Vongole means “clams” in Italian and Spaghetti Vongole has stayed close to the original recipes from the coastal regions of Italy. Add tomatoes instead of the greens if you like, but do go to a trusted fishmonger for the best seafood.

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.

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…

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…

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.

There are several kinds of Mozzarella, from fresh to smoked, and Bocconcini to Mozzarella di Bufala.  Fresh and di Bufala are sold in containers or bags with water or whey.    Fresh Mozzarella Mozzarella balls are sold about the size of oranges while Bocconcini is about the size…

Light, little pillows of dough make Italian dumplings or Gnocchi; which are usually served as the first course to contain hot food (prime or primo) in a traditional Italian meal. The prime or primo is not the main event, it is more like a hot…