Prosciutto Wrapped Cantaloupe with Blackberries

Summer is supposed to be a time for rest, relaxation and reflection. None of those items are in my deck of cards these days. Life has been busier than ever with interesting projects coming out of the woodwork in all directions. Whether it’s writing for class, leading walking tours, digging in my front yard or [...]

Homemade Mozzarella Pinwheels with Sundried Tomatoes & Fresh Basil

It was nearly a year ago when I was hovering over a stove with 10 other students. We all had one goal in mind…to learn the art of fresh mozzarella making. Ever since that faithful day, I’ve enjoyed serving the glorious white cheese for dinner parties. Explaining the preparation process is a wonderful conversation starter. [...]

Foodbuzz 24X24: An Intimate Celebration of Italian Flavor

Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District Market was alive with the energy of spring as I wove between the hoards of strollers and walkers to reach my favorite shops. I was a man on a mission to find the best ingredients for a dinner party I was hosting later in the evening. The clock was ticking and [...]

Pear, Gorgonzola & Caramelized Onion Focaccia

It was quite an experience the first time I had a back massage. My masseuse was a sturdy 35-year old woman with tattoos scattered on her arms, shoulder-length dreadlocks and a silver ring pierced through her nose. Her meaty hands pounded my tight muscles into submission as I thought to myself, “pain is beauty…pain is [...]

Sweet Sun-Dried Sweet Tomato Corn Bread

The magic of discovery was in full bloom when I swung by a local farmers market this past weekend. I’m no stranger to the deliciousness of sun-dried tomatoes, but I’ve never seen farm fresh cherry tomatoes in this form before. They were lovely tiny nuggets that were full of sweetness with every bite. I’m almost [...]

Artichoke & Roasted Red Pepper Focaccia

Located near Pittsburgh’s downtown core is a one half square mile area known as the Strip District. This landmark neighborhood is home to a wide variety of gritty independent retail shops, ethnic food emporiums and local restaurants. The place is not for those seeking to wrap themselves in the sanitized comfort of a suburban strip [...]

Fresh Mozzarella Class

I thought I was the only person on the planet crazy enough to wake up at the crack of dawn on a weekend just to learn how to make fresh mozzarella. Of course that was until I walked into the classroom to see 10 other crazies waiting patiently for the class to start. My friend [...]

Slow Cooker Marinara

An Italian friend of mine once told me the secrets to a great marinara sauce are good ingredients and patience. Good ingredients? Yep, I’ve got that one down. It’s the patience part that always has me stumped. I suspect the only time you will see me standing over a stock pot of sauce for hours [...]

Parmesan Rosemary Breadsticks

Brent and I had an agreement to only spend $30 on two or more gifts this Christmas. It goes without saying that it was a challenge to find the perfect gifts on such a budget. But I pushed through and found what I wanted to give. While opening our presents, Brent pulled out a huge [...]