As a kid, this Italian Diva fondly remembers "Pasta Night" being the twice-a-week highlight—every Sunday and Wednesday, like clockwork. Holidays? Ha! Whether it was Christmas, New Year's, or even Groundhog Day, if it was a pasta night, the pasta parade marched on! Nothing else stood a chance against our carb-filled devotion. My Sicilian dad was the pasta police, enforcing the law of the noodle. Meanwhile, my mom tried to sneak in some American flair with Thanksgiving turkey a

FACT: 70% of olive oils in supermarkets are as fake as a three-dollar bill. Uncover which ones are worth your hard-earned cash. Many historians think olive oil made its grand debut in the Mediterranean basin or the Middle East. Picture it as an Italian opera star, and just like many of us, it’s probably chilling in your pantry. Olive oil is the Beyoncé of ingredients—ideal for tomato sauces, salad dressings, marinades, bread dipping, and more. But did you know it’s been a cul

In June 2022, I made my grand return from my fourth Italian escapade, this time with my son, Jeff, who decided to gift me the trip for my birthday—because, you know, another scarf just was not going to cut it. Folks who visit this jaw-dropping country often ponder, “ Why does even the simplest pasta make me weep tears of joy in Italy?” The answer is as clear as a Tuscan sunset - in Italy, they dish out real food, free from preservatives and those sneaky chemicals that are

By Emily Bell | | October 21, 2019 Dedee Royale isn’t your typical cooking class teacher. Yes, she loves food and yes, she happens to be...

Welcome to Parma, the pint-sized powerhouse of Italy's culinary world! This little city is the proud parent of two global superstars: the legendary Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and the ever-dashing Prosciutto di Parma. These Italian delicacies are so exclusive that the law insists they can only be whipped up in Parma, a tradition that's been going strong for a whopping 800 years. Talk about a long-lasting love affair with food! Picture this: Cheese wheels as thick as a foot-lon

As a mom of identical twins, I wanted them to dive into their Sicilian-American roots and discover the tales of the early Italians who decided to swap sunny Italy for the unpredictable weather of Boston. Here’s a quick romp through history to see what those brave souls were up to back in the day. . Picture this: East Boston became a bustling hub thanks to the Italian immigrants who were the MVPs of the neighborhood, hailing mainly from Sicily, Naples, and Calabria. They bro