Parmigiana di melanzane (Eggplant Parmesan) by Frank Fariello

Being a lover of good food, I find it almost impossible to answer the question 'what's your favorite dish?' But if I had to, my answer would probably be eggplant parmesan--parmigiana di melanzane--the way Angelina used to make it. This is a simple dish to make, but it involves several steps. Allow yourself a good two hours to…

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).

Mushrooms with Butter, Garlic and Croutons by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a delicious and easy to make mushroom dish. It tastes as good as fancy stuffed mushrooms, but is half the work. My kind of recipe!

Cannellini bean hummus by Frosted Flaker

This bean dip is similar to regular hummus, but a little creamier and smoother. Serve it with pita bread, pita crackers or vegetable dippers. It couldn't be easier!

Bruschetta by Kelsey Martin

Georgian Eggplant with Walnut by John Spottiswood

This is a delicious dish that I had in a Georgian restaurant in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was delicious, and this rendition does it supreme justice. This will taste best if you use asian eggplant (chinese, japanese, etc.) which is much thinner than regular eggplant and had smaller and fewer seeds. Makes a great appetizer that can…

Cauliflower Canapés by Denise Romeo

Cauliflower is highly under-rated! It is good served hot in casseroles, cold in salad, pickled, or even in soup. The first time my husband made this cauliflower puree, I was skeptical, but now it is one of my very favorite appetizers.

Parmigiana di melanzane (Eggplant Parmesan) by Frank Fariello

Being a lover of good food, I find it almost impossible to answer the question 'what's your favorite dish?' But if I had to, my answer would probably be eggplant parmesan--parmigiana di melanzane--the way Angelina used to make it. This is a simple dish to make, but it involves several steps. Allow yourself a good two hours to…

White Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce by Frank Fariello

This dish brings me back to my Vienna days: white asparagus and potatoes with hollandaise sauce. The appearance of asparagus in the markets of Vienna--as elsewhere--is a harbinger of Spring. Austrians (and Germans) have a thing for white asparagus. They prefer it to the green kind that is more familiar in most other places. In fact,…

Pizza Sauces by I Sicilian

Stop the pizza delivery man, for ever! Unless… it’s being delivered directly from Sicily. I am sure that if you try this homemade pizza you will never buy into any impersonator again. Although most of us think of pizza as a round pie colored in red and white, pizza like pasta comes in different shapes, different thicknesses, with…

HERB GOAT CHEESE SANDWICH by CHEF ASHRAF ABD ALEEM ELKHARBOTLY

HERB GOAT CHEESE SANDWICH

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…

Tzatziki (Yogurt Cucumber Dip) by Salad Foodie

Refreshing appetizer dip with pita or flat bread, veggies or crackers. Or use as a sauce for gyros or Greek tacos. I have also tried this on grilled salmon and it is delish!

Braised Fennel with White Wine by La Tavola Marche (farm, inn & cooking school)

Fennel is a versatile vegetable that is often looked over for being too tough. Braising is a great way to soften this hearty root vegetable known to aid in digestion. The acidity & fruitiness of the wine compliments the aniseed flavored fennel and with a good drizzle of olive oil it finishes this dish perfectly. Serve with meat!

Basil Pesto by Joanne

If your garden is over flowing with basil, get the Ball freezer jars ready because you just can't make enough of this easy yet robust, flavorful pesto. It makes a terrific sauce and a nice little dip for crudites or crackers. The recipe yields two Ball 16 oz. Freeze Jars of Pesto. *You’ll want more.