The one where your baby sister marries her high school sweetheart. That’s Katie and Nicks story, what a joy to watch them begin the next chapter together. To see someone smile at your sister with such love and have that feeling to know you truly gained another family member. We are truly blessed ! I love all the moments in between, the time spent with family and friends that are family . The moments where you catch someone wiping a tear or the excited looks from her bridesmaids when they see her dress. The way the whole entire wedding swings their napkins and dances like they are in the streets of Italy, while singing , “That’s Amore!” All of this and more has us all still smiling 💕 Congratulations @nickmirchuk and @deleasakathleen #thatsamore #weddingdetails #familymoments
The K-Tini Club was a success! Largely in part because our friends @scottsdalebachelorette knocked it out of the park for our girl! They took our vision and ran with it! Our little sister is the last Deleasa Girl to get hitched and we wanted to make sure it was memorable! @scottsdalebachelorette made our decor dreams come true! While planning the weekend I found myself booking all of our vendors through their website. Everyone we worked with from the ATV company to the pilates instructor was nothing short of amazing! You can find anything you are looking for to plan your party right down to the fridge stocking! We danced and sang a bunch, and had a great dinner with @tocamadera ! Lit some sparklers @bottledblondeaz ! We were able to be fully present this week and enjoy the time with each other. All the events leading up to a wedding culminate in a unique time of celebration unlike any other. Overjoyed we were able to celebrate Katie in this way! Ps- I wish I was still taking laps around the lazy river! #bachelorette #scottsdalebachelorette #ktiniclub
“ And your ears will hear a word behind you ,saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 In the past year the simple act of walking has taken on heavier meaning. I remember after my first surgery in dealing with thyroid cancer last year when I got home, the first thing Brian had me do was walk up and down the street. I remember being so grateful to accomplish that right away. My motivation was to heal as quickly as possible. Fast forward to my second surgery that October, I would do the same thing. That winter I would complete radiation treatment. I couldn’t work out, I didn’t have enough stamina to run, but what I could do was walk. I was faithful with walking because I knew it would lead to running. I also started dealing with the feelings of anxiety and depression again. I think from my past with PPD and PTSD, unfortunately after trauma things creep up on me. However, I know the signs now. I started getting irritable and irrational, getting frustrated and overwhelmed. Instead of expressing it, I was stuffing it and expecting people around me to read my mind. Now, I tell Brian I need a break and I go out, and walk. Not only do I walk it out, I pray it out, and worship it out. Suddenly, I start noticing what there is to be grateful for all around me, my heart beat slows, as I allow God to pace me instead of my emotions. If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsettled, maybe consider adopting this little habit. The house, the kids and everything else will still be there when you get back, I promise. However, your attitude of anger and overwhelm will not. #dishspiration #encouraging
Happy 14 @bgonsar , there I tagged you in the good ones! I feel like social media can give us an “aesthetic” view of marriage. Just like anything else it has its seasons. What’s in between the fun pictures and sweet moments. That’s not magic, it’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of compromises, decision making, and arguing. Yeah, I said it , we argue. There are going to be times you go to bed angry… I mean who made that idea up, not to go to bed angry ? Because honestly sometimes it’s better to zip it and sleep on it . And that idea of 50/50, not so much. Sometimes its 70/30 and not in your favor. However, no matter the split have committed to working together to make this life together. To remember what makes the good moments pictures , and keep encouraging each other towards more of those ! Sometimes it looks like a beautiful vacation in Italy other times it’s the alone time you get in a hospital waiting room. Whatever the case you are together 💕 #thecouplethateats #marriagetip #dishspiration #notaninstamom
At The Kitchen Sink now available for pre-order!!! DID I JUST SAY THAT?!?!? This cover is almost 10 years in the making. To be able to answer “YES! I have a cookbook” has been a long time coming. I am so excited to give you a tangible piece of “DishItGirl.” This book is meant to honor my family traditions & encourage you to create your own. So many of you have served as a source of encouragement for me as we have journeyed through life over the years. From Married to Jonas days, to becoming a mom & walking through depression, then battling cancer. I pray my journey as detailed in this book, alongside the food, reaches beyond the table & finds its way into your heart. Maybe you will take a “Mom Minute” for Peanut Butter Fluff Dates,where you find yourself savoring a bit of sanity. Or perhaps master the “Weeknight Grab and Go” by packing Chicken Cutlet with Roasted Red Pepper Mayo sandwiches for in between practices. Whatever the case, my heart is to meet you right where you are at in your everyday life. Both in the kitchen and out! I am so grateful for @anthonyissaucy @carrieparente @dinnerbydawn and @krautter. This team made my food look beautiful each and every day. To work with such an established and talented team of professionals is a blessing that is not lost on me. They helped make this book beautiful inside and out. But of course there would be no cookbook without the guidance of @kathleen_kerr my biggest literary cheerleader! Pulling it all together with the team @convergent_books & @randomhouse has been another dream come true! I am excited for the continued work that is ahead with this team. I am grateful to have them journeying alongside me as we continue to bring this book to life! Make sure to check out the pre-order link in my stories and linked in my bio! And stay tuned for all the fun plans we have for those who do pre-order! ⭐️Meet you at The Kitchen Sink!⭐️
Little girl has become quiet the smoothie maker recently! Brian had some painful dental work done so liquid diet it is, haha! I made us chicken cutlets, she made Daddy a peanut butter banana smoothie with an odd twist. Brian asked us to splash it with apple cider 🤷♀️ but it was good haha! Other ingredients were vanilla yogurt, maple syrup , ice and water. Brian doesn’t like milk in his smoothies, another thing that made us go 🤷♀️. Grateful for these small moments in-between busy nights. What are your fav smoothie combinations maybe we can use them for Brian!!! #atthekitchensink #smoothierecipes #dishitgirl #thelittlestdish
This is a little treat I have been making myself at home recently. On mornings when I have a minute more to spend on making myself breakfast, this is what I can’t say I do like change completely, but I notice it makes me a bit uneasy. For example, New Years Eve always has me feeling tense all day. Knowing the finality of time coming to an end with the mix of everyone and everything is a year older. It just makes me uneasy. I have a tendency to fear what is ahead, mostly because I worry about my ability to handle it. Sometimes my past struggles with mental health or the physical challenges I experienced while dealing with cancer start to cloud my judgement. I need to not forget the deliverance I experienced and the strength God gave me to overcome. Leaning into the fact that He will continually sustain me. Rather than perseverating on the fear of “what if” because if I know He holds the future then what am I always so afraid of? Yes, more storms may be ahead so is more of his goodness. Why is it so hard for us to sit in the tension of what good is to come, rather than what may go wrong? Grab this cup of coffee and let’s try to sit together, waiting expectantly for what beauty God has for us in this upcoming season. ½ cup heavy cream ¼ cup apple cider ½ tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp cinnamon 8 oz brewed coffee Add the heavy cream, apple cider, maple syrup, and cinnamon to a large coffee mug. Steam the ingredients together or use a hand held milk frother until the ingredients are well combined and a bit foamy. Add in the hot brewed coffee to the mug and gently stir together, and enjoy! #applecider #coffeerecipes #fallvibes #cozyvibes #dishitgirl #easyrecipes
Clean out your fridge live with a special guest !!! Check back later bc I’ll be posting the recipe 💕
Just another Thursday Rice Bowl ! Check back for the recipe !
Asian inspired salmon farro Recipe “ish” 1lb salmon filet (divided into two equal pieces 1/2 cup Whole Foods honey Soy Ginger Marinade Add the salmon to a Pyrex baking dish , sprinkle kosher salt and pepper over the filets. Pour over the marinade and bake in the oven at 375 for about 18 minutes depending on the thickness of your filet. Farro 1 1/2 cup farro cooked according to package directions, drained 1/4 c tbsp sesame oil 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp Mirin 1/2 tbsp white miso paste 2 tsp fish sauce 1 tsp honey 1 garlic clove minced 1/4 tsp Chinese five Spice Salt and pepper to taste In a large bowl whisk together all ingredients for the farro (minus the farro 😜) once farro is cooked and drained add to the bowl , toss until well coated . Divide the farro between individual serving bowls. Top with piece of salmon, add in slices of cucumber (avocado works well too), micro greens (baby spinach or chopped Swiss chard can also be a great addition, broccoli 🥦). If you have dried seaweed or furikake seasoning sprinkle over the bowl. I also have a spicy gochujang mayo that I love to top my bowl with !
Italian-Americans across the tristate are getting ready for the Feast of the Seven Fishes next week, and today, Dina Deleasa-Gonsar joined us with some appetizers that would pair perfectly before the big meal!
I almost don’t want to tell you about this absolutely lovely farm to table dinner we had last night @thenjfarm because I want to be able to get tickets to more of their dinners, haha! The setting is beautiful nestled amongst Glenwood Mountain, you are seated in the herb garden. The courses are thoughtful, using what they have on property. Chef/Farmer Steve Maclean explains each dish and you are amazed when he tells you that crazy flavorful broth from your dish is just chicken or pork bones cooked down for 3 days with just the addition of salt. @bgonsar and I have been traveling around for over a decade finding places to eat. We always said we don’t look for monuments but monumental food. I would scour chowhound boards back in the day. Studying the late Anthony Bourdains itineraries. We would question hotel staff until they told us where they would eat for dinner. That’s how we found our friends @ilfienile_ristorante in Sorrento. Or the @thefarmhouseproject stateside! We love giving out recommendations and travel itineraries. Brian even mor so, because he has been able to travel more often than me. Katie’s wedding is this weekend and you know we have found a way to explore upstate New York as we drive up and back , stay tuned !!! I love knowing we have years ahead of exploring together l, especially with Siena ! #thecouplethateats #thefamilythateats #njeats
Chicken Saltimbocca is no doubt part of the standard line-up of menu items you see at any Italian American restaurant. Super thin chicken cutlets lined with prosciutto, complemented by a sage leaf (hello fall?). Then an easy pan sauce turns this into a dish quick enough for a weeknight. Yes, I said it, a restaurant “fancy” meal on a weeknight. I will be teaching this recipe at one of my cooking classes at @healthyitalia in Madison in a couple of weeks. I hope to see my NJ friends there. And for some of my newsletter subscribers stay tuned for a live cook along date! Make sure you are in the loop! The recipe is up on dishitgirl.com and also hitting your inbox if you are a newsletter subscriber. Make sure to check my stories for all of the links or try the link in the bio. Anytime I try the comment below function, it malfunctions, so I am over it for now unless anyone wants to offer me advice, haha!!! #dishitgirl #easyrecipe #chickenrecipes #italianrecipe #prosciutto
Jersey diner morning right here ! I absolutely love a good diner. Give me all the disco fries and vanilla cokes . Not the can but the real syrup guys !!! The @ritzdiner in Livingston is one of our favorites. I just love their “health” salad and the chocolate chip pancakes are huge! Along with every baked good. Mile high lemon meringue, babka breads, I could go on and on ! I have great memories of the diner after footballs games or college nights. It seems to hit the spot anytime of the day . Fun fact I was a waitress at a small one in my town that had the best Greek salad aka the Sammy Salad! What’s your go to diner order ? #nostalgic #jerseydiner #brunchtime #dinerfood
This isn’t a regular BLT it’s a cool BLT! I have seen a lot of great BLT recipes on my feed over the past week or so . I decided I had to revisit the one I made for the Good Dish tv show during one of their cook off episodes. The candied bacon is layered with juicy tomatoes, and on the show I used butter lettuce . The brioche bread gets a savory twist by dipping it in egg with some spices and herbs then quickly pan fried. What really pulls it together is the maple mustard spread . This recipe almost made it into my cookbook. Instead it’s in my substack for subscribers tonight 🥰 #dishitgirl #bltrecipe #candiedbacon #easyrecipe #sandwichrecipe #homecook
This crab and leek sauté took me minutes to make and @bgonsar and I both loved it! We sat out in the deck and took a couple of minutes to eat together because Siena unexpectedly fell asleep after a visit to the pool. It’s buttery and savory, it makes us wish we were at the beach! The simple recipe-ish is below. Just as fyi- you have to wash leeks really well! Trader Joe’s sells a great shortcut with leeks already trimmed and clean. #dishitgirl #easyrecipe #summerrecipes #crabtoast 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided 1 cup thinly sliced leeks, trimmed and washed 2 tsp capers 1 1/2 cups crab claw meat 1/4 cup white wine 1 tbsp dijon mustard 3/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper lemon zest red pepper flakes (optional) 4 slices sourdough bread In a large saute pan melt 2 tbsp butter, add in your leeks and capers, saute until softened about 4 minutes, add in the crab gently stir to combine. Saute for 2 minutes more, In a small bowl mix together the white wine and dijon mustard. Pour over the saute pan, season with salt and pepper, stir gently to combine, saute another 5 minutes. Remove crab meat from pan, set aside. Add another tablespoon of butter to the pan, place the pieces of bread in the pan browning on each side, about 2 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and cut pieces of bread in half. Divide pieces of bread between the bowls. Top bread with 1/2 cup of crab meat, Top with lemon zest and red pepper flakes for serving.
Is your garden bursting with peppers ? Consider drying them out and making your own red pepper flakes. It’s super easy ! To be honest I avoided doing it last year because I imagined it would be too difficult or I would fail. Kinda feels like a life lesson….. I tend to talk myself out of things thinking I will fail even before I begin .. I grew these Jimmy Nardello peppers in my garden and placed them on a baking sheet and let them dry out in the oven at 200 degree s for 3 1/2 hours. Then just ran my knife through them once they were completely cooled. Have you ever made your own spices ?! Is this something you would try ?
As we start to slowly say goodbye to summer my Sunday Salad starts to change shape. Throwing some arugula into the mix along with pears, walnuts, and goat cheese. Changing up the vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar and a splash of maple syrup. This salad and vinaigrette are a part of one the amazing menus I’m teaching @healthy_italia_official this fall! Some of classes are up live on the website. Trying to hang onto ti the last of these warmer days getting ready for what’s ahead! #saladrecipes #fallrecipes #dishitgirl #scenesfromsunday
Manchego Cheese and Figs star in this version of a Galette, wich sounds fancy but it is certainly one of the easier ways to do a baked good! Galettes are made for people who are “not good bakers.” For people who get annoyed when they can’t perfectly crimp the edges of a pie. Or fight with pizza dough and are not making fondant cut outs for cake decorations. The more “rustic” it looks the better and ragged edges are chic! The dough is easy, coming together with minimal ingredients and “chill” time. The full recipes and step-by-step videos are in my substack newsletter releasing in about an hour! Make sure to click the link in my bio to sign up! Otherwise, you have to wait until I have time to write this up for the blog! #easyrecipe #galette #figrecipes #bakingfromscratch
Introducing all the flavorful pieces that make up your new favorite salad ! I can’t decide if I love the eggplant croutons or the dressing more. The eggplant croutons are crispy on the outside yet creamy on the inside. I have been adding them to salads and pasta dishes for the better part of the year. Make sure to subscribe to my substack newsletter to get the full recipe. In the meantime , some quick instructions regarding the eggplant below 👇 Follow @dishitgirldina for more everyday recipes for your family table . And stick around for weekly encouragement. Always real life, not lifestyle ! 1 eggplant, peeled and diced 1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs 2 eggs, beaten Olive oil Flakey salt Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl and the eggs in another shallow bowl Dredge each piece of eggplant in the eggs, letting the excess drip off. Then dredge in the breadcrumbs on all sides, pressing the eggplant into the breadcrumbs to help adhere . Place onto baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and given them a gentle toss. Sprinkle salt over top. Place pan in oven for 25-30 minutes, until the eggplant turns a deep golden brown. #eggplantrecipes #saladrecipe #saladideas #discoverypage #easyrecipes #hardcoreitalians
Are you starting to close out your garden? Picking the last of the tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini. Perhaps collecting herbs or the last of your eggplant? It is definitely bittersweet. I am not a skilled gardener by any means. But I do enjoy trying to do better every year. It has led to a growing garden space. With new ways to use the food. Such as drying out my peppers and making red pepper flake seasoning. Lots of zucchini chips for Siena, and I love sauteing it, throwing it in pasta sauce. Cooking down cherry tomatoes and making them into a delicious jam that I spread on sandwiches. I like to write down each year what worked well, and what didn’t. What really flourished in the garden and what kinda fizzled out. I know that it depends upon how the weather was that year as well, so I make sure to give a general weather report. Also, making any notes if I noticed any disease, pest, or animal issues. I also save the layout of the garden. Sometimes I will notice that we needed more space for a specific plant or one grew better because it was paired with a better companion plant. I know we still have two months left with farmers markets and the last of the garden. What do you miss the most when the season ends? Recipes pictured: Sweet Balsamic Vinegar & Tomato Jam Red Pepper Flakes Zucchini Chips #gardenlife #diyproject #vegetablerecipes #endofsummer
Take everything from your garden and dump it in a pan! This is such a beautiful time of year. We still have that summer sun, but the nights are getting a bit cooler. The gardens and markets are overflowing. There is tension between lingering longer at night as you try to hold onto summer. But yet an expectancy of the fall routine ahead. I make it sound real poetic, right? No matter what space you are in this farro salad is the perfect add to your rotation. The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes pair with white vinegar is the perfect balance . A little hit of honey and red pepper flakes really true these sautéd vegetables together. And let’s not forget that you can find stracciatella cheese on shelves now! The full recipe is on dishitgirl.com linked in my bio. #dishitgirl #farro #easyrecipe #summervegetables
This Herby Orzo Dish is the side dish you need to bring to your next gathering. Or what you need in your fridge all weekend long. I say it all the time but don’t be afraid of the anchovy paste in this recipe. It does Not give the orzo a “fishy” taste. It melts into the dressing and gives it that “something” thats delicious but you can’t quite put your finger on. You could also omit the anchovy paste. It does change the taste, but I would sub in a little bit of soy sauce or experiment with miso paste in its absence. Recipe below. Make sure you are following along with @dishitgirldina for weekly cooking live sessions, new recipes, and plenty of encouragement for the kitchen and beyond! 1lb orzo, cooked according to package directions, drained 1 cup chopped fresh dill 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil zest of 1 lemon 2 tbsp finely chopped shallot 1 tbsp dijon mustard 2 tsp anchovy paste 2/3 cup of olive oil 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 cup crumbled goat cheese Cook Orzo according to package directions, drain and reserve. In a large bowl add all of the fresh herbs, lemon zest, shallots, dijon mustard, and anchovy paste. Whisk together as you add in the olive oil until well combined and all the olive oil is added. Squeeze in the lemon juice, season with salt, and pepper, whisking once more until well incorporated. Add the orzo to the bowl and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle the goat cheese over top, toss gently to evenly distribute. This pasta dish does get better as it sits and the flavors have a chance to really settle into the pasta. Make sure to adjust the salt and pepper to suit your taste! @partannafoods #easyrecipe #orzo #quickrecipes #summersalad #pastarecipe #pastasalad
Ciao Amici!🎙️Last week, I sat down with my friend, the amazing @dishitgirldina to chat about how her incredible journey started! From family recipes to TV personality, Dina’s story is one you won’t want to miss! Tune in on your favorite podcast platform or catch our convo over on the Healthy Italia YouTube channel!📺 Grazie Mille, Dina, for sharing your story with us!❤️✨ #collectingpicturememories #healthyitalia #foodlove #entrepreneurlife #foodislife #dishitgirl #italiancuisine #italianfood
