Schiacciata (with roasted red onions and Gruyere)

A Florentine version of Focaccia, the name for this favorite in our household, SCHIACCIATA, translates as “squashed” bread. The sweetness of the roasted red onion partnered with sharp Gruyere and a touch of salt produce a remarkably delicious treat. You...

Baked Potato Soup

Baked potato soup with all the fixings makes a fantastic meal on a cold winter night. This recipe is also great for parties or to take to potlucks because it works well in a slow cooker on a low setting. It does not have any meat in it to get dry and the base does not...

Pierogi

These Polish dumplings are the ultimate in comfort food around our house! We always enjoy making them together, too. They freeze well, which gives us several easier future meals in the freezer. Sometimes we indulge in a carbohydrate overload and just eat them as a...

After Church Chicken (or Turkey) Salad

It’s just a fairly straightforward chicken salad recipe that we have tweaked to our liking over the years. It became “After Church” salad when we realized it sized up well to make LOTS of sandwiches for our hospitality gatherings after 10 a.m....

Basil Pesto

This pesto recipe is very versatile. It is pictured here with Cavatappi pasta, cherry tomatoes and some fresh mozzarella. We like to make lots of pesto in the summer when fresh basil is readily available and freeze it for use throughout the year. Having pesto on hand...

Italian Sausage and Cheese (Not) Stuffed Manicotti

These “not stuffed” manicotti may be a little easier to make than the traditional filled pasta tubes we’re used to, but this recipe still requires an investment of time. Luckily, once you are committed, you might as well make enough for the future....