Valerie's Italian Veggie Pie

Crispy Un-Fried Chicken

A whole chicken is brined in buttermilk and hot sauce, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and oven-baked at 425 degrees on a wire rack until golden and shatteringly crisp without any frying. This clever technique delivers all the crunch and juiciness of classic fried chicken with far less mess and a fraction of the oil.

Recipes

Valerie’s Shakin' Chicken

These Shakin’ Chicken cutlets are my go-to for a crispy, flavorful dinner that’s easy to make ahead and keep in the freezer. Cook them whenever you need a quick, comforting meal — especially perfect topped with a fresh, lemony arugula salad.

Recipes

Tomato Salad with Pancetta Crisps

Thick-sliced ripe tomatoes and English cucumber with red onion in a balsamic vinaigrette, crowned with shatteringly crispy baked pancetta. A fresh summer salad given a salty, savory crunch from its Italian bacon topping.

Recipes

Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joe Sliders

Ground beef simmered in the slow cooker with garlic, celery, peppers, onion, tomato sauce, and warm spices for four hours until rich and saucy. A hands-off game-day favorite that lets you enjoy every play without missing a bite.

Recipes

Aperol Spritz Martini

Aperol and vodka shaken together and strained into a frozen martini glass, finished with a splash of bubbly prosecco. A clever renovation of the classic Italian spritz that swaps the wine glass for a martini glass with added spirit.

Recipes

Homemade Apple Butter

Apples simmered with cider, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and cloves are pureed smooth, then slow-baked at 300 degrees for three hours until thick and deeply caramel-colored. This old-fashioned preserve captures concentrated apple flavor in every spoonful, perfect for spreading on toast or gifting in jars.

Recipes

Homemade Cannoli

Crispy Marsala wine shells deep-fried to golden perfection, filled with sweetened ricotta studded with orange zest and shaved bittersweet chocolate. An authentic Italian pastry that's the crowning jewel of any Little Italy feast.

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Rosemary Gin Fizz

A refreshing gin cocktail with a homemade rosemary simple syrup and fresh lemon juice. A fragrant, herbal twist on the classic gin fizz.

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Chocolate Scuffins

A chocolate hybrid treat that's half scone, half muffin — tender, rich, and cocoa-forward. A sweet Valentine's morning surprise.

Recipes

Apricot Clafouti

A rustic French baked custard studded with fresh apricots and dusted with powdered sugar. An elegant yet effortless dessert perfect for a lazy Sunday.

Looking to make something else?

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