An absolute classic dish! Every good Italian has her take on this recipe. Here I keep it traditional and classic, as it is hard to improve upon perfection. Garlic, shallots and butter coat the shrimp. The addition of Meyer lemon juice and white wine gives it that acidic punch. We finish it all by tossing it with beautiful fresh-made pasta. It is so decant; so quick and easy to make. To create your own take, feel free to substitute couscous, cauliflower rice, or quinoa, which can be made a little bit more ahead than the fresh pasta. I’d love to see your posts of your takes on this classic, (don’t forget to tag me on social media @cucinacasam).

You have never had lasagna until you’ve had this lasagna! Made with layers of spinach pasta coated in a meaty ragú, creamy beschimella/béchamel sauce and just a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. There are no copious amounts of ricotta, mozzarella or tomato sauce. This lasagna has a dense mouth feel, but light, yet so satisfying in the stomach. It is in my opinion a culinary master piece.!! I took classes in Bologna and learned from ladies that shared with me their secrets and, if I do say so, I think I did a good job in replicating it here at home. I’m sure this will soon be a family favorite. In fact, it is now a “required” stock item in our family refrigerator!

This salad really hits all those magical taste bud notes! You have the sweetness of the orange, the crunchy anise flavor of the fennel, and the saltiness of the black olives….all tossed together with a lovely citrusy vinaigrette! I love how bright all the flavors are and it really is the perfect way to start or end your meal.

Roasted beets really need a cape because they truly are a super food! They look so unassuming, kinda like a piece of coal before it is transformed into a sparkling diamond. But once you roast them, you will uncover what a true gem they are. Since we eat with our eyes first, I’ll begin by saying that the beets’ color is absolutely stunning. Then, there is their delicious sweet, earthy taste; to top it off, they are so good for your health, packed with vitamins and rich in nitrates that aids in better circulation and lowering blood pressure. I try to add a beet a day to my diet!

This is a classic Louisiana stew. Every good, Southern girl has her own recipe, and this is my take on it. I like to keep is classic by combing the “Holy Trinity” of green peppers, onions, & celery then sauté them along with okra and Andouille, a spicy Cajun sausage add some tomatoes and stock and pow you have gumbo! This flavor packed base of the stew can be made ahead, and even frozen! Right before serving you just add some beautiful Gulf Coast shrimp, and serve it over fluffy, white rice. Add a dash of hot sauce and a sprinkle of file and voile a gumbo that is sure to warm your stomach and your heart.

As the name implies, this your last chance to use those summer beauties! It doesn’t matter if they are ugly or even blemished—just cut them up and blend them into this sublime chilled tomato goodness. Serve alongside a crispy Parmigiano Reggiano cheese crisp (that are so quick and easy to make—and totally addictive).

Perfectly cooked pasta combined with crisp summer beans, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. This dish is so colorful, with all the red, white and green, reminds me of a tasty Italian flag. The pasta and vegetables are tossed with some of the starchy cooking liquid from the pasta and Pecorino-Romano cheese that creates a creamy, yet light sauce. I just adore good pasta and this one is a keeper. It perfect for a light lunch or a starter for dinner.

This is one of my favorite salads to make. It makes an excellent starter dish, served along the main course or can be served as a light main dish. The crispy pancetta, sautéed onion, and wilted spinach are all tossed together with orzo pasta and a lemony basil vinaigrette. Crunchy toasted walnuts and creamy feta are tossed in and really complete this dish. One thing I love about this salad is that there are so many different kinds of feta to experiment with. I prefer the French feta because of the balance of creaminess and saltiness, but I am currently working my way through the feta counter at the Middle Eastern market near me. They are so superior in taste to the pre-crumbled packages at the market. I encourage you to try and find a market near you. It makes a great salad to enjoy under the setting sun in the summer air.

This is a traditional Italian bread salad I like to make with lightly toasted ciabatta bread, cucumbers, a selection of summer’s best tomatoes and basil, then tossed with a light vinaigrette. The bread is slightly crunchy, slightly drenched in the vinaigrette. The crunch of the cucumbers and the sweetest of the tomatoes and basil makes this a salad that is truly is summertime in a bowl!

This pasta is a simple recipe, with just a few ingredients, but overflows with flavor. Grape or cherry tomatoes are roasted in the oven until their tomato flavor is intensified into sweet caramelized little jewels. When you bite into them, they just explode with flavor. It takes a little bit of cooking time to achieve this, but it’s so worth it. They can be cooked in advance, and then added to the sauce at serving time. In the summer time, I roast them often and keep them on hand to sprinkle in other dishes to give them a pop of that tangy, intensely sweet tomato goodness! The sauce is so simple: the roasted tomatoes, onions, basil, my favorite cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano and a little of the pasta cooking water coat the pasta and turn it into a sublimely delicious dish that is light, but so packed with flavor.

A beautiful purée of celery root and fennel, two perfect winter root vegetables, that are cooked with leeks, garlic, stock and a little bit of milk, and then puréed into a beautiful soup that is creamy in taste but light on the calories. Top with a drizzle of pistachio oil and chopped pistachios that give it that elegant restaurant appeal.

This salad starts with assorted greens and radicchio, adding apples and perfectly roasted beets, all tossed with Champagne vinaigrette. The goat cheese on top a baguette is a classic French Bistro addition to a salad. Toasty baguette, creamy goat cheese pairs perfectly with this tangy salad making it a great way to start or end your meal.  

This dinner begins with a gorgeous carrot, orange, and turmeric soup. The color is a brilliant shade of orange and the flavor has a pop of citrus that is so refreshing.  The soup is topped with a garnish of yogurt, a sprinkle of chives, and a perfectly sautéed shrimp.

This is a play on a classic rillettes, which is kinda like a pate that is usually made with a combination of meat usually pork, spices all cooked in fat. To achieve a delectable spread. Instead of meat, we are using perfectly poached salmon combined with smoked salmon along with herbs, lemon, and butter to make a sublime spread that is delicious for an appetizer or try it for brunch. Served with crostini or Melba toast crackers, it’s a very elegant and versatile spread.

In the city of Bologna, I was able to learn how to make a proper Bolognese sauce. It is rich in the deep favors of pork and beef, with a hint of tomatoes that are simmered until the sauce is thick and clings to tagliatelle pasta – fresh made, of course! Topped with freshly grated Parmigiano -Reggiano. I can’t think of a better way to start a meal.

This recipe maintains all that is classic Caesar – fresh, crisp spears of Romaine topped with just the right blend of garlic and lemon in a light base, bringing the salad to life, complimenting the lettuce, not drowning it.  Of course, it wouldn’t be a Caesar without being topped with savory homemade croutons that are beautiful in both appearance and in taste!