I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in reviewing a new Italian cookbook that was put out by Food and Wine. Uh…of course!

The Food and Wine Quick From Scratch Italian Cookbook has amazing images. That is always the first thing that I look for. It was kind of disappointing to me that my own cookbook was to be without images (not my choice). The images in the Food and Wine cook book are big and close up. You get a good idea of what the dish should look like which is nice. Each recipe is on one …read more

If you are looking for a fabulous main course, Italian dish that is easy to make, and freezes great try this Torta Rustica. There are so many ways to make it that the recipe is almost needless.
Add whatever cheese-vegetable-meat combo you want,( this one was vegetarian) and bake in your pizza crust until done. Serve warm, room temp, or cold. Store it well covered for up to two days in the fridge, or seal and freeze.
I love this with black olive bread, a leafy, mixed greens salad, some black olives, and if you want, maybe …read more

This is a chewy, crusty country loaf that goes well with all foods greek or italian, or does an excellent job being the base for a number of sandwich fillings…Adjust the amount of coarsly cracked black pepper to your own taste.

1 envelope (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast or 2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 cups warm water (100° to 110°F)
2 1/2 cups (about) all-purpose unbleached flour
2 cup whole whole wheat flour
1/2 c gluten
1 Tbs coarse black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups flavorful black olives, such as Gaeta, pitted and coarsely chopped
Mix water, yeast, 2 c flour, pepper, and …read more