The word "Minestrone" comes from the word "Minestra," which means dish up and serve. There are variations ranging from thick and dense to more of a broth. It was originally known as Cucina Povera - or cuisine for the poor. A peasant may have killed a rabbit, or another type of meat used the bones as broth and cooked up a soup made with beans and available … [Read more...]
Baby Beet and Quinoa Salad
I love making the Baby Beet and Quinoa salad recipe featured below. It's not only beautiful to look at but amazingly nutritious as well. The Ancient Romans used beets as an aphrodisiac. They contain the mineral Boron, which is related to the production of human sex hormones. Beets also purify your blood, and will naturally cleanse and detoxify your body. Enjoy this … [Read more...]
Homemade Bone Broth with Chicken and Vegetables
The reason chicken soup is considered to be Jewish penicillin is partly that it's made with bone broth. There are so many health benefits from cooking down bones for hours to extract all their goodness. I added protein and vegetables to this homemade bone broth recipe and turned it into a rich and nutritious soup. Enjoy this recipe! The benefits of drinking bone … [Read more...]
Tuscan Bread Soup (Ribollita) with White Beans and Vegetables
When I was in Tuscany, I couldn't resist ordering bread soup made with slightly stale, but wonderful Italian bread. The bread in Northern Italy is slightly spongy which gives it a unique flavor. My travels there inspired me to create a recipe for Tuscan Bread Soup, which is also known as Ribollita. You can make this soup on your stovetop or in a slow cooker. Enjoy this … [Read more...]
Radicchio and Arugula Salad
After my trip to Italy and a visit to the Campo di Fiori open produce market in Rome, I was inspired to create a Radicchio and Arugula Salad. It's simple but contains Italian favorites like Gorgonzola cheese and fennel. Enjoy this recipe! Salad isn’t served before a meal in Italy, but rather after the meal as a digestive. You won't find it soaked in dressing … [Read more...]