This past Spring, AJ and I took our dream trip to Italy! We literally ate our way across Rome, Positano and Abruzzo. Among our culinary adventures was a 7 day 7 night all inclusive culinary program with Leonardo de Flaviis at Abruzzo 1. Leonardo has since become a wonderful friend and AJ and I daily […]
Extra MasterChef Footage Revealed
As they say in Reality TV, if it didn’t air, it didn’t happen. Well, now this really happened. No doubt for dramatic effect, these ego-boosting clips had been left on the edit room floor. Husband verses wife? Game on. While AJ’s Dirty Lobster earned a resounding “YES” from all three judges that aired triumphantly […]
AJ’s Duck Prosciutto
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) […]
Thyme Ginger Sole with Roasted Kohlrabi Fries and Sorrel Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Kohlrabi Fries
Kohlrabi is another new favorite of mine. Based on appearance, when it arrived in my CSA box, it could have easily been confused with cabbage. Instead, it reminds me of a cross between radish and potato. This great textured vegetable is extremely versatile- whether you shave it raw for a salad, puree it for a […]
Sorrel Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Cherriette Radishes with Anchovy Butter and Fluer de Sel
I am in Farm Share heaven right now, thanks to Siena Farms. I just picked up this weeks CSA box and am blown away by everything that is pristine and thriving right now in New England. First out of the box were gorgeous Cherriette Radishes. The sophistication of this “amuse bouche” comes in it’s simplicity: […]
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. […]
Pan Seared Duck Breast with Pickled Maine Rosehips, Mascarpone Polenta and Micro Green Salad
I love duck. I actually learned how to perfectly cook duck breast from Gordon’s youtube video about a year ago. My favorite way to serve this beautiful, rich protein is medium rare, sliced on the bias, and served with homemade pickled rosehips from Vinylhaven, ME, creamy Mascarpone Polenta and a Micro Green Salad. No […]
Virginia Belle’s Brownies
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” […]