Heart Throb… How many hearts did you break? How many songs did it take? VALENTINE IT’S YOU! How many times, no clue— How many promises to be true? “Don’t be a fool, eat pasta fazool.” In the mood to brood? Change your attitude… With John’s Hearty comfort food. JOHN’S “HEARTY” PASTA FAZOOL INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons butter, divided … Continue reading
In ancient China oyster mushrooms were sent as a gift to friends and family. The jewelry maker in me couldn’t resist adding the pearls… The graceful appearance of the bloom of the oyster mushroom hooked me at the Green City Farmer’s Market. I wondered if I could roast them to keep the whole mushroom together? … Continue reading
Fat Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph’s Table, and Spring right behind,.. March is a merry month! Take a break and have a friend over for an Italian Frittata. First cousin of the Tortilla Espanola, and French Omelet. All things are one. Tchuang-Tzu The palate of ingredients used in a frittata is unlimited, use what’s … Continue reading
Olivia started it with a gift of a beautiful Spanish fan and a pair of fine leather Spanish gloves. A vial of Spanish saffron from Laura and Miguel with the promise of Miguel’s Paella recipe…. A red and black Spanish apron from Nancy and John with more polka-dots and ruffles than a Carmen Miranda movie! … Continue reading
Nancy and John had a Chili and Cornbread Cook-Off. There were three categories, Chili, Vegetarian Chili, and Cornbread. What an aromatic… and filling. Fun and easy! After 4pm people started arriving with grins, boxes, pots, slow-cookers, beer, wine, and kids. A serious competition. This group is serious about their Chili. Pierre, The 2010 Rib Throwdown … Continue reading
Savory is about flavor and bouquet. Relish and chew. Subtle and soulful, pungent with zip. One savory recipe with delicate silky artichoke and essence of Parmesan, the other with salty anchovy and piquant Italian Giardiniera. Both with a touch of sweet-tart, dried cranberry tang. Voila! A Holiday Nosh. The dough is Mama Mic’s Magic Dough … Continue reading
This week a wolf appeared in my dreams with a bag of dough. According to the American Indian Medicine Cards: the discovery of power through the ways of animals by Jamie Sams and David Carson— the wolf appears to empower the teacher within us to share our knowledge with others. Mama Mic’s Magic Dough included … Continue reading
ABRACADABRA!!! Mama Mic’s Magic Dough Yield: 2 loaves, 3 pizzas or 48 rolls Ingredients: 2 cups water, warm to the wrist 2 packets dry yeast, 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar * SWEET DOUGH increase sugar to ⅓ cup ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon Sea salt 5 to 6 ½ cups … Continue reading
Quinoa pronounced keen waa. Keen Waaahat? Italian Quinoa behaves like an oxymoron. A seed often called a super-grain— this is one seed with a mistaken identity. A seed—that looks like a grain, cooks like a grain, tastes like a grain, gluten free and full of fiber and rich in protein? The World Health Organization has … Continue reading
A newbie in the world of social media, I left WordPress Camp Chicago with a head full of ideas and inspiration. The speakers were generous, information flowed and “networking” worthy of the name. Informed, appreciative and awed— my brain trailed tracks of acronyms— plugged-in to the web culture. Lisa Sabin-Wilson coordinated WPWordCampChicago. Lisa wrote WordPress … Continue reading
Italian Handful 