Joe’s Favorite Pignolata

Joe’s Favorite Pignolata: Sicilian Fried Dough Balls with Honey

My family loves my baking. When my father-in-law Joe kept mentioning his favorite childhood dessert, I thought he might be giving me a little hint. I love pignolata, too, so I decided to try making him some. I just love the look on my friends’ and family’s faces when I set their favorite dish down in front of them!
Mom’s Homemade Lasagna with Homemade Sunday Meat Gravy

Mom’s Homemade Lasagna with Homemade Sunday Meat Gravy

Making lasagna with my mom was one of my favorite ways to spend time together. She would go all out making loads and loads of her Sunday Gravy, and I uphold that tradition by making a double batch every time I do homemade lasagna. Click through to try my Mom’s incredible recipe for yourself!
Chicken salad sandwiches

Auntie Norma’s Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts

Everyone calls her Auntie Norma—she’s one of my mother-in-law's best friends. We love Auntie Norma, and we love her cooking, too! Today is our lucky day, because I get to share her amazing chicken salad recipe with all of you. Thank you, Auntie Norma!
June 08, 2022 — Mary DiSomma
pecan tassies

Aunt Rita’s Pecan Tassies

This special cookie gets a free pass because we all know its true identity is the tiniest of pies.
October 06, 2021 — Mary DiSomma
calzone

Mom’s Italian Easter Pie AKA Calzone

The preparation of this Italian Easter pie, also referred to as calzone, is a traditional part of the holiday in my family. I grew up making this recipe with Tuma cheese. Known as “the lost cheese of Sicily,” this unique creamy cheese is made with cow’s milk from an age-old recipe. I also love to use Scamorza cheese in this recipe. Scamorza is another southern Italian cow’s milk cheese. Like mozzarella, the cheese curd is stretched, letting the curd mature in its own whey for several hours to allow acidity to develop. A good substitute for these cheeses is a mix of mozzarella and provolone.
April 05, 2021 — Mary DiSomma