Friday nights always bring back memories of my childhood. In my house, it wasn’t just the end of the week—it was pizza and mussels night. My mom would make homemade pizza and a pot of mussels in a fiery red sauce that could burn your tongue off. Yum! Recently, I decided to recreate those flavors…
Tag: recipe
Creamy Cabbage & Orzo Stew + A Pizza Appy
Fall is in the air—or at least it should be! Even though it was 88° here in South Carolina, I couldn’t resist making a cozy, hearty bowl of Creamy Cabbage & Orzo Stew. This recipe is inspired by Must Love Garlic’s Creamy Cabbage & Orzo Stew 🌿. I made a few little tweaks to fit…
Chickarina Soup and Kalua Pork: Going BIG in the kitchen!
Saturday was one of those days when I just wanted to cook. Even though it’s technically not soup weather here in South Carolina (we’re still hanging out in the 80s and 90s), I couldn’t resist. Growing up in New Jersey, cooler weather always meant soup season—but honestly, I’ll break out the chicken broth anytime the…
A Cozy Day in the Kitchen: Bread Machine Pretzels & Mushroom Ravioli with Pancetta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Spinach
Learn how to make homemade bread machine pretzels and a comforting mushroom ravioli with pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. Two wholesome, flavorful recipes perfect for snacking and dinner. Some days are made for cooking, and today was one of those days. I treated myself to a little snack and a cozy dinner—soft bread machine pretzels…
Sheet Pan Giambotta – An Easy Twist on an Italian Classic
Giambotta (pronounced jam-BOAT-ah – we pronounce it jahm-bawt) is one of those rustic Italian dishes that feels like home to me. Growing up, my mother made it just about every week. Her version was a big pot filled with veal, peppers, zucchini, onions, garlic, and of course, crushed tomatoes. Later, she swapped in hot Italian…
Spaghetti all’Assassina (Killer Spaghetti): Crispy, Spicy, Burnt-to-Perfection Pasta
Move over, spaghetti and meatballs—this dish is for the bold. Spaghetti all’Assassina (literally “Killer Spaghetti”) hails from Bari in Southern Italy, and it’s nothing like the pasta you grew up with. Instead of boiling pasta in water and finishing it in sauce, this recipe cooks the spaghetti directly in the sauce until it chars on…
Chicken & Eggplant Milanese with Warm Shiitake Mushroom Salad
The ultimate weekend comfort dish that’s worth every minute If you’re looking for a show-stopping meal that combines crispy breaded chicken, tender eggplant, savory mushrooms, creamy ricotta, and a touch of fresh greens, my Chicken & Eggplant Milanese with Warm Shiitake Mushroom Salad is a winner. Yes — it takes a bit of time to…
Cajun Shrimp & Buttery Garlicky Steamed Clams
A Flavor-Packed Weeknight Feast Straight from My Kitchen There’s something about buttery clams and spicy Cajun shrimp that instantly takes me back to summer nights, sipping wine and cooking with the windows open (but not in the South LOL). This meal is one of my absolute favorites to throw together—it feels indulgent but is surprisingly…
Grandma’s Gravy… not sauce!
Gravy is my comfort food. When I talk about gravy, I’m talking about the RED stuff you put on macaroni – not brown gravy. If you’re a North Jersey Italian-American, GRAVY is where it’s at. I was always taught that tomato sauce comes out of a can. What you put into that tomato sauce makes it gravy. I firmly…
Indulge in Delight with Mixed Berry Tiramisu: A Bon Appétit Classic
As a lover of Tiramisu, I’m always on the lookout for new twists on this classic dessert. While I enjoy the traditional version, there’s something truly special about a Mixed Berry Tiramisu that never fails to impress. Today, I’m sharing with you my go-to recipe, which I discovered years ago in the pages of Bon…
Jacq from Jersey... 