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Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli by John Spottiswood

This roasted broccoli recipe, adapted from the Barefoot Contessa, is really wonderful. It has a lot of flavor. We served it with a mild pasta, and it was just a wonderful combination. Don't be worried by the lemon juice and zest. They impart a subtle flavor that adds a nice dimension to this dish.

25 votes
21183 views
Brussel Sprouts Sauteed in Garlic & Olive Oil

Brussel Sprouts Sauteed in Garlic & Olive Oil by John Spottiswood

This is a simple, tasty side dish to add to your menu. I've adapted it from Marcella Hazan's recipes for other vegetables. It tastes GREAT with Brussel Sprouts. Broccoli is good too.

25 votes
63857 views
Locavore Squash & Italian Meatball Stir-Fry

Locavore Squash & Italian Meatball Stir-Fry by Sherri Williams

There is nothing better than wonderful summer veggies from my local farmer's market. Our small but wonderful farmer's market in Crestview Florida has such great veggies, fruits and other homemade goodies to offer our community.This quick and easy Italian recipe will be ready in no time. It's simply delicious!

17 votes
11453 views
Deep Fried Brussels Sprouts

Deep Fried Brussels Sprouts by Nate Appleman

This dish will go with just about any main - pasta, meat, small plates. Whatever you're in the mood for.

9 votes
29351 views
Lemon & Garlic Green Beans

Lemon & Garlic Green Beans by John Spottiswood

It is rare to have a side dish which everyone keeps reaching for instead of the main dish. That's especially true if its a fairly simple green vegetable side. But these green beans were truly that good. We used packaged, thin french cut green beans from Trader Joes. They are tender and tasty on their own, but I've never had them taste…

8 votes
33840 views
Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan by Mihir Shah

Wonderful and lighter alternative to baked eggplant Parmesan and wonderful for summer or fall nights. I use canned pasta sauce (basil if you have it).

7 votes
17012 views
Chilled Italian Zucchini Appetizer

Chilled Italian Zucchini Appetizer by John Spottiswood

This is a fantastic recipe that I adapted from Marcella Hazen. She recommends serving this at room temperature, but I've had a similar broccoli appetizer at a great local Italian restaurant and they chill it, so I thought I would too. I think it would be great either way. If it's hot out, and a chilled appetizer would be nice, then…

6 votes
4450 views
Roman-Style Spinach

Roman-Style Spinach by John Spottiswood

This is a great new way I've learned to cook spinach. I wouldn't have thought of adding sweetness to spinach, but I really like the way the currants and pine nuts contrast with the slight bitterness of fresh spinach. This is a new winner that I'll be cooking frequently in the future!

5 votes
3952 views
Spinach and Ricotta Balls - Gnudis

Spinach and Ricotta Balls - Gnudis by John Spottiswood

I've been looking for tasty ways to cook spinach and wild greens because they are so healthful. This one is fantastic. These are called Gnudis in Florence because they are "nude", e.g. missing the pasta on the outside. These are sort of like a spinach ravioli without the pasta. If that doesn't sound all that flavorful to you, wait…

6 votes
6703 views
Roasted Asparagus and Parmesan

Roasted Asparagus and Parmesan by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a simple and delicious Italian recipe adapted from the Barefoot Contessa. We leave out the egg and sometimes the lemon (depends on what you are serving this with).

5 votes
11461 views
Ricotta and Greens or Spinach Pasta

Ricotta and Greens or Spinach Pasta by John Spottiswood

This is another excellent dish that takes advantage of delicious and healthy greens. This is a Sicilian dish that I absolutely love. Our kids all went back for seconds. It's also quite beautiful...the lousy picture I took does not do it justice. A healthy and yummy treat! This is also adapted from Red White and Greens by Faith…

4 votes
2540 views
Peppers stuffed with tuna and capers

Peppers stuffed with tuna and capers by Frank Fariello

Here's a southern Italian deli favorite that you can easily make at home. In this recipe, CES chef Cosimina Anelo, from the region of Calabria, shows you how! Note: The only real trick to this easy dish is finding the right kind of small, round 'cherry' peppers. If you can't find them in your local market, try experimenting with…

4 votes
4499 views
Italian Steak Salad

Italian Steak Salad by John Spottiswood

We adapted this from a Giada De Laurentis recipe. It's simple, but incredibly delicious. Our kids powered through more than we imagined possible. No leftovers at all! The biggest change was serving the steak hot of the grill instead of chilled. That makes a huge positive difference I think...as the warm steak contrasts wonderfully…

5 votes
3506 views
Zucchini Soup

Zucchini Soup by Nanette

What to do with all that Italian squash? Zuppa..Soup! The light refreshing taste is a summer favorite in my family. For a different twist...add a scrambled egg to boiling soup for Squash Egg Drop Soup.

3 votes
3655 views
Squash Blossoms, The Edible Flowers And How To Fix Them

Squash Blossoms, The Edible Flowers And How To Fix Them by kathy gori

This is the time of year when squash blossoms are found in Farmers Markets all around Sonoma. If you've never cooked or eaten squash blossoms, well then you've missed one of the big pleasures of the summer garden. I first had these as a kid when I was still in the "eeewwww we're eating flowers?" phase. They're a big favorite among…

2 votes
3780 views