One of the Barefoot Contessa's catchphrases is "How easy is that?" If you're a fan of her show, you know that she says it several times during an episode. However, sometimes I can't help but wonder: is it really that easy? Well, when it comes to her homemade ricotta cheese, yes it is! Over the weekend I made a batch of the thick, creamy, rich cheese and was shocked by the recipe's simplicity. Read more

Add some allure to the idea of eating at home by serving your family, quite literally, a modern twist on a weeknight classic like lasagna. Rather than layering sheets of pasta with sauce and cheese, present the noodles as individual-sized roll-ups, each stuffed with its own helping of ricotta, wilted spinach, and marinara, and topped off with melted mozzarella. Don't be afraid to modify the Read more

Being a native to the Bay Area, I've long been a seasonal eater. This means that I enjoy peaches and corn in the Summer and pears and squash in the Fall. However, there are certain fruits and vegetables that have become season-less due to the fact that they're always available at grocery stores, such as apples, strawberries, and one that used to be only around in Spring, asparagus.Now, let me Read more

Just because it's Summer doesn't mean you have to cut out your favorite cheesecake dessert; after all, today is National Cheesecake Day! My suggestion? Take a note from the Italians, who sub out cream cheese in favor of ricotta cheese for a lighter, more seasonally-appropriate cheesecake that isn't quite so rich. Go the traditional dessert route, dressing the top with a glamorous mixture of navel Read more

Since I normally have problems with dough, on weeknights, I love pizza recipes that use alternative ingredients for crust. Instead of calling for a classic pizza dough, this recipe employs whole-wheat sandwich wraps. The resulting pie has a super thin crust that's wonderfully crispy. Don't be afraid to get creative with the toppings; any cheese or vegetable would be delicious. Serve with a glass Read more

Sometimes the most satisfying meals are the most simple. Look at the grilled cheese. The ingredients — toasted bread, sliced cheese, a pat of butter — are humble, but the completed sandwich is a classic culinary masterpiece. With impromptu holiday parties and last-minute gift-shopping, treat yourself to an elegant, uncomplicated, and oozing cheese sandwich. Instead of crisping the sandwich Read more

If you've got the mid-week blues, why not cheer yourself up by making a crisp and cheesy pizza for dinner? Taking some time out of the day to put together a meal is a great way to unwind, and this recipe is straightforward and effortless. All you have to do is crumble and cook a couple of links of Italian sausage. Combine this with sautéed arugula, red onion, and red pepper, and throw the Read more

After putting together an entire Thanksgiving meal, there's nothing more appealing than a quick simple chicken and pasta dinner. However, uncomplicated and hassle-free shouldn't mean bland and boring. This recipe combines six ingredients to make a innovative and delicious dish. With layers of ricotta cheese, large flat noodles, and seared chicken, it's kind of like a deconstructed lasagna. Don't Read more

All month long, we've bombarded you with decadent macaroni and cheese recipes. While mac and cheese is delicious and comforting, with an excess of milk and cheese, it's not the healthiest pasta. That's why I thought it was time I share a light and fresh pasta like this rigatoni with ricotta and roasted beets.Don't be alarmed by the vibrant color, the beets stain the pasta pink. It may look Read more

After a long week, there's nothing like heading home to a delicious dinner and a glass of good wine. When I'm stressed out, I find cooking relaxing — especially if I'm making something like a roasted garlic white pizza. Instead of a classic tomato sauce, this pizza is slathered with a paste made from roasted garlic. It's then topped with spinach, bacon, ricotta, and mozzarella. Talk about a Read more