Rustic Italian Heirloom Tomato Tart

Jump to Recipe Since I was a little girl, I have absolutely loved tomatoes.  Growing up my dad use to make a tomato pie that was so heavenly I would devour this thing as if it were my last meal.  When I got married and moved out, my dad showed me how to make his…

Cinnamon Apple Muffins with Maple Bacon Glaze

Jump to Recipe Every once in a while, a recipe hits me, and I am giddy with delight because it all works beautifully.  I love the combination of sweet and savory and now that using bacon in dessert is all the craze, I couldn’t be more pleased.  What I love about these muffins is that…

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Bake

Jump to Recipe My father grew up in the midst of the Great Depression, he was also the youngest boy of twelve children, born to Italian Immigrant parents, he was the first generation born in this country, and his father passed away shortly after the birth of my aunt, his sister.  This left my Grandmother…

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Jump to recipe This recipe is full of flavor, healthy and a great alternative to typical BBQ sides.  I have been making this salad for quite a while. It is similar the Italian rice salad my grandmother use to make but she didn’t use the feta cheese or smoked mozzarella and hers was made with…

Fig and Goat Cheese Flatbread with Bacon

I love fresh figs.  Growing up we had these all the time as they were an Italian staple.  One of my favorite ways to enjoy figs are to have them sliced with fresh Homemade Italian Style Ricotta Cheese with a drizzle of honey atop some fresh crostini.  I could make a meal out of this alone…

Lazy Day Ricotta Pancakes with Mixed Berry Compote

The weekends are big in our household.  It is a day for our family to reconnect and come together for a meal, since, unless it’s wrestling season, or my fireman isn’t protecting our town from fires, we are home lingering.   Breakfasts become a big deal to us, and my kidlets look forward to waking up…

Blood Orange & Poppy Seed Muffins with Blood Orange Glaze

Blood oranges are one of those fruits that I naturally equate with my Italian roots. Growing up I spent some of my summers staying with my Grandmother in Jersey City, and back in the 70’s there was a Peddler who would peddle his fruits and vegetables by cart around the Italian neighborhood my Grandma lived…

Savory Carrot Pancakes

Now before you say anything, keep any open mind.  This recipe was created with a healthy consciousness that is emerging in me.  I have to be honest pancakes are not my go to breakfast choice and never have been.  It’s not that I don’t like them, it’s just that I need protein in my breakfast,…

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

One of my favorite breads to make is banana bread.  My teens have been inhaling this bread since the time they were toddlers. It is the prefect Saturday morning accompaniment to a warm plate of eggs and bacon, or as an afternoon snack with a cup of tea!  Or a sneaky late night snack that…

Lavender & Lemon Shortbread

I love the taste of lemon and lavender.  They just seem to have an infinity for one another, at least I think so.  I wanted to make a nice light dessert for the kids, since I have been bombarding them with rich heavy desserts lately.  I think this is the perfect dessert for a luncheon,  with…