Cuisine: Italian

Creamy Tuscan Salmon with Spinach, Artichokes, and Garlic

This Creamy Tuscan Salmon with Spinach, Artichokes, and Garlic is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It's bathed in a delicious white creamy sauce. The fresh baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes make it a beautifully vibrant dish.

By Leslie Blythe

Lemony Shrimp Risotto

I made this Lemony Shrimp Risotto in my Instant Pot, but have also included the stovetop instructions. I have to say, I love making risotto in the Instant Pot because it's fast and you don't have to stand there and stir it. The lemon adds a bright and tangy note to the shrimp.

By Leslie Blythe

Crispy Gnocchi with Burst Tomatoes & Mozzarella

This Crispy Gnocchi with Burst Tomatoes & Mozzarella is easy and insanely good. The recipe can easily be cut in half. Yum, yum, yum...!

By Leslie Blythe

Linguine with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme Mushrooms

My friend Barbee from San Fransisco sent me this recipe for Linguine with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme Mushrooms by Nigella Lawson last night.

Nigella created this recipe in which the mushrooms are not cooked, but steeped in oil, garlic, lemon and as she says “gorgeously scented thyme leaves”. You then toss them into the hot cooked pasta. What could be easier? I will be trying this soon because I have to have lots of fresh thyme in my herb garden. Thank you Barbee for sending me this inspiring recipe!

By Leslie Blythe

Pasta with Pancetta, Sage, and Mushrooms

I always like trying new pasta recipes. This Pasta with Pancetta, Sage, and Mushrooms has a wine and beef broth reduction, which infuses a lot of flavor into the mushrooms. You could use bacon instead of pancetta, but make sure you drain most of the fat before proceeding. 

By Leslie Blythe

Mushroom Risotto with Peas & Spinach

I often make Mushroom Risotto, but this time, I added peas and spinach at the very end. I actually made it in the Instant Pot, which is super easy and doesn't involve all the stirring. I included both instructions if you want to make it on the stovetop.

By Leslie Blythe

Sicilian Meat Roll

My mother gave me a handwritten recipe book in 1981 with family favorites. I opened it the other day and saw this recipe for Sicilian Meat Roll. It's basically Italian meatloaf. Personally, I am not a fan of meatloaf, but I made it for my father. It turned out really delicious. It definitely needs to be served with some marinara sauce. It's ground beef rolled up with ham, though I used prosciutto, and mozzarella.

By Leslie Blythe

Nonna’s Farfalle alla Frank Sinatra

In the March issue of LA CUCCINA ITALIANA there was a feature of recipes that were inspired by the grandmother's of the staff. This recipe for Farfalle alla Frank Sinatra belongs to the mother-in-law of one of the food stylists. There is no explanation about why Frank Sinatra is involved! Anyway, I was intrigued by the technique of stewing green onions, which is a revelation. I will definitely be doing that again.

By Leslie Blythe

Ravioli Casserole

This Ravioli Casserole is my "lazy" lasagna. It's a combination of ground beef, cheese, pasta sauce and cheese ravioli. I have also made Spinach Artichoke Ravioli Casserole, which is also quick and easy to make. This is perfect for a family weeknight meal.

By Leslie Blythe

Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus

As we are approaching asparagus season, I made this Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus, which has pinenuts, lemon, finished off with some freshly grated parmesan cheese. Asparagus is low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. Eating asparagus can potentially help with weight loss, improved digestion, healthy pregnancy outcomes and lower blood pressure.

By Leslie Blythe