This easy pasta dinner is perfect for chilly winter nights. Pasta al forno (in the oven, or baked) can easily be tailored to fit your family! I show you a very simple recipe in this video, using marinara sauce that I already had made. While the dish is classically made with a meat sauce (ragu), there's a LOT of options here. Simply layer up the dish, similar to a lasagna with fresh ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella! Bake in the oven and serve with a salad or roasted vegetables!
Read Moref you're looking for the perfect way to impress your love - look no further than this delicious Valentine's Day recipe! Flourless chocolate torte is one of those things that feels super fancy - but in fact only requires a few ingredients and about an hour to make! I make mine with vanilla bean paste and Italian espresso to amp up the flavors and give it great texture! Then serve it with fresh red berries and a dusting of powdered sugar! Yum!
Read MoreIt was an ancient Italian tradition to give jars of figs in honey to friends and family at the start of the year to encourage sweetness in their lives - so I decided to start the year with this fig and honey jam! Easy to make, perfect as a hostess gift (or, you know, for that person who got you something that you didn't get for - oops!), and delicious all around! Watch how easy it is to make this sugar-free jam at home! I use dried figs which are easier to come by this time of year. Swap the sugar for honey to keep with tradition. And infuse the jam with vanilla! Enjoy!
Read MoreBeth Nydick has the perfect solution for your Holiday mishaps! This Morning Regrets Elixir will have you feeling better in no time! Whether you were too cheerful on Christmas, or rang the New Year in a little too hard - or even, if you wanted to start the New Year being good to yourself - here's how to do it! This coconut water drink is infused with detoxifying lime and antioxidant loaded mint! Topped with a touch of seltzer it'll settle your stomach and calm your body down so you're ready to tackle whatever the new year throws at you!
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My great-grandmother only made this rich, chocolate and chestnut dessert once a year - for Christmas! It was usually served with a little corner cut off so she could taste it before she offered it to the rest of us! And while it's time consuming - the results are well worth it! Start by making a traditional chestnut puree, then add in chocolate and amaretti to create this mildly sweet but incredibly flavorful Holiday dessert! Mamma D is my very special guest this week as we get ready to celebrate Christmas in the Cucina! Buona Natale! It's baking season! To me, there's nothing better than a big platter, or pretty box loaded with cookies for the Holidays! It's what I've been giving friends and family for years! And is there anything more classic than a chocolate chip cookie!? Of course, I add my own spin to this easy cookie recipe. Like browning the butter, using dark brown sugar, and a hefty dose of vanilla bean paste! Then I load them up with walnuts and chocolate chips! But as always, you are free to start here and make your cookies YOUR way!
Read MoreRicotta gnocchi are an easy and delicious fresh pasta shape to make! They're perfect to serve during the holidays because they're much lighter than potato gnocchi - making it easier to keep on eating! Both Thanksgiving and Christmas generally involve a pasta course in my family and these are one of our favorites! We serve these gnocchi in a Bolognese style sauce. The shape is perfect for the hearty sauce! They also freeze easily so we can make them in advance! Plus then we have leftovers for another day!
Read MoreBeth Nydick is back with the perfect party cocktail! Fall flavors like citrus and spice are mixed with bourbon and can be served warmed or chilled! Make it a pitcher and serve for the perfect Fall cocktail party (aka Thanksgiving!) or save for winter! Either way you're bound to love this delicious, bourbon cocktail!
Read MoreIt's my BIRTHDAY! So I decided to share MY kind of dessert! I love cake but I like it to have something fun and unique to it. And I don't like sugar-laden desserts. Also, chocolate is my favorite. SO - I present to you, chocolate chai cupcakes! YUM! These are super easy to make at home, and I LOVE making my own frosting because again, I can control the flavor and sweetness. Plus I find frosting cupcakes oddly relaxing.
Read MoreBeth Nydick is back with a perfectly spooky Fall cocktail - Mercury Retrograde! But don't worry, this vodka drink won't have your head spinning like the planets will! That's because it's balanced with detoxifying celery and cilantro! (I know, I thought she was nuts too, but watch for my reaction after the first sip!) Not to mention this one is a fun and funky color, perfect for a grown up Halloween party!
Beth Nydick is back with us and this month has a really creative way to create a Clean Cocktail. She's adding jam! That's right! This easy, 3-ingredient cocktail is slightly sweet and perfect for porch sitting! Jam, lemon juice, and gin (or vodka, or both) create a beautiful color and flavor! And as always, nothing in here is TOO bad for you! Use a good quality jam that's mostly fruit (no added sugar), and fresh squeezed citrus and you're all set!
Read MoreWe’re saying “salute” to Summer with one last, refreshing Clean Cocktail for Labor Day Weekend! Beth Nydick is back again and this time we are mixing up some Pineapple Fizz. This pineapple fizz cocktail recipe is quick, clean and easy. Simple fresh ingredients combine for the perfect way to toast to these last hazy days of Summer.
Read MoreFast, fresh and easy - this is how we make Caprese Salad in the Di Falco house! To start, we always do a chopped caprese salad - a bit different from the traditional slices you'll see served in Italy. We also make it a cucumber caprese salad - mostly because, that's how we like it! Finally, I use some balsamic to dress the salad because, let's be honest, I could drink the stuff!
Read MoreBeth Ritter Nydick is back and we are In Too Deep with this delicious, watermelon based clean cocktail! Refreshing watermelon becomes an adults only treat when mixed with tequila, fresh mint and a hint of orange! But all those fresh fruits and herbs help keep your body from having a meltdown in this heat! Check out this healthy drink recipe here:
Read MoreCheck out my version of "American Pie"! The red, white & blue are deliciously proud in this peach berry pie! It's super easy to make and perfect for the 4th of July!
Read MoreMY good friend and fellow Health Coach Beth Nydick is back at the Chef's Counter at Vanillamore in Montclair NJ. And we're mixing up another healthy cocktail drink for you! We're officially kicking off Summer with this sunset colored concoction! The Seeing Eye is named because of the benefits carrot juice gives to the eyes - but as Beth expains, too many may have you seeing double! Check out the video and get the recipe here!
Read MoreCheck out Chef Jesse Jones' recipe for New Orleans style BBQ shrimp! This dish makes the perfect Father's Day appetizer! Plus it's got that BIG flavor that Dad will love and Chef Jesse is known for! Watch the video, get the recipe, AND snag yourself a copy of Chef Jesse's book, POW! My Life in 40 Feasts!
Read MoreBeth Nydick is back in the Cucina with me to kick off Summer with this classic throwback cocktail! We're making Strawberry Limeade! Perfect for this weekend’s festivities!
Read MoreCheck out how easy it is to make panna cotta at home. This classic Italian dessert is perfect for Mother's Day (or any time!). I've dyed mine a pretty pink and flavored it with rose water to really have it compliment Mom (and a great Mother's Day brunch!)
Read MoreI’ll show you how easy it is to make this impressive breakfast dish! Eggs baked in bread, with fresh veggies, herbs and olive oil! You can use whatever veggies you like, even add in some bacon if that's your jam! Watch the video and grab the recipe here!
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