Pasta, Risotto, Gnocchi
As excited I was about roasting a seriously good chicken the other day, I might have been even more stoked for the leftovers, which became this Tuscan classic: tortellini en brodo, little dumplings filled with leftover chicken and cheese, served in a clear chicken broth.
Italian
Nothing is wasted in classical Italian cuisine, including the giblets of birds. This is a venerable variant of the traditional Bolognese sauce made with the hearts, livers and gizzards of ducks or chickens. A great use for giblets -- and an easy one to serve the skeptical.
Wild Game
This is a classic Italian recipe they use with pigeons, but it will work with squab, doves or even teal, too. Roasted birds, chopped fine and stuffed into an egg pasta, served with juniper butter with rosemary.
Wild Game
This is the "little black dress" of salami. It's meat, fat, salt, black pepper and garlic. Nothing else. A basic salami is a measure of its maker. Master this and then add all the fancy spices. Or not. After all, the spare, simple black cocktail dress is a classic for a reason.
Foraging
“Ever eat a pine tree? Many parts are edible.” That may be the most famous quote from the father of modern…
Charcuterie
Why it's taken me years to post a recipe for sweet Italian sausage is beyond me. I make this sausage all the time, too. Maybe it's just because I thought it too basic for HAGC? Whatever. Here it is, my version of the classic Italian favorite.
Italian
Yes, it's true. This is a vegetarian recipe... although it'd be good with some bacon. I have a fondness for unusual vegetables, and odd roots most of all. Many of my favorite oddities are in this simple ragout: Hamburg parsley, crosnes, salsify and hopniss.
Italian
Winter is the best time for clams and mussels here on the West Coast, and this briny, main-course soup from Sardinia is perfect for cool, rainy days.
Recipe
Cardoons are an old relative of the artichoke, tasting like a mash-up of artichoke hearts, celery and endive. They can be tricky to work with, so when I found a recipe for cardoon risotto I had to try it.
Appetizers and Snacks
Of all the dishes I have made over the years, this one might just be my signature: Duck heart tartare, puttanesca style. I know, it sounds awful, even slightly dangerous. I can assure you it isn't.
Pasta, Risotto, Gnocchi
My mom makes a mean lasagna. It was one of our staple meals when I was a kid. This is essentially her recipe, handed down to me, only I use ground venison instead of ground beef. I hope you like it, 'cause I sure do!
Preservation Recipes
This is my favorite way to eat zucchini: It's an old Sicilian method where you dry the zukes and then saute them with oil, chile and mint. I grow zucchini almost solely for this recipe.
As Seen In
