Blog — Pear & Pecorino

Lemon Ginger Simple Syrup

As a sneak peek at my plans for 2020, I'm sharing the first in a new branch of recipes, a series I'm calling "pantry". Pantry is a timeless notion of cooking and food prep, encompassing everything from pasta sauce and veggie stock to pickles and jam - those homemade household staples we often overlook in favor of store-bought alternatives. They can be the savior of a half-empty fridge and an uninspired evening. Once the farmers' markets begin to flourish in spring, I assure you we'll be seeing lots of preserves in our kitchen. For now, I'll let winter be winter and share a soothing sweetener for sore throats and cozy evenings alike.

PantryIsabellaDecember 11, 2019lemon ginger simple syrup, lemon, ginger, simple syrup, drinks, winterComment

Pear and Brie Panini with Caramelized Shallots and Walnuts

Happy December everyone! Just popping in to wish you all a very happy start of the month and share with you a quick and tasty lunch recipe. Maybe you're are out of leftovers and searching for something easy and satisfying. Or just looking for a yummy meal to quell your winter cravings. A little melty cheese, sweet pear, and crunchy bread should do the trick!

Breakfast and BrunchIsabellaDecember 3, 2019pear and brie panini, panini, quick meals, december, winter, autumnComment

Sausage and Herb Cornbread Stuffing

Every year, at the start of November, my dad and I go through our list of dishes and plan out our Thanksgiving menu. And each year the same question comes up: are we going to add anything new? We review our list and then conclude that for the 6 people we don't need an 11th dish. Yet some dishes sneak their way in, and when they do, they tend to stick around for years to come. When I decided to make cornbread years ago, a side that surprisingly hadn't made it on our table yet, it quickly became a staple on our menu.

IsabellaNovember 26, 2019Comment

Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce

Less than a week until Thanksgiving! This time next Thursday I'll be cocooning on the couch, watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with my first plate of leftovers. I have a few recipes for you all before the big day, starting with the very first dish I took over from my mom: Cranberry Sauce. It's sweet and tangy, made with orange zest and aromatic fall spices. A comforting reminder that the holidays have arrived.

Slow Cooked Beans with Sausage and Pistou

Slow-cooked dishes are some of my most treasured meals. Large pots of beans or stews, tended to over a few relaxed hours, melding rich flavors into comforting meals. Perhaps on the lengthier side of cook times, yet one of the most stress-free dishes to cook, requiring little active attention. This particular dish features Borlotti cranberry beans and small yellow heirloom beans, flavored with warm spices and hot Italian sausage. I topped it off with a fresh pistou, inspired by hearty Provencal soups finished with a drizzle of green.

Main DishIsabellaNovember 16, 2019beans, sausage, pistou, pesto, basil, heirloom beans, borlotti beans, slow cooked, soaked beansComment

Chocolate Almond Orange Cake (Gluten Free)

Today's recipe marks the first chocolate recipe on the blog, along with my first brand collaboration with none other than Nestle Tollhouse! They were kind enough to send me some of their Artisan Collection Semisweet Morsels to create something scrumptious. Just the first of a few chocolatey recipes in the coming months! Okay, on with the post.

As I began brainstorming ideas for this chocolate recipe, I knew I wanted something besides a chocolate chip cookie. Something to really go all out and have the chocolate be at the forefront of the dessert. With semisweet chocolate, you get a super decadent, rich chocolate taste without a lot of bitterness. The type of chocolate you'd want in a cake, soufflé or pudding - where it's all about the chocolate.

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.

Hearty Chicken Pastina Soup

Chicken and pastina in broth steeped with fresh herbs, lemon, and cheese rinds for the bread to soak up. A staple for cold season, the type of meal that my mom made for me and her mom made for her.

Main DishIsabellaOctober 26, 2019chicken noodle soup, pastina, soup, fall recipes, fall, cozy recipes, soups Comments

Spiced Apple Hazelnut Crumble (+ Apple Picking)

The simplicity and improvised nature of crumbles give them their kind of homemade charm. Hard to mess up, usually thrown together, and done by hand. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy your cozy rustic dessert ♡

DessertsIsabellaOctober 22, 2019apples, crumble, apple crumble, fall desserts, fall recipes, autumnComment

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