Latest Recipes

Italian, Pasta, Sauce, Vegetarian

Presto Pesto Pasta

Easy pasta recipes are my fave. Especially when you can use up delish homemade pesto. This silky smooth pesto sauce has a touch of cream or half and half. The grape tomatoes add a pop of color and spinach is just a power food, so I put some in as well. This comes together in minutes. And it’s nut-free, so the Jersey Girl can eat and still live to talk […]

Italian, Sauce, Vegetarian

Nut Free Pesto

My family has always made pesto – a tasty puree featuring basil – without nuts. This is good news for me, since I’ve been deathly allergic to nuts since early childhood. I’m sharing with you the way my family does it since your basil plants may be bursting with gorgeous leaves currently. To clean such a large quantity of basil needed for pesto (about 2 cups), place leaves in a colander […]

Appetizers, Italian, Side Dish, Vegetarian, Vegetarian

Caponata

Caponata is summer simmering in a pot. This appetizer of Sicilian origin features eggplant and many other fave summer veg such as zucchini and peppers. This dish is meant to be served at room temp, and it tastes better the longer the flavors have to blend together. So, it’s a great one to make ahead. I enjoy caponata with fresh bread and some Italian cheese, but it is a perfect […]

Chicken, Italian, Main

Your New Fave Din

Here’s an easy peasy chicken din: Grilled Chicken with Basil Parsley Sauce. It is literally my son’s favorite dish right now. He asked if I could make it every day. He ate three servings of this the first night, and all of the leftovers the second night. As long as you remember to marinate the chicken at least thirty minutes ahead, you are good to go. This uses thin cut […]

Italian, Main, Meat, Salads

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops over Baby Spinach Salad

I’m always on the hunt for a main dish salad. I took Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops (boneless) and combined them with my Baby Spinach Salad with Thyme Dressing, and it was a total knockout.  Dipping the pork chops in parmesan before the egg and then the bread crumbs gives the chops extra crunch. The crust is golden and glorious. The lemon and thyme salad dressing is a bright flavor on […]