I grew up eating real cheese, real eggs, real butter, real food. Maybe I’m trying to bring back those days in my own kitchen. Plus, food production today is quite different than it was in the 60’s and 70’s when I was a child and young adult. Our food supply has changed a great deal and I’m just trying to get back to basics. So, in no particular order, here’s a list of simple but yummy foods to make from scratch. None of them are difficult at all and when you sprinkle some homemade croutons on your Caesar salad, your family will practically swoon! Master these 5 and you are a certified Kitchen Princess!
Italian Food
Perfect Pesto
Just 5 ingredients. Fresh basil, garlic, toasted pine nuts (or almonds or walnuts), olive oil and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Pine nuts can be ridiculously expensive so feel free to use almonds or walnuts for equally delicious Pesto!
It’s summer and your basil is deeply green and vibrant and just begging to be turned into pesto. It’s a classic sauce that adds amazing flavor and zing to so many dishes and best of all, it’s ridiculously easy to make! Five ingredients and 10 minutes and you can indulge in one of summer’s easiest and most versatile treats.
Toss your pesto with hot whole grain pasta, use with sauteed chicken breasts, make pasta salad, drizzle over sliced tomatoes and mozzarella or slather it on toasted ciabatta bread with slices of grilled eggplant, roasted peppers and provolone cheese. It’s unbelievable on hot corn on the cob. Seriously. The possibilities are endless.
Fresh Greens with Italian Sausage and Beans
Italian comfort food! Easy, healthy, homey, delicious. All you need is Italian sausage, greens and beans of your choice, some garlic, onion and chicken broth. This is the perfect Sunday night supper.
Tuscan Chicken Under a Brick
Crispy, garlicky and delicious, Tuscan chicken under a brick is easy to make and brimming with flavor.
Baked Shrimp Scampi
Wonderful, garlicy and buttery Shrimp Scampi. The addition of panko bread crumbs makes these extra crispy. Assemble it ahead of time and pop in the oven at dinnertime. Buon Appetito!