Recipe Blog
Jo’s Spicy Tomato Mascarpone Pasta
Spicy, creamy, and comforting, this easy tomato mascarpone pasta combines passata, red wine, pancetta, fresh herbs, and mascarpone for a silky sauce inspired by the simple dinners I made during culinary school in Florence.
Braciolentini – Italian Sirloin Beef Rolls with Provolone & Pecorino
Savory, cheesy, and packed with flavor, these braciolentini are thinly sliced beef rolls coated in a garlicky Pecorino breadcrumb mixture and wrapped around melty provolone for an irresistible Italian-inspired bite.
Lake Eats 2025
Our annual family lake trip is always about slow mornings, sun-soaked afternoons, and—most importantly—really good food. From barbecued “Cardiff Crack” (tri tip steak native to Cardiff area in Northern San Diego) and smoky grilled corn to summer salads and triple berry jam, every meal felt like a little celebration. Here’s a look at what we cooked, shared, and devoured together by the water.
Basic Fresh Pasta
There’s nothing like the silky texture and rich flavor of fresh pasta made from scratch. This recipe uses simple ingredients and a Marcato pasta machine to roll the dough to the perfect thickness, then cut it into delicate ribbons. Whether you're making fettuccine, tagliolini, or sheets for lasagna, this method delivers pasta that cooks in minutes and tastes like a dream.
Cauliflower Fritters
These cauliflower fritters are a beloved family classic passed down from my great-grandmother. Crispy, savory, and full of old-school charm, they’re the perfect appetizer or side dish—and guaranteed to disappear fast.
Parmesan Risotto
Creamy, comforting, and full of flavor, this classic risotto is made with aromatic shallots, white wine, and a rich Parmesan finish. It's the perfect cozy dish for a night in—simple enough for a weeknight, elegant enough for entertaining.
Easy Overnight Focaccia
Discover the secret to perfectly fluffy focaccia every time with this easy overnight recipe. Let the dough rest slowly for enhanced texture and flavor, resulting in a golden, airy bread that's perfect for any occasion. Simple ingredients, minimal effort, and maximum deliciousness.
Family Cookbook Club 2024
Ina Garten-themed family cookbook club recipes we cooked (and adored) linked in this blog post!
Panzanella Salad
A classic Italian summer salad that highlights the beauty of fresh summer produce, really good olive oil, and (of course) delicious bread. What’s not to love?
Petit Pot Pistachio Tiramisu
Pistachio tiramisu with dreamy pistachio flavored mascarpone cream and pistachio-infused espresso. Perfect summer treat? Yes, please!
Dual Panna Cottas w/ Petit Pot: Lavender Mascarpone & Spiced Pear w/ Honeycomb Pieces
Dual Panna Cottas: Lavender Mascarpone & Spiced Pear with Honeycomb Pieces. Creamy, dreamy, crunchy, and of course, delicious.
Lasagna Rollups
Lasagna, vertically. This dish was inspired by Massimo Bottura’s “The Crispy Part of the Lasagna” dish. Classic lasagna components such as a delicious bolognese-style sauce, various types of shredded cheese, and hearty lasagne noodles come together and are baked and broiled in the oven until you get that “crispy part of the lasagna” on the top of every rollup. How incredible is that?!
Limoncello Tiramisu
Limoncello Tiramisu: combining 2 classic Italian flavors of limoncello and tiramisu perfect for summer nights!
Eggs in Purgatory
Eggs in Purgatory is a classic Southern Italian dish uniting umami Parmigiano Reggiano and anchovies, silky eggs, and tangy tomatoes all atop toasted garlicky Ciabatta… I don’t recommend kissing anyone after you eat this, but man, oh man, your taste buds will thank you!
Nana Jo’s Meatballs in Sauce
Simple Sicilian meatballs with classic Sunday sauce. How much better could a Sunday get?!
Chocolate Italian Soft Bite Biscotti
Triple chocolate Italian-style soft bite biscotti. Reminder that you can, in fact, have dessert for breakfast…with espresso on the side. C’mon, eat like an Italian!
Valentine’s Day Menu
Simple, effortless Italian-inspired Valentine’s Day menu for your special night! Plus a printable PDF grocery list to make your shopping a no brainer.
Zucca Chips
Zucca chips: a healthy spin on the Italian classic. Baked to perfection, these chips will have you coming back for handful after handful—and not leave you feeling guilty!