Quick Summary: These pan-fried zucchini fritters stay crispy on the outside and hold together in the skillet. The secret is removing moisture from the zucchini and using mostly egg yolks. Serve with yogurt caper sauce or your favorite dip. Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 6 minutes | Makes: 15 fritters Jump to: RECIPE […]
Crispy Zucchini Fritters That Won’t Fall Apart Read Post »
Quick Summary: A fresh summer dinner salad with rotisserie chicken (or homemade cooked chicken), blueberries, and a tangy white wine vinaigrette. No cooking required. Perfect for busy weeknights or when it’s too hot to turn on the stove. Prep: 20 min | Serves: 5 Jump To: RECIPE | Blueberries and Savory Recipes | Ingredients |
Blueberry-Chicken Chopped Salad Recipe Read Post »
Quick Summary: Fresh asparagus coated in a light batter of Parmigiano, garlic, breadcrumbs, and parsley, then baked or fried until golden. A Southern Italian-Sicilian recipe perfect for Easter or any spring celebration. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. Prep: 45 min | Cook: 15 min | Serves: 6 Jump to: RECIPE | Brief History
Italian-Style Asparagus Spears: Baked or Fried Read Post »
Quick Summary: A moist, aromatic olive oil cake from Southern Italy with fresh orange zest, Grand Marnier, and warm cardamom. Not too sweet, easy to make in one bowl with a whisk, and perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or dessert. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 50 min | Serves: 9 Jump To: RECIPE | Why
Italian Orange Olive Oil Cake with Cardamom and Grand Marnier Read Post »
Quick Summary: Italian sweet peppers like Jimmy Nardello, Marconi, and Corno di Toro are sweeter and thinner-walled than standard bells. Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before last frost, transplant when soil reaches 60°F. Most Italian peppers grow well in containers. Harvest green or wait for full color for maximum sweetness. Read time: 7 min |
Italian Sweet Pepper Varieties: How to Grow and Cook Them Read Post »
Piperade is the simple, elegant, and quintessential dish of the small Basque region that sits partially in France and partially in Spain. The signature ingredients are those found readily in this region and consist of onion, garlic, peppers, and tomatoes (and usually a spicy paprika). Jump to: RECIPE | What is Piperade? | Grow Your
Seared Chicken Piperade: Slow-Carb Version Read Post »
Quick Summary: Dried beans have superior flavor and texture but require more time. Use dried for dishes where beans are the star (fagioli, hummus, bean salads). Use canned for soups, stews, and casseroles where beans share the spotlight. Soak older beans overnight; fresh beans from quality sources don’t need soaking. Read time: 15 min |
Dried vs Canned Beans: When to Use Each (Plus Fagioli Recipe) Read Post »
Quick Summary: Non-starchy vegetables are the foundation of slow carb and low carb eating, and not all of them are created equal. Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts give you the most nutrition per carb. Starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, and most root vegetables will stall your progress. This ranked
Slow Carb Diet Vegetables: Ranked List from Lowest to Highest Carb Read Post »
Chicory is one of the most underrated vegetables for home gardeners. It’s cold-hardy, easy to grow, and includes varieties most people have never tried, like radicchio, catalogna, puntarelle, and sugarloaf. I grow several chicory varieties at HeathGlen Organic Farm in Minnesota for both fall salads and winter cooking. The bitter, complex flavor pairs well with
How to Grow Chicory: Varieties, Growing Tips, and Recipes Read Post »
Quick Summary: Traditional Italian winter squash varieties like Marina di Chioggia, Piena di Napoli, and Violina Rugosa offer superior flavor but aren’t available in stores. They’re easy to grow, store for months, and work beautifully in pasta, risotto, and roasted dishes. Read time: 10 min | Experience level: Beginner to intermediate Jump to: Italian Squash
Italian Winter Squash: Growing and Cooking Read Post »
Romano beans and sweet cherry tomatoes make a great low carb vegetable dish for the height of summer. Easy and delicious
How to Actually Eat More Vegetables on a High Protein Diet Read Post »
Quick Summary: An Italian kitchen garden needs tomatoes (paste, slicer, and cherry types), squash, beans, chicory, peppers, eggplant, kale, broccoli, onions, lettuce, and herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley. Grow in the ground or containers. Most Italian varieties thrive in US gardens with warm summers. Read time: 12 min | Experience level: Beginner to intermediate
Italian Vegetables: What to Grow for Italian Cooking (Including Italian Herbs) Read Post »
Quick Summary: Romano beans (Italian flat beans) are easy to grow, disease-resistant, and highly productive. Pole varieties need trellising and reach up to 10 feet; bush varieties stay compact. Sow directly in garden after soil reaches 60°F. Harvest at 6 inches for tender pods. Read time: 10 min | Experience level: Beginner Jump to: What
How to Grow Romano Beans (Flat Beans): Varieties, Planting, and Cooking Read Post »
Quick Summary: The Pesco Mediterranean diet combines the plant-rich, olive-oil-centered approach of traditional Mediterranean eating with fish and seafood as the primary protein, plus intermittent fasting for metabolic health. It is less aggressive than keto for weight loss but significantly more sustainable long-term. This guide covers the key foods, what to eat day to day,
Pesco Mediterranean Diet: Food List, Meal Plan Ideas, and Recipes Read Post »
Quick Summary: Thin beef slices stuffed with prosciutto, pine nuts, Pecorino Romano, garlic, and parsley, then simmered for hours in robust tomato sauce. A Sicilian/Neapolitan celebration dish featured in “The Bear.” The braciole flavors the sauce; the sauce tenderizes the braciole. Serve with rigatoni. Developed with Italian friend Gloria Baldino. Prep: 30 min | Cook:
Southern Italian Beef Braciole (Involtini) with Tomato Sauce Read Post »
Quick Summary: Pozole rojo is a classic Mexican stew of pork and hominy in a red chile broth, slow-cooked until the flavors meld. This recipe comes from a friend in the BajÃo region of Mexico. Made in large batches for celebrations and crowds. The garnishes (radishes, cabbage, lime, avocado, hot sauce) make the dish. Prep:
Pork Pozole Rojo: Traditional Mexican Pork and Hominy Stew Read Post »
Quick Summary: Salmon roasted with a mayonnaise coating that turns golden and tangy under the broiler. Only 2 to 3 ingredients, ready in 15 minutes. Serve with salsa macha for heat and crunch. Slow carb compliant. Prep: 10 min | Cook: 15 min | Serves: 4 Jump to: RECIPE | Best Salmon | Salsa Macha
Baked Salmon Coated with Mayonnaise and a Side of Salsa Macha Read Post »
Quick Summary: Mexican chile oil is a crispy, smoky condiment made with fried dried peppers, garlic, peanuts, and sesame seeds — Mexico’s answer to chili crisp. Smoky, crunchy, and endlessly versatile. Use it on tacos, eggs, pizza, or straight from the jar. Prep: 10 min | Cook: 10 min | Makes: 2 cups Jump to:
Mexican Chile Oil (Salsa Macha): How to Make It at Home Read Post »
Quick Summary: Soft cookies studded with fresh raspberries and chunks of dark chocolate. Using 78% dark chocolate and minimal sugar lets the sweet-tart berries and rich cocoa flavor shine. Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Makes: 20 cookies Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients | Step by Step Directions | More Raspberry
Raspberry Dark Chocolate Cookie Recipe (Low Sugar) Read Post »
This fall, cozy up with a warming twist on a classic cocktail. A great little pick-me-up for rainy days, this pumpkin spice espresso martini is the perfect combination of intense espresso, boozy vanilla vodka, and homemade pumpkin spice simple syrup. Jump To: RECIPE | Ingredients | Directions Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini Ingredients Pumpkin Spice Simple
Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini Read Post »
Quick Summary: Peperonata is slow-cooked sweet peppers with onions and garlic, simmered until velvety soft. Use it to braise pork chops for a tender, flavorful one-pan dinner. The sauce also works on burgers, grilled chicken, or crusty bread. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 45 min | Serves: 4 Jump to: RECIPE | What is Peperonata?
Pork Chops Stewed in Peppers and Onions: An Italian Peperonata Read Post »
Quick Summary: Pork chops braised in puttanesca sauce with tomatoes, olives, capers, and anchovies. Brown the chops, add the sauce, simmer 10 minutes. A bold, low carb Italian dinner in 30 minutes. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 30 min | Serves: 4 Jump to: RECIPE | What is Puttanesca | Ingredients | Step by Step
Pork Chops in Puttanesca Sauce: 30-Minute Italian Dinner Read Post »
Quick Summary: Fluffy breakfast or dessert bars made with blue corn masa harina, fresh raspberries, and toasted pine nuts. The earthy, nutty flavor of blue corn balances the sweet-tart berries. Not too sweet, with a stunning light blue and bright red color. Prep: 20 min | Cook: 20 min | Makes: 16 bars Jump to:
Easy Raspberry Bars with Blue Corn Masa Read Post »
Quick Summary: These raspberry scones use brewed Earl Grey tea as the liquid instead of cream or eggs, creating a moist, flavorful pastry that’s not dry or crumbly. The tea adds subtle bergamot flavor that complements the fresh raspberries. Drizzle with lemon-vanilla icing while warm. Prep: 15 min | Cook: 20 min | Makes: 8
Raspberry Black Tea Scones: No Eggs or Cream Needed Read Post »
Quick Summary: Traditional strawberry shortcake uses biscuits, not sponge cake. These cream biscuits are made with heavy cream instead of butter or buttermilk, making them simple and foolproof. Macerate fresh strawberries with sugar, lemon juice, and optional basil. Layer biscuits with strawberries and vanilla whipped cream. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 30 min | Serves:
Best Biscuits for Strawberry Shortcake: Sweet Cream Recipe (No Butter or Buttermilk) Read Post »
Quick Summary: Raspberry sweetness depends on variety, full sun, proper pruning, and harvesting at peak ripeness. Summer-bearing varieties like Tulameen and Cascade Delight tend to be very sweet. For everbearing, Anne (yellow) and Caroline are excellent choices. Read time: 10 min | Experience level: Beginner to intermediate Jump to: Sweetest Varieties | Summer Varieties vs
The Sweetest Raspberries (Varieties and Growing Tips) Read Post »
Quick Summary: Strawberry sweetness depends on variety, potassium fertilizer, full sun, and harvesting at peak ripeness. June-bearing varieties like Earliglow and Honeoye tend to be sweetest, but day-neutrals like Albion and Seascape also deliver excellent flavor. Read time: 10 min | Experience level: Beginner to intermediate Jump to: Sweetest Varieties | How To Grow |
The Sweetest Strawberries: Varieties and How to Grow Sweet Strawberries Read Post »
Quick Summary: A tangy, herbal Mexican sauce made from pumpkin seeds, tomatillos, poblano and serrano peppers, and fresh cilantro, served over chicken. Sometimes called mole verde, though pipián always features pumpkin seeds as the star. Easier than complex moles but deeply flavorful. Tested in Oaxaca and brought home to my Minnesota kitchen. Prep: 30 min
Chicken Pipián Verde: Pumpkin Seed Green Mole Read Post »
Quick Summary: Salmon filets roasted with a tangy rhubarb compote made with ginger, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Quick enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for company. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 10 min | Serves: 4 Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients | Directions (Step by Step) | More Rhubarb Recipes | FAQ This tart ginger
Roasted Salmon with Savory Rhubarb Ginger Sauce Read Post »
Quick Summary: An easy sheet cake with cornmeal for texture, made with olive oil instead of butter for a moist crumb. Topped with macerated strawberries and rhubarb. Perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks. Includes tips on cornmeal types and substituting oil for butter in baking. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 45 min | Serves: 24
Strawberry Rhubarb Cornmeal Sheet Cake (Oil-Based) Read Post »
