Vegetarian escarole and beans

Classic Italian Escarole and Beans (Vegetarian Recipe)

This classic vegetarian Italian escarole and beans recipe is a hearty, comforting dish made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Tender cannellini beans are simmered with sautéed garlic and flavorful escarole for a rustic vegetarian meal that’s full of flavor.

Naturally meatless, this traditional Italian recipe is perfect with a side of crusty Italian bread for soaking up every bite. While some versions include meat like sausage or pancetta, this one stays true to its humble vegetarian roots—easy, satisfying, and budget-friendly.

Things to know about this vegetarian escarole and beans recipe

This vegetarian escarole and bean recipe results in a stew like consistency. If you prefer a more soupy consistency, simply add more vegetable stock.

I used canned cannellini beans. You can use dry beans. If you do use dry beans soak them for a few hours. Then cook them in the stock until soft before adding in the escarole.

This recipe is the vegetarian version of escarole and beans. If you want to add meat, add  Italian sausage to the escarole pan sautéing the sausage until brown before adding in the escarole. I use my white Dutch  oven when I make this recipe. Its so pretty I serve from it right at the table.

Lasty if you make this vegetarian escarole and beans please leave me a comment. And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram. I love hearing from you. It’s my favored part!!!

Ingredients

• 1 large head escarole
• 4 cups cannellini beans
• 4 Tablespoons olive oil divided
• 4 Tablespoons minced garlic divided
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper flakes
•  1 cup white wine
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Start by rising the beans
2. Cut the escarole into bite size pieces
3. in two tablespoons of olive oil saute the garlic and the hot pepper flakes until soft and fragrant
4. Add the escarole saute until limp about 10 minutes. salt and pepper now. Set aside.
5. In a separate pot add the remaining olive oil and garlic saute until soft.
6. Add the beans and the vegetable stock and simmer for 10 minutes
7. Add the escarole mixture to the beans and simmer 10 minutes longer to combine flavors.
8. Serve with crusty Italian bread. ENJOY!!!

Craving comforting Italian flavors? This creamy mushroom penne pasta recipe is the perfect dish to satisfy your pasta cravings. Made with tender penne pasta and sautéed mushrooms, all tossed in a rich and silky garlic-infused cream sauce, this easy pasta recipe brings restaurant-quality Italian comfort food right to your table.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or a cozy weekend meal, this creamy mushroom pasta is a crowd-pleaser that feels indulgent yet comes together quickly. The savory mushrooms add a deep umami flavor that pairs beautifully with the smooth, cheesy sauce, making every bite satisfying and full of flavor.

Whether you’re a fan of vegetarian pasta dishes or just looking for a delicious way to enjoy mushrooms, this Italian-inspired creamy penne pasta is sure to become a favorite. Serve it with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh herbs for an elegant, satisfying meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Three tips when making this  creamy mushroom penne pasta recipe

First start by sauteing the mushroom in the olive oil and butter mixture until golden  brown when you make this creamy mushroom penne pasta recipe, this adds depth of flavor to your mushroom sauce.

Second, build flavors gradually by adding the garlic and shallots letting them saute until soft, before deglazing the the pan with either white wine or chicken stock.

Lastly finish  with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Season with fresh chopped Italian parsley. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!! If your looking for more easy vegetarian pasta recipes try  my zucchini and tomato pasta shells , a delicious summer pasta dish

Please email or comment with questions. And please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you make this easy creamy mushroom penne pasta recipe. I love hearing from you. It’s my favorite part!!!! If your looking for more easy vegetarian pasta recipes try

Many of you asked about my preferred saute pan.I have linked my favorite .

Ingredients

• 1/2  lb. penne pasta
• 1/2 stick of butter
• 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 tablespoon minced shallots
• 1/2 pound sliced cremini mushrooms
• 2 cups white wine or chicken stock
• 2 cups cream
• 1 cup pasta water
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley

Instructions

1. In the  1/2 stick of butter and the one tablespoon of olive oil saute the shallots and garlic until soft and fragrant
2. Add the mushrooms and saute until brown salt and pepper the mushrooms
3. Deglaze the pan with the white wine or chicken stock simmer until the liquid evaporates. before adding the cream and pasta water.
4. Simmer until sauce thickens about 15 minutes.
5. Add in the parsley, toss in the el dente penne, grate more parmesan cheese over the top. Enjoy!!!

Easy Chicken Piccata

This Easy Chicken Piccata Recipe is so easy and quick, its prefect for family weeknight meals, but fancy enough for weekend dinner with friends.

Melt in your mouth chicken breast in a light creamy, lemony sauce made this recipe a restaurant favorite, I simplified the recipe for the home cook, no worries none of the flavor is lost

What Makes  Easy Chicken Piccata Easy???

This Easy Chicken Piccata recipe is so easy on so many levels. First, you only need a few common ingredients. The only ingredient may be not be so common could be the capers

Second, Chicken Piccata is nothing more than fillet chicken breast dredged in flour and saute to a golden deliciousness.

One important thing to remember when sautéing, the saute pan needs to be big enough to cook the chicken to a golden brown.

If the saute  pan is too small your chicken wouldn’t brown, you’ll end up with chicken that looks like it was boiled instead of sautéed,

we don’t want that boiled chicken look in this recipe. We want beautifully browned chicken, so we can deglaze the pan and scoop up

all those delicious browned bits at the bottom of the pan, where all the flavor is!!!!

Ingredients

• 4 skinless boneless chicken breast
• 1/2 cup  flour for dredging
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 Tablespoons finely minced garlic
• 2 Tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
• 1/4 cup lemon juice  or juice from 2 lemons
• 2 Tablespoons lemon rind
• 1/2 cup capers
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken breast into equal  sliced pieces
2. Salt and pepper chicken
3. Dredge chicken in flour shaking off excess
4. Heat butter and oil to medium in a large saute pan
5. Sauté chicken until golden brown remove and set aside
6. Sauté garlic and onion until tender and just beginning to brown
7. Deglaze the saute pan with the white wine waiting until it evaporates before processing
8. Then add  chicken stock and lemon juice  simmer 5 minutes
9. Return chicken to saute pan
10. Add the capers simmer covered 10 minutes
11. Plate , pour the sauce over the chicken breasts
12. Sprinkle with additional chopped Italian parsley

seared scallop creamy orzo

Just in time for valentine day this restaurant quality seared scallop and creamy orzo is sure to impress your loved ones!!!

This recipe combines the succulence of large perfectly seared scallops with the comforting texture of orzo, creating a taste that  elevates this seared scallop creamy orzo to the next level!!!

Three tips for success when making seared scallop creamy orzo

To a achieve a prefect sear on the scallops when making this seared scallop creamy orzo be sure to pat the scallops dry with paper towels. And don’t crowd the pan, the scallops should not be touching each other. I used a mixture of butter and extra virgin olive oil. I find this combination for seared the scallops works best it produces a beautiful golden  sear without the burn. Also I prefer to use a stainless saute pan. In my experience in produces a better sear on the scallops than a non stick pan,

Elevate the orzo by cooking it in a mixture of cream and broth infusing it with rich flavor and  a velvety, creamy texture.

Complement the sweetness of scallops with a hint of lemon in the orzo and finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped Italian parsley.

Lastly be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make this. I love hearing from you. It’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

• 16 to 20 scallops
• 1/2 stick of butter
• 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 4 tablespoon chopped onion
• 2 cups orzo
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups chopped spinach
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt, pepper and paprika

Instructions

1. Start by pulling the mussel off the side of the scallops. Pat dry with paper towels. then seasoning the scallops with salt. pepper and the paprika.
2. In a pan over medium high heat add the butter and the olive oil be sure the pan is hot before adding the scallops
3. Sear the scallops three minutes per side . basting the scallops with the butter while cooking.  remove and set aside
4. In the same pan add the garlic and onion saute until soft  and fragrant.
5. Add the chicken stock, wine , cream and the orzo. simmer covered for 10 minutes. Add the spinach and parmesan simmer 2 to 3 minutes longer
6. Plate the orzo add the scallops on top and enjoy!!!!

A hearty pasta fagioli recipe

A Hearty pasta  fagioli recipe is Italian peasant comfort food.

Indulge in the warmth and richness of a classic Italian pasta dish with my pasta e fagioli recipe with pancetta. This heartwarming soup  combines the  flavors of pancetta,  pasta and beans in a savory tomato broth. I grew up eating this pasta and fagioli. It’s a classic delicious Italian recipe that uses few ingredients and comes together quickly , less than 30 minutes!!!

A few Alternatives for this Hearty  pasta and fagioli recipe

First in this hearty pasta and fagioli recipe, I added pancetta, I love the add flavors. If you want to keep this soup /pasta dish vegetarian omit the pancetta. but if you want to keep the smokey flavor of pancetta and having a difficult time finding pancetta you can use bacon.

Second am using one of me favorite pasta shapes in this recipe ditalini, a small Italian tubular shaped pasta. In this recipe you can use any small shaped pasta that you like.

Third I used canned cannellini beans you can use dry beans. if you use dry soak them in water for a few hours or overnight. Drain the beans and add them to the past fagioli at the same time as when you add the marinara and chicken stock.

This hearty pasta fagioli recipe is delicious, uses a few ingredients and is make in one pan. I used my white Dutch oven to make this all in one pot.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped pancetta
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow onions
• 1 cup each chopped celery and carrots
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups tubular pasta
• 3 cups cannellini beans
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• salt and pepper to taste
• grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Saute the pancetta in the one tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat until crispy
2. Add the onion and garlic saute until soft and translucent
3. Add the celery and carrots saute until soft about ten minutes.
4. Add the marinara sauce , the chicken stock and the water. cover and simmer for ten minutes. add the beans, spinach  and the pasta and simmer five minutes longer
5. ladle into soup bowls grate parmesan cheese over the top. ENJOY!!!

My Best Holiday Turkey

Ok guys am going to toot my own horn,  seriously this is My best Holiday Turkey Recipe It is so good and easy you’ll be making it more than just for  the Holidays. 

I’ve make a lot of turkeys through out the years. I’ve tried a few recipes and methods, from brining to cooking it up side down

to basting every 30 minutes and I have to say this recipe is the best.

The turkey is melt in your mouth moist with a hint of fresh citrus taste. I couldn’t believe how crispy and beautifully colored the skin was.

My husband who normally isn’t as impressed by food as am, couldn’t stop raving about how good the turkey was. It was so good that even after three  days of turkey everything I was still craving more.

3 Tips when making My Best Holiday Turkey

First, when you make My Best holiday Turkey use a the right roasting pan with a lid it’s important to keep the turkey covered until the last 30 minutes to prevent drying the meat.

Second, oven temperatures vary and can effect cooking times if in doubt use a meat thermometer. A turkey is safe to eat when the internal temperature is 165 degrees. 

Third, this temperature guide is for an unstuffed turkey, stuffed turkeys are cooked longer at 15 minutes per pound.

I always bake my stuffing in casserole dish along side the turkey, it’s easier for serving and just as delicious. One more thing no need

for basting in this recipe, the  turkey self bastes from the citrus and butter. 

I hope you try My best holiday Turkey recipe and it becomes your Best Holiday Turkey. And when it does be sure to tell me about it, I love   hearing from you.

Ingredients

• 15 lb. turkey
• 1 stick butter
• 1 tablespoon each chopped together Italian parsley, thyme, sage and rosemary
• 3 Tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 onion cut into quarters
• 2 lemons sliced medium thick
• 2 oranges sliced
• 2 apples quartered
• 2 stalks celery
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. If using a frozen turkey defrost in the refrigerator 2 to 3 days before cooking
2. Preheat oven to 425
3. Bring Turkey to room temperature
4. Remove the insides from the cavity and neck
5. Mix the herbs and garlic in the soft butter until well incorporated
6. Pat the turkey dry rub the whole turkey even under the skin with the butter mixture
7. Salt ant pepper the outside and cavity of the turkey
8. Stuff the cavity with the cut onion, apples, lemons and oranges
9. Stick some lemon and orange slices under the skin
10. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine or skewers tuck the wing tips under the turkey
11. Roast in 425 oven covered for 30 minutes
12. Lower the heat to 375 and roast 10 minutes per lb. longer for a 15 lb. turkey that’s about 3 hours remove the cover the last 30 minutes
13. Let the turkey rest 20 to 30 minutes before slicing strain the drippings into a medium pan:
14. For the gravy simmer  the dripping over low heat mix 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 cup water slowly pour into simmering drippings stirring continuously

This is the saute pan I like to use when braising meats or vegetables on the stove top. To protect the  surface of non stick pans I  use wooden utensils not to scratch the surface.

You can adjust the the amount of sugar, according to your taste, or leave it out. The balsamic vinegar, sweetens the Brussel sprouts adding a syrupy delicious glaze, eliminating  the need for sugar.

To add extra flavor let the Brussels sprouts simmer in the bacon drippings  before adding the liquids.

With just one pan, a handful of ingredients, and bold, smoky flavor, these glazed Brussels sprouts are sure to impress. Whether you’re serving them at a family dinner or bringing them to a potluck, they’re guaranteed to be a hit.

Give this easy recipe a try and don’t forget to share it with friends or pin it for later! 

Chicken Meatball Soup recipe

This Chicken Meatball Soup recipe is a hearty soup filled with nutritious and delicious ingredients. Each slurp is filled with bold Italian flavors, everyone likes.

Tasty  and healthy ground chicken meatballs, good for you vegetables, and pasta in a light tomato broth makes this soup is a family favorite.Sometimes it’s hard to find a meal everyone likes, this is one of those soup recipes that everyone likes. And you will feel good about serving your family a good for you meal.

Here’s 3 Prep Plan Tips When Making This Chicken Meatball Soup Recipe

Don’t let the looks of this Chicken Meatball Soup recipe intimidate you. If you have a prep plan this soup recipe can be on your table in 30 minutes.

Start by making the meatballs, you can make them one  day ahead of time, or weeks ahead of time and keep them frozen after baking, in freezer friendly containers.

Second  I bake the meatballs in my Toaster oven/air fryer for a quicker and more affordable bake, than turning on my large wall ovens.

And third you can make the whole recipe ahead of time and freeze it for ready made meals. In fact purposely double the recipe for during the week lunch reheats.

Just one more thing, please leave me a comment if you make this recipe and please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram. I love hearing from you!!!!

Ingredients For The Meatballs

• • 1 lbs. ground chicken breast
  • 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons each chopped garlic and Italian parsley
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Soup
  • 1 chopped yellow onion
  • 2 Tbs. chopped garlic
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 1 14.5 can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups dry small tube pasta
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

  Instructions

  1. Turn oven to 375 degrees
  2. Mix all ingredients except the ground chicken well
  3. Add the ground chicken mixing until well blended don’t over mix
  4. With damp hands roll into small size balls
  5. Bake in a preheated oven 10 minutes set aside
  6. Meanwhile in a medium stock pot saute the onion and garlic until tender and just beginning to brown
  7. Add the carrots and celery saute until tender
  8. Add the tomatoes, chicken broth and water
  9. Simmer covered 30 minutes
  10.  Return the meatballs to the soup add the pasta and spinach simmer 5 minutes longer
  11. Adjust seasonings sprinkle with parmesan
  12. ENJOY!!!!

Italian crusted Lemon chicken

Who doesn’t love an Italian flavored lemon chicken ?

This Italian crusted lemon chicken has the trifecta  to make it one of my favorite  chicken breast recipes, It’s easy, delicious and quick.  And the best part ? it can be make ahead of time and fried when your ready to serve it, making it a prefect weeknight meal. And if your looking to impressive family and friends on what a great chef you are make this Italian crusted lemon chicken.

Tips for success when you make this Italian crusted lemon chicken

The first tip  when you make this Italian crusted lemon chicken use a canola and extra virgin olive oil blend.

I find this oil blend best for the flavor the olive oil gives and the high burn temperature of the canola oil.

Second the oil has to be at the right temperature to produce a crispy crust and still be juicy on the inside.

Third I add flour to the bread crumbs instead of a separate flour dip for the chicken. One more tip after breading let your chicken rest in the refrigerator to chill, it helps the bread coating to stick to the chicken, bring to room temperature before frying.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breast
• 2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbls. chopped Italian parsley
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup e canola
• 1/2 cup olive oil
•  2 Tbls. butter
• 1 Tbls. minced garlic
• 1 cup white wine or chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• lemon juice and zest from 1 lemon
• Dijon mustard
• capers

Instructions

1. Pound the chicken breast thin in between 2 pieces of wax paper. Then salt and pepper
2. Mix together the bread crumbs, flour,  grated parmesan and the Italian parsley
3. Beat the eggs slightly
4. Dip the chicken breast first in the egg then in the bread crumb mixture.
5. Heat  together 1/2 cup canola and 1/2 cup olive oil to medium high.
6. Fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides about five minutes pre side. Remove and set aside.
7. Remove the oil in the same pan add the butter and garlic saute until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to  brown.
8. Deglaze the pan with the white wine or chicken stock and lemon juice
9. Add the cream and mustard simmer until sauce thickens about ten minutes
10.  Pour the sauce over the chicken breast top with Italian parsley the and lemon slices. ENJOY!!!

Tuscan Tomato Bread Soup (Pappa al Pomodoro)

Tuscan Tomato Bread Soup (Pappa al Pomodoro)  is a traditional Italian dish the consist mainly of stale bread and tomatoes. The recipe originated in the Tuscan region of Italy, where I was born.

It is a simple and delicious recipe that showcases the bold flavors of the region and is often made with fresh off the vine tomatoes.

Once thought of as peasant food this Tuscan Pappa al Pomodoro can now be found in many Italian restaurant menus.

Variations for this Tuscan Pappa al pomodoro

I wanted to keep this Tuscan pappa al pomodoro vegetarian so I used vegetable stock. You can substitute the vegetable stock for chicken stock if that fits your taste.

Another variation has to do with the bread sliced or cubed doesn’t matter it’s a personal preference. Traditionally  the bread wasn’t fried. I find that this extra step of frying and seasoning the bread adds so much flavor, it’s well worth It.

I make this Tuscan Pappa al Pomodoro in the summer with just picked garden tomatoes. But if its not tomato season be sure to use good quality canned tomato product.

Tuscan Tomato Bread Soup (Pappa al Pomodoro) uses just a few ingredients, so its important to use the quality for the best price. From the tomatoes to the bread and just as important for all around good Italian  kitchen cooking is a good quality extra virgin olive oil that is affordable.

Ingredients

• 1/2 stale loaf Italian baguette
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes or 1 Lb. chopped roma tomatoes seeds removed.
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup white wine or vegetable stock
• Salt and pepper to taste
• fresh chopped basil and Italian parsley
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Cut the bread into thin slices
2. Fry in the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil until browned on both sides
3. Add the onion and garlic saute until fragrant and just beginning to brown
4. Deglaze the pan with the white wine or vegetable stock simmering until absorbed
5. Then add the tomatoes and the remaining cup of vegetable stock
6. Salt and pepper to taste
7. Simmer on low for 30 minutes
8. Sprinkle with the grated parmesan and chopped Italian parsley. ENJOY!!!