Facebook almost ruined my life. I was one of the last people to jump on board the facebook train. My profile picture was the question mark for about a year before I let the social media world know what I actually looked like.  At first I really didn’t care much for the site. I would randomly check in, seldom comment on anything and almost never update my status. Then, it happened. I discovered that my ex-boyfriend was on facebook. flickr We had a bad breakup and did not remain friends, which was one hundred percent my call.  We had one of those tumultuous on and off relationships that ran on for about a year too long before I finally mustered up the nerve to cut him off, cold turkey.  I could’ve used an intervention.  Yes, he... [Read more]

Pasta al Pesto is one of the simplest Italian dishes.  It’s fast, cheap and hearty and will easily fill you up.  I love carbs so I definitely do not shy away from pasta. Here is a very basic recipe for the dish, however, it is open to interpretation.  Do not shy away from adding some of your favorite vegetables to the mix like red bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes.  I actually added roasted soya nuts and chevron and it was unbelievably delicious! istock photo Give this is a shot.  I guarantee you’ll love it! Ingredients : 2 tbsp pesto sauce (you can buy jar pesto sauce at any susper market) 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 250 grams Bow Tie pasta salt 1 tbsp. olive oil Directions: Bring to boil 2 litres of water in medium... [Read more]

Earlier this week I featured my grandmother’s famous Stracciatella soup and I got such positive feedback that I’ve decided to keep it in the family. Today’s recipe comes from my mother’s own fabulous cucina Italiana.  The classic Italian dish, Risotto, can be prepared in many different ways.  Some people throw a wide variety of veggies in it or even meat, but my mother Andreana prefers to keep it simple, light, and as always, delicious! Some people have a flare for cuisine and my mother has got it in spades.  I know you must all be thinking that I am biased, but try out this recipe and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. In advance… Prego. istock photo Andreana’s Mushroom Risotto Ingredients: 1... [Read more]

Seasons 52 Restaurant Bar and Grill has brought us another great recipe, this time it is their take on butternut squash soup.  I’ve actually never had butternut squash soup from scratch before so I don’t know if there is always apples in it!  That just sounds strange to me!  But I am intrigued because butternut squash soup is actually one of my all time favorite dishes.  Unfortunately I’ve only ever had it in a restaurant, so I am definitely willing to try this one out at home! istock photo Ingredients: 1 ea Butternut squash – about 4½ packed cups 2 ea Apples (not red), peeled, cored and sliced 1 tbs Brown sugar ½ tsp Cinnamon, ground 1 tbs Canola oil 1 ea Onion, Spanish, peeled and diced ½” 1 tbs Ginger,... [Read more]

‘Tis the season to be sick! It seems that everyone in the world is sick right now.  Well, of course, the swine flu is buzzing around, but so are some other nasty viruses.  Stepping on to the morning commuter train to work is like stepping into a walk-in clinic.  Everyone around me is coughing, sneezing and blowing their noses.  It’s actually pretty gross.  Sounds to me like everyone could use a nice hot bowl of Stracciatella. Stracciatella is a classic Italian soup that is so hearty and flavorful that it could easily be served as a main course.  Not only is it delicious, but it is also just what the doctor (or in my case my Nonna) orders when I feel coughy, sneezy and sick. My amazing Grandma and I Some of you may know this... [Read more]