How To Tuesday: Dinner’s Ready! Verdure Gratinate al Forno (Vegetable Gratin)

When you have a busy schedule from morning ‘till evening, it’s difficult to get dinner on the table without a little stress. For me, the kids get off the bus and it seems like a high speed chase until bedtime. I have found to make the nighttime shift a bit easier is to prep as much as I can during the day so that when six o’clock rolls around, dinner is on the table and everyone is able to enjoy a delicious meal.

My sister and her husband recently got back from a quick jaunt to Rome (lucky ducks!) and introduced me to a new cookbook, Tasting Rome. After scouring the pages, I found that his recipe fit the bill! Easy, delicious and like most Italian cooking, only a few ingredients that lead to the perfect dish.

From Nonna's Kitchen: Grandma Harriet's Matzo Brei

Before Passover ends, I wanted to feature another recipe from my husband’s wonderful grandmother Harriet. I asked her if she had a matzo brei recipe and she quickly responded with her beloved mother Jeanne’s recipe. Every Passover, this matzo brei was served to Harriet as a young girl. She and her sister considered it quite a treat. The best part? This matzo brei is slathered with apricot jam before you give it a quick broil in the oven.

Sweet Tooth Friday: Pass-Over Some Mandel Bread

Tonight starts the beginning of Passover, so I asked JoAnn Elice (a previous Heirloom featured 'Nonna') to share one of her favorite Passover desserts. Always so generous, ‘Mimi’ Jo immediately obliged with her delicious Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread.

‘Mandelbrot’ known today as Mandel Bread, originates in Eastern European, and simply means almond bread because it included ground almond flour; an acceptable flour for Passover. Just like biscotti, it is cooked twice but is much softer due to the high fat content. They are perfect for dunking!

Weekday Hero: Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

Sometimes, you just don’t want to make a big dinner. Sometimes, you just don’t feel like a really dirty kitchen, tons of dishes and loads of prep. I get it, days are long, the kids are busy and many nights, we don’t have it in us. However, before you grab the take out menu, please consider whipping up a crispy Cast Iron Skillet Pizza. It's easy and tastes so good! And, at the end of the day, you still get a pat on the back because its home cooked and the kids will be begging for more.

From Nonna's Kitchen: Omi Anke's German Potato Salad

When Anke Jacobs Gelbin left the hustle and bustle of downtown Berlin to come to the U.S., she thought it would be a quick, one-year stay. However, American life in New Jersey agreed with her family and one year turned into 26 and counting.

I was lucky that Anke decided to move to Connecticut many years ago and was willing to pack up her sharp German knives, a pressure cooker, bags full of ingredients and drive to my house on a rainy Saturday morning. I was taken by her delicious food, incredibly sharp wit and generous heart. She quickly got to work as we simultaneously made goulash and German potato salad.

I was intrigued by this salad because if you Google German Potato Salad, there are about 500 versions. As Anke explained, each German home has its own version. Even her grandmother’s was a bit different. Her grandmother used fresh cucumbers and parsley. This version belongs to Anke’s mother Uda and it’s delicious.

Cooking With Kids: Chicken Francese

My kids love to cook. Probably, because if they want to find me, I’m usually standing in front of the stove cooking, testing or occasionally, baking up some treats.

We recently started a nice Sunday tradition. The girls pick something they really like and I teach them how to make it.

Alessandra loves Chicken Francese, most likely because I try to convince her that one of my late ancestors created the dish. She is a big fan of FoodTV and all the kids cooking competitions so she really enjoys getting in the kitchen and trying her hand at making something good to eat.

Italian Easter Bread

Just like the Irish have their soda bread for Saint Patrick’s Day, Italians have a special bread made once a year for Easter. Italian Easter bread is a slightly sweet, braided bread adorned with hard boiled eggs and sprinkles. Some Italians will even dye the eggs before placing them in the bread but we do not. My mom doesn’t use sprinkles either. Her bread looks similar to a challah, lightly scented with anise seed.

This year, my mom and I decided to make the bread together. I have never made my own before so I decided to make some additions like sprinkles, lemon zest, a bit of sugar and almond extract to my mom’s recipe for a sweeter, more colorful bread. Also, I made mine into a wreath like I have seen in Italian bakeries. She stuck to her tried and true Calabrese recipe. Both came out wonderfully and I’m so happy I finally learned to make it.

Social Saturday: Building the Perfect Antipasto Platter

Sometimes, when you decide to entertain, you don’t want to fuss. A good bottle of wine, some fancy cheese and quality salumi are all you need to have some friends by for a chin wag.

Whenever I make antipasto platters, I make sure to follow the same, simple steps to make a great dish with a variety of yummy bites.

ItalyAnna GassMarch 19, 2016social saturday, Antipasto, How-To, Cheese, Meats, Fruit, Vegetables, Bread, Flowers, easy entertaining, cocktails

Lucky Irish Soda Bread

It's Saint Patty’s Day but I can promise you, I’m not making corned beef and cabbage. As much as I love traditions, my kids don’t like it so after a few years of way too many leftovers, I stopped making the effort. I do however; make Irish Soda Bread. It’s a family favorite.

I found the recipe years ago in Baking with Julia, and it’s the traditional recipe. Very simple, four ingredients and an old stand by. I have added a few twists to it, lemon zest, turbinado sugar and golden raisins, which are not traditional, but that’s what you get when an Italian girl goes Irish. Scusi!

How-To Tuesday: The Secret to Baking Homemade Bread

Avoiding carbohydrates is very difficult for me. Its true that when I do, I feel better, have more energy and lose some inches from my waistline. But, bread is my kryptonite. I love it. Dunked in olive oil, slathered with mayo and made into a sandwich, or even toasted with some butter, bread is my best friend.

I will admit; I don’t eat bread often because I consider it a treat. But, when I do, it has to be the good stuff. If I am going to have carb guilt, it better be worth it. So, when I’m inclined, I bake bread. Yup, it’s easy, fast and will be worth every last bite. If you bake it once, I promise, you’ll bake it again.

Sunday Brunch: Ya Wanna Go Dutch, Baby?

I’m a big fan of Sunday Brunch. My kids love bagels and cream cheese on Saturday morning so on Sunday, I try to go big with a few main dishes, home fries, bacon and fresh fruit. Recently, on a rare trip out for brunch, we ordered a Dutch Baby - a huge pancake covered in fruit, jam, syrup, confectioners sugar, or really, anything you want to top it with. It’s a great brunch option because its one huge pancake that cooks in the oven, allowing you to forgo the multitasking of flipping while trying to juggle the bacon, toast and coffee brewing. So, join me on my journey to Germany this weekend and go Dutch!

Sweet Tooth Friday: Ginger-Snappers

I’m going to keep this short and SWEET - My daughter wanted to make gingersnaps and I found this amazing recipe in one of my favorite baking cookbooks. Tastes just like Nabisco Gingersnaps, but these are so much better because, (1) They are homemade goodness and (2) They have lemon zest - my secret weapon in them. Thanks to my lil’ sister who wrangled all three kids into the kitchen and made these delish cookies with them. They had fun and I got a blog post out of it. Win, win.

Sunday Supper: Penne alla Vecchia Bettola

Ina Garten is my food idol and here is why. She is completely self taught and didn’t start her career in food. Early in her career, she realized that food made her happy, took a leap of faith, bought a little deli and the rest is history. Her food is approachable, easy and always tastes good. Most importantly, her recipes never fail.

I have made so many of her recipes and honestly can’t pick a favorite but there are some true stand outs. Now this recipe isn’t her's but she did pick it as a favorite and learned how to make it. This pasta dish comes from one of Ina’s favorite Hamptons restaurants, Nick and Toni’s. It might seem like penne alla vodka and technically it is. However, it is the best penne alla vodka you will ever have.

From Nonna's Kitchen: A Quick Jaunt to Poland

When it was time to create a website for my Nonna project, I knew I needed a great photographer to help me make it look professional. I only made one call, to my dear friend Monika Satur-Szydlowski. Monika is not only an amazing person and friend; she is the best photographer I know.

Once my website was launched, I called on Monika for one more favor. As a Polish immigrant and a talented home cook, I knew she would be able to provide me with a recipe for the most delicious, authentic Polish pierogies I have ever tasted.

Sweet Tooth Friday: Tiramisu (Valentine's Edition!)

As I mentioned on Tuesday, this year, I decided to throw a Cupid’s Cocktail Party in honor of the ‘Day of Love’. I needed an excuse for a get together and it seemed like the perfect time to invite my friends for a night of cocktails, yummy bites and of course, dessert.

I have asked my guests to bring a dessert they love to the festivities and I decided to do the same. I went with a favorite, an old stand by, Tiramisu. Just like any great love, it never disappoints and everyone digs in. Layers of delicious lady fingers and creamy mascarpone cheese and of course, lots and lots of espresso. When it’s made right, it’s a dream on a plate.

heirloom kitchen blog & recipes

media inquiries:

connect: