Last week, after bottling our latest batch of Limoncello, our nephew remarked that we should make a batch with cherries – since we just seem to have a few of them… Challenge, accepted! We found a recipe online and with a couple of tweaks, Italian Cherry Liqueur has been started. Started, because this is going… Continue reading Italian Cherry Liqueur
Tag: Italian
Limoncello
It’s rather fitting that we bottled our latest batch of Limoncello on the first full day of Summer – it’s supposed to hit 96°F today – and up to 113°F [*updated] later in the week. In June. In Oregon. It’s definitely time for a frozen cocktail. I think the first time we bottled Limoncello was… Continue reading Limoncello
Orange Olive Oil Cake
Ah… Valentine’s Day… I have to admit that after 26 years, Valentine’s Day does not have the same significance it did when we first met… There’s no need to show one another how much we love one another by buying overpriced roses, expensive chocolates, or overpriced diamonds… No… today, it’s little things. Like baking a… Continue reading Orange Olive Oil Cake
Sicilian Olive Oil Cake
Our new oven is definitely getting a workout! Lots of breads, rolls, casseroles, roasted veggies… all of the things we couldn’t make in the Extended Stay, and all of the things we didn’t make the first month we were here with the old electric range. The new gas range is awesome – we’re both having… Continue reading Sicilian Olive Oil Cake
Pizza
It’s no secret that I made hand-spun pizzas in my youth. I worked at Pirro’s for six years, one month, twelve days, and an hour. I started off in high school as a delivery boy, became the dishwasher, prep cook, cook, and, finally, manager of the place. When I went into the Navy and was… Continue reading Pizza
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Well… I must say, Victor has done it, again! An absolutely delicious dinner using a few simple ingredients from the cupboard. I’m not sure who named a pasta dish after a bunch of working women, but it’s a delicious meal, regardless of the name – and it’s ready in literal minutes. It is more often… Continue reading Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Pasta and Bread
Around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, Victor asked what I was planning for dinner… I had taken a pork tenderloin out of the freezer and was going to braise it with some cherry tomatoes. He said how about some pasta? and I immediately said yes. He then said we needed bread… Fresh bread usually takes a few… Continue reading Pasta and Bread
Rigatoni with Chickpea, Almonds, Ricotta, and Speck
I’ve been going through the cupboard to find fun and new things for dinner… I’m not grocery shopping as often as I used to and crazy times call for creative thinking. One thing we have in abundance, right now, are garbanzo beans. I bought a big bag of them from Palouse Brands in Washington a… Continue reading Rigatoni with Chickpea, Almonds, Ricotta, and Speck
Sicilian Almond Lemon Cake
I guess it’s no longer much of a secret that we’re putting the house on the market and moving west. It’s been a fun run, but 19 years on the east coast is enough. Vancouver, Washington, here we come! Vancouver is just across the Columbia River from Portland, where we have a lot of family.… Continue reading Sicilian Almond Lemon Cake
Happy New Year
The meal is different but this is a reprint of last year’s New Year’s Eve post… I can only wax poetically about new years so much… If my mom ever cooked anything special for the new year, I really don’t remember it. The first time I recall hearing about good luck New Year’s foods was when I… Continue reading Happy New Year
Eggplant, Ravioli, and a Seven Minute Egg
I always know when Victor asks if I have planned anything for dinner that he has a plan for dinner. And I ain’t no fool – I let him go for it! His plan, tonight, was based on a soft-cooked egg he had seen on Milk Street – steamed for exactly 7 minutes. Dinner based… Continue reading Eggplant, Ravioli, and a Seven Minute Egg
Homemade Italian Sausage
We’re back from California after a whirlwind visit. The occasion was my nephew’s wedding. I hafta tell ya – my family does great weddings! Loud and boisterous while still reasonably civilized. We had a blast. The wedding was in Capay, California – about an hour and a half northeast of San Francisco. The venue and… Continue reading Homemade Italian Sausage