Cooking Method: Simmering

Farro with Vinegar-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apples

This Farro with Vinegar-Glazed Sweet Potato and Apples recipe is a wonderful combination of roasted sweet potato and apples with a little sherry vinegar, tossed with farro, dried cherries and roasted cashews. Farro is an ancient whole grain with dietary benefits. It's derived from wheat so it is not gluten-free.

By Leslie Blythe

Skillet Lasagna

This Skillet Lasagna is an easier and faster way to make lasagna than the traditional way all in one skillet. Do not substitute no-boil lasagna noodles for the traditional, curly-edged lasagna noodles here. Use either whole milk or part-skim ricotta here, but do not use fat-free ricotta, which has a very dry texture and bland flavor.

By Leslie Blythe

Hearty Italian Sausage, Cannellini Bean & Spinach Soup

Here's another one for the freezer. This Hearty Italian Sausage, Cannellini Bean & Spinach Soup is healthy and is an easy meal for a weeknight dinner. Serve it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a loaf of crusty bread.

By Leslie Blythe

Butternut and Chicken Chili

I am currently on the east coast staying with my mother. When I visit I cook several recipes for her freezer. This Butternut Squash and Chicken Chili is a perfect thing to freeze especially when it's FREEZING outside!

By Leslie Blythe

Lemon Brown Rice with Garlic and Thyme

This Lemon Brown Rice with Garlic and Thyme is probably some of the best rice I've ever made. I actually made it a long time ago, but the photo was so bad I didn't post it. This photo isn't great either! This tangy brown rice dish can be served warm, or chilled as a salad or side.

By Leslie Blythe

Mixed Berry Tart with Vanilla Cream

This Mixed Berry Tart with Vanilla Cream is an easy and beautiful dessert for your next dinner party. You can do it two ways - 1 - 9" tart or 6 small individual tarts.

By Leslie Blythe

Chicken with Tomato-Balsamic Pan Sauce

This Chicken with Tomato-Balsamic Pan Sauce is basically the exact same technique as the Chicken with Ginger-Pear-Cider Pan Sauce just a different set of ingredients. The fennel seeds give this tomato and balsamic sauce an added depth of flavor.

By Leslie Blythe

Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce

This Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce is very easy to make and full of delicious flavors. By the time you cook the pasta, the shrimp and tomato basil sauce is done.

By Leslie Blythe

Butternut Squash Risotto with Gorgonzola and Walnuts

In anticipation of autumn, which doesn't actually exist in Los Angeles, I had a hankering for some risotto. I will give you the recipe two ways - stovetop and Instant Pot. The Instant Pot makes perfect risotto every time in 6 minutes! This Butternut Squash Risotto with Gorgonzola and Walnuts is an outstanding combination of flavors.

The gorgonzola adds a sweet, tangy flavor and the walnuts add an earthy, crunch to this delicious autumnal dish. I would probably serve the gorgonzola and walnuts passed around the table.

By Leslie Blythe

Fagioli Al Uccelletto “Tuscan Baked Beans”

I serve these Fagioli Al Uccelletto “Tuscan Baked Beans” with the Italian-style Slow-Roasted Pork Roast with Oranges & Onions. They go perfectly with it. These beans are a typical dish from Tuscany, particularly in the Florence area.

By Leslie Blythe