Diva Eats Italia

A few years back I was fortunate enough to visit a small Island off the North coast of Sicily called Salina. Salina is part of a chain of Islands know as “Aeolian.” If you ever get a chance to visit these gems it’s a MUST. They’re a little difficult to get to but worth the effort!!
I don’t want to go on too much about the islands because I intent on sharing some photos & experiences from that trip in a separate post.
On our little venture one day we stopped on charming Salina. That afternoon we had the most incredible meal at this cute harbor side restaurant. They set up tables for us by the water were we relaxed, ate & laughed as we watched kids play on the rocks. The one thing that sticks out in my mind about that meal was a pasta dish..spaghetti with swordfish & eggplant, which is a typical Sicilian dish. I’ve been wanting to recreate a version of this pasta for longest time but don’t know why I never did. So finally the other night I created my version of pasta with swordfish & eggplant & I am oh so happy I did. From the first bite this dish transported me back to that lazy day on Salina.
Gustatela!
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This recipe came to me by shopping my own cupboard. I had a busy day ahead of me & no time to stop at the market. I was looking to make something easy using chicken. I opened the cupboard & found a jar of artichoke hearts & green olives. I knew I was on to something. I reached for a bottle of white wine, saw the Vermouth & thought that I’d give it a try. I added lemon to brighten up all the flavors.
I literally dumped all the ingredients in a baking dish in the morning & went about my business. When it was dinner time I popped the chicken in the oven & in 1 hour with no fuss or muss dinner was ready…an excellent dinner at that! I was so pleased with the way this dish turned out. Sometimes the best recipes come about when you don’t have a plan.
Gustatela!
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In Philadelphia where I grew up, Stromboli could be found being made in every pizzeria. When I moved to the New York area most of my friends didn’t know what it was or they didn’t think they knew, they were just calling it by another name…pepperoni roll… or pepperoni bread. I did a little research & according to Wikipedia Stromboli is said to have originated in the Philadelphia area, so no wonder it was & still is such a popular food there.
Stromboli is basically pizza dough that has been rolled out into a rectangle, layered with pepperoni (or in this case salami) & mozzarella cheese rolled like a jelly roll & baked till golden. It’s a great alternative to pizza. It’s easy to make & everyone loves it. It’s a great snack to munch on while watching the Super Bowl.
Gustatela!
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Polenta is most popular in the Northern parts of Italy but the combination of Sausage, broccoli rabe or rapini as it’s know in Italy & polenta screams Southern Italy!
I turned these 3 simple ingredients into a one dish meal that satisfied my family’s Southern Italian roots!!
I browned 2 inch pieces of sausage & mixed them in with sauteed broccoli then put it into a casserole pan & covered it with soft cheesy polenta. It was then baked until the polenta became firm & slightly golden.
Gustatela!
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I had mentioned before that there are many pasta recipes that can be cooked up in 30 minutes or less. When ever I need a quick meal I turn to pasta. Not that we mind, mind you. Pasta is one of my favorites if not my favorite things to eat.
This recipe is so simple. I chopped kalamata & green sicilian olives added some capers, lemon zest & parsley. I used chitarra pasta which is like a spaghetti except the noodle is square in shape. In Italian chitarra means guitar. The pasta has this name because the machine that they make the pasta on is a frame that is strung with wire (like a guitar) that cuts the pasta. No matter what pasta you pair with this sauce it will be a winner.
Gustatela!
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La Bafana is a witch that rides around on broomstick putting goodies in the stockings of children all over Italy on the Eve of the Epiphany. The Epiphany which is January 6th celebrates the 3 wise men’s visit to the manger of baby Jesus & is the 12th & final day of the Christmas season.
The Italian folklore says during the travels of the three wise men they stopped & asked directions from an old woman. They then asked her to join them on their journey but she declined. Then upon seeing the biggest & brightest star she has ever seen, she decided to set out on her own to find the manger of Jesus. She took with her a bunch of toys that belonged to her now deceased baby. She never found the manger so she now gives gifts to all the children of Italy.
These cookies are a tasty sugar cookie that have added flavors through orange zest & Anisette, which is a anise flavored liquor. These cookies represent the star of Bethlehem & La Bafana’s search for baby Jesus.
Gustatela!
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WHITE BEAN PROSCIUTTO SOUP
This deliciously hearty soup has been a family favorite for years. To get the recipe visit Diva Eats World.
Gustatela!!
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