there and see what you come up with.  I found it really delicious.

Italian Bacon Burger

Although the title calls this recipe a burger, I have taken the liberty of giving this my take of an open faced BLT. The oregano and parmesan cheese give this an Italian feel and was a big hit with my family. Of course, you can always add a mixture of chicken, pork, or beef patty for a heartier meal.

Fruit with Garlic

The idea of having garlic served with fruit may seem rather odd at first, but Joseph Carcione, aka ” The “greengrocer”, states that garlic brings out the flavors of the fruit or vegetable that it is cooked with. After roasting the garlic, the sugars come through and the harshness of the garlic dissipates and leaves a mellow flavor. This is a recipe that should not be overlooked.

Eggplant and Chicken Parmesan Casserole

This recipe is a combination of two of our favorite foods.  Chicken parmesan and eggplant parmesan.  I served it with noodles for lunch and dinner. I wanted to showcase Eggplant Parmesan as a casserole and added the Chicken Parmesan to it. This made an amazingly tasty dish.  I do hope you will give it a try.

Chicken Scallopini with Lemon Sauce

The term “scallopini” means thinly sliced meat dredged in flour and fried. I love a crispy texture so I decided to add panko to make pan-fried chicken extra crispy. The lemon caper sauce helps to cut the rich fried flavor of the chicken. Great to serve as a light lunch with some lightly dressed salad greens or dinner with pasta and white sauce such as alfredo.

Mexican Meatballs

I really enjoyed this recipe as it allowed me to explore other ingredients using meatballs.  Traditionally, I have only used them for a typical Italian dish, so this recipe definitely takes me a little out of my comfort zone.  Nevertheless, a wonderful surprise.

Osso Buco

“Osso buco” is an Italian dish. It means “bone with a hole” in Milan’s dialect, which fits since this is cooked with a shank of meat (typically veal, but I am anti-veal)

Maple Italian Bread Pudding

What started out in 11th & 12th century England as a way to use up stale bread has become quite the trendy dessert and this recipe gives it a maple twist. CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts of categories that were put out by Eat Smart New York …

Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

This recipe is easy to make and it’s delicious. This was my first try at making cream cheese bars, I’m not a big fan of cheese cake, but it had pumpkin and I love pumpkin, so I thought I would give it a go and it was really good to my surprise. You can make this for any occasion and it takes no time to make it.       CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and …

Veal Goulash

I love mushrooms and onions. So when I read this recipe I was excited to try it. I have never had veal before and I think it turned out delicious. I made beef flavored rice to go with my goulash. It can be served be itself with a side of bread or as a meat with side dishes like rice or noddles or mash potatoes. This recipe originated in Hungary but has been influenced in other countries.

Marvelous Malfatti

This recipe was so much fun to make, the flavors go amazingly together and make this dish well balanced. The malfatti has a mild enough flavor that it pairs well with the robust sauce, but still flavorful enough that it doesn’t get lost in the sauce. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) this dish as much as I did. Happy cooking!

Strawberry-Peach with Pineapple

A blast of the Tropics will envelop your mouth and wake up your taste buds, with this sweet, refreshing summer treat! The familiar flavors of strawberry and peach, coupled with the tang of one of my favorite tropical fruits, the pineapple! This will look beautiful, served in glass dishes, with a pineapple reduction sauce, drizzled over the top, and with a strawberry and peach slice, to garnish! You could also easily infuse one of the two elements of this cool dessert, with white rum, as a treat for adult gatherings!

Zucchini Cake

Don’t sleep on this Zucchini cake!!  It is unbelievably good!  You would never suspect that there’s vegetables in this cake.  It’s so moist, light, flavorful, and simply delicious! Since this cake is so light, it doesn’t have any frosting and it’s not overly sweet you could even have a slice with a cup of tea for breakfast.  However you see fit to eat it, you will enjoy it!!

Helen’s Italian Style Fried Chicken

This wonderful fried chicken cutlet makes for a great lunch when paired with a light green salad with lemon vinaigrette. When served with pasta for dinner, this chicken goes well with a creamy or tomato based sauce as well. You can’t go wrong with these zesty and herby flavors. Everyone in the family will enjoy!   CandiAnne’s Note: My cousin Helen was one of my favorite people. She was the daughter of my Nana’s oldest sibling so she and my Nana were fairly close in age. They spent a lot of time together. I never had a bad meal when …

Spinach Manicotti

My version of Spinach Manicotti. This dish is a quick, easy take on a classic, loved Italian dish. It’s flavourful, bright, and meant to fill after a long hard day of work. Hope you enjoy it!

Italian Pot Roast

Over the weekend, I had such a tremendous cooking experience in my unit’s kitchenette making Italian Pot Roast, all while trying to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Henri. Yet, with much love and patience, I spent my evening prepping a delectable meal for the family and me. I have to say the pot roast was tender, paired well with multigrain rotini pasta for those like myself with dietary restrictions. I even had time to make an Arugula with lettuce salad dressed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. As an appetizer, I toasted Fresh Italian bread; seasoned …

Coconut Macaroons and Glace Fruit Macaroons

These are crisp and golden brown on the outside, but very light and chewy on the inside Coconut Macaroons are delightful and tasty sweet treats that can be used to begin or end many occasions where a dessert is desired.  These great small balls of Coconut Macaroons can be prepared well in advance of the occasion or event and especially lengthy spring vacation periods and Christmas and Easter holidays.  Additionally, Coconut Macaroons can be made in either small or large batches depending on occasion or event and are easy to serve via hand tray, toothpick, or simply served as a …

Spaghetti Pie

This was an interesting and fun dish!!  It’s a cross between a deconstructed spaghetti and lasagna.  The original recipe was from 1974 so there were some modern tweaks I’ve made.  It called for cottage cheese, but I decided that ricotta would be a great substitute.  So you can make the call on which you prefer.  Either way it’s delicious!!

Lamb Chops

Ever tried lamb before? Me neither! However, I will be making this a staple in my house! Be prepared to take cooking to a different level! Tender beyond anything you can think and minus a little marinade time super quick! The family will enjoy and more so you will be the new superhero in the house. I paired this with locally grown fresh cucumber, tomato, and red onion salad, as well as a basic Greek Tazaki sauce. You can pair this recipe with so many different options. In the winter, how about some roasted potatoes, onions, and mushrooms. In the …

Mary’s Risotto

A very easy and tasty risotto dish for something a little bit different instead of plain white rice. Using the broth of your choice can easily make this a vegetarian dish and using vegan options for butter and cheese it can be vegan. Risotto really is a dish for everyone. Along with this, there is Mary’s Rice 2 Mary’s Cabbage & Rice Mary’s Creamy Rice Here are all 4 together

Chicken & Chickpeas

I must say that chickpeas and I are as well-suited as two peas in a pod. The idea of chickpeas in marinara sauce with chicken and mushrooms didn’t sound too appetizing. But oh gosh, was I proven wrong? It was one of the MOST comforting and fulfilling meals I have had in a while. It is one of those recipes packed with nutrients and protein and has a rich layer of flavor. It all starts with the sharp, acidic white onion, sautéed in creamy butter, along with the nutty flavor of the chickpeas, which pairs perfectively with the earthiness of …

Beef Patty Parmigiana

What an amazing comfort dish to share with your family. The fragrant notes of onions and garlic partnered with the acidic tomato capture a perfect balance when paired with the sweetness of the wine and boldness of lemon and capers. Resting beautifully on your pasta of choice; this dish is sure to make an impression. Add a side salad and toasty garlic bread for the perfect finishing touch.

Pesto, Chicken and Rice

The pesto!!!! Listen kats and kittens, if you don’t like pesto, then this isn’t for you. (We can still be friends, though!) I made this dish a few ways to see what worked best, and the neighbors literally just asked for more rice and pesto. You’ve been warned. Pesto is traditionally made with nuts, but after Thing 2, I developed a tree nut allergy. Pumpkin seeds work really well, though a bit more dense in consistency than what pesto tends to be. Lemon juice is a thinning option, and gives the pesto a totally different attitude, should you need that …

Sicilian Orange Cake

I have a HUGE weakness for anything orange and every year on my birthday I make myself an orange cake. This is one of many that I do 🙂 If you use a bundt pan be sure to thoroughly grease and flour it so that the cake won’t stick. You can use a bundt, an 8″ springform or round cake pan for this.