One of the most popular salads in Sicilian cuisine is caponata (eggplant salad). While eggplant is the main ingredient, the salad likely takes its name from one of the secondary ingredients—capers. You’ll find eggplant in many Sicilian dishes, and it’s used in many ways, including in both sweet and savory meals. I like to make caponata … More

I was on the phone with a client from Chicago one day discussing pizza, and he asked if I ever make Chicago-style pizza. I told him yes, and I thought I’d share the recipe with you. Once I planned out the ingredients, I went shopping and put it all together—and those who … More

In light of the immense heat we’ve been experiencing throughout the country, I figured everyone might be craving a light, refreshing meal to wind down the summer. I was in my pool the other day, getting hungry and pondering a summertime dish that was easy to prepare and light in calories. My … More

Mussels are one of my many favorites—and I don’t mean body muscles! When many think of mussels, they think only of appetizers, but this shellfish has many uses: in red sauce, white sauce, seafood pizzas, etc. Mussels are very popular in all of the coastal regions of Italy and are delicious served with pasta. This simple dish … More

As all of my readers know, I’m into pasta. I love pasta. I can eat it every day. And I’m not just talking about spaghetti with meatballs—we’re talking about real food, especially when it comes to cream sauce. This dish, which uses cream sauce, is very simple to make, but you must take … More

This month I’m sharing a really simple and healthy dish for the summer, designed especially for vegetarians. I’d also like to introduce you to the future of the pizza industry. His name is Robert Aguanno, and he’s the grandson of Joe Ferrara at Marsal & Sons. At only nine years old, he already spends a … More

Most of the Italian recipes I see today are for pizza and pasta, but I’ve done some research and found that rice is actually a bigger seller—which makes sense, because rice is eaten around the world. It could even be more popular than pizza or pasta. So, while pizza is still No. 1 … More

Those who’ve spent time in Sicily may recall that eggplant is a popular ingredient in many dishes. My brother, a chef who lives in Palermo, loves to make this eggplant penne bake for the events he caters. The first time I tried it was at a wedding I attended in Palermo; it was made … More

To shake things up a bit, I thought I’d showcase a pizza that originated in Calabria, Italy, just a stone’s throw away from my Sicilian birthplace. I didn’t know much about this pizza until my friend Peter Calabrese, a New York pizza maker originally from Calabria, told me a little more about it … More

This month, we’re going to talk about peppers. They come in many shapes and colors, but red bell peppers are my favorite and are usually liked by most. Since peppers are internationally known, they can go with almost any type of cuisine. I’m going to show you a very simple dish I … More