Secondi – Main Courses

Hello folks. Today, I am forcing myself out of my quarantine fog! I’d like to share a lovely recipe for sautéed calamari with artichokes. This is a simple preparation, consisting of sautéed calamari lightly coated in crispy breadcrumbs, served on a bed of braised, seasonal artichokes. A light hint of garlic infuses the whole dish. What’s not to like? My whole family loves it, including my little girl. If you are a lover of calamari and artichokes and like the idea of them together, give this recipe a try.

Meatballs. Who doesn’t love meatballs? Anyone? Meatballs are scrumptious little balls of comfort and joy. Kids and adults love them and, personally, I’d take a meatball over a steak any day. These quick & easy meatballs are a bit different from the Italian meatballs you might know. They are inspired by my recent travels to Molise. Prepared with chicken and pork, they are light, tender, delicate, have balanced flavor, are lower in fat, and come together in about 30-35 minutes total! All of that and they are absolutely delicious.

If you have been following me on Instagram, you know that I recently went to Molise for the first time. (My 18th region out of 20!) What I found there was natural beauty, warm, extremely generous people, excellent food and ingredients, great wine, and… pampanella! What is pampanella you ask? It’s something you need in your life – that’s what it is! Pampanella is a spicy, luscious, rich, and utterly craveable roast pork dish from a town called San Martino in Pensilis. I am ecstatic to tell you about this unheard-of dish and share a recipe for this scrumptiousness. Spice…

Seppie al Nero alla Veneziana is a glorious, dramatic, and scrumptious dish of cuttlefish (a cousin of squid) stewed in its own ink. It is one of my favorite Venetian dishes. The black ink with its taste of the sea, combined with a few aromatics, creates a magical sauce that is both simple and luscious at the same time. Traditionally, it is served on a bed of polenta as a main course or on spaghetti as a primo. Either way, it is heavenly and special. Happily, I was taught how to prepare it recently by a Venetian grandmother. I can…

Bagna Cauda from Piedmont is one of those iconic dishes that you come across repeatedly when you read about Italian cuisine. What it is, at its simplest, is a warm sauce of garlic and anchovies slowly cooked in extra virgin olive oil until soft and luscious, served in autumn with seasonal raw and cooked vegetables. It’s not just a dish but a communal event shared with friends and family. (Red wine flowing…) If you hear the recipe described – it doesn’t necessarily sound appealing or interesting at first. However, once you taste it and experience a proper Bagna Cauda, it…

To say that I like to eat and eat well is an understatement. I adore food from all over the world. Consequently, coming up with an absolute favorite dish is tough. However, Eggplant Parmigiana is way up there on my favorites list. If I could select my final meal, I’d definitely include a huge tray of it, just for me! Zucca alla Parmigiana or Butternut Squash Parmigiana is a fall/winter version of the dish. In my version, I use the same glorious flavors of a Neapolitan Melanzane alla Parmigiana, but switch out the summery eggplant with winter squash. It’s a…

If you have traveled to Italy or other parts of Europe, you may have come across guinea fowl or guinea hen (faraona in Italian). I first encountered it in Italy and found it to be utterly delicious. Although it’s not very common in the USA, it’s something that I think many people would adore if they tried it. If you like chicken but are looking for something a little different, that’s leaner and that has even more flavor, consider trying it. Searching for an Italian guinea fowl recipe? This simple and satisfying recipe could be just what you’re looking for.