These chicken rolls are stuffed with ricotta, spinach, pancetta and cheese therefore, it doesn’t get more Italian!  I made extra filling so I could make a baked pasta the next day which was just as delicious as the chicken rolls. 

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 8   This turkey with asparagus and cauliflower in a white sauce pasticcio or also known as lasagna is a great option to the traditional Bolognese style one because it is a lot lighter but full of flavour.    Like all lasagnas you have to prepare all the layers which takes time but it is worth it.    Ingredients 270 gr diced and steamed asparagus 500 gr diced and steamed cauliflower 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp vegetable broth 600 gr ground t

My nonna used to make pasta e patate when I was little because dad and I loved it.  I’ve tried to replicate her recipe, and I think it was pretty close.  Being Calabrese, she always added a little bit of hot peppers or flakes to make it taste better.

Puff pastry is always a great thing to have in the house when you just don’t know what to make.  Today I made these ham and cheese pockets and my Caprese Salad for two and it was a perfect light meal. 

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 3 – 4   Tortellini alla Panna has always been a pasta that the whole family loves.  To the roux I add onions, whip cream, layers of cheese and peas which makes this pasta very creamy and delicious.   Ingredients 500 gr tortellini 50 gr butter 50 gr diced onions 50 gr flour 250 ml whip cream Milk – as required to get the consistency you want 2 slices processed cheese 50 gr grated Pecorino Romano cheese Garlic salt or salt and pepper to t

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Makes: 12 polpette, baby meatballs & enough meat for a small meatloaf Spaghetti dinner for 2   I’ve been making spaghetti and polpette (meatballs) since I was seven years old, when my mom would be working long days.  The great thing about meatballs is that you can make them with anything in them.  Today, I made a big batch so I could have some for this spaghetti and meatballs recipe, and for the freezer; six meatballs, baby meatballs for soup a

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 6, plus rice for next day   I love stuffed peppers and this recipe with sausage, veggies and rice then infused with scamorza cheese is absolutely delicious.  Served with some sautéed green beans and cheesy garlic bread makes this a complete meal.    Note: I purposely made twice as much as I needed for the peppers as I put the rice with some mozzarella cheese in the oven and we had a new meal the next day.    Ingredients 350 gr basmati

Scorri a basso per I’italiano   Serves: 4 Today I let my good friend and neighbour in Arona, Loredana, make this incredible meal. She wanted to learn something new and after we cooked our full meal, our husbands Luciano and Gianni sat down for a delicious dinner. This easy and delicious layered eggplant brings eggplant parmigiana to the next level.  Served with rice, makes it a full hearty meal that everyone will love.  If you want to make it vegetarian, don’t add the roast

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   Serves: 3   My granddaughter Ariana loves to help her nonna bake and cook and at 2 years 8 months old, she is a great little helper and understands the baking and cooking process.  I love having her help me.   Today she made this simple red sauce pasta, which is delicious for little ones.  She is our little pasta monster and got to love her hair!!!   Ingredients 210 gr crushed tomatoes 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp garlic salt or salt and pepper to ta

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   This funny looking Christmas tree is a great appetizer during this holiday season.  It is simple to put together, and it cooks up in 20 minutes.  I used a Thai Hot Chili Sauce as the dip, but you can use whatever your favourite dip is.   Ingredients 2 rectangular puff pastry dough Herbed cream cheese, to taste 4 – 6 large ham slices Sliced pimento stuffed olives, as required 2 egg yolks, beaten Thai Hot Chili Sauce   Directions Roll out the fir

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 2   Baked baby gnocchi are great in this simple bacon and zucchini sauce.  Great any time of day.   Ingredients 500 gr fresh packaged gnocchi 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil Garlic salt or salt & pepper to taste 1 tbsp vegetable broth 150 gr bacon 1 tbsp vegetable broth 160 gr diced zucchini 50 gr diced onions Vegetable broth as required Garlic salt or salt & pepper to taste Hot pepper flakes to taste Grated pecorino Romano cheese to taste   Direc

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 4   I had several zucchini and ham in the fridge, added some eggs and cheese and made this amazing zucchini bake.  I served it with my simple Tomato Bocconcini Salad which was a perfect light meal.   Ingredients 400 gr thinly sliced zucchini 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp salt 3 eggs 75 ml milk 50 ml Greek yogurt 2 tbsp grated parmigiano cheese 1 tsp paprika Cooking spray Grated parmigiano cheese to taste Cooked ham slices cut into pieces, to

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   Serves: 2   I love buying store bought Mac & Cheese packages and adding different ingredients to create a yummy meal.  I can’t buy Mac & Cheese package in Italy so when in Canada I enjoyed having this option with onions, pepper, ham, spicy pepper sauce then topped with extra cheddar cheese.   Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp vegetable broth Fresh peppers to taste 1 small onion 175 gr ham steak Minced hot pepper to taste Garlic salt or salt &

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 6   Today my grandsons Weston and Jameson helped me come up with this amazing recipe that is easy for little ones to help with and is a delicious meal.    I didn’t have weights for the ingredients as I don’t have a scale here in Canada, but you can play with the quantities to align to your needs.    Ingredients Basmati Rice for 6 3 small peppers 4 slices of ham 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp vegetable broth Seasoning salt to taste 3 chicken br

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Makes: 45 - 50 cannelloni   Stuffed pasta then baked is always a delicious meal.  These stuffed cannelloni with turkey, pork, veggies, a layer of tomato sauce and topped with béchamel and cheese make this a great recipe for when you have guests for dinner.    Ingredients 1 tbsp vegetable broth 600 gr ground turkey 500 gr ground pork 2 tbsp vegetable broth 120 gr small diced carrots 80 gr small diced celery 130 gr small diced onions 160 gr small

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 6   Everyone loves lasagna and this one will allow your guests to have something to chat about...

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 4   These veal wraps are simple to make and of course you can substitute any meat as long as you...

Scorri a basso per I’italiano   Serves: 3   This simple to make potato and asparagus recipe is a great side dish to any type of meat. ...

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 2 – 3 Peas & Pancetta Pasta   Here is another great pasta that is ready in less than 30 minutes...

Scorri a basso per l’italiano   Serves: 2 Spicy Veggie & Pancetta Pasta   Here is another 30-minute pasta that is super simple to make...