Vegetarian: Ricotta & Zucchini Balls

Ingredients: 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil4 zucchini1/2 cup ricotta drained2 eggsbread crumbs½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggianosaltblack pepper½ cup basil chopped Preparation:

Vegan Eggplant Balls

Ingredients: 1 medium eggplant, diced1 garlic clove, peeled1 shallot, minced¼ + 1/8 teaspoon saltFreshly ground black pepper, to taste1-1 ½ tablespoon(s) extra virgin olive oil¾ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (gluten-free if desired), divided½ teaspoon dried oregano¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley Procedure:

Chiacchiere al Forno – a Carnevale Neapolitan Cookie

I had a seminar this past weekend and I made an Italian cookie that is usually made to celebrate Carnevale (Mardi Gras, fat Tuesday).  The cookies are usually fried or baked and served with a cup of chocolate sauce to dip into.  For convenience of serving this as part of the cooking seminar I dipped … Read more

Grilled Ham and Cheese on Scooped- Out Italian

Ingredients: Fresh crusty Italian bread (French baguettes)Thinly sliced boiled hamThinly sliced mozzarella cheeseExtra virgin olive oilpaprika Procedure: Don’t forget to smile while you bite into the crispy gooey Ham and Cheese on scooped out Italian!

Christmas Eve’s Clams Oreganate And My Favorite Christmas Present

The Typewriter This  Christmas season I got all nostalgic and  I remembered one of my favorite Christmas present from the past. Don’t be surprised if this favorite gift of mine involves the restaurant.  My thoughts brought me back to 1971 when I woke up on Christmas morning to find my very own typewriter underneath the … Read more

Clams Oreganate

I am going to give you the long version of making clams oreganate by making your own breadcrumbs.  They are the best.  For some reason making them from scratch are so delicious!!  Growing up in our Italian American family Christmas Eve table was never without out clams oreganate.  Of course they were readily available in … Read more

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes!

“Hi Teresa, I figured you would know where I can get bushels of tomatoes.”  “Oh sorry Teresa, we can’t! We are swimming in tomatoes here!” “Hello Teresa, I have brought you a bushel of tomatoes.” So.much talk of tomatoes!! What can I say it’s tomato season in the Hudson Valley! I always teased my kids and … Read more

Pizza Margherita

Ingredients: 1 ball pizza dough (You can make your own or buy already prepared at your local grocer.)1 1/2 dozen ripe cherry tomatoes sliced in half1 clove of garlic grated (You can leave it out of even add more to your liking.)1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil6 leaves of basilgrated pecorino romano cheese or … Read more

Spaghetti ala Putanesca

Serves 2. This dish was actually invented by an innkeeper in Ischia. The story is that late one night guests were hungry and there was no food left. The innkeeper quickly put together a pasta dish with whatever he had on hand which included some tomatoes, olives, capers and anchovies. He said he put together … Read more

Olive & Caper Sauce and Finding My Voice

My favorite part of my job is talking to all the people I meet. This past year at one of my seminars I met a woman who, as soon as I said hello to her, she proclaimed her love for Adams Fairacre Farms (the specialty grocery store in my area where I have my seminars). … Read more