Easy Italian Meals

No Cook Tomato Sauce is Great for Hot Summer Days

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:37:34 GMT

No Cook Tomato Sauce is great for hot summer days!

Easy Italian Sauces and Pestos

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:03:29 GMT

Easy and delicious homemade Italian Sauces and Pestos. Toss your pasta with these quick and easy pasta sauce recipes.

Chicken Parmigiana

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:08:29 GMT

Here is an easy Chicken Parmigiana recipe.

Typical Italian Cheese Varieties

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:57:26 GMT

Here are some typical Italian cheese varieties; each with their own distinct flavor. Fortunately for those who don't live in Italy, many wonderful Italian cheeses are not available around the world.

Fifteen Minute Lasagna

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:41:57 GMT

Fifteen Minute Lasagna is a quick way to enjoy the wonderful flavors of Lasagne without the time consuming preparation or baking. You basically build your lasagna on your plate and it's ready to eat!

Artichoke Frittata

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:18:00 GMT

An Artichoke Frittata is a Quick Easy Meal for brunch or dinner. It's similar to a crustless quiche.

Alfredo Sauce, an Easy Pasta Sauce

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:10:06 GMT

A rich, creamy Alfredo Sauce is one of the easiest sauces to make, and a quick toss over some pasta, and you have an easy dinner.

How to cook Artichokes

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:14:36 GMT

How to cook artichokes.

Easy Pasta Recipes

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:54:50 GMT

Here are some of my favorite Easy Pasta Recipes. Cooking pasta takes very little time and is an ingredient in many of my easy dinner recipes for quick weeknight meals.

Instant Pasta Primavera

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:47:51 GMT

Instant Pasta Primavera is a quick and easy pasta recipe for those occasions when you really don't have time to cook.

Food Processor Pizza Dough

Wed, 19 May 2010 02:43:54 GMT

Make pizza dough in your food processor for a quick, easy home made pizza.

Roasted Red Peppers

Sun, 16 May 2010 22:59:06 GMT

Roasting bell peppers makes them sweet.

Turkey Breast with Roasted Peppers

Wed, 12 May 2010 02:47:54 GMT

Turkey Breast with Roasted Peppers is an easy meal for anytime of the year, but summer is a great time to roast bell peppers on the grill.

Italian Pasta - its what's for dinner.

Mon, 10 May 2010 19:58:01 GMT

Italian Pasta is not only delicious, but is one of the easiest foods to make. Learn to make you own pasta and try these easy pasta recipes.

Basic Frittata is a Quick Easy Meal for Anytime

Thu, 06 May 2010 17:34:49 GMT

This Basic Frittata can be varied any way you like with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Great for potlucks, brunches or an easy meal.

Making Polenta

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:48:11 GMT

Polenta is a popular dish in northern Italy and is similar to Southern American grits.

Italian Style Macaroni and Cheese

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:47:11 GMT

Italian Style Macaroni and Cheese is a fun twist to the American classic. I love the flavor of the Romano cheese in this easy pasta recipes, but you can you any Italian cheese you like.

Pasta Cooking is Easy

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:09:49 GMT

Pasta Cooking is actually quite easy. With these few tips, you will cook pasta to perfection everytime.

Risotto

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:32:54 GMT

Risotto is an Italian creamy rice dish popular in the northern regions.

herbs in italian cooking

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:26:13 GMT

Fresh Herbs in Italian cooking gives incredible flavor - even in low-fat dishes.

Mushrooms and Truffles

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:49:51 GMT

Foraging for wild mushrooms and truffles in Italy is a local passion.

Italian Olive Oil

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:12:06 GMT

Italian Olive oil is essential for great Italian cooking! The health benefits of olive oil are abundant and cooking with olive oil will make your food delicious!

Puttanesca Sauce

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 01:39:26 GMT

Puttanesca Sauce is a spicy pasta sauce that is quick and easy to prepare.

Make Cooking Easy With Time Saving Tips

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:41:06 GMT

Few families have the luxury of cooking long, complicated meals but it is still possible to cook homemade meals quickly and easily. One advantage we have today is that in any given grocery store, you can find many prepared and precooked ingredients that are nutritious and can be great time savers. Here are some cooking time saving tips:

Prepare ahead of time choose a day on the weekend to cook for the week. It is ok to freeze it and then pop it in the microwave when you are ready to eat. You will have all the nutritional benefits without the time constraints. One of the best foods to freeze is pasta sauce. You can also freeze baked pasta dishes such as ziti or lasagna, and freeze them for future meals.
Crock-pots These incredible devices have been a Godsend to working moms for many years. You can start your meal before you leave in the morning and it will be hot and ready to eat when you get home from work.
Make simple meals Weeknight meals can be quick and simple and there is not need to feel the pressure to create a gourmet meal every night for dinner. Quick pizza, pasta or Panini's can be made quickly yet taste as if you spent a lot time slaving away in the kitchen.

Most importantly remember that cooking does not have to be a chore. You can turn it cooking into quality time spent with your children if you let them help you. Of course they will need to be supervised, however it can be a time where you can talk and enjoy each others company. It will be a time that your children will remember forever, and possibly even pass down to their children.

Spaghetti with Garlic oil

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:24:37 GMT

Spaghetti with Garlic oil (spaghetti aglio e olio) is a light, flavorful dish.

Pasta And Diets - Can The Two Ever Go Together?

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:36:21 GMT

Can you still enjoy pasta whereas struggling to lose some weight. Recently pasta has gotten a bad rap for being fattening, but that doesn't enjoy to be true. Carbohydrates, even though often considered unhealthy, are crucial for your brain and body. When carbohydrates are broken down they provide a major source of glucose. The only source of fuel for your brain, and chief source of energy for your body, is glucose. This is why many people on fairly low-carb diets are frequently drained, short-tempered or even depressed. Pasta not only taste good but it can give you a boost in engergy and mood! Eating some forms of carbohydrates can cause weight gain, but pasta alone is not fattening; cooked pasta has only about 200 calories per cup. Where you really get into trouble is with your pasta sauce. Pasta sauces that contain high calorie fatty meats, creams, cheese and other fattening ingredients can really make a pasta dish fattening. In fact, many tomato based pasta sauces are not fattening at all. In America we also usually each too much pasta which is really why it can be fattening. The large mounds of pasta normal here are not how Italians enjoy traditionally eaten pasta. Many people think of pasta as an unhealthy carbohydrate in the same category as white bread, patries and cake. The reason these carbohydrates cause you to gain weight is they cause a rapid rise in blood sugar resulting in excess insulin being secreted which contributes to the storage of fat. These foods are considered to have a high Glycemic Index (GI) which is a number that measures how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating the food. Here is some good news for pasta lovers; pasta has a GI of 41 which is even lower than some types of breads. If you cook your pasta al dente, which is an Italian term for firm pasta, rather than the overcooked mushy pasta a lot of Americans are used to, you can lower the GI index even more. Making your own pasta can be very healthy too. You can increase the nutrient content of your homemade pasta by including nutritious ingredients like garlic, spinach, parsley and other herbs which provide fiber, minerals and vitamins. Fiber is one more nutrient frequently missing in modern diets, but fiber is needed for digestive health, hormonal balance and the prevention of some types of cancers. Pasta makes a fast and easy meal for today's busy cooks. When attempting to eat healthier, you don't need to wonder "is pasta healthy"; since there are a lot of ways to prepare pasta that are. So go ahead and enjoy your pasta without guilt, just be sure to avoid the fattening meats and sauces and you can your pasta in moderation!

Time Saving Cooking Tips for Busy Cooks

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:54:38 GMT

Most people today are extremely busy and that last thing you want to do at the end of a long work day is spend a lot of time cooking dinner. This leads most people to choose quick alternatives such as fast food or instant packaged foods. Unfortunately this is not the most nutritious or cost effective solution, and is contributing to the growing weight problem most of us face today. Preparing you own food is better for several reasons: it tastes better, is more nutritious and can be a time saver with women planning a few short cuts. Previous generations had more time to cook and prepare meals and families took the time to sit down to dinner as a family. Today, fast food, takeout and processed, prepackaged and precooked foods have taken over the traditional family dinner. Few families have the luxury of cooking long, complicated meals but it is still possible to cook homemade meals quickly and easily. One advantage we have today is that in any given grocery store, you can find many prepared and precooked ingredients that are nutritious and can be great time savers. Here are some cooking time saving tips: Prepare ahead of time choose a day on the weekend to cook for the week. It is ok to freeze it and then pop it in the microwave when you are ready to eat. You will have all the nutritional benefits without the time constraints. One of the best foods to freeze is pasta sauce. You can also freeze baked pasta dishes such as ziti or lasagna, and even make homemade frozen pizza! Crock-pots These incredible devices have been a Godsend to working moms for many years. You can start your meal before you leave in the morning and it will be hot and ready to eat when you get home from work. Make simple meals Weeknight meals can be quick and simple and there is not need to feel the pressure to create a gourmet meal every night for dinner. Quick pizza, pasta or Panini's can be made quickly yet taste as if you spent a lot time slaving away in the kitchen. Most importantly remember that cooking does not have to be a chore. You can turn it cooking into quality time spent with your children if you let them help you. Of course they will need to be supervised, however it can be a time where you can talk and enjoy each others company. It will be a time that your children will remember forever, and possibly even pass down to their children. The world today is fast paced yet your familys nutrition and time together does not have to suffer. With some time saving tips and easy dinner recipes, you can enjoy a family dinner over a home cooked meal. Try these time saving tips and easy Italian cooking recipes

Quick Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:04:47 GMT

Quick Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce is perfect on top of pasta.

Herbs for Cooking

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:47:43 GMT

Fresh Italian Herbs for Cooking are an Essential ingredient for great Italian Food. Cooking herbs are easy to grow in your own home garden. Once you start cooking with herbs, your will be amazed.

Easy Microwave Polenta

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:40 GMT

Easy Polenta made right in your Microwave!

gardening

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:27:08 GMT

gardening

Growing Fresh Herbs

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:06:15 GMT

Growing fresh herbs is the best way to have fresh herbs available for cooking!

Cooking Tips

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:41:35 GMT

For some people, cooking is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. However, when you are cooking it is important that you pay attention to what you are cooking, distractions can lead to ruined food and can even cause injures. It is important that you set up rules for your kitchen and enforce them. Your familys safety may depend on it. When you are preparing to cook, it is important that you have all of the ingredients, gadgets, and tools that you will need right at your fingertips. If you have to stop and find something, you may end up with a dinner that no one wants to eat. There are a lot of little tips that can assist you in the kitchen and make the cooking experience even more enjoyable. Equip you kitchen it is important that you have many different size spoons in your kitchen, both wooden and metal. Stirring a pot of pasta with a metal spoon is fine, however if you are making a delicate sauce, you will need a wooden spoon to stir with. Food temperature it is important to bring your ingredients to room temperature before using them. Foods blend together better when they are the same temperature. Maintenance it is important that you keep all of your appliances in good working condition. This will assist you in easy food preparation and will reduce the risk of accidents. Caution it is important that you use caution when you are cooking. Do not allow yourself to be distracted, especially if you are cooking with hot oil or frying on the stovetop. Tidiness cleaning up after each step of the cooking process not only gives you more time to spend with family and friends, it also reduces the chance of cross contamination. It is critically important that you do not use utensils that have come in contact with raw meat for any other preparation. Cross contamination is one of the biggest causes of food poisoning in the world. Use the right tools using the right tools for the job is by far the most important safety factor in cooking today. If you are slicing bread, use a bread knife, and if you are carving meat, use a carving knife. Do not confuse the two; it can lead to serious injury. It is important that you familiarize yourself with all of the utensils that you will have in your kitchen. Learn how to make Quick and Easy Italian dishes

Italian Pasta Soup

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:42:41 GMT

Italian Pasta Soup in a jar makes a delicious homemade gift. If you are looking for some gift ideas for the holidays, try a gift in a jar.

Italian Cooking Store

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:03:40 GMT

Shop at my Cooking Store for great Italian gourmet foods, pizza and pasta making supplies and great gifts for the home cook and Italian Food lovers.

Turkey Tetrazzini

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:00:32 GMT

Turkey Tetrazzini is a great way to use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Tortellini Vegetable Soup

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:31:14 GMT

Tortellini Vegetable Soup is easy and quick to make. Just toss in dried Tortellini into a soup base and you have a quick meal.

Pasta Dough

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:21:56 GMT

Here is a basic Pasta Dough recipe for homemade pasta.

Ten Minute Pasta

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:20:24 GMT

This Ten Minute Pasta is great for a fast weeknight meal when you are too hungry to cook!

My Best Kitchen Gadgets

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:28:23 GMT

Here are some of the best Kitchen gadgets I have found that really do save time and make things easier. I have added some of the to my essential cooking tools list.

Penne Pasta with Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:09:00 GMT

Penne Pasta with Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs is a great easy dinner recipes for summer when you have fresh herbs and homegrown tomatoes.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:08:20 GMT

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup is a delicious soup for winter.

Crockpot Lasagna

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:28:18 GMT

Crockpot Lasagna is an easy way traditionally takes considerable prep time and cooking time.

Italian Cooking Classes: Take one in Italy

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:23:08 GMT

Enjoy authentic, hands on Italian cooking classes in Italy! You can also find recreational cooking classes at your local culinary arts school or adult continuing education centers.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pasta

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:41:10 GMT

Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pasta is a wonderful flavored pasta to make in the summer when there are plenty of ripe red bell peppers.

Chocolate Pizza

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:16:30 GMT

Make this chocolate pizza for a dessert everyone will love.

Italian Cooking Methods

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:53:29 GMT

Master a few of the basic Italian cooking methods, and create your own delicious Italian dishes!

Lemon Parsley Pasta

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:38:08 GMT

Homemade Lemon Parsley Pasta is one of my favorite flavored pastas.

Tomato Basil Penne Toss

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:52:32 GMT

Tomato Basil Penne Toss is an easy dinner recipe that is great to make in the summer when there are plenty of fresh tomatoes and herbs.

Fresh Tomato Sauce

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:41:03 GMT

Fresh Tomato Sauce