Tag: Italy

Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossoms

(4 servings)

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

It’s nearing the end of squash blossom season but we were lucky enough to find some in the neighborhood farmer’s market on the Upper West Side. If you are wondering where? Right across Lincoln center on weekends. As soon as I saw them I knew I wanted to add them to the list of recipes for Italian cuisine month. This appetizer is really quick and easy to make and I really don’t have to say much for the flavor of those squash blossoms. You do not want to overpower the taste of the squash blossoms, so keeping it simple is the way to go.

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Pan Seared Scallops in Saffron Wine Sauce

(4 servings)

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This saffron sauce is just a delight. Very unlike traditional Italian pasta sauces, this sauce does not have a tomato base and I would recommend pairing with seafood like lobster, clams, shrimp or in this recipe scallops and pasta. It is a quick & easy recipe and the saffron imparts a beautiful sweet aroma to the sauce and keeps it light. Saffron is very expensive but even a small pinch of the strands for this sauce will give a glorious color.

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Fava Bean Hummus Dip

Preparation Time: 8 hours (includes time for soaking the beans overnight)
Cook Time: 10 minutes

When you think of Italian cuisine you think of pasta, pizza and charcuterie. But there are a lot more options that we living in America do not get to see often in Italian restaurants. I found dried fava beans in the Italian shop at Chelsea market and decided to make this variation as a hummus dip! Hope you guys enjoy it.

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Squid Ink Cappellini

(4 servings)

Preparation Time: 60 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes

I first had squid ink pasta when I was travelling in Venice way back in 2005 and instantly fell in love with it. I don’t know if it was the color of the pasta or the taste along with the fresh seafood it was served with but I took to it like a fish to water. Now I regularly cook with squid ink & if you follow our blog you would have seen the squid ink fideos posted during Spanish cuisine month which is one of our favorite dishes. On my recent visit to Chelsea market in NYC, I picked up squid ink & Italian ‘00’ wheat flour from the Italian store “Buon’Italia” and decided to try my hand at making cappellini.

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