Mom's Gratineed Spinach

December 18, 2018

Mom's Gratineed Spinach


If there’s one thing I truly detest in life, it' canned spinach.
It's one of those foods that I can't image liking. To me they taste bland and are pretty much a mushy mess.
I love fresh (and frozen) spinach though. Even as a kid I would choose Mom’s Gratineed Spinach over French fries any day of the week.
Mom was always happy to whip it up for me time and again.
I mean, when a kid asks for spinach there’s no way a mother would refuse such a request, am I right?

4-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

December 12, 2018

4-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars


As a kid, I loved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. They were my favorite. They trumped all other candy bars. No Twix, Snickers, Butterfinger or 3 Musketeers could rival the deliciousness of Reese’s cups.
I always hoarded them, keeping ‘em in the fridge to enjoy the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter throughout the year.
I mean, it’s indisputable that peanut butter’s favorite partner in crime is chocolate. Smooth chocolate enrobing a thick peanut butter center. There’s nothing better.

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

December 7, 2018

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina


This is Italian comfort food at its best. No joke, at its best.
If you’re not familiar with it, Gnocchi alla Sorrentina (which means gnocchi Sorrento style) is a crowd-pleasing dish that comes from the town of Sorrento on the Amalfi coast, near Naples (Italy).
A classic Italian staple you can easily make in your own kitchen.

Cabbage and Potato Pie

November 29, 2018

Cabbage and Potato Pie


You know, sometimes you make something and you think "Oh man, what have I done?"
But then it exceeds your expectations and goes way better than you planned.
I just love that, don't you?
This Cabbage and Potato Pie do that to me.
I had an idea in mind for a vegan/vegetarian version of my Cottage Pie for a long time but never managed to make it.
Until I found this recipe on the Financial Times a couple of weeks ago.
I know that the Financial Times is not the first newspaper/magazine that comes to mind when in need of recipes, but truth to be told they have a great recipe section.

Curried Chickpeas

November 23, 2018

Curried Chickpeas


This recipe come from Joan’s on Third, a specialty food store and restaurant located in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. A great little place with a refreshing yet comfortable atmosphere and a great menu selection.
I am obsessed with the curried chickpeas at Joan's on Third. They are the best curried chickpeas ever. I’ve been there three times and every single time I’ve ordered them as part of the salad trio (a selection of three salads from their daily specials on the marketplace menu). But truth to be told I should order just the chickpeas because they're all I ever want to eat (well, that and the carrot cake.)
Luckily for me, I found the recipe on the LATimes and I was able to recreate it home — meaning that I don’t have to fly to LA if I get a curried chickpeas craving.

French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese

November 15, 2018

French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese


Guys, I think I have a favorite new grilled cheese sandwich.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still fond of my cauliflower crust grilled cheese and of my zucchini crust grilled cheese but this French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese is really special.
I think it has something to do with my love for caramelized onions. In fact, I just realized that a good percentage of my recipes call for either partially caramelized onions or super caramelized onions.
Especially when I am making something vegan or vegetarian caramelized onions add a much needed umami flavor, such as in this sweet potato hash or on this focaccia.

Crock-Pot Chicken Teriyaki

November 8, 2018

Crock-Pot Chicken Teriyaki


Chicken teriyaki is probably one of the most well known and liked Japanese dishes in the US and for sure one of the classic takeout recipes we all love.
Most people don’t think about making it at home because they either have a restaurant they love or because they buy teriyaki sauce like they buy ketchup.
But I do love making it from scratch.
In fact I have not one, not two, not three, but four different recipes for chicken teriyaki on this blog: Baked Honey-Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Kebabs, Beer-Flavored Chicken Teriyaki, and Pineapple Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Skillet
And today I have a fifth.
*drumroll please*
Crock-Pot Chicken Teriyaki -> one word: uh-mazing.

The Best Maple Cinnamon Baked Apples

November 5, 2018

The Best Maple Cinnamon Baked Apples


In my opinion baked apples are great treat on a cold evening or any other evening really and they make a healthier alternative to the usual dessert fare — a cookie, a brownie or a bit of chocolate.
My mom used to make them every so often during fall and winter when I was a child. I remember eating them hot from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream or some yogurt on top. Nothing fancy but so very delicious.

Spinach Ricotta Vegetarian “Meatloaf”

October 26, 2018

Spinach Ricotta Vegetarian “Meatloaf”


I recently came to the conclusion that it’s almost impossible for me to take a decent picture of a meatloaf.
I’ve tried and miserably failed.
Which is one of the reasons why I only have one other recipe for meatloaf1 on this blog (not pretty, but so very delicious.)
However I feel that even though a meatloaf is not a photogenic dish, one should never judge a dish by the way it appears — no matter how bad the picture is.
In this case, for instance, what this Spinach Ricotta Vegetarian “Meatloaf” lacks in looks, it makes up for in flavor. Trust me.

Mom’s Baked Turkey Meatballs

October 18, 2018

Mom’s Baked Turkey Meatballs


Growing up, my mom made the best meatballs in my opinion. I don’t know/remember if she took the recipe somewhere, tweaked an existing recipe or invented it from scratch (most likely is the former), and I’m not going to pretend these are super authentic Italian meatballs. But I grew up eating them and for that reason alone they hold a special place in my heart.
Mom would make these using either ground beef or ground turkey. I always preferred the turkey version — because I could actually taste the other ingredients in the meatball, not just the meat. But the beef version was also pretty spectacular.

Salt, Pepper & Paprika Potato Wedges

October 11, 2018

Salt, Pepper & Paprika Potato Wedges


I’ve been making these spicy potato wedges for so long, I can’t even remember (most likely I was still in college.)
To be honest, I can’t believe that after all these years of blogging I haven’t told you about them yet, you should revolt or something. Just kidding, please don’t.
I don’t even remember if I found the recipe somewhere or someone told me about it or if I just experimented on my own.
It’s as simple as it gets: Potatoes cut into wedges, oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, pop in the oven, and voilà: awesomely crispy, packed-with-flavor, potato wedges.

(Vegan) Easy 3-Minute Brownie In A Mug

October 4, 2018

(Vegan) Easy 3-Minute Brownie In A Mug


I’m gonna start this post by admitting that I already have a recipe for a chocolate brownie in a mug on this blog .
Which begs the question: do we need another one?
The answer is: yes, we do.
Let me tell you why.
First off, there’s no such thing as too many brownies— we can all agree on this one, am I right?
Secondly, this recipe is drastically different from the other one: it’s eggless, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan and not really paleo. But it’s still so very delicious, simple, quick, and easy to make.
So why not?

Curried Cauliflower Fritters

September 19, 2018

Curried Cauliflower Fritters


If you follow this blog you know that I always had a soft spot for cauliflower. It ranks up there as one of my favorite veggies to cook with - it lends well to so many different flavours, and is similar to rice in that it is a blank canvas for any meal.
As an avid cauliflower lover, I have cooked it a million different ways but cauliflower fritters hold a special place in my heart. Especially my Parmesan Cauliflower Fritters. I used to make ‘em as a side dish, but they are so delicious and satisfying that nowadays I serve them as a main. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians love them equally.

Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

September 10, 2018

Baked Stuffed Tomatoes


I took a month off and went on a trip to France for the summer. I so needed it.
While I was traveling on the French Riviera I stopped in Nice for a couple of days.
What a gorgeous city, you could easily have stayed there a week — or 37 years, like the artist Matisse did.
Anyways, on a breezy summer evening in a small brasserie on the Promenade des Anglais, I tried some amazing tomates farcies à la viande hachée (i.e., tomatoes stuffed with ground beef.)
An amazingly simple dish but so fantastically delicious that the next day and the day after that I came back to the same brasserie to eat it again.

Italian Farro Salad

July 26, 2018

Italian Farro Salad


If you’re not familiar with it, farro is a grain similar to pearl barley, but it’s dried in such a way that instead of being fluffy and spongy, it becomes a bit chewy and has an incredible nutty flavor.
Farro is a pure form of wheat with the husk intact.
It’s been a staple in the Mediterranean diet for centuries, in fact it was a major food for the ancient Romans, who used it to make bread and soups before shifting to wheat.
It’s incredibly versatile and pretty healthy too. It contains a lot of fiber which proves to be very good when it comes to digestion and cardiovascular health. It’s also exceptionally high in protein for a grain and supplies more than 10 different vitamins and minerals.
It used to be pretty hard to find, but nowadays almost all grocery stores carry it. From Trader Joe’s to Whole Foods to Walmart, look for it in the natural-food or special selection sections.

Greek Pasta Salad

July 18, 2018

Greek Pasta Salad

Pasta salads tend to get a bad rap, but I find that the more I think of them as cold and fresh summer dishes and the less as mayo-laden bowls of suspicious ingredients offered in delis around the country, the more inviting they become, not only for picnics and potlucks but for an awesome Friday night.
I actually made this Greek Pasta Salad for a BBQ this past weekend, everyone raved about it, and wanted to know how to make it.
In my book, I always know that something works when people ask for the recipe. Then again, I’m not sure if they are ever going to make it but sure enough, they’ve enjoyed it.
I love when people get so excited about something that is so simple to make and so fresh.

Apple-Mint Iced Tea

July 3, 2018

Apple-Mint Iced Tea


It’s been scorchy hot these past few days, so I’ve been drinking a lot of refreshing drinks.
Together with my Mint and Ginger Iced Green Tea this Apple-Mint Iced Tea has been at the top of my list.
Green tea tartness goes really well with the pungent and refreshing mint aroma and is perfectly counterbalanced by the apple juice sweetness.
Super simple to make, all-natural, good-for-you, and oh-so-yummy.

Sheet Pan Spicy Chicken Fajitas

June 14, 2018

Sheet Pan Spicy Chicken Fajitas

I don’t know if I should tell you or not, but I kinda have a thing for Mexican food in my house.
I’ve never actually thought about it until now, but I’m pretty sure I eat Mexican food at least once a week. From quesadillas, to carnitas, to enchiladas, to these awesome Sheet Pan Spicy Chicken Fajitas.

Pepper Quesadillas

June 1, 2018

Pepper Quesadillas


It’s about time you meet one of my fave go-to meal, Pepper Quesadillas.
When I’m feeling too lazy to make a proper meal but I still want something delicious, filling, and a tad on the healthy side too, I throw together these quesadillas in 15 minutes flat.

"Blow Your Mind" Grilled Chicken Marinade

May 28, 2018

"Blow Your Mind" Grilled Chicken Marinade


Sometimes simplicity is the best. Like the easy breezy grilled chicken marinade I invented the other day.
As a person who loves chicken dishes and couldn’t get tired of them, ever, I’m constantly looking for different and original methods to cook chicken so I can serve it more often without the risk of getting bored. My goal is always the same, juicy, tender, succulent chicken that packs a flavor punch.

Marinated Red Peppers with Garlic and Oregano

May 18, 2018

Marinated Red Peppers with Garlic and Oregano


Most of the time, I don’t choose the recipes I share here, it’s the market that controls it.
As it happens when you live in a climate that deprives you of field-fresh produce for almost half the year, leaving you to go completely out of control and of course overdo it in the months that you’re graced with it — bringing home buckets of fresh produce when you only need a fraction of it.
The other day I picked-up some mega-huge red peppers thinking about pickling them, but then I changed my mind — as I often do— and I instead roasted them.

Easy Gratineed Eggplant

May 14, 2018

Easy Gratineed Eggplant


It’s finally starting to feel like summer so today I’m making a dish that has summer written all over it.
A super simple Gratineed Eggplant — a dish that get raves from anyone who's tried it.
I know that “gratineed” sounds like a fancy word but in reality it just means to bake or broil in au gratin style. That’s it.

Mom's Pink Lemonade

May 4, 2018

Mom's Pink Lemonade


When I was a kid I was 100% convinced that pink lemonade was made from pink lemons (yes, pink lemons do exist but unfortunately their light pink flesh juices run clear).
Then for years I thought it was made by adding pink grapefruit juice to lemonade; it’s not.
Pink lemonade is a popular cloudy variation of traditional lemonade made with added grape juice or cranberry juice, giving the drink its distinctive pink color.
If the taste of pink and traditional are exactly the same, why does the former is more popular than the latter?

(Vegan) Sun-Dried Tomato and Chickpea Burgers

April 26, 2018

(Vegan) Sun-Dried Tomato and Chickpea Burgers


Here is the thing about veggie burgers — I found that once you bite into them, they are often mushy, or they tend to fall apart or even worse they are cardboard-like.
Even some of the good ones are more akin to a fritter than a burger and all miss that juicy burger texture.
Prepare to be amazed.

Classic Souvlaki Kebabs

April 19, 2018

Classic Souvlaki Kebabs


Why is it that, no matter what, we always crave the back-to-basics, simple food that has been around for ages?
Probably because no one wants to fuss and also because we like food that doesn’t make demands on our time, our kitchen skills or our wallets.
As far as I’m concerned there are recipes — such as these Classic Souvlaki Kebabs — that I make a lot around here.
Simple food that speaks for itself. What is there not love about it?

Socca (Gluten-Free Chickpea Flatbread)

April 12, 2018

Socca (Gluten-Free Chickpea Flatbread)


Let’s talk about socca, shall we?
For those of you who are not familiar with this food, socca is a sort of large flatbread (or unleavened pancake if you prefer) made with chickpea flour, water, olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper.
It’s a popular street food along the French Riviera and in and around the province of Genoa, Italy. It's traditionally cooked in wood ovens on copper disks, roughly cut, and served hot.
It’s a great any-time-of-the-day recipe that can be enjoyed in so many ways.
Socca is often served as an appetizer with a few herbs and spices and eaten with the hands with a glass of crisp rosé. My favorite way to eat it is with hummus or harissa: so delicious!

Green Falafels

April 6, 2018

Green Falafels


For those of you who don’t know, falafel is a simple fritter of ground chickpeas, filled with garlic and herbs and fried into a glorious, filling, and inexpensive food.
Falafels are typically eaten wrapped in pita bread and topped with yogurt sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes. But when I make ‘em at home, I’ll eat them straight-up with just a dip of tzatziki.
Traditional falafel is also a vegan food: A great source of protein for people who have cut meat out of their diet and low in fat if you fry it in heart-healthy vegetable oil (such as grapeseed oil.)

Zucchini Pasta Carbonara

March 29, 2018

Zucchini Pasta Carbonara


Spaghetti carbonara is a classic pasta dish that the whole family loves and that takes as long to make as it does to cook the pasta. The ingredients are simple: Pasta, bacon, egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. A silky sauce is created when the beaten yolks are tossed with the hot pasta and a little fat from the bacon. Luscious and wonderfully indulgent, pasta carbonara is as good as it gets.

Easy Baked Chipotle Chicken

March 23, 2018

Easy Baked Chipotle Chicken


Can I be totally honest with you guys?
I am in love with this Easy Baked Chipotle Chicken. So much so that I made a second batch of it the day after devouring the first — which was like two days ago. Speaking of which, I think the time has come to whip up another one because seriously, this is smoky spicy awesomeness.

Pan Sheet Chicken Saltimbocca

March 19, 2018

Pan Sheet Chicken Saltimbocca


Did you know that saltimbocca literally means “jumps in the mouth”?
That description could not be more fitting for this classic Italian restaurant favorite: the dish is so delicious people you cook it for won’t be able to eat it fast enough.

Pan Sheet Chicken Saltimbocca



In this version, chicken replaces traditional veal and instead of pan frying it, it’s roasted in the oven. But the mouthwatering addition of prosciutto and sage stays the same and makes the the dish practically irresistible.
These Pan Sheet Chicken Saltimbocca take minimal effort to make and are ready in just 30 minutes: simple, delicious, and just one pan in the sink to wash up.
It’s my special dish for Niece every time she visits. Pure perfection. Serve it over spinach or better yet, with roasted fingerling potatoes that you can pop in the oven while the saltimbocca are cooking. I can’t seem to make too much — we finish however much there is.

There’s no overloading of ingredients (just seven, if you count also salt and pepper), the perfect complement of flavors, super simple execution, and minimal dishes to wash: what could you possibly want more?

Pan Sheet Chicken Saltimbocca


Pan Sheet Chicken Saltimbocca                                                                                                         Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 4

8 skinless, boneless chicken cutlets (mine were about 3 oz each and ¼-inch thick) and then halved (for a total of 16 small chicken cutlets)
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 thin slices prosciutto, cut in half
16 sage leaves
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¾ cup dry white wine

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°F (220°C) and place a rack in the middle.
Grease a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.
Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Top each cutlet with half prosciutto slice and lay a sage leaf in the center of each cutlet. Weave a toothpick in and out of each cutlet to secure the prosciutto and the sage.
Place cutlets on the prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Remove baking sheet from the oven, pour white wine over the cutlets and roast for additional 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the wine has reduced to a flavorful and distinct sauce.
Serve immediately.

Nutrition facts

One serving (i.e., four saltimbocca) yields 375 calories, 18 grams of fat, 0 grams of carbs, and 48 grams of protein.

Sheet Pan Ratatouille

March 14, 2018

Sheet Pan Ratatouille


I can’t believe how well this worked out. I also can’t believe I made this quintessential stove top hearty dish in the oven. But I can believe I’ll be making this again tomorrow, because it’s delicious and an incredible cinch to make.

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

March 9, 2018

Black Bean Veggie Burgers


Can we please discuss for a moment the price of supermarket veggie burgers? Why are they so expensive?
One can argue that this happens because veggie burgers are made with a lot of ingredients.
Or maybe it’s because vegetarians are willing to pay more to avoid beef/pork, the manufacturers know this and thus charge more.
More likely is it because the production of veggie burgers is on a much smaller scale if compared to the beef counterpart and in addition vegetables and grains — though generally quite cheap pound to pound — are seasonal and can greatly fluctuate in price.
Whatever might be the reason: veggie burgers are expensive!

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

March 1, 2018

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas


I don’t know if there is a name for this but when I see a recipe that sounds intriguing, I have this bad habit of cooking it either right-that-very-moment or pretty much never.
I do the same with clean laundry, I either get every single thing into its proper closet/drawer or it sits on my bedroom chair for days — never bothering to put it away. Same thing happens when I buy something I’m not sure of, I either return it the very next day or it stays in its bag forever.
The fact is, once something leaves my short-term memory, it may as well be lost eternally.
But with recipes, at least today, I’m on a rescue mission.

(Vegan) Coconut Curry Chickpeas

February 23, 2018

(Vegan) Coconut Curry Chickpeas


Crazy week? It can be all too easy to throw healthy eating out of the window and chow down on some takeaway.
With busy life comes the desire to feed oneself all that is easy, quick, and effortless.
But don’t dive into that pizza, Pad Thai or Chipotle just yet.
I have a perfect recipe for you.
So easy and simple, you’ll have dinner sorted in no time.
And if you make a double batch, you’ll have lunch for the next couple of days too.

Double Chocolate Blender Brownies

February 15, 2018

Double Chocolate Blender Brownies


If you ask me, banana and chocolate is a marriage made in heaven. Just like eggs and avocado, tomato and mozzarella, orange and thyme, and coffee and shortbread, just to name a few.
I know that not everyone is a fan though and that some may be dubious about a recipe for brownies that calls for bananas and chocolate.
To be honest, if three years ago you’d told me about a killer recipe for double chocolate brownies made with bananas, I wouldn’t have believed you. But since then, three things happened.

Chocolate Caprese Cake (Gluten-free)

February 8, 2018

Chocolate Caprese Cake (Gluten-free)


I can give up many things in my life but never chocolate. There’s no way around it.
Call it an addiction, call it a craving. It’s my reality, I just can’t ignore the voice in my head screaming for chocolate.
Luckily, I have a solution. My mantra when it comes to chocolate is “just a little bit”.
Whenever I get the craving for chocolate, the only reasonable thing to do is to go ahead and have my chocolate fix, with moderation.

Crock-Pot Mongolian Beef

February 1, 2018

Crock-Pot Mongolian Beef


One of the most fundamental, basic rules of dinner parties — and the one I routinely ignore — is that you should never try out recipes for the first time on your guests. Good manners predicate that guests are not guinea pigs, hence you should never test new dishes and ideas on them.
But when those guests are your family — which means that they are forced to love you — I say go to town on them.
Fortunately, with this Crock-Pot Mongolian Beef everything worked perfectly, like I knew it would. Soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sugar, and beef in the slow cooker: Hardly something can go wrong.

Caprese Lemon Cake (Gluten-Free)

January 26, 2018

Caprese Lemon Cake (Gluten-Free)


I have this suspicion about myself that I love anything caprese.
As long as it’s labeled “caprese” I know I’m going to like it, a lot: Salad, chicken, cauliflower casserole, rice casserole, etc. you name it. The combination of tomato and mozzarella and anything else always wins, in my book.
I think it also has to do with the fact that when I first visited Capri (many moons ago) I fell in love with the place: the feel of the warm Mediterranean breeze, the turquoise water that crashes onto the rocky shores, the magnificent sights that greet you around every turn, and, of course, the taste of the delicious foods available at cafés and restaurants.

Easy Indian Butter Chickpeas

January 19, 2018

Easy Indian Butter Chickpeas


Since you all know me, then you know that I love Indian food to the utmost.
Give me some Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken or Pumpkin Masala and I’m one happy camper.
In fact, some of the most popular recipes on this blog are Indian-inspired; such as the Chickpea Tikka Masala or the Red Lentil and Spinach Tikka Masala — maybe not quite like your grandmother’s authentic Indian recipe but so tasty nonetheless.

Easy Zucchini Gratin

January 16, 2018

Easy Zucchini Gratin


There is something rather awesome about vegetable gratins. You start out with ingredients that are usually not considered healthy — a memorable pile of shredded cheese, heaps of crème fraîche, butter — but then you add a glorious amount of veggies to the equation and the result is a pretty healthy dish. Because if there is a vegetable in it, it must be healthy food, right?

Cinnamon Carrot Soup

January 10, 2018

Cinnamon Carrot Soup


Although it’s still cold, it definitely feels less harsh than last week (and the week before that).
The severe and unusually long cold blast we just experienced was one the sharpest documented — numerous records (if not all) have been broken.
And when it gets cold (especially that cold), I have but one craving: warming and nourishing soups. There’s nothing quite like a big bowl of soup to keep your insides warm and healthy.