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…

Pasta with Butter and Parmesan Cheese by John Spottiswood

I've been cooking this recipe for so long, and it is so simple, that I have often overlooked posting it. We had it with our grilled chicken this week, and finally I'm putting it online. Marcella Hazan says this method of cooking pasta has eclipsed all others as the favorite amongst Northern Italians. And I must say it's among the…

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.

Funghi trifolati ("Truffled" mushrooms) by Frank Fariello

This is one of the easiest and most versatile vegetable dishes in the Italian repertoire: funghi trifolati, or 'truffled' mushooms, so called because the thinly sliced and sautéed mushrooms are said to resemble that other, more highly prized tuber. I use two methods to make funghi trifolati, and both are equally easy:

Broiled Roma Tomatoes by Lauren Morrissey

Roma Tomatoes dipped in melted butter, garlic, and parmesan, and then broiled

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…

Calamari Sauce or Side via Pressure Cooker by Laura Pazzaglia

You can double this recipe and serve it as a side dish - Italians actually use it as a second course - or make it as written and mix it in with spaghetti, serve it with rice... or surprise your guests by serving it on a little warm rectangle of white polenta - as seafood is served in the Friuli and Veneto regions of Italy.

Easy Risotto & Gourmet Mushrooms by Amos Miller

Risotto scares too many cooks. It's really a simple dish, though not commonly served at the American dinner table - unless you have some (usually Northern) Italian blood in your family. When done with care, risotto can be a sublime accompaniment to all types of dishes. In fact, you can add all types of things to a risotto to…

Healthy Summer Squash by RecipeKing

Healthy Summer Squash-is a delicious, easy and quick Italian style side recipe. It takes only 16 minutes total time to prepare and cook. Zucchini, yellow squash and tomatoes are well seasoned and sauteed in a skillet. A fantastic summer side dish that is also a low calories, low fat, low sodium, low cholesterol, low carbohydrates,…

Skinny Potato Salad, Caesar Style by Skinny Kitchen with Nancy Fox

Here’s a fresh new take on potato salad. If you like potato salad and Caesar salad you are going to love this one! It comes together quickly since I’m using a bottled light Caesar dressing. The skinny for each serving, 104 calories, 2.7 grams of fat and 3 Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS.

Fresh Tomato Salad by Catherine Pappas

Serve with a delicious loaf of bread.

Basil and Cilantro Pesto by Jolyma

Bright and full of flavor.

Tuscan inspired skillet potatoes, brussels sprouts and cranberry beans by Meera Nalavadi

Fresh Kale w/ garlic by Evil Fairy

This is so simple and taste wonderful. When you blanch it first it seems to have a sweeter flavor to it. It's even good cold. You can do this dish with any Fresh Greens. Spinach is amazing this way...just add a pinch of nutmeg to it. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is a good touch Great as a side dish to Quiche

spaghette with tomato by CHEF ASHRAF ABD ALEEM ELKHARBOTLY

spaghette with tomato