Spaghetti for dinner is always a hit here. If I take a few extra minutes to make this special garlic bread, the smiles are twice as wide! For ease, I usually make the fried garlic a night or two before for this broccoli side dish. But as mentioned below, roasted garlic may also be used.…
This meaty sauce is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The yield is a generous 3+ quarts, so there’s plenty to freeze or to share! This meaty sauce is the ideal foundation for a winning spaghetti dinner. It’s also perfect for sharing with a friend (or two) while having enough for your family as…
If you prefer a saucy lasagna with a light ricotta layer, this recipe is for you. Plus, there’s no need to precook the noodles and the recipe makes one for now, one for later—or one to share with a friend! I love a good lasagna, but it always seems like a big production. I hit…
Ok…so first thing is first! What is the difference between polenta and cornmeal…and grits for that matter? In case you are wondering what to buy, or whether it matters, I am including an overview below that might prove helpful. When I began the Flavor Trend Journey with Sargento Cheese and Rick Bayless last winter, Rick…
A reader-favorite (and reader-created!) recipe, this satisfying pasta salad was inspired by the classic sandwich and is a tried-and-true crowdpleaser. Easy to make too! It is always a joy to receive recipes from those who read my newspaper column or blog. When readers send me their family favorites, I am always happy to cook them…
Two reader-favorite recipes come together to form a delicious twist on classic eggplant Parmesan where the eggplant stays crispy! This recipe was born from a desire to keep the eggplant in the classic eggplant Parmesan crispy. It is also a perfect marriage of two much-loved seasonal recipes: a quick and easy cherry tomato sauce…
These tender, flavorful baked meatballs have been a family and reader favorite for many years. Hundreds of readers have called them the best meatballs ever! Serve them with spaghetti and your favorite sauce, as an appetizer, in a meatball sandwich-or all by themselves. A perfect meal prep recipe that freezes well too! Perhaps you are like me…
When cheese is made, the leftover whey is used to make ricotta. In general, to create cheese, live cultures (a fancy name for bacteria) are typically added to fresh milk. This starts a fermentation process that results in the milk separating into curds and whey. Depending on the type of cheese being made, the curds…
When we eat this pizza, I feel as though we are enjoying a gourmet pizza that took minutes to prepare. It happens to be a favorite of my 14-year-old son, who is usually all about pepperoni pizza! Typically, I love a good saucy pizza–meaning the tomato version. This white sauce, however, is quick, easy and…
Classic, twice-baked biscotti goes Snickerdoodle-style thanks to an easy cinnamon sugar topping. Low in fat and high in flavor, this crisp Italian cookie is perfect for dipping in coffee, tea, and cocoa! Lisa is a friend who happens to be an incredible baker. Every year in early December, she begins the month-long process of…
A combination of cheeses adds great flavor to this novel crust. Add your favorite pizza toppings and serve with extra sauce, if desired. A few months ago, I started experimenting with “crusts” made from pasta. I tried various binder combinations of eggs, cheese, milk, and olive oil until I hit on this version. …
A few months ago, I started experimenting with “crusts” made from pasta. I tried various binder combinations of eggs, cheese, milk, and olive oil until I hit on this version. We love it. The concept is fun, the taste is delicious, and the crust can be a base for all sorts of toppings. While I…