The Feisty Italian

Feisty Review: Sky Bar in Downtown Fredericksburg, VA: A Foodie’s Delight  I recently had the pleasure of exploring the charming city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and I must say, it’s fast becoming a foodie destination. The downtown area is filled with an array of restaurants, bars, and entertainment options, making it a great place for culinary adventures. During my visit, I stumbled upon a unique gem—Sky Bar, perched atop the delightful Italian restaurant Castiglia’s. The first thing that caught my eye was the stunning view. From the rooftop, you get a gorgeous panorama of Downtown Fredericksburg. Sometimes, a change of scenery is all you need, and Sky Bar delivers in spades. The staff at Sky Bar were fantastic—courteous, polite, and always on their game. While waiting for my table, I grabbed a drink at the bustling bar, which made the wait much more enjoyable. And now, the food—let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint. I started with the Arancini, a true Italian treat. These six g...

Stuffed Pepper Bolognese with Veggies By: The Feisty Italian                                                          If you’re like me and love to eat, you’ve come to the right place! If you’ve been following my blog, you know I've been searching for lightened-up, healthier options for classic Italian dishes. Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean bland, flavorless meals. I’m always on the lookout for, and creating more nutritious alternatives. Diets suck, but they don’t have to! Today, I’m excited to share my recipe for Stuffed Pepper Bolognese with Veggies—a flavorful, satisfying dish that’s as healthy as it is delicious. Let’s dive in! Recipe: 1-1.25 lbs of ground turkey meat 2 cans of tomato paste ½ white or yellow onion (diced) 1 large tomato (beefsteak, vine-ripe, or 2 plum, diced) ¾ cup of milk 1 tablespoon of butter ¼ cup of Parmesan ch...

  Easy Baked Eggplant Parmesan: By: The Feisty Italian A Healthier, Flavor-Packed Classic Looking for a lightened-up version of a classic favorite? Try this delicious Eggplant Parmesan recipe! I know what you’re thinking, "Another low-fat recipe?" But trust me, this one’s a winner. Plus, it’s easily adaptable to be gluten-free by simply swapping out the breadcrumbs. While there are a few extra steps in this recipe, the results are well worth it. Here’s how to make this tasty dish: Recipe: 2-3 Eggplants (depending on your desired quantity) 15-20 oz of marinara sauce ½ lb of low-fat mozzarella cheese 4 cups of Italian or panko breadcrumbs ¼ cup of Parmesan or Pecorino cheese ¼ cup of milk Pam spray or olive oil spray Let’s get cooking: Warm your marinara sauce in a saucepan over low heat. Wash the eggplant and slice it into ½-inch thick pieces. (Thin slice...

  No Carb Turkey Bolognese By: The F eisty Italian This delectable no-carb turkey Bolognese is both simple and rewarding, offering a rich, flavorful dish that's perfect for a healthy lifestyle. OK, I know what you're thinking, "Italian food without pasta??" Terrible, right? It can be done, friends. For those of us who truly enjoy food but don't enjoy extra pounds, you will love this recipe. By carefully following these steps, you can create a sauce that marries the savory taste of browned meat with the aromatic blend of sautéed onions and garlic. The addition of tomato paste and milk enriches the sauce, while a sprinkle of cheese and a generous amount of basil elevate the dish to new heights. For those looking to keep it low-carb, spiralized vegetables make an excellent substitute for pasta, providing a light and satisfying base for the hearty sauce. Whether you're meal prepping or enjoying a cozy dinner at home, this no-carb turkey Bolognese is sure to impr...

 Gnocchi: Round two:  This time, with Bolognese Yesterday afternoon, my lovely little one came running into the kitchen yelling, "Mommy, I'm so hungry! My tummy wants gnocchi!" "Ok," I replied. My daughter sometimes mistakes me for a short-order cook. I didn't sweat it because I kept some gnocchi dough in the freezer.   As it defrosts on the counter, I look through the freezer for a protein. Running short on time, I defrosted some ground beef. Not in the mood for meatballs, I quickly whipped up my version of bolognese. Here's how: Ingredients: Ground beef, Onion, Garlic, 1-2 cans of tomato paste, about a 1/2 cup of milk, about a 1/2 cup of chicken stock, about a 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon of butter, basil and parsley Step 1: I diced some onions and added them to a pan with olive oil. Sprinkle some salt and saute until the onions are translucent.  Step 2: Then add in your ground beef. As it is cooking, break it up into small bi...

Turn Leftover Mashed Potatoes into Delicious Homemade Gnocchi: By: The Feisty Italian A Step-by-Step Guide Ever found yourself staring into the fridge, unsure of what to make for dinner? You find a container of leftover mashed potatoes! Hooray! Upon further inspection, you realize it isn’t quite enough to make it a “round two” meal. Instead of tossing it back into the fridge to be inevitably thrown into the trash, transform it! Homemade gnocchi is the solution to the “leftover blues.” Yes, you read that correctly friend! Mashed potatoes can be transformed into delicious gnocchi. It is a total game-changer. Follow my step-by-step process to create your own delicious pillowy pockets of goodness! Okay, let’s get started. First things first, gather all your ingredients and your trusty stand mixer. Into the mixing bowl, combine the leftover spuds, 2 cups of flour, and 2-3 eggs (you may need an extra egg depending on how much leftov...

Mastering the Art of Homemade Pasta:  A Beginner's Guide to Perfecting Your Pasta Skills Living down South for the last several years,  I have been consistently honing in on my culinary skills. I have transformed my kitchen into my favorite Italian restaurant. I taught myself how to make classic staples such as chicken cutlet parmesan, braciole, ravioli, ragu (yes, it’s a dish not just a jarred sauce), and most importantly, pasta.  Learning to make homemade fresh pasta can seem like a daunting task. I assure you, it’s not. I must have watched countless hours of Food Network to learn and improve this skill. I also watch the “Pasta Grannies” on YouTube. This has helped me focus more on hand-crafted specialty pasta dishes that may not be as well known in the United States. To get started, I researched some different ways of making pasta. Did I want to use an attachment for my stand mixer or did I want to use an old-school rolling pin? I found it easier to use the Kitc...