Pasta Primavera certainly sounds Italian, but I was first made popular by an Italian chef in New York. Our recipe most often only uses chicken stock for a lighter approach, but many recipes add an equal amount of cream; and that is delicious as well.

Beef Cannelloni was traditionally made for Sunday lunch or a holiday – originating in Italy, it is not region specific, but thought to be associated with Campania and Sicily. Our “go to” pasta sauce is Rao’s Marinara, and it doesn’t disappoint in this dish.

During tomato season, we try to use any type of tomatoes every couple days. Pick for your own garden or find them at the local Farmer’s Market. Small tomatoes are lovely for roasting, and it is easy to see why they are actually a fruit.

Scallops or lobster work equally well in this very simple pasta dish. Lemon zest flavours the creamy sauce and balances the sweet scallops or lobster.

Shrimp, lemon and tomatoes start to taste like spring! This classic Italian dish does not have the ever-present Parmesan cheese and honestly, it is so creamy you don’t miss it. We prefer to cook the shrimp on the side (in a little butter, oil and…

This 1 skillet dish is reminiscent of American Goulash, made with tomatoes, ground meat, elbow macaroni and cheese. It is quick comfort food for an easy weeknight meal. We just about always build a bowl, it is easier to count Carbs and have Gluten and…

Sushi Rice is a Japanese short grain rice that cooks up starchy, soft and sticky. Sushi Rice after cooked is flavoured with unseasoned rice vinegar, sugar and salt; so, that the flavour is different from other types of rice.

A simple pasta and salad are perfect pairs on a long smoking hot summer days. Canned clams make for a quick dinner that’s the right size for 2 of us. Any pasta will do, but we do like the smaller shaped ones that gather up…

Shiitake mushrooms are one of the healthiest mushrooms with a bit of smoky or earthy flavour. They are best suited to a quick sauté or served in dishes such as miso soup and steamed/simmered dishes such as risottos. And always use a creamy rice like…

This rich and hearty version of lasagna uses spicy or sweet Spolumbo’s Italian Sausage equally well; and a little Chèvre gives it some depth. Serve with a green salad and dinner is ready on a cool evening.