Cocoa -Figgy Scone Rolls

This is an adaptation of my Oma’s Basic Scone recipe.  Just for fun, I rolled the dough like a jelly roll loaded with some yummy Ficoco spread slathered inside.  I loved the sweet treat but could also see going savory with cheese and herbs.  So fun to twist it up every now and then and […]

Pesto ~ A love story.

It’s the first week of August and basil is in abundance.  Not only is it thriving on our back patio, it has also arrived spilling over the top of our Farm Share from Siena Farms for the past 2 weeks.  That’s my queue to whip up some PESTO!  I first learned how to make pesto in […]

Judy’s Famous Dill Pickles!

I grew up next to Judy.  She is one of the many gems on Bainbridge who I wish still lived a stones throw back in Boston.  Anyone who knows Judy, knows that she is an extraordinary, generous and enthusiastic woman and is a force of inspiration and skill in the kitchen.  Among her circle, she […]

My Elimination Recap: MasterChef S3 Ep9 Thanks Kaimana Chee!

What a night! My friend Kaimana Chee just sent this over.  Not only is he an incredible cook himself earning a spot among the Top 100 best home cooks in America, but he also has the ability to bring light to even the most difficult of evenings.  Thank you, Kaimana, for adding a little levity […]

Red Porridge with Cream (Rød Grød med Fløde)

When I was 16, I lived in Denmark for 6 months.  Some of my nearest and dearest friends are Danish and I grew up with special Scandinavian traditions and specialities mixed into my life back on Bainbridge.  I think “rød grød med fløde” or Red Porridge with Cream is the prize of Denmark…well, at least […]

Anna’s Molten Lava Cake…approved by Joe Bastianich

Pressure test? psssh! This dessert will wow🙂  My recipe is quick and easy.  The trick is to measure and prep every ingredients so you can quickly combine once you get moving.  This chocolate heaven is best served immediately out of the oven…(as you will appreciate if you watched episode 7 of season 3 of MasterChef) […]

Key Lime Pie with Coco-Macadamia Nut Crust and Greek Yogurt

This is one of my favorite summer desserts.  There is nothing like chilled custard-y lime flavors to refreshen the palate on these hot summer nights.  This recipe is extremely quick and easy.  The texture tastes like a delicious egg-based custard, however, the creamy consistency is achieved with sweetened condensed milk.  I like to romanticize this […]

How to Fillet and Skin a Fish – 5lbs Atlantic Pollock from Cape Anna Fresh Catch

Monday is Fish Day for the Rossi’s!  Every Monday between 4-6p we meet Fisherman Nick in Cambridge to grab the latest catch from Cape Ann Fresh Catch Community Supported Fishery (CSF).  The fish is literally fresh off the boat that morning and I love the pleasure of shaking hands with the guy who caught it.  If we […]

Banana Muffins

This recipe is another one of my mom’s that I remember from when I was little.  She used to make the most delicious Banana Coconut Tea Bread that she would serve when friends would come for an afternoon visit.  Traditionally, her recipe is made with toasted coconut and coarsely chopped walnuts and is lovely sliced. […]

Virginia Belle’s Brownies

My folks were out here this past week to celebrate the MasterChef premiere with AJ and me.  I didn’t waste a minute asking them to whip up a few of the dishes that remind me of my childhood.  I have lived over 3,000 miles away from them for over 10 years, so recipes are how […]

Ground Beef Challenge – Tarragon Beef Stuffed Onion Wrap with Shallot Vinaigrette and Horseradish Creme

For the Top 36 Elimination Challenge on Master Chef, the judges launched Ground Beef at us.  I typically only buy ground beef if I am grilling burgers out back.  Instead, I like to use ground turkey, pork, chicken or a mix for most of my cooking (chili, meatballs, bolognese, meatloaf…you name it.)  I thought “Hamburger” […]

Linguine alla Vongole…alla AJ

Linguine alla Vongole

There are many reasons why I love this dish.   AJ made this for me the first night he cooked for me, early on in our “courtship.”  It was more like a test.  Could I “mangia” the bi-valve with as much passion and enjoyment as he had since he was a little boy?  Needless to […]

How to Clean a Soft Shell Crab

Soft Shell Crab

It’s soft shell crab season in Boston!  Soft Shell Crab is a Blue Crab that has recently molted its hard shell, making the entire crab delicious and edible.  The meat is tender, delicate and sweet.  When you find these little guys fresh and in season, there are 3 simple cleaning steps necessary to prepare them […]

5 Minute Pie Crust: I’ll bring the butter, you grab the berries

This spring, I took an amazing pastry class out in LA from Pastry Chef, Clemence Gossett.  So while Pillsbury may have a place in my freezer, this 5 Minute Pie Crust has become a fantastic addition to my culinary arsenal when the ingredients are too perfect not too dote on just a little extra!  Yesterday […]

A Sneak Peak Behind the Scenes – Master Chef on FOX

“A burning desire that has yet to be unleashed.”  Gordon Ramsay From Le Cordon Bleu in Cambridge, MA back in November, to a whirl wind pilgrimage to the Master Chef Warehouse in LA this past Spring, AJ and I are thrilled to share our love for each other and our passion for cooking with America. […]

Watch AJ and Anna Compete on MASTER CHEF Season 3 on FOX!

I just came across this quick video that AJ and I shot back in November just before we walked into our first Master Chef Audition at Le Cordon Bleu in Cambridge, MA!  Little did we know that we would BOTH make it to the Top 100 of America’s Best Amateur Home Chefs out of over 52,000 […]