Thought I would make an update on what Gia's Italian Kitchen is doing this year!
We have so many exciting events, and I want to share!

1. I am writing two cookbooks!!!!  This is so exciting for you and for me!  The first one is a "My First Apartment" cookbook, with easy and inexpensive recipes, that will be available online only, thru my website.  The second one is a Cookbook/Memoir, with ALL of my grandmother's recipes and those from GIK in the past few years.  I am hoping to launch this in 2024.
2. The Brick Kitchen where we hold in-person cooking classes
3. The Marion Library where we hold in-person cooking classes

Find out more on our website:  https://giasitaliankitchen.biz

Register for classes at The Brick Kitchen

Register for classes at The Marion Library


#italiancooking  #italianfood  #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #foodie #foodlover #giasitaliankitchen #familybusiness #womenownedbusiness #letsgetcookingwithgia #cookingwithgia  #cookbook

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Let’s make this basic prep ahead dish, that will set you up for many easy lunches and dinners throughout the week.

Preheat your oven to 400 F.   Find a baking sheet with sides, so the chicken juices don’t run all over your oven.  This is probably different than what you would use to make cookies.  Cover the cookie sheet with a piece of parchment paper or tin foil, this will make your cleanup easier.

You can watch it here in our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/j5JLgx7DNV8

Place the chicken breasts on the parchment paper or tin foil.  Drizzle with the EVOO and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Bake for about 30 minutes.  If you have bone-in chicken breasts, you will need to cook for about 40-45 minutes.

Let the chicken cool for about 15-20 minutes, then you can shred it with your hands or two forks.

Many of the recipes in my FIRST COOKBOOK can be used with your shredded chicken:
• Meat & Veggie stir-fry
• Italian Mac ‘N Cheese (Pasta Cacio e Pepe)
• Spice Up Your Ramens
• Build your own Burrito Bowl
• Impressive Shawarma

There are so many more dishes you can make once you have the chicken made: 
• Chicken Tacos or Quesadillas
• Cobb Salad
• Curry Chicken Salad

#italiancooking  #italianfood  #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #foodie #foodlover #giasitaliankitchen #familybusiness #womenownedbusiness #letsgetcookingwithgia #cookingwithgia  #cookbook

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

THANK YOU!!!!!

I made the quarterfinals!  I still need your daily votes!!!!!!

There are three more weeks, three more rounds (quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals).   

Please set a reminder to do your free daily votes, on your phone!

This is going to take a big effort to get to the next round!!!!

https://favchef.com/2023/kelley-cole 

#italiancooking #italianfood #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #foodie #foodlover #giasitaliankitchen #letsgetcookingwithgia #cookingwithgia

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

This will become your new favorite HUMMUS!

Black Bean Hummus with Chipotle and Lime.....YUM!

• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans or 2 cups hydrated black beans
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 chipotle pepper & 1 teaspoon of adobe sauce
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime (3 limes)
• 2-4 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 3 stalks green onions, roughly chopped
• 1 Seedless English cucumber
• 3 Whole carrots
• 1 small bag tortilla chips

In a food processor, finely chop garlic and green onion with 2 tablespoons of EVOO.  Rinse and drain the beans.  Add the beans and lime juice, then pulse until combined.  

Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until you like the consistency, slowly adding the rest of the EVOO.   Taste and modify if needed.  Maybe you want more lime or more heat or more salt.  Pulse again.  Taste again.  Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Appetizer:  Wash the carrots and cucumber.  Slice the cucumbers and carrots into sticks, leaving the skins on.  Serve veggies and chips with the black bean hummus.

Watch us make it here:

https://youtu.be/RI3xHqZK-2M 

#letsgetcooking  #foodblogger #giasitaliankitchen  #letsgetcookingwithgia #cookingwithgia  #hummus

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Lemon Basil Water?  What?

Check this out!

You can watch my short video in the YouTube channel....link below.

#italiancooking #italianfood #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #foodie #foodlover #giasitaliankitchen  #cookingwithgia  #letsgetcookingwithgia

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Leftover Watermelon from the 4th?   Listen as Amy, Food Scientist, and I create this amazing and refreshing drink!

33.12 Martini with Watermelon and Mint

• 5 oz. Watermelon puree
• 3 oz. Vodka
• 1 oz. Simple syrup (or agave syrup)
• Fresh mint leaves
• 1 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
• 2 shakes of salt
• Lime sparking water
• 1 1/4 cup granulated cane sugar
• Fresh grated lime zest 

Simple syrup – the typical recipe is 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar, but I only use ¾ cup sugar to 1 cup of water.   Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and add the sugar.   Stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved, then turn off the heat.  This should only take about 5 minutes.   

Watermelon Puree – cut all green and white pieces from the red fruit.  In a blender, fill with the red pieces, almost to the top.  Cover and pulse a few times, until all chunks are gone.  Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the puree into the strainer.  With a spoon, press the puree through the strainer, into the large bowl.  Discard the mesh and seeds left in the strainer.

Prepare the glass – Zest the limes into a medium-sized bowl.   Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and mix.  In a separate medium-sized bowl, add the juice of 1/2 lime.  Dip the martini glass into the lime juice, then into the zest/sugar mixture.  

Prepare the drink - in a large pitcher, add the puree, vodka, simple syrup, salt, and remaining lime juice.  Mix to combine.  Add 1-2 leaves of the fresh mint and muddle in the glass.   Add the drink mixture and stir.  Add 2-3 oz. of the sparkling water and stir.  Garnish with a slice of watermelon and a fresh leaf of mint.  Enjoy!

#italiancooking  #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #foodie  #giasitaliankitchen 

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

As part of my Girlfriends in Business series, I recently sat down with Erika, owner of Tura Lura Co., concrete and candle maker in Iowa City.  Her next event is Sunday, June 25 in Cedar Rapids at Ashton Hill Farm on the SE side.  High five to this strong woman building her business!  

To watch the full interview, visit our YouTube site:

https://youtu.be/2w8lqTw0-FE 

I’m the person behind Tura Lura Co. I’m an educator, artist, mama, community member, and accidental entrepreneur. I started by making concrete and candles for fun, was awarded an artist grant and began my company, then taught others to make candles during #candlepourbar events. 

I love being in community with others, sharing tips and tricks to creating a life you love. Join me online as I continue to make handcrafted products and host shared experiences, expand into more DIY home projects, and have some good conversations about navigating life intentionally with my best friend and partner Dr. Matt.

Find out more about Erika and Tura Lura Co. here:

https://www.turaluraco.com/candle-pour-bar

Tura Lura Co.  The Green House - Iowa City

#italiancooking #italianfood #foodblogger #giasitaliankitchen

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Looking for fun things for you or the kids?  

The new Marion Library has amazing specialty areas for all to enjoy.  Check these out:

• MakerSpace | A creative and collaborative space with 3D printers, laser printers, sewing machines, and other supplies.

• Recording Studio | A space for patrons to channel their inner podcast host, YouTuber, audiobook author, or singer-songwriter.

• Green Screen Room | A studio to learn more about the production process with access to video, sound, and lighting equipment.

https://marionpubliclibrary.org/

Find out more about us at https://giasitaliankitchen.biz 

Do you want more cooking episodes?  They are all on our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@giasitaliankitchen9079

Would you like to listen while you walk?   Did you know we have a PODCAST?

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1876610

Many of our RECIPES are listed on our website, which one makes your mouth water?

https://giasitaliankitchen.biz/recipes-mangia

#italiancooking #italianfood #letsgetcooking #foodblogger #foodie #giasitaliankitchen #foodlover #marionpubliclibrary

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Looking for a new Salmon recipe?   This will be your new favorite!  (and even those who don’t love salmon, you will now!)

Salmon with Leeks and Thyme

• 1 pound fillet of wild caught salmon 
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil)
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 1 lemon
• 1 large leek
• 8-10 Fresh sprigs of thyme
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup grape tomatoes

Preheat oven to 500°F or broil.

Sprinkle the salmon with a few grinds of both sea salt and black pepper.  Cut in half and set aside.

In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the EVOO and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.  Slice the lemon into thin rounds.  After the butter is melted, add the lemon slices, and simmer for just a couple minutes.  Flip and simmer for a couple more minutes.   

Thinly slice the leeks, going about 3/4 of the way up the green stalks.  Add to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes.    Add the thyme sprigs, wine, and then the salmon.   Bring to a simmer, increasing the heat to medium-high, for approximately 4-5 minutes.  Turn the stove off.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for about 6 minutes, for a medium-rare salmon.  Add about 3 minutes for medium salmon.  Take the skillet out of the oven and place it back on the stove.  Transfer the salmon to a serving plate.

On medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of butter and the tomatoes to the skillet.  Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and incorporated into the sauce.  Spoon the sauce over the salmon.  Serve over rice if desired.  Serves 4.

#italiancooking #italianfood #letsgetcooking #foodblogger #foodie #giasitaliankitchen

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

What’s for breakfast tomorrow?

How about some easy & delicious Overnight Oats?

In a glass jar, add the following ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Just place in the refrigerator tonight.  Enjoy cold or warm it up in the morning…Mangia!

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (not quick)

• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

• 1 teaspoon vanilla protein powder

• 1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter or nut butter

• 1 teaspoon agave or maple syrup

• 1/2 cup milk

Watch us make it here.....so easy!

https://youtu.be/VQEuNJBQQCk

Many of our RECIPES are listed on our website, which one makes your mouth water?

https://giasitaliankitchen.biz/recipes-mangia 

#italiancooking #italianfood #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #familybusiness #womenownedbusiness #foodie #foodlover #giasitaliankitchen

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!