Lowcountry Bella

Some of Italy's most memorable pasta dishes are born from the changing seasons. This rustic recipe pairs good pasta with one of summer's sweetest gifts, ripe figs. As the figs gently soften in a simple sauce of pancetta, garlic, onions, white wine, and broth, they create a beautiful balance of sweet and savory. It's the kind of dish you'd expect to find in a small countryside trattoria, where seasonal ingredients take center stage and every bite celebrates the beauty of simpl

Some recipes are born in Italy. Others are born in the Lowcountry. This one belongs to both. Creamy Carolina Gold rice meets sweet summer corn, succulent shrimp, and a little Italian inspiration for a dish that feels elegant enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. This one comes together quickly and tastes as good as traditional risotto, actually I think this is even better! You will need: 4 tbsp butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1 large shallot, finely diced 2 clove

Some things dont need to be complicated. Keeping up with using all the figs I can this week, I threw this flatbread together tonight, and I think I blacked out when I took the first bite!!! ➡️ Storebought flatbread ➡️ Roasted garlic and olive oil ➡️Sliced vidalia onion ➡️Diced cooked bacon (& maybe a little of the bacon fat) ➡️Sliced figs ➡️Fresh sliced mozz and crumbled feta ➡️Hot Honey ➡️Pistachios ➡️Torn fresh basil Bake the flatbread with the garlic and olive oil in a 4

(Oven-Roasted Chicken with Fresh Figs) Italian cooking has always been about letting seasonal, beautiful ingredients speak for themselves. In this rustic dish, fresh figs take on an entirely new personality as they roast alongside golden chicken, becoming soft, rich, and wonderfully savory. Sweet onions, fragrant rosemary, and mellow garlic create a sauce that feels both comforting and elegant. This is the kind of meal that invites everyone to gather around the table, tear in

How lucky am I that I receive messages from people saying “Come get some figs”! This time the figs are Sicilian, sweet as honey with a delicate, jammy center, they need very little to become something unforgettable. This rustic torta celebrates those beautiful figs the Italian way; simple ingredients, good olive oil, fresh lemon, and fruit that speaks for itself. Whether served for breakfast with coffee, as an afternoon treat, or as a light dessert after dinner, it's the k

There was a time when making butter by hand wasn't a novelty; it was simply part of everyday life. Today, we have the luxury of choosing tradition, not because we have to, but because it helps us slow down and appreciate where our food comes from. And if your arm gets tired along the way? There's no shame in letting the food processor lend a hand. The goal isn't perfection, it's gathering around the table to enjoy something you made yourself. You will need: 3 cups heavy whipp

It’s a good problem to have, but we have alot of grouper in the freezer! I wanted something different tonight, and I have been craving Maryland style crab cakes. Unfortunately, lump crab meat is going for $50 a pound or more. This recipe satisfied my craving AND my wallet. You will need: 1 1/2 lbs grouper 1 egg 1/4 cup mayo 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 tsp Old Bay Butter Bellas Quick Aioli Pat the grouper with paper towels, then cut into chunks. Put a few pieces at a tim

Bellas Quick Aioli Every home cook needs a go-to sauce, and this is mine. Bella's Quick Aioli comes together in just minutes with pantry staples, but tastes like something you'd find at a little seaside café. Creamy, garlicky, bright with lemon, and dotted with briny capers, it's the perfect finishing touch for seafood, sandwiches, roasted vegetables, and so much more. You will need: 1 cup good mayonnaise ( DUKES!) 2 cloves garlic, finely grated 2 tbsp capers, drained and rou

I am a girl, it’s hot and it’s summer. So thats where the name comes from! Those things also mean it's time for light dinners that are fresh, colorful, and easy to put together. This salad is everything I love about the season……peppery arugula,red onion, crisp cucumber, creamy feta, fragrant herbs, and juicy grilled shrimp, all tossed in a refreshing watermelon vinaigrette. Sometimes the best summer memories are made with fresh ingredients, good conversation, and dinner enjo

What do you do when your husband and son go out fishing and bring back FRESH grouper?? You make fish tacos. And let me tell you, this salsa is the perfect accoutrement . Perfect summer eating right here folks!!! You will need: 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced ½ medium red bell pepper, finely diced ¼ cup red onion, finely diced 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (leave seeds in for more heat) ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro Juice of 1 lime ¼ teaspoon salt Combine the mangoes

Traditional pasta relies on gluten and eggs for its stretch, elasticity, and structure. In this recipe, psyllium husk becomes the bridge that replaces both, allowing us to create a dough that can be rolled, cut, and cooked successfully without wheat or eggs. Psyllium husk is a type of soluble fiber derived from the outer coating of the seeds of Plantago ovata, a plant native to the Mediterranean region. When combined with warm water, it forms a gel that gives gluten-free doug

As many of you know, my husband is a low carber. Not quite two years in, he is down 45 lbs and he says he feels better than he has in his adult life. Not growing up Italian, he doesn’t miss pasta at all, he uses the Mission wraps for sandwiches and burgers. Zucchini takes the place of potato’s and pasta when needed. Last nights Lowcountry Boil was actually very good and I didnt miss the carbs at all! You will need: Olive oil 1 pack low sodium turkey kielbasa sliced 1 lb pe

There is a reason Pesto alla Genovese has remained a beloved staple of Italian cooking for centuries. Originating in the coastal region of Liguria, this vibrant green sauce is a simple celebration of fresh basil, fragrant garlic, rich olive oil, nuts, and aged cheese. With just a handful of ingredients, it captures the essence of Italian cooking—letting quality ingredients shine. While many store-bought versions can be convenient, nothing compares to the bright, fresh flavor

There's something satisfying about transforming a handful of simple ingredients into a treat that feels special. This Blueberry Vanilla Pistachio Yogurt Bark combines creamy Greek yogurt, fragrant vanilla extract, juicy blueberries, and crunchy pistachios into a frozen snack that's equal parts refreshing and indulgent. Keep a batch in the freezer for those moments when you're craving something sweet, cool, and just a little bit wholesome. You Will Need 1 (15-ounce) container

Let’s face it……I’ve never met a pasta salad I didn’t like. Southerners love a good mayonnaise-based macaroni salad, while Italians are known for their olive oil-based pasta salads. Both are delicious, served chilled, and perfect for everything from a day at the pool to a big family gathering. Recently, I was challenged to create a new pasta salad recipe, and this is the delicious result! And, of course, it had to include basil. My basil plants are growing faster than I can ke

There are some dishes that taste like they took hours to prepare but come together in less than 30 minutes. This Pesce alla Puttanesca is one of them. Every bite delivers a balance of sweetness, acidity, saltiness, and richness. This version is lighter than the traditional pasta-based puttanesca and lets the fish take center stage. It's elegant enough for company but simple enough for a weeknight dinner, and perfect for a hot summer meal. You will need: 2 cod or grouper fille

This is will be my go to sauce for the next few months, when tomatoes are beautiful and delicious. In Italian, sugo simply means sauce. This is one of those simple sauces that captures the flavor of this season, where fresh produce is plentiful. Think vine ripened tomatoes, garlic cloves, dry white wine, tomato paste, and handfuls of fresh herbs that come together to create a rich, rustic sauce perfect for any kind of pasta. Letting the tomatoes rest with salt beforehand dra

Bella’s twist on dirty rice! Traditional dirty rice gets its color from chicken livers. This version gets its rich, rustic character from browned Italian sausage, Carolina Gold Rice, and the sweet acidity of fresh tomatoes. A combination that feels a little Italian on a Carolina table, perfect for a hearty side dish with a nice Sunday supper! You will need: 1 cup Carolina Gold Rice 2 Italian sausages, casings removed and crumbled 1/2 cup Vidalia sweet onion, chopped 1 tbsp b

This recipe is terrific on grilled fish or chicken. It’s great with tortilla chips too! Quick and easy to prepare, and another seasonal produce to enjoy. You will need: 1 lb. fresh peaches, diced 1 large roma tomato, diced 1/2 small red onion, diced 1/2 jalapeno, minced seeds removed 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped 1 large lime juiced 1/2 tsp. salt, more to taste 1/4 tsp. black pepper, more to taste 1/2 tsp ground cumin Add chopped peaches, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, an

Amalfi Meets Lowcountry……….There’s something magical about the way two coastlines can speak the same language. The Amalfi Coast, with its sun-drenched lemons, sea breeze, and simplicity, meets the Lowcountry, where tides shape the rhythm of life and every meal tells a story of place and patience. This recipe brings those worlds together, tender mussels steamed in white wine, lemon, and Calabrian chili, kissed with smoky pancetta and fresh herbs, then served over creamy rice g