Cuisine: Italian

Tomato & Italian Sausage Risotto

This Tomato and Italian Sausage Risotto is made by cooking the arborio rice in broth, adding half a cup at a time, until it is creamy and al dente. The Italian sausage is cooked separately and then added to the risotto along with the Parmesan cheese. The risotto is then stirred until it is heated through and the flavors are combined. I love it when there are leftovers the next day. I always make arancini, which Italian rice balls that are stuffed with mozzarella, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep fried.

By Leslie Blythe

Sheetpan Layerless Lasagna

Giada De Laurentiis came up with this easy Sheetpan Layerless Lasagna. If you like crispy edges, this is it. By putting it on a sheetpan, it creates more crispiness. I love the fact that you don't have the tedious task of layering. You can make it ahead of time and refrigerate until it's time to serve - pull it out of the fridge about 30 minutes prior to baking.

By Leslie Blythe

Spaghetti all’Assassina (Assassin’s Spaghetti)

After watching this CNN episode of Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy, I was intrigued by this recipe, which uses an alarming amount of red pepper flakes. I happened to be rather fond of red pepper flakes and always carry some in my purse and my car. This recipe is courtesy of chef Celso Laforgia, chef and owner of Urban Bistrot in Bari, capital of Puglia in southeast Italy.  He says that the two things you need are a powerful fire and a big pan that will fit the spaghetti. The trick to the dish is to burn it enough to make it crunchy, but not burn it so much that it's bitter. When the pasta makes a crackling noise, you know it's ready. If you want to make it, you should watch the episode which explains it all. By the way, we loved it.

By Leslie Blythe

Tuscan Sausage Pasta

Tuscan Sausage Pasta is comfort food at its best, perfect for a chilly autumn night. It's a combination of pasta, Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a rich cream sauce. It's ready in under 30 minutes.

By Leslie Blythe

Apple Tart with Rosemary & Honey Syrup

This Apple Tart with Rosemary & Honey Syrup is easy to make with frozen store-bought puff pastry. The rosemary-infused honey drizzled on at the end really adds complexity to this simple tart.

By Leslie Blythe

One-Pot Pasta With Ricotta and Lemon

This One-Pot Pasta with Ricotta and Lemon from The New York Times is a mixture of ricotta and Parmesan, with the zest and juice of one lemon. It's light and refreshing and goes perfectly while watching Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy on CNN. I find it absolutely impossible to watch it without eating some Italian food...

By Leslie Blythe

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