Lowcountry Bella

Hot off the press 📢 So, you may or may not have seen this breaking news: the food pyramid has officially been turned upside down. But before you panic and toss your grains out the window, here’s the real story……..and it’s actually better for food lovers everywhere. For years, the classic pyramid told us to load up on grains, skimp on fats, and treat fruits and vegetables like nice accessories. It was simple, but it never fully satisfied anyone who actually cared about the wa

One of the unexpected pleasures of retirement has been discovering the luxury of time…….time to learn, to experiment, and to slow down enough to notice small but meaningful details. For me, that has taken the shape of bread baking. What started as a casual interest has grown into something I enjoy once a week, one where I’m no longer chasing quick results but enjoying the process itself, and learning as I go. Baking in this stage of life feels less about efficiency and more a

If you’ve ever twirled a forkful of perfectly al dente pasta, torn into a warm piece of focaccia, or watched a nonna’s hands glide through a bowl of dough, you know that Italian cuisine is more than food — it’s a heritage, a memory, a feeling. And now the world agrees. UNESCO has officially added Italian cuisine to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, honoring not just iconic dishes but the entire cultural rhythm behind them. It’s the first time a national cuisi

Soaking sliced potatoes before frying is one of those simple steps that makes a big difference in getting perfectly crisp fries or chips. Why You Soak Potatoes~ Removes excess starch: Raw potatoes have a lot of surface starch that can cause them to clump together and turn gummy when fried. Soaking draws out that starch, allowing the outside to crisp up instead of steaming. Improves texture: After soaking, the fries get that coveted contrast, crispy exterior, fluffy interior.

Browned butter,also known as beurre noisette in French, is one of those magical kitchen tricks that takes something simple and turns it into pure culinary gold. It’s just melted butter, but the moment those milk solids toast and turn golden, you unlock deep, nutty, caramel-like flavors that elevate everything they touch….from pasta to fish to cookies to vegetables. Why Browned Butter Is So Good 🧈 1. Nutty, Toasty Flavor As butter cooks, its milk solids brown and develop comp

As you all know, very little goes to waste in my home. Every drip, drop, or scrap becomes something magical. Take for instance… fond. If...

This week I hit a level of exhaustion I had never experienced before. It felt like the worst case of jet lag, the kind that makes your...

If you’ve ever stood in front of a raw bar menu wondering why some oysters taste clean and crisp while others are creamy, sweet, or...

I’m still super obsessed with my recent discovery of homemade ricotta. It’s creamy, dreamy, and honestly……kind of life-changing. But...

The Most Delicious Italian Custom You’ve Never Heard Of! Last night in my pasta class, there was a good bit of sauce left in the bowl and...

Did you know the average American sees about 9 pharmaceutical ads a day—nearly 80 every hour?That stat alone should make you angry. Most...

I know I write about Italy and share Italian recipes often. But let’s talk about my other food love, Lowcountry cuisine, where I’m...

The phrase "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" dates back to the 4th century AD, originally attributed to Saint Ambrose and later...

I’ve been trying to find the right words to express my feelings about dining out lately, but the truth is, it’s been one disappointment...

Hear me out. What happens when you melt anchovies in good olive oil? Magic. The anchovies dissolve into the oil, transforming into a...

I love my knives and use them every day. If you’ve seen Julie & Julia, you might remember the scene where Julia Child and a group of male...

Many of us grew up watching our families add oil to pasta water, believing it would prevent the noodles from sticking together. However,...

I often get asked about good tomatoes in the winter. While summer tomatoes are undeniably the best, if you’re craving a fresh burst of...

Cucina povera literally translates to "poor kitchen" or "kitchen of the poor," and it refers to the traditional cooking style in Italy...

As I’ve been experimenting with different flours in our pasta dough, I’ve discovered some wonderful combinations that not only enhance...