A 90-year-old traditional Italian recipe — Nana’s ricotta pie

Written by Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig
Tuesday, 23 March 2010 08:31

Irish for the day

Written by Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig
Monday, 08 March 2010 18:27

Pasta with caramelized leeks, cream and toasted pignolis

Written by Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 12:24

With snow still swirling around us and that furry little creature telling us we will have six more weeks of winter, all we can think about is being stuck in the house — and eating.

Many family gatherings on Sundays are helping pass the time, but that means eating and feeding everyone again. We have tested and tried so many new recipes, from new food trends to comforting old favorites; but our all-time family favorite is pasta.

Every family has a Thanksgiving story

Written by Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig
Monday, 16 November 2009 18:27

For most of us, this Thanksgiving holiday is a time to reconnect with our family and friends.

Some of us will travel many miles to do this, while some of us will just walk across the street. Every family has their own story, who sits where at the table, who likes the stuffing plain or with cranberries and who will lead the Thanksgiving prayer this year.

From the Hearth holiday cookie contest

Written by Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig
Monday, 02 November 2009 16:42

It’s official. The holidays are right around the corner.

There are little reminders everywhere you look. The brightly colored leaves that once made us stop and stare now are falling, leaving behind bare dark branches and a nip in the air. The grocery stores are stocking their shelves with nuts, dried fruits, holiday spices, and bags upon bags of flour and sugar.

Sunday dinner at Gramma’s

Written by Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig
Tuesday, 19 May 2009 08:22

Like most families, we took turns going to “Gramma” Izzo’s house one Sunday and our Nana’s house in West Hartford the next. When spending the weekend in town with Gramma, yes, that’s how we spell it and pronounce it, there was usually a sale going on at the family furniture store.

Dinner would have to be served around midday, so everyone could visit for a while, then get back to work. Aunti Lou and Uncle John would close the grocery store around noon, which gave Aunti Rea a chance to make a quick stop at Ann’s Bakery, for freshly baked Danish pastry and Italian cookies for dessert. Back at the house, Aunti Marge and Uncle Hank would be putting the finishing touches on everything while Gramma, stirring her big pot of gravy, was being ever so careful not to disturb the meatballs and braciola that were simmering inside. Little by little, everyone began to arrive, and the 20 sisters would spring into action, each knowing their jobs and exactly how to do them, the same way it had been done for many years before.