Beer-Steamed Littleneck Clams are so good dipped in melted butter! Plus, I’m sharing tips for cleaning clams. It’s fun to have a mini clambake at home! Are clambakes a big deal where you live? They are here in Northeast Ohio. More clams are sold in the Cleveland area than anywhere in the U.S., outside of…
Appetizers
Pesto Deviled Eggs
You’ll love these Pesto Deviled Eggs with lemon zest! Make these appetizers for holidays, brunch or even low-carb meal prep! Are you ready for some Italian green eggs to go with your ham? I’m talking pesto deviled eggs with fresh lemon zest, creamy mayo, a shot of white balsamic vinegar (affiliate link) and paprika sprinkled…
Asiago Spinach and Artichoke Dip
You need this Asiago Spinach and Artichoke Dip in your life! It’s a creamy, cheesy hot dip with chunks of artichokes, sautéed red onions and a touch of spicy heat. When dips are really good, they have a way of becoming the meal’s centerpiece. That certainly happens whenever I make this Asiago Spinach and Artichoke…
Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas
Need some Thanksgiving recipe ideas? Check out these Thanksgiving appetizers, side dishes, desserts and drinks from Cooking with Mamma C! There’s turkey too! Howdy, Turkeys! Are you freaking out about your Thanksgiving menu yet? No worries! I’ve got you covered with my best Thanksgiving recipe ideas. Scroll down to find something you love.
Baked Parmesan Jalapeño Poppers with Prosciutto (Gluten Free)
Try these Baked Parmesan Jalapeño Poppers with Prosciutto! They’re gluten free and fabulous! You can thank my local grocery store for giving me the idea to make jalapeño poppers. Because what else is there to do when you can no longer buy just one jalapeño? The jalapeños used to be piled into bins for the…
Top 10 Recipes and Highlights of 2017
A look at Cooking with Mamma C’s Top 10 Recipes and Highlights of 2017! Hi Gang! I’m back from a trip to Connecticut to visit my in-laws. We had a great time and ate way too much. If you celebrate the holidays, I hope you had a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah or joyous Kwanzaa….
Cheesy Zucchini Bake
This Cheesy Zucchini Bake is made from scratch with Pecorino Romano and Parmesan! It’s based on my Mom’s zucchini casserole that’s a huge family favorite. Make it for brunch, parties or a side dish! At last! I finally nailed a from-scratch version of Mom’s zucchini casserole, which she’d adapted from the famous Bisquick recipe. Folks,…
Guacamole with Cherries, Gorgonzola and Walnuts
You need this Guacamole with Cherries, Gorgonzola and Walnuts in your life! It’s a sweet and savory dip with Italian blue cheese, red onion, jalapeño, toasted walnuts…and honey drizzled on top! Hi Gang! I hope everyone is enjoying the summer weather. Are you tan yet? I just have a little sunkissed color. I’ve been walking…
Baked Parmesan Gluten-Free Onion Rings
We love these Baked Parmesan Gluten-Free Onion Rings! They’re crispy (thanks to a secret ingredient), garlicky and delicious! Great plain, dipped in melted butter or dunked in marinara! See video. Without question, this is the most tested recipe on Cooking with Mamma C. I stopped counting after nine versions. You see, I had a vision…
Top 10 Recipes and Highlights of 2016
Cooking with Mamma C’s Top 10 Recipes and Highlights of 2016! Hi, Gang! I hope you’ve been enjoying the holiday season. I couldn’t resist closing the year with a look at Cooking with Mamma C’s top 10 recipes and highlights of 2016. It’s like the People’s Choice Awards, where we look at the most popular…
Gorgonzola-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon
Gorgonzola-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon are delicious plain or dipped in soy sauce! Gluten free. I’m officially an appetizer freak. Especially when there’s cheese involved. Add bacon, and I’m a goner. When I heard that cheese-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates are a thing (did you know?), I had to get in on the action. After all, Date-Nut…
Stuffed Mushrooms with Cream Cheese
These Stuffed Mushrooms with Cream Cheese are meatless and gluten free! They’re accented with lemon, basil, garlic, Parmesan, mozzarella and butter. A delicious appetizer! You could say these stuffed mushrooms with cream cheese were 25 years in the making. When I worked as a newspaper reporter in Kentucky, there was a restaurant that featured a…
Sweet and Savory Butter Pecan Cheese Log
We’re hooked on this Sweet and Savory Butter Pecan Cheese Log! It’s the perfect appetizer spread for your next gathering or casual dinner at home! Easy and gluten free. Hey, Gang! I hope everyone is doing well. I’m bleary-eyed but happy here in Cleveland, where we watched the Cavs put a ring on it and…
Baked Parmesan Crisps
Got 10 minutes? Make these gluten-free Baked Parmesan Crisps for an easy appetizer, snack or to top your soup or salad! I flavor mine with garlic powder and paprika, but they’re good plain too! I made snowflakes for Christmas in July! Just kidding. But aren’t these baked Parmesan crisps the cutest things ever? And, do…
Plan Your 4th of July Menu!
Plan your 4th of July menu with this roundup of Cooking with Mamma C recipes! Choose from appetizer dips, entrees, salads, vegetable side dishes, fruit desserts, chocolate desserts and cakes! Is it just me, or did the 4th of July sneak up on us this year? I can’t believe it’s coming up on Monday already!…
Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze
Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze is such a delicious appetizer! Plus, it’s vegan! (This post is sponsored by Backyard Farms. All opinions are mine, and I only promote products I love.) “Bruschetta” has to be the most mispronounced Italian word. Would you believe it’s actually “brew-sket-tah?” However you say it, we were dying over this…
Seven-Layer Taco Dip from Scratch
This post is dedicated to the 150+ theater kids (now young adults) who enjoyed this dip at my house during the many high school cast parties we hosted over the years. If it’s possible to feel sentimental about an appetizer — this seven-layer taco dip from scratch is the one that gets me. If I…
Neapolitan-Style Fried Calamari
I’m pretty sure we were eating calamari before it was trendy. It’s always been a traditional, no…mandatory, part of our seafood feast on Christmas Eve. I remember a time when any newcomer to our table would look askance at the squid on his or her plate, especially if there were squiggly tentacles involved. (Haha!) But…
Gluten-Free Crab Cakes
You’ll love these crispy Gluten-Free Crab Cakes! Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, they’re bursting with buttery, savory flavor. No strange ingredients, needed! Oh, how I love these crispy crab cakes! Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, they’re bursting with buttery, savory flavor from sautéed shallots that complement, rather than overwhelm,…
Roasted Eggplant Dip (Salate de Vinete)
I’ve been wanting to make this roasted eggplant dip (salate de vinete) for 14 years. It’s a Romanian recipe that I clipped out of the newspaper in 2001, knowing that I would absolutely love it. Well, I’m here to report that I’ve made it, tweaked it, devoured it, and plan to make up for lost…
Red, White and Blueberry Salsa
You’re going to love this Blueberry Salsa! It’s refreshing, naturally sweet and provides a kick of heat. I’m completely addicted to this Red, White and Blueberry Salsa. I mean, my teeth are blue, but I couldn’t care less. It all started this past winter, when we discovered this Yummy Fresh Cranberry Salsa from Mel’s Kitchen…
My Son’s Homemade Ranch Dressing
I never thought I’d be posting about Ranch dressing. (It’s never been my favorite.) But I have to admit, my son’s homemade Ranch dressing is really good. So good, that as soon as I tried it, I knew I had to share it with you. I have to laugh, in a smug kind of way,…
Crispy Mushroom, Onion and Feta Rolls
It won’t be long before it’s Superbowl Sunday, and if you’re in search of a delicious appetizer to make, look no further. We’re obsessed with these crispy mushroom, onion and feta rolls, and I hope you will be too. They’re crunchy on the outside and savory on the inside, loaded with fabulous flavor and melted-cheesy…
Nonna’s Batter-Fried Zucchini
Nonna’s Batter-Fried Zucchini are swoon-worthy! Make these zucchini fritters for an appetizer or side dish! A huge family favorite from Naples. Finally! Mom and I have nailed down Nonna’s batter-fried zucchini recipe, which was never written anywhere, of course, and is one of those things that Mom had to show me instead of tell me….
Date-Nut Cream Cheese Bites (Easy!)
Since my last post featured a six-hour recipe (so special though) I felt it was only right to come back with one that’s easy as 1-2-3. As in: 1) Dates 2) Cream cheese 3) Walnuts. As in: 1) Partially slice into a pitted date. 2) Fill it with cream cheese. 3) Place a walnut half…
Clams Casino Dip
Clams Casino Dip is one of our favorite appetizers! Featuring buttery onions, Italian bread crumbs, Parmesan and mozzarella, it’s always a hit! I once saw a movie with a female lead who loved to make just appetizers for dinner — even when there was no party. (Was it Moonstruck? I’m drawing a blank.) That appetizer-for-dinner…
Mom’s Spinach-Ricotta Pie
Mom’s Spinach-Ricotta Pie – One of the most delicious Italian dishes ever! Perfect as an appetizer, vegetable side dish or vegetarian entrée. A family favorite for many years! Behold, Mom’s Spinach-Ricotta Pie. Easily in my top ten favorites of Mom’s culinary masterpieces, it was the first recipe I asked her to teach me to make…
Mom’s Caponata (Eggplant Salad)
Mom’s Caponata (Eggplant Salad) is legendary in my family! Featuring eggplants, olives, tomatoes onions and a sweet-and-sour vibe, this vegan appetizer or side dish is perfect for potlucks and parties. Let it chill overnight before serving. Mom’s caponata is one of the reasons I started this blog. It is one of those dishes I have…
