Yes. I’m here again! I’m from New Jersey, and when I moved to South Carolina, I truly thought my Italian food chapter had closed. Sure, I cook at home—Italian American classics, traditional Italian dishes, and everything in between—but when you cook every single night, going out to dinner feels like a luxury. That changed the…
A Jersey Girl’s Clam Chowder That Kicks A**
Let’s be honest—some clam chowders are thin, watery, and kind of sad. But not this one. This Jersey Girl’s Clam Chowder is rich, creamy, bacon-loaded, and unapologetically bold—just like me. Born and raised in the Northeast, moved down the Shore, and now cooking in the Low Country, I’ve had a lot of chowder in my time. And after years…
Hot Dogs, String Beans & Potatoes – A Jersey Comfort Classic Made Fresh
Growing Up Jersey Growing up, my mom made so many different foods. She loved to experiment, but she always had her staples — the ones she made over and over again. A big pot of gravy. Pasta e ceci. Giambotta. Italian potatoes, Italian peas and onions. And one of my all-time favorites: hot dogs, string…
Louisiana Red Beans and Rice: Slow-Simmered Southern Comfort with Andouille & Ham Hocks
There are some dishes that feel like a warm hug, and Louisiana red beans and rice is one of them. Deeply flavorful, smoky, rich, and incredibly satisfying, this classic Southern dish is all about patience and layering flavor. I’ve made red beans and rice many times before, but this version took things to another level….
Master Conversational French & Spanish with Confidence
Attention Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head Residents! Speaking a new language should feel empowering—not intimidating. My Conversational French and Spanish classes are designed to help you communicate naturally, build confidence, and enjoy the process of learning. With over 27 years of teaching experience at both the secondary and university levels, I bring a practical, supportive, and…
Pasta e Fagioli — A Jersey Girl’s Soul-Warming Favorite ✨
By Jacqueline Horuzy-Maffucci • JacqFromJersey.com Growing up in North Jersey in an Italian-American household, pasta e fagioli wasn’t just a dish — it was a whole identity. It was cheap, filling, cozy, and on the table at least once a week. And let me be honest with you: as a kid, I hated beans. Absolutely…
🔥 Shrimp Beeps – Bringing Belmont Tavern to the Lowcountry
When you’re living in the Lowcountry and you start craving some good old Jersey Italian, you’ve got two options: get on a plane… or make it yourself. So that’s exactly what I did. I was missing the Belmont Tavern in Belleville, New Jersey — that classic, no-frills spot where the Shrimp Beeps are legendary. Big,…
🐚 From Jersey to the Lowcountry: My Ricotta & Arugula Stuffed Shells in Spicy Amatriciana Sauce
By Jacq from Jersey I’ve been craving stuffed shells lately, and today I just couldn’t wait any longer! This is one of those recipes that feels fancy but is actually simple to put together—especially if you do it in stages like I did. First, I made my sauce, then cooked and cooled the shells, wilted…
The Vodka Sauce You’ll Want on Repeat
Vodka sauce is one of those recipes that just feels like home. Creamy, comforting, and always a crowd pleaser, I’ve made it so many different ways over the years. Sometimes with pancetta, sometimes with prosciutto, sometimes with a splash more cream, or a chunkier texture. But this version? This might just be a keeper. It’s…
Jacq’s Lowcountry Chicken Bog
Chicken bog? What you talking about, Willis? Since moving to the Lowcountry, I’ve completely embraced the culture and the cuisine. While I love adding my Jersey twist to things, there are some dishes that are so rooted in tradition that they’re perfect just the way they are. Lowcountry Chicken Bog is one of those. For…
Jacq from Jersey... 