Do you like pasta? I sure do. I recently had the pleasure of cooking with new gourmet pasta sauces that took me on a delightful Italian culinary experience from start to finish. As a lover of Italian cuisine, but especially pasta with mouthwatering sauces, I was excited to receive a surprise package from Filippo Berio that included two jars of their latest pesto sauce flavors: Basil & Ricotta, and Truffle. Both sauces are produced in Liguria, Italy, the birthplace of pesto, which can only add an authentic touch to any meal. Continue reading Product Review: Filippo Berio Gourmet Pesto Sauces→
Do you love a delicious, leisurely weekend brunch? I sure do. While my tastes lean towards a sweet brunch (pancakes, waffles, French toast — bring it on) others often prefer a juicy burger or hearty salad entree, so it’s important to find a place whose menu covers all the bases, which can be easier said that done. You might recall our glowing reviewof Osteria Accademia after dining there this past winter, so we were thrilled to be invited back to sample their new brunch menu, which truly offers a tempting dish for every appetite. Continue reading Osteria Accademia Launches Weekend Brunch→
It’s always fun and special dining at a restaurant with beautiful interior decor.  But you may agree that what’s even better is being invited to dine at the home of friends who live, say, in a posh but comfortable Brownstone. Such a night out exposes you to a new and enchanting environment while also making you feel relaxed and welcome. You might be surprised to hear that I’ve discovered an Italian restaurant that emulates the intimate feel of dining in the home of well-to-do friends, while offering a variety of excellent regional dishes unequaled in a venue of its size. Let me introduce you to your new favorite spot for enjoying delicious Italian cuisine, Osteria Accademia.
Do you like Italian food? I sure do. Since my favorite neighborhood  place closed before Covid, and Arthur Avenue is a long haul if you’re not already in the area, I’ve been looking for a restaurant that strikes the perfect balance of location, service, atmosphere and, of course, delicious food, to steal my heart away. Little did I suspect that I would discover a new favorite Italian place in the excellent Masseria dei Vini, conveniently located around the corner from my office. Win win! Continue reading Restaurant Review: Masseria dei Vini Fine Italian Dining→
There is no denying that Pasta is a popular go-to ingredient for creating quick, versatile and delicious meals to please any palate. For Pasta Lovers who may have had to eliminate this tasty staple from their diets due to a gluten intolerance, there are now many gluten-free pasta options on the market that make it possible for everyone to indulge. Explore Cuisine has a line of organic pastas made from beans and other plants that are a great place to start when you want to prepare a tasty, healthy meal for yourself or your family. Take a look at a few of the super quick and easy dinners that I’ve recently prepared for myself with Explore Cuisine Pastas and absolutely no advanced planning!
I bet that you had no idea that Edamame, familiar to most as the little green soybeans that everyone likes to nosh on before the meal at Japanese restaurants, can be use to make some of the most delicious pasta you will ever taste. Explore Cuisine makes a few different varieties of Edamame pasta, including everyone’s favorite; spaghetti.
Edamame Spaghetti can be used in all of your favorite recipes as a substitute for wheat-based pasta. You might find that you like it even better, and it’s good to know that Explore Cuisine’s Edamame Spaghetti contains nearly half of your daily protein and fiber requirements in just one serving!
I made an easy and scrumptious Primavera by adding frozen mixed vegetables that I had on hand, and tossing the pasta in butter, salt and pepper to taste.
Then I covered it with cheese, which is how I like my pasta!
Explore Cuisine also specializes in a line of Pulse Pastas; a term that may be unfamiliar to you. Pulses are part of the legume family, and the term ‘pulse’ refers to the dried seed. Dried peas, dried beans, lentils and chickpeas are the most common varieties of pulses. Pulses are very high in protein and fiber, antioxidants, and low in fat! This where Explore Cuisine’s Organic Chickpea Fusilli comes in.
Chickpea Fusilli is a healthy and delicious mealtime choice that contains only four organic, whole food ingredients. This pasta also contains 11g of protein and nearly 20% of your daily dietary fiber requirement per serving. With its soft and supple texture, and mild taste, Chickpea fans will be in Heaven!
Since this pasta is a bit more sturdy than the spaghetti, I topped it with Trader Joe’s frozen meatballs and jarred sauce. Delicious and satisfying!
Red Lentil Penne is also a pulse pasta. With the smooth texture of flour pasta and the benefits of lentils, the Red Lentil Penne is a fantastic choice for any penne based pasta dish. Comprised of only two ingredients, Red Lentil Penne pasta is protein rich and a good source of fiber. Organic, gluten-free and free of GMOs, it’s pasta reinvented!
Here is the penne topped with a light tomato vodka sauce and a dollop of creamy cottage cheese (you could also use Ricotta, if you had that on hand). Out of this world delish!
Explore Cuisine’s Italian style pastas were created in the Apulia region of Italy, which is famed for being the home of pasta. Explore Cuisine worked side by side with pasta masters and professional chefs to deliver the authentic taste and texture of the best Italian pasta but made with the goodness of chickpeas and lentils.
Learn more about Explore Cuisine foods, and get recipes, at This Link!
