Spicy Italian Style Jambalaya

This Spicy Italian Style Jambalaya is the perfect fusion of classic Italian flavors and the spiciness & kick that you expect from Cajun cuisine...

This post is sponsored by Ragu. All thoughts & opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

One thing that my family and I love is spicy... all the spicy foods. Even my almost 4 year old loves them. Whether it is chili or wings or jambalaya, I always find myself cranking up the heat level just a tad & the entire family loves it. So when Ragu contacted me about giving their new Spicy Italian Style sauce a spin in my kitchen, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me. Spicy and Italian? Sold! ;)

We have recently become obsessed with homemade jambalaya, so I thought why not a spicy Italian twist on this new family favorite? This Spicy Italian Style Jambalaya is the perfect fusion of classic Italian flavors and the spiciness & kick that you expect from Cajun cuisine. And the addition of Ragu's Spicy Italian Style sauce ensures that this jambalaya comes together quickly and easily making it perfect for busy weeknights...

Italian Style Buddha Bowl

This easy to make Italian Style Buddha Bowl is a protein packed, family pleasing weeknight dinner idea...

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Birds Eye® through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Birds Eye®, all opinions are my own.

I have to admit it, folks. Sometimes it is a struggle to get more protein and whole grains into my and my family's diet. I try, but sometimes convenience wins out and pizza gets delivered or a trip through the fast food drive-thru happens. 

It's not that I don't want to make sure that my family is eating healthier and getting all the good stuff that they need to grow and power them through their day. But there are days when I just run out of time or energy, and oftentimes both of those things happen at the same time. 

That is why I was so glad to recently discover Birds Eye® Protein Blends at my local grocery store! These quick and easy to make Protein Blends side dishes come in four delicious flavors- Southwest Style, California Style, Italian Style, & Asian Style. 

Since Italian food is a favorite in my home, I grabbed the Birds Eye® Protein Blends Italian Style and started brainstorming a quick and tasty way that I could use it to get more whole grains, protein, and veggies into my family's diet more often. This fresh and healthy Italian Style Buddha Bowl was the family pleasing end result! :)

It starts with the Birds Eye® Protein Blends Italian Style, a delicious side dish packed with a blend of whole grains, lentils, spinach, broccoli, white beans, & a tasty sauce. Then I filled the rest of the bowl with fresh baby arugula, whole wheat penne, ripe grape tomatoes, olives, and crunchy sliced almonds. Finish it off with a drizzle of oil & vinegar or your favorite light Italian dressing, and a healthy dinner is served in minutes... 

Antipasto Bloody Mary

Inspired by a favorite Italian appetizer, this Antipasto Bloody Mary is a tasty twist on the classic brunch cocktail...

This post was created in partnership with Drizly as part of their Top Shelf Blogger program. All opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

When it comes to weekend brunches, I am a Bloody Mary gal all the way. Sure, I can sip on a mimosa or a screwdriver, but you put a Bloody Mary bar in front me and I am in heaven. I think that Bloody Mary bars have to be like the best ever addition to a brunch menu- am I right? 

While the bartender shakes up your Bloody Mary to your spice & heat preference, you can peruse all the delicious ways that you can top your cocktail. From the traditional olives & celery stalks, to thick cut bacon slices, pickles, cocktail onions, and more, you can create a cocktail and a snack all in one. And if you ask me those are the best Bloody Marys- the ones that come with a built-in snack. ;)

This Antipasto Bloody Mary recipe that I am sharing with you all today is inspired by my love for Bloody Mary bars and after one of my favorite Italian appetizers, an antipasto platter. 

Traditional antipasto platters are the Italian version of a charcuterie board. They are usually brimming with hard cured Italian meats like salami, pepperoni, & proscuitto, olives, various peppers, and fresh mozzarella. With this Antipasto Bloody Mary, you get the cocktail with a bonus personal sized antipasto snack skewered right on top.... 

Italian Style Corn Casserole

With the addition of crispy pancetta, Parmesan cheese, & sun-dried tomatoes, this Italian Style Corn Casserole is not your grandmother's corn casserole...

This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms where I’m a contributor.

A creamy & comforting homemade corn casserole often makes an appearance alongside a pot of hearty chili or as a classic side dish for the Thanksgiving dinner table in our home. 

Usually, we stick to a tried & true corn pudding type casserole for the fall time, but this year I decided to kick up this family favorite side dish just a notch with some classic Italian flavors like crispy pancetta, shaved Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a little fresh basil.







This Italian Style Corn Casserole is sort of a cross between a corn pudding and a cornbread. Definitely creamy, but it holds it shape when you dish it out and doesn't spread all over the plate like some corn casseroles do. 

Italian Style Red Wine Chili {Slow Cooker}

This rich & flavorful Italian Style Red Wine Chili with a delicious Italian flavor twist from herbs and red wine simmers in your slow cooker all day...

I will be busy, busy with the Baking For Kate online bake sale & auction this coming weekend, but I wanted to be sure to share this recipe for my Italian Style Red Wine Chili with you all before this coming Sunday. 

And why this coming Sunday?

Because this Sunday is National Wine Day, silly... ;)

Use a red wine that you love sipping for this recipe because you will have enough leftover in the bottle to have a couple of glasses. 

Or you can use that little bit of red wine that you didn't happen to finish off when you popped it open & has been just chilling in your fridge for a week or so.  (Tasty recipes are a fabulous way to use wine that maybe is past it's drinking prime, but still has lots of rich flavor for cooking and baking.)

Italian Steak Sandwiches with Roasted Vegetable Tapenade

This farmers market inspired Italian Steak Sandwich is slathered in a rich & flavor packed roasted vegetable tapenade & topped with fresh basil leaves...

As you all may recall from the recipe I shared for my Summer Harvest Potato Salad last month, I am on a mission this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing only locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market this summer. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of August, I am sharing the recipe for these super flavorful Italian Steak Sandwiches with Roasted Vegetable Tapenade with you all. This sandwich is inspired by a traditional steak sandwich that is a local favorite in the area of West Virginia that I live in. We actually call our steak sandwiches hoagies here, & they are piled high with sliced beef & then topped with peppers in sauce & lots of mozzarella cheese.

The Metropolitan Cocktail

This citrusy Metropolitan Cocktail is a sophisticated twist on the classic cosmopolitan with an Italian flair...

This post was created in partnership with Spello Restaurant.

**Please Note: Spello is now permanently closed.

When it comes to Valentine's Day, I am all about the pretty cocktails. There is just something about starting with a romantic & sexy cocktail that sets the mood for the entire evening- am I right? ;) 

I recently had the opportunity and the pleasure to dine at the newly opened Spello restaurant in Mars, Pennsylvania during their soft opening for friends & family last week. The ambiance was upscale, yet not pretentious. 

The dinner menu is inspired by Chef Melnick's travels to Italy. It is impressive, yet not overwhelming. The emphasis is on the quality of their menu selections rather than the quantity. But that cocktail menu, you all...

The sophisticated boozy concoctions being served at the restaurant come from the creative mind of mixologist & COO of the restaurant group that owns Spello, Colin Smith. Smith has been a part of the restaurant & mixology scene in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area for over 24 years . 

The cocktail menu is higher end (you will find no well liquors here, folks), but is reasonably priced. Most of Spello's libations feature Italian spirits & liqueurs.

I would be lying if I told you all that I haven't sampled just about every cocktail on their bar menu because I have. (I may or not have photographed the entire cocktail menu for the restaurant. ;) ) But my favorite of Spello's boozy offerings is their Metropolitan cocktail- a citrusy blend of vodka, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, Aperol, & sweet Italian Vermouth...

Antipasto Panzanella Salad

Two classic Italian salads are combined into one in this delicious Antipasto Panzanella Salad that's perfect for backyard BBQ's & potlucks...

This content was created in partnership with Kroger Family Stores using free products provided by Kroger.

This recipe post first appeared on the Kroger Inspired Gathering site.

Having grown up in an area with a strong Italian influence, Italian food has definitely become my love language. It means home to me. 

From antipasto salads topped with lots of hard meats like pepperoni and salami to traditional panzanella salads that make tasty use of day-old loaves of Italian bread, these dishes take me back to my childhood with just one bite. For this simple yet flavorful Antipasto Panzanella Salad, I combined my love of two favorite summertime Italian salads into one big, tasty feast.





There is so much flavor and freshness packed into this salad, folks! It lends itself perfectly to the fresh and ripe flavors of summer like garden fresh juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers. This Antipasto Panzanella Salad is the perfect starter or side dish for a summer get-together or barbecue, but it is definitely substantial enough to stand on its own as a light meal...

Hosting a Tuscan Inspired Sunday Dinner

Host a simple & fuss free Tuscan Inspired Sunday Dinner at home with my quick and easy tips.

Post Sponsored by Lunchbox. All opinions are 100% my own.

Growing up, I fondly remember big family dinners at my grandparents' on a Sunday afternoon. Aunts, uncles, and cousins would fill their plates with my grandma's homemade lasagna or slices of her ham, and then clamor to the various tables, chairs, and couches around her house to sit down and enjoy a meal with the family. It wasn't fancy, and it wasn't perfect. But it was a fun family dinner that I always looked forward to. :)

The years have passed and now big family dinners only happen at my grandparents' home for special occasions and holidays. Sunday family dinners have become a fond memory of my childhood. But this past Sunday I decided to change that. This past Sunday I hosted a traditional Italian dinner for some of family at my home.  I wanted to channel the laid back, casual Sunday dinners I remembered from my childhood and keep things as fuss free and simple as possible. But I also wanted to channel a little modern Italian elegance as well...

Mom's Italian Pasta Fagioli Recipe from love, laurie {& an Ad Space Giveaway!}

I have been fortunate to have had Laurie from love, laurie on my sidebar the past two months. And even more lucky because she has been generous enough to guest post both months! :) Some of you all may remember her recipe for a German Apple Puffed Pancake she shared on my blog last month.  I ended up making that for breakfast one weekend & it was AMAZING.  And it looks like the recipe she is sharing with us today will also end up on my meal plan one week very soon.

hi everyone!  my name is laurie and i blog over at love, laurie.  i am so thrilled that carrie invited me back to do another guest post on her blog today.  last time i was here, i shared my recipe for a german apple puffed pancake, and today i am happy to be sharing another recipe with you.

i'm part italian, so i'm sure it comes as no surprise that i absolutely love italian food.  one of my all-time favorite italian dishes is pasta fagioli, which is a traditional italian soup.  of course, there are countless variations of the recipe.  a few months ago i shared a copy cat recipe for olive garden's version of this soup.  however, today i wanted to share my family's version with you.

this recipe has literally been passed down through my family for generations.  my mom still has the old recipe card with the recipe for this soup written in my great grandmother's handwriting.  now that my great grandmother is gone, it is certainly something that we treasure.

growing up, one of the dishes that i remember my great grandmother making often was pasta fagioli.  she had her own spin on the recipe, as did my grandmother, and as did my mom.  out of all of the different variations of pasta fagioli that my family has made over the years, my mom's version is my favorite.

my mom's italian pasta fagioli soup recipe is a simple recipe that doesn't require many ingredients, and it is both quick and easy to make.  it is absolutely delicious, and it is a classic.  for me it is the perfect comfort food that reminds me of all of the sweet memories of my childhood.

mom's italian pasta fagioli
prep time: 5 minutes
cooking time: 20-25 minutes
yields: 4-5 servings

ingredients:
2 cups ditalini pasta, dry
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4-5 large garlic cloves, minced
4 (8oz.) cans hunt's no salt added tomato sauce
2 cups cold water
1 (15oz. or 16oz.) can low sodium cannelloni beans
salt and ground pepper
parmesan cheese, grated

directions:
cook pasta according to package directions.  meanwhile, in a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  add the minced garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.  do not let the garlic brown.  add the tomato sauce and the water.  allow the soup to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often.  drain and rinse the beans.  add the beans to the soup and cook for 5-10 minutes over low heat.  once the pasta has finished cooking, drain the pasta and add it to the soup.  serve hot with grated parmesan cheese.

enjoy!

love, laurie

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Italian Chicken & Tortellini Broth Bowls

These Italian Chicken & Tortellini Broth Bowls are a budget friendly version of a restaurant favorite that you can have on your dinner table in around 30 minutes...

A couple of weeks ago I found myself hit hard with some kind of a head cold. It was one of those colds that leaves you feeling absolutely exhausted by late afternoon each day. 

And when this mama has sick days, the kitchen is usually closed for dinner on those days. Thus, I found myself texting my husband three evenings in a row that week asking him to pick up dinner for the family before he came home from work. 

On the one evening when I was feeling the worst, I had him swing by Panera to pick up some feel good comfort food for me. I wanted soup (I mean, who doesn't want some comforting soup when they are feeling sick?), but none of the daily selections were really appealing to me. As I was perusing their online menu, I found their broth bowls section. Yep! That is exactly what I wanted! :)

Instantly I gravitated towards their Ricotta Sacchettini with Chicken Broth Bowl. Cheese filled pasta, chicken, fresh broccoli & spinach covered in a nourishing broth and topped with pesto and lemon? I mean, YES. That was the feel better food I was looking for. 

And even though I cringed at the price ($9 a bowl!) when ordering it, I knew it was what my sick self was craving. After taking one bite of this broth bowl, I also knew that I had to come up with a copycat recipe for it that I could make at home. 

These easy to make Italian Chicken & Tortellini Broth Bowls are my homemade version of my new Panera favorite...

Basil, Garlic, & Mozzarella Focaccia

Over the weekend I got to cross two items off of my culinary bucket list...

1. Make homemade focaccia.
2. Bake in a cast iron skillet.

Honestly, I hadn't tried either one before out of a fear of what I did not know. Up until about a year ago, I had never really baked with yeast. I don't care how amazing a recipe looked, if yeast was listed as an ingredient I was immediately turned off by it.
Why?
Because I was super intimidated by anything that involved using yeast, and rise times, and such. Most of the time any recipe that I tried that required yeast almost always failed for me. Almost a year ago, I shared my recipe for French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls on the blog- it was my very first self-developed recipe using yeast that was a hit out of the park success. Ever since then I have been hooked on baking with yeast.

And recently I discovered Fleischmann's® RapidRise® Yeast and found myself even more hooked on developing baking recipes using yeast...

No-Bake Cinnamon Tiramisu

A traditional Italian dessert gets a tasty cinnamon spiced twist perfect for fall in this No-Bake Cinnamon Tiramisu...

This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms where I’m a contributor.

I am a self-proclaimed tiramisu addict, and I have no shame in admitting that, folks. ;) There is just something about that creamy mixture of mascarpone cheese, rich coffee, & delicate ladyfingers that I just can't resist. While I can always go for a slice of good ole traditional tiramisu, I often find myself playing around with the flavors in my homemade versions. Since fall has finally arrived, I thought why not try my hand at a warm & cozy cinnamon spiced version?

I left out the cocoa powder entirely in this no-bake version and replaced with it layers of sweet cinnamon flavor. The coffee that the ladyfingers are soaked with has been steeped with a whole cinnamon stick. Then ground cinnamon is whipped into the creamy filling. And for good measure, each slice is served with a little sprinkle of cinnamon over top. The perfect dessert for the cinnamon & tiramisu lover alike!

Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu

Sweet summer strawberries & two classic Italian desserts come together perfectly in this no-bake Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu...

Now that summertime is pretty much in full swing, I am ready to break out all the no-bake recipes. I try to avoid turning on my stove top or oven as much as possible in the summer months. 

I mean, 80+ degree temps + a hot kitchen = no bueno, am I right? So from late June right on through the end of August, we are grilling, slow cooking, and no baking every chance we get. 

While I definitely have a pretty deep arsenal of slow cooker recipes & grilling favorites, I have realized that I really need to step up my no-bake desserts game on the blog. 

Inspired by the sweet summer strawberries that are just now starting to come into season around here & a two of my favorite Italian desserts, I came up with this easy to make Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu. And the best part? It is 100% no-bake, folks! :)

McAllen, Texas: An Unexpected Foodie Destination

McAllen, Texas has become an unexpected culinary incubator in southern Texas- melding traditional Tex Mex & Mexican cuisine with a Texan twist on the farm to table dining experience...

This post was created in partnership with Visit McAllen. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

When I traveled to to the city of McAllen in the southern tip of Texas last November, I expected to find some amazing local Tex Mex & Mexican restaurants. After all, McAllen is located in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, just a short 10 minute drive from the Mexican border. And while I did sample some amazing traditional Tex Mex fare during my stay, I was truly surprised by the number of restaurants in this city that had embraced the farm to table concept in new, exciting, & delicious ways. 

I was introduced to a bodega that proudly cures it's own meats. To a restaurant & bar in the New American style of dining that prides itself on it's cocktails inspired by locally sourced ingredients. To a wine bar & bistro that is redefining fine dining in the Rio Grande Valley area by bringing the freshness of the valley to each and every one of their dishes. 

The local food scene of McAllen, Texas definitely far surpasses the expectations that you may have of a just north of the border Texan city. This bustling metropolis, which attracts about 18 million visitors each year, has become somewhat of a culinary incubator- melding traditional Tex Mex & Mexican cuisine with a Texan twist on the farm to table dining experience...

Italian Basil Orzo Salad

I thought I would share my recipe for this gorgeous Italian Basil Orzo Salad with you all this week since it was specially requested by my mother that I make this while we are at the beach this week.  

Yes, my friends.  We are taking a family vacation and soaking up the rays.  

It is a MUCH needed family vacation. :)

But do not worry.  I will not leave the blog empty and sad this week!

I have a couple more delicious summer inspired salad recipe posts coming your way this week, plus a couple of sand & sea themed posts- they only seemed appropriate given my locale for the next 6 days or so. 

I originally made this Italian Basil Orzo Salad for our 4th of July cookout, and it was huge hit with my family.  I think my mother was maybe 3 bites into this salad when she said, "You have to make this while we are at the beach."

Of course, I will oblige my mama. ;)

I used a tomato basil flavored feta in this salad that I happened to find at my local ALDI.  If you cannot find a flavored feta, plain feta will work just fine in this salad.  The basil dressing is packed with tons of freshness and flavor...

Italian Basil Orzo Salad

by Frugal Foodie Mama

Prep Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

6050495

Ingredients (6 servings)

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
• 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 slices and then quartered
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt & pepper
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium sweet banana pepper, halved, seeded, & chopped
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced and then chopped
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1/2 cup feta cheese (I used a tomato basil feta cheese that I found at my local ALDI.)

For the basil dressing

• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled, smashed, & roughly chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Large handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions

Combine the chicken broth and water in a medium sauce pan, cover, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the orzo. Cook for about 7-8 minutes, stirring 2-3 times.

Drain the orzo and immediately rinse with cold water. Transfer the orzo to a large bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

While the orzo is chilling, roast your zucchini. In a medium bowl, combine the zucchini chunks, the 1 tbsp olive oil, and salt & pepper to taste. Spread out onto a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes, stirring once about halfway through.

Once roasted, set aside and allow to cool completely.

Once your orzo has chilled, add in the cucumber, banana pepper, red onion, grape tomatoes, the feta cheese, and the cooled zucchini. Toss together and then set aside.

In a food processor or blender, blend together the garlic, lemon juice, basil leaves, and salt. Then slowly add in the olive oil and continue blending until well combined. Pour the basil dressing over the orzo/veggies mixture.

Toss well.

Serve immediately or chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Enjoy!

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This Italian Basil Orzo Salad is just like taking a big ole bite out of summer.  I am happy to say that the sweet banana pepper and basil I used in this salad came from my very own garden.  I am looking forward to making this again soon now that I also have cherry tomatoes and cucumbers almost ready in my garden.  

Do you have a favorite pasta salad or salad you like to make when summer has rolled around?