Authentic Italian

This is an easy and delicious panino/sandwich to have for a perfect lunch or light dinner. The beauty of making panini is that you can follow the basic instructions of preparing one, but you can put whatever toppings you like on it. It's a great dish for customization. This recipe is a classic take on a margherita style sandwich, adding sauteed chicken and prosciutto. Recipe Ingredients 4 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast 2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil 1 tbs. balsamic vinegar 1 6 inch piece baguette 3 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced 3 slices ripe tomato 3 slices prosciutto 5 basil leaves or lettuce Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Instructions 1. Using a mallet or rolling pin, pound chicken breast until it's about 1/4 inch thick. 2. Heat cast-iron skillet or a grill to medium-high. Slice the baguette in half lengthwise. Cook cut sides of bread until nicely charred, then flip bread and cook a minute or two more to warm through. Place on a plate. 3. Pour one tablespo...

Easter serves as a time to not only honor the sacrifices that Jesus made for us, but a time to slow down and reflect on our lives and everything happening around us, good or bad. It's a time of peace, meditation, and tranquility. In addition, there are many traditions that take place throughout America and especially in Italy. I love my Italian roots, so I make sure to always watch all of the events happening in Rome throughout the season. It brings me a sense of calmness and focus. I believe Rome is the heart and soul of what Italy does during this season. It's filled with honor and hope. If you're looking to get more into some of the religious rituals and traditions of this holiday, you can always go to the Vatican News YouTube channel and watch all of the Pope's ceremonies. Even if you're not overly religious, it is certainly something beautiful to watch. Some highlights at the Vatican include the pope's Holy Thursday mass, which honors the washing of the fee...

There is absolutely nothing like a warm piece of homemade bread on a cold, winter day. When couped up in the house during the winter months, making homemade bread has become one of my favorite recipes to bake! Bread making is a staple in the Italian traditions and is often made on a weekly basis. You will often see this in the old, rustic villages of many of the Southern regions. Because it uses such basic ingredients, it's very easy to make. No matter what the meal on the table is, Italians love their bread as an intricate part of the meal, used to soak up whatever juices or sauce is left on their plates. In Italy, NOTHING goes to waste. This bread is also great plain, dipped in olive oil or in the morning with butter and jam. Recipe Ingredients 2 1/2 cups warm water 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 tsp. salt 1 tbs. yeast 5 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbs. olive oil 1 tbs. honey Instructions 1. In a stand mixer, add warm water, sugar, salt, and yeast. Let the yeast foam for about five minutes. Us...