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.

Sicilian Eggplant & Ricotta Pasta by John Spottiswood

This is yet another wonderful Italian recipe that I've adapted from Marcella Hazan's classic "Essentials of Italian Cooking". This one is good enough that my wife put a little smily face in the upper corner of the recipe and wrote "It's a keeper!". I think you'll feel the same way. We served this for friends with a wonderful citrus…

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…

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…

Frittata ai carciofi (Artichoke Frittata) by Frank Fariello

The frittata is one of those categories of dishes, like risotto, where the main ingredient, in this case egg, can act as a foil to an almost infinite variety of flavors, be it meat, fish or vegetable. So by learning a single technique, you open up a whole new culinary galaxy. One of my favorite frittate, especially this time of year,…

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…

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…

Bean Gratin by John Spottiswood

This delicious and healthy recipe can be made with any variety of white bean, dried or canned. I used dried cannellini beans. Great Northern beans or other white beans will work too. I served this with a delicious Pork Stew, but I think it would go well with any hearty meat or poultry dish. It took me back to our summer visit to…

Shaved Brussels Sprout and Farro Salad by John Spottiswood

This recipe is adapted from one by Susan Spungen. I thought it was phenomenal. If you can't find Farro, you coud substitute brown rice or pearl barley, but get Farro if you can. It's wonderful. You might consider serving this as a side for Thanksgiving. It would make a great addition.

Whole Grain Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad) by Mark Bittman

This Italian peasant dish is most often no more than stale bread, tomatoes, and olive oil, but I like adding a little something crunchy and green. It's also a good vehicle for leftover grilled vegetables--like eggplant, zucchini, or mushrooms--or for hard boiled eggs or anchovies. When tomatoes aren't in season, try the dried fruit…

Pasta with Grape or Cherry Tomatoes by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a great pasta from an island off the coast of Italy that I adapted from Giada de Laurentiis. The roasting of the tomatoes and capers with the bread crumbs makes for flavorful and original pasta. I've served this with and without basil, and prefer it with basil though it is delicious either way.

Four Cheese Italian Macaroni by Jennifer Bass

Orange perfumed risotto by Alida

A very straightforward dish. A light risotto with a delicate aroma of orange. You will use the zest as well as the juice so it would be best to use an organic orange.

Rotini with Swiss Chard by Salad Foodie

Healthy and delicious, this recipe is a stand-out as a vegetarian main dish or side dish. Simple preparation and quick cooking bring this pasta charmer to your table. Bump up nutrition by using whole wheat pasta. Fresh spinach can be subbed for chard.

Rotini with Pesto, Tomatoes and Spinach by Salad Foodie

My friend's daughter tasted this last year on a vacation and dubbed it the "Best Pasta Ever." I'll go along with her on that! It's a healthy and colorful vegetarian pasta dish that will serve 6 generously, or make heaped platefuls for 4 ravenous diners! I started with the recipe the chef gave her, but it was just a list of…