Italian Archives - The Boozy Epicure

Pasta Puttanesca

September 13, 2015October 2, 2016 anchovies, capers, Italian, pasta, tomatoes

I wish I could remember the first time I had pasta puttanesca. Sometime after I fell in love with anchovies, but before I fell in love with olives. For years it was a dish that I didn't think all that much of. What I do remember very clearly was my amusement... Read More

Mains Recipe

Caramelized Onion, Kale, Bacon and Egg Pizza

June 2, 2015January 5, 2017 bacon, caramelized onions, eggs, Italian, onions, pizza

Pizza is a glorious food. Even when it's bad, it's pretty good, and when it's great, you are talking about love, comfort, and deliciousness wrapped in one dish. I've written about pizza before, but this week, for pizza night with my hubby, I tried a couple of new things, at... Read More

Pasta Recipe

Bucatini with Almond Jalapeño Pesto

February 15, 2015January 5, 2017 almonds, Italian, jalapeno, pasta, pesto

I first fell in love with Almond Jalapeño pesto in January of 2013. I had just returned home from visiting friends in Philadelphia and we had a wonderful dinner at Amis. They served it with bucatini and it seemed exotic, wholly unexpected, and to die for. I loved it so... Read More

NYC Restaurants

Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca

February 2, 2015July 29, 2016 Italian

In 1998, when Babbo opened, I was not yet a foodie. Yes I liked eating, but my college years were spent in school dining centers or slurping down instant ramen in my dorm room. I knew almost nothing about cooking or baking, I hadn't heard of Mario Batali, so of... Read More

Recipe Soups and Stews

Italian Wedding Soup

December 13, 2014September 1, 2016 Italian, meatballs, soup

I had my first bowl of Italian Wedding Soup, not surprisingly I guess, at a wedding several years ago. I remember somewhere being told that this soup got it's name by being traditional at weddings to give newlyweds sustenance for their newly wedded bliss (wink, wink) but that story seems... Read More

How To Mains

Happy Meatball Day!

March 9, 2014April 21, 2025 beef, Italian, Mains, meatballs, pasta, spaghetti, tomatoes

March 9, 2014 is National Meatball Day! What better way to celebrate than making a batch yourself? Meaty, juicy, comforting, meatballs are relatively easy to make and can be modified and flavored to match anyone's tastes. First, and perhaps most importantly, meatballs are not the same as meatloaf. When... Read More

How To Pasta Testing

Cooking Fundamentals: Fresh Pasta

February 9, 2014June 28, 2017 eggs, Italian, pasta

Making homemade fresh pasta can be intimidating. It seems (like pastry) to be a skill/technique that signifies an advanced home cook. Many argue that it isn't worth the effort, with all the high quality pastas in stores these days. And while it's true, there are ample supplies of high quality... Read More

✷ Mains Recipe

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza AKA Italian Pie

February 9, 2014September 1, 2016 Italian, Mains, pizza

My husband is not happy with me. Originally from New York, he's angry that Chicago-style deep dish is called pizza at all, and while he happily ate dinner tonight, I am apparently in the dog-house for my traitorous behavior. To save my marriage, I must begin this post by stating... Read More

Recipe Soups and Stews

Sausage, Potato and Kale Soup (aka Zuppa Toscana)

November 8, 2013September 1, 2016 Italian, kale, potatoes, sausage, soup

Sausage, Potato and Kale Soup (aka Zuppa Toscana)I have no idea why this soup is called zuppa toscana. I can't seem to find anything particularly Tuscan about it, and after doing a bit of research, I can't seem to find any traditional version of this recipe that would mark it... Read More

Breads and Baking Recipe

Homemade Focaccia

August 27, 2013September 1, 2016 baking, bread, Italian

Homemade FocacciaFoccaccia is one of those breads that I never thought much about. I had come across many bland, boring versions that seemed to be overloaded with toppings, more like a thick crust pizza. But recently, I've come across a few restaurants whose focaccia was served plain, maybe with herbs,... Read More