Foodie Friday: That's Italian!

{ Via: Williams Sonoma }

After a busy week and winter weather, don't you yearn for some comfort food? We often make something comforting and delicious for Sunday dinner.  For "Mr. Shop This," it's usually Italian food. I can't compare to his Italian Grandmother, who rolled out her own pasta noodles on the bed. I can, however, make up any one of these recipes. So can you. Scroll down to find your personal favorite, and cook up some comfort this weekend. 

 

Red Wine Bucatini With Pancetta 
& Parmesan
This is one impressive recipe! It is tossed with lots of flavor and very few ingredients. The recipe calls for an entire bottle of wine. Gotta love that! 
How Sweet  Eats

Bonne Bouche, Sherry Caramelized Onion, and Honeyed Pear Pizza
Have you ever had pear pizza? If not, know that it is delicious. The touch of sweetness added to the spice is so good.
Adventures In Cooking

Shrimp Scampi & Pasta
Gluten & Dairy Free
Scampi is one of my favorite things. I can do without the pasta, but this looks good. Garlicky white wine sauce and juicy, spicy shrimp coat the spaghetti, and a little lemon juice adds the zing. 
Heather Christo

Smoky Mushroom Bolognese
I don't think that you could find a better looking pasta. For me the star of the dish is that gooey melting dollop of buratta. 
Ful-Filled

Cheessy Meatballs
Here's a recipe for cheesy meatballs that are juicy and tender, simmered in a rustic homemade tomato sauce, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Pour this mixture over your favorite pasta. The secret to the meatballs is the bread that has been soaked in milk, then added to the meat mixture. That's how I make mine, too.
Cafe Delites

Wild Mushroom & Mascarpone Risotto
The addition of the mascarpone further elevates an already elevated recipe. 
Just Yum!
Kitchen Konfidence

One Pot Spicy Pesto Cheese

 Baked Rigatoni

Don't yo8u just want a spoon to dig into this dish? Click to watch a one minute "how to" video 
Half Baked Harvest

Garlic Butter Pepperoni 
Pizza Rolls
Here's your next party app. Better make a double batch, as everyone will just
 love them.
Foodie Crush

Classic Extra Cheesy Lasagna
I made Tiegan's recipe with some adjustments for a crowd at Christmas. It was a hit! The Bechamel Sauce made all of the difference. My adjustments included a layer of a ricotta & spinach that isn't in the original recipe. I also used fresh pasta, which from now on, is a must. The end result looked
 just like this.
Half Baked Harvest

Fully Loaded Deep Dish Pizza
As you probably know, deep dish was first created in my hometown, Chicago. Must be why I love it so much. This recipe is perfection.
Williams Sonoma

Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana
Technically this is a soup, but it is heart enough to be a meal. And yes, it is inspired the Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden. I have never been, but it
 looks good.
Half Baked Harvest

Garlic Butter Italian Sausage Sandwiches
Now who wouldn't want one of these? This recipe would please the pickiest of eaters.
Little Kitchen Big World

Italian Trifle with Marsala Syrup
Here's a 4 star dessert that couldn't be more special looking. In essence it is wine soaked soft sponge cake layered with vanilla-infused pastry cream. I've made it, and it is fab!
Food and Wine

Pancetta & Chard Skillet Lasagna
Using no cook lasagna noodles streamlines the process. Wouldn't this be fun to watch come together 
on the stovetop?
Wiliams Sonoma

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Foodie Friday: Italian Recipes & More

This post is by request. My Italian husband loves his pasta. Marrying into his family was a tall order for me. His Grandmother Ida, actually rolled out her dough on her bed to create her fresh pasta! His mother, like Millie Helper (Dick Van Dyke show) shared her red gravy recipe with me, missing a major component....bullion!  I have since created my own magic and secret ingredients for good Italian food. The most important of all is LOVE! This post is for all of you Italian food lovers, and in celebration of 
Columbus Day.

HERE: 20 Recipes & Cooks' Tools

Tagliatelle with Roasted 
Cherry Tomatoes
Juicy tomatoes are roasted in the oven, then tossed with the fresh pasta and goat cheese. Fresh basil and grated Parm are added as a finishing touch.  P.S. Macy's has this fabulous Cocotte on sale this weekend.
Williams Sonoma

Healthy Mushroom Bolognese with Tagliatelle + Buffalo Mozzarella

This recipe is so yummy and hearty, no one will notice that it is meatless. One of the secrets to this sauce are Parmesan "rinds." Click to see what they are.
Broma Bakery

Truffled Mushroom Pizza
Truffles and Truffle Oil are right up there on my list of favorite foods. Their earthy flavor just adds a richness to anything, including pizza. This recipe gives the simple mushroom and cheese pizza an upscale twist.
Foodie Crush

Noble Handcrafted Truffle Olive Oil
Level up the above pizza recipe, scrambled eggs or anything Italian with this extravagant
 liquid gold!
Food52

Caramelized Onion & Roast Butternut Squash Pasta
{ Vegan and Gluten Free }
A plant based meal that is good for us all, and perfect for busy weeknight meals. Doesn't it just scream Fall!
Heather Christo

Rainbow Cookies
My first rainbow Italian cookie was from Rocco's Pastry in New York's West Village. It was a little chunk of heaven. I will say that this recipe, with all of the layers, will take some time and fortitude to create. It will be worth it 
in the end.
Food52

Italian Shellfish Stew
This is my absolute favorite way to eat Italian. I don't need the pasta. This dish is healthy and makes for a quick lunch or dinner,
Williams Sonoma

5 Piece Pasta Bowl Set
This exclusive Italian Market Dinnerware serves up colorful fare with Italian style. It's been greatly reduced, and an extra 20% will be taken off this weekend.
Sur La Table

Cheesy Stuffed Pesto Garlic Bread
Have you ever? You better make a double batch of this recipe, because it will be gone in a flash. It does call for a jar of pesto, for those who want a shortcut. I, however, never use anything pre-made, and would make my own.
How Sweet It Is

Creamy Skillet Chicken Cacciatore
A quick and easy skillet meal that can be on your table in 30 minutes. What makes it creamy? Heavy cream!
The Recipe Critic

Herby Buttered Balsamic 
Mushroom Ravioli

I have never made ravioli. Have you? The good news is that you can use either homemade cheese ravioli or store bought for this recipe. The real focus is on the sauce here, which looks fabulous to me! The recipe only takes 30 minutes, too!
Half Baked Harvest

Ravioli Press
Now you and I can make pasta like the pros. This handy little tool forms, seals and cuts without any fuss. The bonus is that the mold can also be used with cookie dough for filled treats. 
Food 52 

Pear and Chocolate Frangipane Tart
Doesn't this look oh so very Italian?  Fruit and chocolate is always a good idea.
Olive Magazine

Eggplant Cannelloni
{ Gluten Free }
Noodles have been replaced with very thing grilled slices of eggplant. A genius hack for those watching carbs. The basil and spinach stuffing is thickened with cooked cashews! One of my favorite recipes of the edit.
Every Last Bite

Persimmon + Pomegranate Salad
 With Burrata
Italian food is so much more than pasta and pizza. Is this not the prettiest salad you ever saw? It features my very favorite Italian cheese....Burrata. What a pretty addition to any holiday table.
The Bojon Gourmet

Fresh Herb Italian Dressing
Have you looked at what is in your bottles of salad dressing? Take a minute to do so. You'll want to throw them away, and make this recipe. It's fresh and good for you.
Art and The Kitchen

 Pumpkin Sage Lasagna Roll Ups
We all have our own lasagna recipe, but most of us do not have this one! "A rich yet light kabocha sauce layered with ricotta then tucked into fun pull-apart lasagna roll ups. Finished with pumpkin’s BFF, crispy sage."
I Am A Food Blog

Chocolate Cannoli
I have literally walked about 5 miles for a cannoli before. And I also have shipped the same cannoli's across country. Rocco's in NYC are really the best, but these look as if they would come in a close second.
Bakers Royale

Simple Baked Italian Oregano Meatballs
Oh you guys! Just look at the gooey goodness of this dish. I only find one flaw in this fabulous recipe. Tieghan calls for using slices of bread (so do I) that have been soaked in water. For goodness sakes....use cream instead. Water adds not one ounce of flavor. Sorry Tieghan, otherwise this recipe is perfection.
Half Baked Harvest

Phillips Pasta Maker
I've always wanted one. If you have, too, now is the time. It's on sale for $100 off and then you take an extra 20% off with Code: FRIENDS, plus free shipping.
Williams Sonoma

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Foodie Friday: Italy On My Mind

(Via Inslee Designs )

Following the devastating earthquake this week in and near Umbria, Italy, it is hard not to have Italy on our minds. Besides praying for the Italians who are suffering, lets honor the country and its' delicious cuisine.  

HERE: Twenty Terrific Recipes

Italian Turkey and Tomato Basil Eggplant Roll Pasta Bake

This is a show stopping dish that is not too hard to prepare. Right now is a beautiful time to cook with eggplants. This dish becomes lighter with the turkey if you use lean turkey breast. 

Half Baked Harvest

Caprese Salad With Peaches

Celebrate peach season with this delightfully different Caprese Recipe. 
Huffington Post  

Grilled Tomato, Fig and Prosciutto Pizza
Figs and Prosciutto go together like a beer and a hot dog. If I have one, I want the other. This pizza is beyond gorgeous. I want some now!
Half Baked Harvest

Do yourself a favor and look at the Petite Pizzaria at Sur La Table. We absolutely love ours! Save 20% on 1 item and get Free Shipping with Code: FALL2016 

Blackberry, Pistachio And Rose Semifreddo
A semifreddo is a frozen Italian dessert like ice cream but the texture is richer and creamier...much like a mousse. In Chicago, the best I have had is at Spiaggia. This one just may be it though.
Sugar Et Al

Creamy Avocado and Gouda Cheese Pasta
Doesn't this just look fresh and kind of healthy? Besides that, it is also super fast to prepare...10 minute prep time and 10 minutes cook time.  Get cooking!
Half Baked Harvest

Burrata Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Salad
I am with the author of this recipe. I like pretty things. This salad is one of those. If you haven't had the opportunity to try Burrata yet, you owe it to yourself. It's my new favorite cheese. This would be fun served on a platter for a crowd.

Foodie Crush 

Tiramisu Cake

Change up the way you think about the traditional Italian Dessert. This looks even better to me!

Food To Love 

Fresh Pasta with Prawns and Lemon Oil

This recipe is all about Sicilian simplicity. It creates a quick meal for any night of the week.

Williams Sonoma 

Paleo Eggplant Lasagna Roll Ups
A recipe for my good friend, Sharon. It really is the perfect summer dish to make for everyone. All of the ingredients are in season now. Let's make it, Sharon!
Heather Christo 

Italian Ice
It's not to late to indulge. The colors are swoon worthy! With just four ingredients (one of them is ice), we can all make this!
Food52

P.S. Etsy has some fun Paper Ice Cream Cups. Click HERE

Cioppino
Oh my goodness! Back in the day, and before I started counting carbs, this is what I ordered at Chicago's Bice restaurant. One of my favorite Italian dishes.
A Spicy Perspective 

The Original Fettuccine Alfredo
A confession....I don't eat pasta. Really it is just because of the high carb count. I do like it. That being said, I will always make an exception for this dish.  It is simple, decadent and only has 3 ingredients. The best!
Saveur 

SFOGLIATELLE
A revered Italian pastry. If you can pronounce it, you can make it! Spoiler alert, the directions include a splash of Amaretto. Yes, Please!
Gourmet Traveller  

Mac + Cheese Stuffed Brown Sugar Balsamic Portobellos
This one is for Mac + Cheese fans all over the world. Just when you thought you couldn't make it taste any better......
How Sweet It Is  

Padron Pepper Margarita Pizza
{ Gluten Free }
Even if you don't have a gluten problem, you must admit that this is one pretty pizza!
Bonjon Gourmet

Pasta with Kale-Almond Pesto and Salmon
Making pesto at least once a week is a must for me. You can do so much with it, and make it with a variety of greens...like kale! This was an unexpected combination, which looks fabulous!
Sugar Et Al  

Roasted Cauliflower White Pizza Dip
I mean....how can we not try this?
Half Baked Harvest 

These Cast Iron Mini Servers are perfect for this dip! See them at Sur La Table

 Red Wine + Goat Cheese Risotto With Caramelized Mushrooms
If I had to paint a picture of my perfect risotto, this would be it. Wow!
How Sweet Eats

Zucchini and Corn Ricotta Gnudi
Here's what you do with all of that yummy last of Summer fresh corn and zucchini! I have never had "gnudi" before, have you? I read that they are "heavenly pillows of cheese heaven."This recipe just sounds ooey gooey....delish!
Honestly Yum 

Eggplant Parmesan Hand Pies
{ Gluten Free }
Aren't these just so cute? These little tarts are a bundle of portable deliciousness.
Bonjon Gourmet

Affogato
Impressive, right? This dish is really just Gelato drowned in Espresso. The recipe couldn't be easier and will take your after dinner coffee to another level!
Eataly 

Mangia!

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