White truffle risotto is among the ritzier dishes you can make, but it’s surprisingly easy — once you have your hands on some truffles. This is a classic Italian white truffle risotto that highlights the aroma of white truffles, which is so ephemeral you need to add them only at the last minute. I use
Italian Recipes
I grew up cooking Italian cuisine, from classic Italian-American red sauce dishes, to more refined Northern Italian specialties. What follows is a huge collection of more than 100 Italian recipes that use fish, game, mushrooms or edible wild plants.
I started compiling this list of Italian recipes back in 2007, and while all are adapted for game, fish, etc., they all work with regular store-bought meats like chicken, beef or pork.
You will find Italian salumi here, as well as in its own category of Charcuterie, as well as all my recipes for pasta, polenta, risotto and gnocchi -- they also get their own category, since there are more than 60 recipes for them.
Some of my favorite Italian recipes include classics like scampi and old school lasagna, as well as less well known dishes like red pesto from Sicily and tuna crudo.
The Latest
Ancient Roman Mustard
This is the mother of all Italian mustard, an ancient Roman recipe that combines mustard with nuts and vinegar for a unique flavor and texture. The Romans are the first to be credited with making mustard in the way we know it today. Earlier civilizations, notably China and Egypt, used mustard seeds whole as spices.
Roast Haunch of Venison
Roast haunch of venison immediately makes me think of a roaring fire, cold weather, a hunt, lots of booze and tall tales. Now set that picture in Ancient Rome. Many years ago, I adapted this dish rom that most famous of cookbooks from Ancient Rome: Apicius. Only in reality, that book is likely not from
Venison Ragu
A rich venison ragu recipe that is essentially an authentic bolognese sauce. You can use any ground meat here if you don’t have venison.
Italian Venison Ribs
This is my take on an Italian short rib recipe using deer ribs. Cooking venison ribs can be tricky. Here’s how.
Venison Meatballs
My favorite venison meatballs recipe, done in the classic New Jersey Italian-American style. Big ole’ venison meatballs served with spaghetti.
Scallop Scampi
Scampi sauce, really butter, garlic and a little wine, is an Italian-American thing often served with shrimp. This is scallop scampi.
Red Pesto with Pasta
A simple recipe for red pesto, inspired by a similar pesto from Trapani in Sicily. It’s is a sun dried tomato pesto with roasted red peppers.