Mama’s Italian Pignoli Nut Cookies

Ever since I could eat solid food I have been memorized and delighted by Italian pastries and cookies.  Every now and then my fireman and I get in the car and head to Jersey City, and we make two stops from my childhood.  2nd Street Bakery for the most amazing Pepperoni Bread, and a pepper…

Mama’s Italian Pignoli Nut Cookies

Ever since I could eat solid food I have been memorized and delighted by Italian pastries and cookies.  Every now and then my fireman and I get in the car and head to Jersey City, and we make two stops from my childhood.  2nd Street Bakery for the most amazing Pepperoni Bread, and a pepper…

Cinnamon Applesauce

I have been making applesauce since my kidlets were babies.  I loved making their baby food as I could easily use the freshest ingredients, without additives.  Now that they are grown babies, they still love Mommy’s applesauce.  Tonight I am making pork chops and it would be a shame not to have applesauce for them…

Oven Roasted Eggplant Parm

I love eggplant.  I love everything about it, taste, texture, versatility! Love, love, love it!  I use to adore fried eggplant, I don’t however, adore the calories and fat.  So I make it in the oven now and have learned to love it even more!  Plus I am getting healthy eating what I love. Sometimes…

Chicken Meatball Stuffed Zucchini

This dish arrived out of my love of Italian food and my need to get creative on my diet.  So on my quest to make healthier meatballs I perfected chicken meatballs that foot the bill. Instead of spiralizing the zucchini I decided to just scoop out and seed the zuccini making nice zuccini boats if…

Mustard Glazed Lemon Chicken with Roasted Broccolini

  This is a healthy meal made on a sheet pan.  You have your protein and veg right there, less mess, easy cleanup, and dinner is ready in 45 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken pieces.  This is a low fat dish and can be reduced even further if you use low fat mayonnaise.  …

Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

Growing up one of my dearest best friends was Chinese American.  Her mother was a fabulous cook, and made many authentic Chinese meals for my family as a way to show her gratitude to my Mom who would often watch my friend while her Mom worked, since my Mom was a stay at home Mom,…

Flounder En Pappilote With Garlic Butter and Spinach

I love fish, and making it En Pappilote, which simply means in foil in French.  Baking it this way yields a tender, flaky, incredibly moist and delicious fish.  I am technically using parchment paper, but foil would work.  These little packets of white fish goodness are not only quick and easy, but healthy as well. …

Healthier Split Pea Soup

I have recently made the decision to get healthier and start eating better.  For one thing I have Stage-II Hypertension that is not even managed with meds, and I have been steadily increasing in size since menopause.  Now while I don’t put the blame entirely on my hormones, I know my love of food and…

Italian Eggplant Meatballs…Polpette di Melanzane

I know I reference my Dad quite a bit, but he loved cooking just as much as I do.  Most of what he cooked was stricly Italain because as a the youngest boy of 11 sibblings he was always helping out in the kitchen.  One of the things my Dad made was eggplant meatballs,  I…