Pasta alla Norma (aka: the pasta recipe that, two decades ago, got me to fall in love with eggplant!): A true restaurant-worthy pasta for people who adore eggplant and quick red sauces. This is a traditional Sicilian dish that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Catania in Southern Italy. Named after the famous opera “Norma” by Vincenzo Bellini, this dish is a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and tangy notes. The key ingredients include rigatoni pasta, roasted cubed eggplant (sometimes fried eggplant is used!), tomato sauce, basil, and ricotta salata cheese…
Continue Reading5-Minute Whipped Ricotta Cream (Sugar-Free!)
A Light and Airy Whipped Ricotta Cheese Dessert This Whipped Ricotta cream (Crema di Ricotta) is a dessert for people who are lazy — there, I said it. It’s no-bake, low-stress, and totally delicious. Plus, it can be used as the base for a ton of different Italian desserts, such as ricotta tarts, cakes or filling for fritters and pastries! All you need to bring this dreamy 5 minute dessert to life is 3 simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. And if you don’t have ricotta cheese, consider…
Continue ReadingImpossibly Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
After Years Of Testing, I’m Confident This Is The Best! When I think of a homemade carrot cake, this is exactly what comes to mind! A tender, moist cake flavored simply with grated carrots, walnuts, and cinnamon. You won’t find any pineapple or coconut here (that’s a hummingbird cake). And as is required with any carrot cake recipe, we’re topping it with a thick, luscious layer of smooth and creamy homemade cream cheese frosting. Truly my all-time favorite cake! This is one of those foolproof, crowd-pleasing desserts that works well…
Continue ReadingCheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip with Ranch (Crowd-Favorite!)
If there’s one dip that always disappears first, it’s my homemade buffalo chicken dip. It’s creamy, cheesy, just the right amount of spicy, and loaded with tender shredded chicken in a rich, tangy buffalo sauce. Think everything you love about classic buffalo wings—without the mess. Serve it hot and bubbling straight from the oven with crisp veggies, chips, or toasted bread, and watch it vanish in minutes. This is the kind of appetizer you make once… and then get asked to bring to every party and gathering. The best part?…
Continue ReadingCreamy Shrimp Risotto with Tomatoes And Feta
Shrimp Risotto Is Easier To Make Than You Think! How much do we love Shrimp Risotto? So much! It’s one of the few dishes that comes to mind when I think of easy entertaining and date nights at home. To give the risotto a rich flavor, add small cherry or grape tomatoes and a bit of feta cheese. With lots of plump, sweet shrimp and perfectly al dente rice, each bite is heaven. Why I love this recipe If you’ve never tried to make risotto at home before, don’t worry…
Continue ReadingBirria Frittata (For Leftover Birria de Res)
Calling all breakfast lovers! Put that leftover birria de res to good use with an easy, impressive breakfast dish: tender, cheesy Birria Frittata! I adore frittatas for many reasons, but near the top of the list: they’re endlessly versatile. Whenever we have leftover meats, cheeses, or vegetables, they go straight into a pan with some whisked eggs for breakfast the next morning. And that’s exactly what we’ve done here! Picture this: sautéed onion, potatoes, melt-in-your-mouth tender braised beef birria and an egg mixture enhanced with some of that glorious, rich…
Continue Reading