An upside down cake made with fresh sweet plums, at their peak this time of year, tucked in to a honey tinged, butterscotch topping and flipped over on to a tender cinnamon-y cake that takes in all the lovely plum juices.
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Pure aperitivo fare, bite-sized and appetizer-like, packed with sharp salty Pecorino, mellow eggplant, and lots of fresh bright parsley, then fried until crisp and deep gold on the outside and cloud-like and pillow-y on the inside. A few of these plus a glass of wine (or, in my case, Prosecco) will get your appetite going guaranteed.
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This is one of those salads that defies the boring-pile-of-lettuce-stereotype, a salad that I do (and you could) eat happily. We've got salty rich prosciutto, peppery arugula, summer-y basil, smoky crunchy hazelnuts, heavenly mozzarella di bufala, and glorious, radiant figs, the star of the show, all tied together with a a sharp-sweet mix of honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.
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A classic Roman dish with chicken and bell peppers as the stars, and tomatoes, white wine, and fresh herbs as the supporting actors. It makes the best of bell peppers -- late Summer is the start of their season -- and is packed with flavor, the sweetness of the tomatoes and peppers intensified with all the slow cooking, the chicken perfectly cooked and superbly juicy, the herbs waking the whole thing up and adding a little freshness.
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Flaky, buttery, whole-wheat pastry wrapped around candy-like caramelized onions, juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, emerald green coins of zucchini, and lots of melted cheese, with a bit flowery basil thrown in for good measure.
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Breakfast perfection: tender and fluffy waffles thanks to all the sour cream, cinnamon scented to boot, studded with tart sapphire-like blackberries and scrumptious when served with maple syrup and extra berries on top. I loved them and I think you will too.
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This is just what a cobbler should be -- simple and straightforward, peach-centric and downright delicious, plus it is a cinch to make and will be in the oven before you know it. Because when you have a dessert this good, the last thing you want to do is have to wait too long to eat it, right?
A look at a weekend in Venice, not to mention the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been to (can’t go wrong with a wedding in Italy!)
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This recipe here brings a little bit of America to my kitchen in Rome, and, as the name implies, is truly the best hot fudge sauce I've ever had, addictive-ly, this-might-not-make-it-from-the-stove-to-the-jar good, deeply chocolate-y and just sweet enough, and takes just 10 minutes to whip up.
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Pasta with lots of juicy summer tomatoes, creamy mild eggplant, and substantial, steak-like swordfish, all tied together with a sprinkling of bright fresh parsley. This dish is extremely easy to throw together, and a nice change of pace from the usual spaghetti alle vongole that is so popular here in Italy June-August.
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A couple of days off out of Rome — a look at what we did (and where we ate) in Naples and Sperlonga.
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This dish is simple and straight-forward, no nonsense -- the rice is intensely tomato-y, allowing the Summer tomato to show off a little, the basil is bright and flowery, and the potatoes are seasoned with nothing more than a little olive oil and salt, which is all they ever really need.
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A heat-free dish, light and refreshing and lemon-y, filling enough for dinner, and good for you, too, which gives it extra brownie points. Its just what you want for dinner in your air conditioning-less kitchen in the middle of a boiling Summer, and takes about 5 minutes to make.
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Blueberry pie goodness in a portable, compact square, no fork, spoon, or plate required.
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Pesto with a flavor that is more nuanced and complex than your usual basil pesto, thanks to not just the typical flower-y basil but also bright, refreshing parsley; the pistachios have a stronger, nuttier, more substantial flavor than the mild-flavored pine nuts that you usually find in pesto. The garlic adds a little spicy sharpness and a boost of flavor, and the cheese, well -- a good dose of cheese is always a good idea, especially where pasta is concerned.
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A visit to Budapest, Hungary — suggestions on what to eat included, obviously!
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Getting out of the Eternal City for a few days with a vacation in the beautiful city of Prague!
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A super simple recipe for a Roman classic - -Its name literally translates to "jump in your mouth," accurately referring to the fact that the dish is so tasty that your taste buds do a little hop and skip when you eat it: the veal is complemented but not overwhelmed by a slice of salty rich prosciutto, the sage leaf adds a cozy, herb-y note, and the white wine (and subsequent pan sauce) adds another layer of flavor to the whole dish.
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A twist on traditional banana bread, lovely served with a swoosh of peanut butter or a drizzle of honey, a treat at breakfast, brunch, or for (midnight) snack.
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