With the abundance of squash this fall and the craving for heart-warming, soul satisfying comfort food, this butternut squash soup fits the bill. The subtle layers of flavor build as you eat, despite any preconceived notion you may have about a squash soup. Eat this and feel proud – you’ll be satisfied, others will be […]
It’s not always easy to prepare a healthy, light, and satisfying dinner, especially on a weeknight. (It’s further compounded when you’re a carbohydrate loving Italian girl.) Tonight Todd went to the grocery store, and unbeknown to him, came back with the extra ingredients for a Nicoise salad. As it happens, I do not care for […]
As October approaches, I feel compelled to cook. Perhaps it’s the chill in the air that drives you inside and to simultaneously open the windows to enjoy the smell of fall air. Maybe it is the incredible bounty of in-season produce that will only be this delicious for a few weeks. I think that both […]
I’ve always wanted to make my own granola, and for some reason it alluded me. You can find plenty of store-bought brands that are pretty good, but when I look at the ingredients I usually shudder at the fats used in the process. Certainly nuts are high in fat – good, delicious fat – and […]
Over at my latest obsession’s website, Saveur.com, they have enlisted the brilliance of foodie comic artists to render some recipes. In their summer feature Recipe Comix, I found the Cool & Crispy Noodle Melange by Vanessa Davis to be hilarious and delicious. While I haven’t tried it yet*, I had to fill my readers in […]
If you ask me – and you clearly did because you’re here – the perfect summer drink is cool, flavorful, and slightly fruity. A family favorite is a gorgeous New Zealand sauvignon blanc with ample slices of velvety peaches floating in it. If you really want to make it a Riccio classic, you will sit […]
Believe it or not, I saw Emeril making this dish while I was writing a grocery list and looking over my cookbooks. See, I subscribe to the method of extreme weekday menu planing – so I find 4 to 5 dishes that I think fit my weeknight meal criteria: healthy, quick, cheap, and easy. I […]
I honestly know what kills my husband about my eating habits: when he asks what I want to eat, my answer is always the same – “something healthy, cheap, and delicious.” Really, Leah? Yes, really. Even when cooking at home, that is a tough request. Following the decadence of the holiday season, this healthy and […]
In the mood for something healthy that won’t leave you starving (or groaning) when you’re done? You’re looking for quinoa. It is an amazing grain that is loaded with protein, easy to make, delicious and satisfying. Quinoa cooks just like rice, has a soft texture when cooked, and is neutral in flavor. The USDA National Nutrient Database says that […]
Dear Fresh Figs: You are amazing. I am so sorry that Fig Newtons gave you a bad rap, and I will do everything I can to restore your reputation. Love, Leah I realize that you may question my sanity for writing a letter to figs, but I can assure you that I am slightly off. […]
