italian food — Blog — Pear & Pecorino

Balsamic Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Sandwich with Creamy Pesto Aioli

A little over a month of summer left, and I'm already awaiting autumn. The seasons seem backward at home, as the camphor trees dropped their yellowing leaves in spring, and the worst of the heatwave always creeps in late September. A little flipped, yet this year it feels reaffirming of a sense of normalcy, of the immovability of time. And just as I did last August, I find myself anticipating cooler months, anticipating mellow weather and comforting meals.

In my head, all I can think of are autumnal recipes and photos. My creativity has jumped past me even as I try to savor the waning summer produce. Unfortunately, so many our plants in the garden have suffered - we are still waiting on the first cherry tomato. My purple striped eggplants never made it past a sprout, but I'm hopeful that there are enough cranberry beans to save for an autumn stew! Those mighty little bean plants have been the most bountiful of the new additions. Though I wasn't able to grow them myself, I was able to find purple and white striped eggplants and gorgeous heirlooms at the farmers market!

Main DishIsabellaAugust 12, 2020roasted vegetables, eggplant, sandwich, pesto, basil, lunch, italian food Comments

Homemade Pumpkin Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage

To celebrate the season, I’m sharing my recipe for homemade Pumpkin Ravioli. A savory take on pumpkin, paired with cheese, a hint of nutmeg, and a rich brown butter sage sauce. Nutty, earthy, just the right amount of pumpkin, enveloped in pasta that can’t get any more fresh.

Baked Ricotta + Basil Stuffed Shells

Alright everyone, turn down the lights, put on one of your favorite spooky podcasts, and prepare for one of my favorite October dishes: Baked Ricotta + Basil Stuffed Shells! Now, I won’t say that there is anything particularly fancy or unique about this dish. It is one of those no frills, delicious household staples that is a joy to make. The kind of dish that I can make in my sleep, or while enjoying a glowing October evening. Ooey gooey cheese on top of giant pasta shells, stuffed with a creamy ricotta, parmesan and fresh basil filling, all blanketed in rich tomato and pancetta sauce. I hope you love this dish as much as I do; it truly is a treat for me to make!

Main DishIsabellaOctober 14, 2019italian food, pasta, baked stuffed shells, fall recipes, comfort food, yumComment

Zucchini Flower + Garbanzo Bean Fritto Misto

Zucchini flowers in August?! A little shocking honestly. I always think of zucchini flowers as an early summer treat, just before the height of summer squash season. However, while wandering through a local farmers' market, I found these little guys! A little different from what I'm used to: female flowers instead of male, with the baby zucchini attached. Along with some great big yellow tomatoes, and a bag full of other veggies, my original plan for fried garbanzo beans and cauliflower had morphed into a last-chance summer recipe for fried garbanzo beans, cheese stuffed zucchini flowers, and a spicy yellow tomato sauce. Hey, when inspiration strikes, you better act on it. Zucchini flower season is almost over, so I thought I'd make Zucchini Flower + Garbanzo Bean Fritto Misto.

Side DishIsabellaAugust 27, 2019appetizers, fritto misto, garbanzo beans, italian food, squash blossoms, summer recipes, veggies, zucchini flowersComment

Baked Eggplant Parmesan with Burrata

Los Angeles has really been heating up this week, creeping its way into the 90s, which makes quick meals like this Baked Eggplant Parmesan with Burrata a relief. Most nights I've been leaning towards smaller meals and snacks as opposed to a full meal. Once the temperatures drop in the evening, I'll sit outside and munch on some salad, or vegetables, along with a glass of lemonade. On warm LA evenings, when the weather just barely starts to cool, all I really want is some crispy eggplant topped with cheese! Instead of frying the eggplant, I bake it, which still makes it crispy and golden, and is a lighter alternative for the summer.

Side DishIsabellaJuly 24, 2019burrata, eggplant, eggplant parmesan, italian food, vegetarianComment