The Feisty Italian

                   The Food Network:                    Where it all started            Back in the early 2000s, I stumbled upon what was to become the catalyst for my passion for cooking; Food Network . Watching cooking shows with my brother is one of my favorite things to do! Our gateway into cooking was a show we would watch on Sundays with my dad called Yan Can Cook. We were fascinated at uncovering the mystery behind cooking; more specifically Asian cusine. Being that we are an Italian family, we were mesmerized by watching chef cook other cuisenes that were vastly different from what we were used to.      It was around that time that we began to seek out more and more cooking programs. We hit the "mother load" when we discovered the fast-paced world of competition cooking; more specifically Iron Chef America. We get so into it, ch...

Corn Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes ALEX GUARNASCHELLI                                                       https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/corn-pasta-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-12201249 Are you experiencing “flavor fatigue?” Feeling uninspired in the kitchen? It’s time to mix things up with this innovative and affordable recipe. Corn Pasta and Sun-Dried Tomatoes are full of flavor- sure to wake up those sleepy taste buds. I love to experiment and try new things in the kitchen. Traditional marinara or alfredo can feel unexciting and appealing after a white This budget-friendly dish is delicious and different-perfect for summer.  The star of this dish is the corn. It is so versatile and a classic pantry staple. Who would have thought you could create a delicious sauce out of the ordinary corn kernel? Now, you would thi...

Unraveling Brunswick, GA's Italian Ingredient Dilemma: A Quest for Authentic Flavors One warm southern morning, I woke up, excited to start my day. After brewing some coffee, I went to make breakfast. As I peered into the empty fridge, I thought it would be a good time to venture out into my new surroundings and go food shopping. I drove over to the only supermarket in town. On the way, I thought about all the groceries I was going to need. I figured it wasn’t going to be a terribly long trip. I needed you know, “a few things.” Then it dawned on me, I was also going to need to make dinner. I was stumped. “I guess I can make Pastina.” With my grocery list in hand, I took a deep breath, threw up some crossed fingers, and headed inside. Well, needless to say, I grossly underestimated how long this trip was going to take me. Not because I bought too much food, it was because I found myself going up and down every aisle looking for “common” ingredients. Take for instance, Pastina. This ...

  Peasant Pasta: Rachel Ray https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/peasant-pasta-recipe-1940350 Here is a simple and flavorful dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight. Look no further than Peasant Pasta. It is so fast and easy that it will be in regular rotation around your dinner table. It is a breeze to whip together, making it perfect for any busy family. I spotted this gem on a classic episode of Rachel Ray’s 30 minute meals.   This is another affordable and versatile dish that lends itself to customization based on your pantry items. While the original recipe calls for peas, I’ve made it with spinach and it is just as tasty. Out of penne? No problem! I’ve tried this recipe with several different kinds of pasta such as rotini, rigatoni, or elbow. Out of cream? That half-and-half you use in your morning coffee works as a great substitute. It is incredibly tasty and doesn’t weigh the dish down. My family prefers not to eat anything spicy, so, I use only sweet...

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer: King of the Kitchen What can be said for what I’ve dubbed as the The King of the Kitchen? I absolutely love this product! This behemoth of an appliance takes up a lot of counter space, especially if you have the professional (525-watt) appliance,  however, it is TOTALLY   worth it. I use it almost daily. It’s not just for baking! It is extremely versatile as I use it for making everything from mashed potatoes to cupcakes to pasta! It has many attachments and accessories to up your home chef game such as: a meat grinder, Ice Cream Churn,  cheese shredder, veggie slicer, dough hook,  pasta press, and pasta cutter (just to name a few, there are more!) Adding this appliance to my cooking arsenal is well worth  the  investment! Just read each description and make sure your attachment or accessory is compatible with your machine as there are several makes and models available.  Clean-up and maintenance are a breeze too. Many of ...

  Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina: GIADA DE LAURENTIIS https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/italian-baked-chicken-and-pastina-recipe-1917445 Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina has become a beloved staple in my house. I make it several times a month. This recipe even passes the taste test of my toughest critic-my 4-year-old! Have you ever gone to your pantry thinking you had an ingredient, only to find, that, nope, you don’t? No worries because I have had this issue many times! Any small pasta will work with this dish. I am so thankful this is a pantry-friendly dish! If you’re running short on chicken,  a great way to stretch out your protein is by adding a can of cannellini beans. Yes, it sounds unconventional, however, it adds an affordable protein! Additionally, this versatile dish can be easily adjusted for your family’s preferences without compromising flavor. For instance, my daughter loves cheese so I add generously! I’m talking 1 ½ to 2 cups of shre...

Craving Italian Fare in Brunswick, GA Exploring the Gastronomic Gap in the Golden Isles So, here we are. We made it to Brunswick, GA. My first impression was “Holy shit. This is going to be interesting.” Brunswick is a coastal city comprised of the mainland and three islands: St. Simon’s, Jekyll, and Sea. They are filled with beautiful palm trees (they call them “palmetto trees” but, they look the same to me) gorgeous views, resorts, golf courses, and beaches. However, over on the mainland, it’s a different story. It had a “small town” feel to it. There was one main road that took you through the entire town. It was not anything like Long Island; where you have numerous route options. “Downtown” was one long street. That’s it. (you read that correctly). And the whole town went to bed at ten o’clock. It is also very QUIET. It's a stark contrast from the Northern East Coast where you’re used to hearing lots of street noise. It is SO quiet, in fact, at night you can hear the sound of...