Chocolate-Cannoli Cupcakes

Chocolate-Cannoli Cupcakes

This doesn’t need much of an introduction.. so here ya go! Chocolate Cupcake: My moist chocolate cupcake recipe – baked into about 40 regular sized cupcakes. Cooled. Cannoli Frosting: 1 1/2 stick unsalted butter – at room temperature 1/3 part-skim ricotta – drained in a cheese cloth 1 tsp vanilla extract 6 cups confectioners sugar …

Mini Italian Grilled Cheese

Mini Italian Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is usually thought of as a something one used to eat as a kid. But more and more I’m seeing this gourmet grilled cheeses – trucks, shops, etc. Melt Shop and Murrays Cheese Bar are a few popular places. I feel that these places are good, but honestly quite mediocre for that they …

Open Faced Crispy Eggplant Sandwich

Open Faced Crispy Eggplant Sandwich

I love eggplant parm, but just like any other foodies, I find it to be a bit boring. My mom makes these delicious thin and crispy eggplant cutlets once in a while, which remind me of eggplant parm. So I decided to use those and whip up something that was similar to an eggplant parm, …

Oil n’ Garlic Spaghetti with Caramelized Onions & Parmesan

Oil n’ Garlic Spaghetti with Caramelized Onions & Parmesan

I think if someone asked me what my favorite simple pasta dish was I’d probably say Oil n’ Garlic (or vodka or pesto or pink sauce, etc etc..EVERYTHING). No, but really – I love Oil n’Garlic pasta. It’s garlicky, and smooth and when topped with parmigiana cheese -adds just the right amount of salt. One …

“Fancy” Grilled Cheese

“Fancy” Grilled Cheese

Do you ever get a craving for a simple grilled cheese sandwich? Something gooey and delicious and full of carbs and cheesy goodness? Yah, I get these cravings all the time, but if I ate what I craved all the time, I’d probably be a beluga whale. But I do like to reasonably indulge from …

Eggplant Rollatini with Spinach Pesto

Eggplant Rollatini with Spinach Pesto

This past Christmas we decided to relax at home and I cooked up a vegetarian Italian feast! I decided to make Eggplant Rollatini as the main dish, but of course with a twist. I first made a homemade marinara sauce using San Marzano crushed tomatoes the night before. I spiced up the traditional ricotta filling …

Garlicky Broccoli & Brussel Sprouts with Almonds

Garlicky Broccoli & Brussel Sprouts with Almonds

I love green vegetables (how can I not, I’m vegetarian!). I specifically loveee broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, asparagus, etc etc ETC. I had some fresh broccoli and brussel sprouts on hand, so I decided to combine them. Below is a super simple and fast side dish you can put together if you have these veggies …

Burrata with Truffled Cherry Tomato-Basil Salad

Burrata with Truffled Cherry Tomato-Basil Salad

Does this really need an introduction? Burrata with Truffled Cherry Tomato-Basil Salad: 1 fresh burrata cheese – good quality burrata is now available at Costco (Whole Foods sells the same brand) 1 box fresh cherry tomatoes – can be any size box, no real measurements here a hefty handful of fresh basil black pepper salt …

Stuffed Italian Hot Peppers

Stuffed Italian Hot Peppers

There are a lot of vegetables that are overlooked, especially when it comes to vegetables used in Italian cooking. My family (especially my dad) have always loved long Italian hot peppers – they’re usually offered at Italian restaurants in Staten Island. This Christmas when we decided to cook an Italian feast I decided I’d make …

Caramelized Onion-Thyme Foccacia

Caramelized Onion-Thyme Foccacia

I was surprised at myself when I realized that I had never made foccacia bread before! A couple of weeks ago we had out final ‘Bread-Off’ at VivaKi. It was our third and final ‘Bread-Off,’ as I left VivaKi just on Friday (yes, I’m very sad). We decided to do something easy, but still traditional …