This Focaccia Bread recipe is an easy, no-knead, tasty treat or side. A tantalizing Italian flatbread topped with rosemary, heirloom cherry tomatoes or olives. Perfect on its own, used to make Italian panini, or even used as a base for pizza. Italian Focaccia Recipe If you’ve never had homemade focaccia bread before, you’re missing out on a love affair you shouldn’t deprive yourself of. Every bite of that perfectly crispy, yet soft bread is a wonderland of discovery. You don’t need any ...
Appetizers
Our collection of easy appetizer recipes we love and enjoy often. Hope you'll also find something here that tickles your taste buds. ~ Florentina
Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Simple and quick oven roasted cherry tomatoes with thyme, rosemary and creamy goat cheese. Slow roasting method included as well. If you haven’t roasted tomatoes yet this summer, now is the time to do it you guys! You really don’t have to do the slow roasting method in the summer heat, all you need is a hot oven at 450”F for about 20 to 25 minutes. Just until the tomatoes burst and start releasing those magnificent juices. I’d go for a double or even triple batch here, ...
Compound Garlic Chive Butter Recipe
How to make compound chive butter at home with fresh chives from the garden, garlic and chive flowers. A mixture of butter, herbs or spices, compound butter is a lovely condiment to many dishes. From a fresh piece of crusty bread to grilled steak, salmon, scallops, lobster, or stirred into a risotto or mashed potatoes, compound chive butter is nice to keep on hand in your refrigerator at all times. You could even use it in this comforting garlic pull apart bread. I’m really ...
Zucchini Patties Recipe with Tzatziki Sauce
Easy and healthy zucchini patties, cakes, fritters or Cucuzze in Calabrian dialect, whatever you wanna call them really, made with shredded zucchini, panko bread crumbs, scallions and tzatziki sauce, then quickly crisped up in a hot cast iron skillet. Like crab cakes but without any crab! Okay you guys, so I'll be honest: the tzatziki sauce was already made so I figured I’d give my zucchini fritters a Greek spin because they pair well nicely and I wouldn’t have to make another sauce. ...
Marinated Artichoke Hearts Recipe
Easy and good for you marinated artichoke hearts that taste like summer with a lemony twist. Gluten free and vegan, marinated the Italian way with healthy extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, herbs and a touch of garlic. You can choose to steam your own artichokes if they are in season, or go for the canned artichoke hearts in water. Very important that they are packed in water and nothing else. It takes less than 5 minutes to whisk up this fresh marinade and toss everything ...
Healthy Homemade Salsa Recipe Video
An easy and healthy homemade salsa recipe + Video, restaurant style. Made with canned fire roasted or San Marzano tomatoes, fresh cilantro, red and green onion, a touch of cumin for that Latin flavor and a good dash of smoked paprika. Today I have a quick post on how to make the best homemade salsa, better than your favorite Mexican restaurant! Because let’s be honest: nobody can do it better than you! Healthy and fat free, this is my favorite 5 minute red salsa recipe to throw ...
Cucumber Salmon Appetizers
5 ingredients, quick and easy spring appetizers made with crunchy cucumber and smoked salmon on RITZ Crackers, then finished with your favorite fresh herbs. Perfect finger food for Mother's Day brunch, Easter and endless summer garden parties! Pretty and delicious and super fast to throw together at the last minute. I stopped at Target to pick up the RITZ Crackers and also grabbed a few of their fresh herbs and edible violas to add to my herb garden. Chives and dill are my go to ...
Burrata Strawberry Balsamic Salad Recipe
The perfect salad for two made with creamy Italian burrata cheese topped with the sweetest strawberries, fragrant basil and lemon balm then drizzled in a homemade balsamic glaze made with honey and no sugar. If you aren’t in the mood for burrata, I’ll insist you still make this with a creamy goat cheese instead. That balsamic glaze is absolutely divine over a few other combinations as well. Like tomatoes, cucumbers and feta, think chilled juicy watermelon, arugula (rocket), baby spinach and ...
Authentic Tzatziki Sauce Recipe Video
A healthy, creamy, authentic Greek yogurt Tzatziki sauce recipe, made with garlic and cucumber, the perfect condiment for grilled chicken, gyros, burgers or as a dip with pita chips at a summer garden party. No sour cream ever! Ready in about 10 minutes, it can be made with whole milk or non fat organic yogurt, totally your choice. Creamy Greek Yogurt + Cucumber + Garlic + Lemon = Perfection! The secret to an extra creamy tzatziki sauce lies in making sure you drain the cucumber well after ...
Italian Antipasto Platter
An Italian style antipasto platter loaded with thinly sliced meats, smoked salmon, marinated veggies, crostini and cheeses. I’m totally convinced this is the ultimate way to entertain you guys! Hello Super Bowl party at the shack! The Antipasto platter or “ before the meal “ course might as well be your entree in our home! Filled with mostly store bought ingredients, like thinly sliced prosciutto wrapped around sea salt grissini, salami, roasted peppers, olives and artichokes. Easy, ...