You say gelato, I say Ice Cream.  A rose by any other name etc.  What is Gelato? Gelato has a lower butterfat content, and slightly less sugar, than most American ice creams.  American ice cream is typically made from heavy cream, while Italian gelato is based on milk with egg yolks added for richness and…

Homemade macaroni & cheese is a comfort food favorite.  After preparing and freezing, it’s almost as easy as the store bought microwave version or boxed brand.  Give it a try! You will need:   2 microwave-safe 8-inch square baking dishes for this recipe 4 slices white sandwich bread, torn into pieces 1/4 cup grated Parmesan…

Gianduja is a Swiss chocolate – either milk chocolate or bittersweet – flavored with hazelnut.  It’s expensive and available on the web.  For the holidays you can go all out – or simply subsitute Nutella. The Puff Pastries (Pâte à Choux) are a simple type of pastry that can be easily transformed in many, sometime…

This pizza is very quick, has no sauce, but is loaded with cheesy goodness and lots of veg.  I made this at my first Pampered Chef cooking demonstration.  Everyone loved it! 1 pkg. refrigerated pizza crust Vegetable oil 2 garlic cloves 4 oz. cheddar cheese 4 oz. mozzarella cheese 1 oz. Parmesan cheese 1 tsp.…

This Dole-icious smoothie captures paradise and the crisp winter holidays in one glass, with a flavor profile that includes Dole® Pineapple Juice, frozen Dole® Pineapple Chunks, cinnamon and nutmeg. What a great way to celebrate the Dole Packaged Foods participation in the first  “Live on Green” event in Downtown Pasadena, December 29-31, and its annual tradition…

I pulled out some of my old recipes today to try and make something different, something I haven’t had it a while.  And there it was…………..Jeannie’s Sausage Pie. 1 prepared pie crust, baked** 1 lb. hot sausage, removed from casing 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped 1/2 cup onion, chopped 1 Rome apple, peeled and…

Make some black cherry jam when cherries are at their peak!  What else can you do with cherry jam?  Add them to this buttery coffee cake! Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 cup…

1.  Don’t cater to expectations, cook what you like, not to impress. 2.  Don’t be shy asking for guests to bring a dish to share. 3.  Don’t plan dinner around the football game. 4.  Don’t bring your cell phone or blackberry to the dinner table. 5.  Don’t forget to give thanks!

Not many people have heard of City “Chicken”.  It is not chicken at all, but breaded pork and veal skewered. I was introduced to City Chicken years ago by a relative who lived “up the lake” in Pennsylvania.  After some research, I discovered that an overwhelming majority of people who have heard of this dish…

No need to brown the meat in this recipe.  Instead, the meat is coated in a spicy crust that gives this goulash all its flavor. Hungarian Beef Goulash 2 lbs. beef stew meat, trimmed and cubed 2 tsp. caraway seeds 2 Tbsp. sweet or hot paprika (or a mixture of the two) 1/2 tsp. salt…

I was not born into an Italian family.  I just adore Italian food in any way, shape or form.  I’ve had enough Italian neighbors and friends that have passed on some of their “family secrets” to me for a good “Italian Gravy”.  It does take a little time, but that’s what Sunday’s are all about;…

Everyone enjoys a good pasta salad during the summer months when veggies are at their peak.  During the winter, tomatoes, especially, suffer from lack of taste, texture and flavor.  This is a delicious, warm pasta salad made with chickpea pasta!  If you love pasta (and who doesn’t) but are trying to watch your carbs or…

Sometimes you want to try something new, something different.  It’s not the case with this salad.  I have been making this for years and this is one of our favorite summer salads.  Make sure to make it the day before.  The longer it marinates, the better it is!  Everyone always asks for this recipe, so…

On Monday I started the DASH Diet Plan.  I’m not going to call it a diet, but more of a healthy way of eating.  I’ve had high blood pressure for a few years. Over the last month I was feeling dizzy and finally went to the doc.  My BP was 150/84 – while on medication!…