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Stuffed Acorn Squash Alla Norma

Everybody needs a star side that can play the main if you have vegetarians at your Thanksgiving table and this is yours — presenting the most delicious Stuffed Acorn Squash alla Norma!! Creamy mozzarella cheese, pine nuts, and tender fried eggplant hunks are tossed together in a gorgeous tomato sauce, then tucked into golden roasted acorn squash boats and baked to melting perfection. Top with basil and a drizzle of HONEY!! Savory yet sweet flavors make this versatile veggie bite utterly irresistible and the perfect addition to any Thanksgiving spread.

See this recipe come to life on my IG Video.

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala — it’s almost as fun to say as it is to eat! I feel so 60s making this dish, taking little nips of wine, blaring my Peggy Lee. A fancy-feeling but crazily-easy 20-minute supper, these tender medallions of chicken breast get simmered together with a bounty of mushrooms and fresh herbs in butter and Marsala wine, a fortified white white which brings a lightly sweet, nutty finish. Serve over your favorite pasta, rice — or even cauliflower rice! 

See this recipe come to life on my IGTV.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

If you’re not already making a weekly pot of soup, please start now and start here. So rich and warm, with all the flavors of fall – roasted butternut squash, sweet apple, those heady, warming spices! – pureed until velvety smooth and made even more luscious with coconut milk.

You’ll find plenty of tender, buttery-soft pops of pecans to give you something to chew on and a few spicy rings of serrano chile to heat you up from the inside out with a welcome little bite of freshness. Mmmm…good soup!

See this recipe come to life on my IGTV.

Spicy Rigatoni Alla Vodka

This is a spicy version of my daughter Philomena’s all-time favorite classic pasta dish: Rigatoni alla Vodka! I’m sad to report I’ve never eaten the most famous version of this dish at Carbone in NYC, so I can’t say for sure how this one compares. All I know is this is quite possibly the most comforting, savory, faintly sweet and perfectly spicy pasta dish you will ever sink your teeth into. But don’t take my word for it. Treat yourself to a plate tonight and report back!! PS just leave out the chilis if you and yours don’t like it spicy – Philo style!

See this recipe come to life on my IGTV.

Blow-Your-Mind Chicken Wings

It’s football season, and that means there’s only one thing on everyone’s mind… chicken wings!! This recipe for baked, saucy, fall-off-the-bone tender chicken wings was a fan favorite from back at The Chew… and I’ve made a couple improvements, if I do say so myself. The glaze is even more irresistibly spicy, sticky, sweet, and tangy. The wings are just as crisp and juicy as always. These are so easy to make and you get the satisfaction of something fried without any hot oil to clean up which, in my book, is most assuredly a touchdown!! Make them ASAP!

See this recipe come to life on my IGTV.

Roasted Shrimp, Red Bell Pepper & Mozzarella Salad

This salad is simple but layers big, bold flavor with fast-cooking, juicy roasted shrimp, charred, sweet bell peppers, and cool, creamy, torn mozzarella so every bite is just a touch indulgent! Plus a few meaty, salty olives thrown in for good measure, all tossed together in a bright, gently sweet balsamic vinaigrette with citrus and coriander. All the yummy bits and bobs to fill you up but keep you feeling nice and light – aka, a salad totally worthy of the #giantwoodenbowl!

PS. Update on how to get this wooden bowl coming very soon!!

See this recipe come to life on my IGTV.

Rigatoni With Fresh Sungold Tomato Sauce

I wish I could take credit for how unbelievably delicious this liquid gold pasta sauce is, but it’s really just nature showing off with the perfect balance of sweet Sungold tomatoes, garlic, onion, and plenty of olive oil! Plus a splash of something extra…

The best part is that it is so easy to make! Hot tip: grab ripe Sungold tomatoes now while they’re still in season and make a bunch of this sauce to freeze for gloriously easy meals to come – you (and your kids) will drink it right up, so make extra! 

See this recipe come to life on my IGTV.

Whole Grilled Branzino

Presenting one of the lightest, easiest, most flavorful, and most magnificent ways to cook fish — and my absolute favorite: Whole Grilled Branzino!

Mediterranean sea bass (branzino) is a flaky, white fish that is meaty and mild, and I love how crispy and salty the skin gets on the grill — stuffing with garlic, fresh herbs, red onion, and lemon keeps everything extra juicy! Stick around to the end of the video to see how easy it is to de-bone, but we usually just serve them whole for an utterly mermaid-ready experience — especially if you light a bonfire and grill beachside!

Suggested pairing: tender lettuce salad, roasted potatoes, or crusty baguette with a little olive oil and salt, and a cold beer or verdicchio, soaking up the final days of summer fun!

See this recipe come to life on my IGTV.

Pan-Fried Lamb Chops

Meat on a stick is always a winner, especially when it’s gorgeous little golden brown lollipops of tender, juicy lamb. But my vegetarians!! I haven’t forgotten about you! The chile-pesto beans that I use as a side here are so delicious, they could (should) be their very own dish. Pull up any reason to enjoy this stunning combination of flavors and dig in!

PS. I did it in a cast iron skillet, but this lamb chop preparation works exceptionally well on the grill if you’re cooking outside these days.

See this recipe come to life on my IGTV.