Welcome

Hello! I’m Marie Pinto Bialek

A first-generation Italian-American self-taught cook based out of the Philadelphia area and the writer and cook behind this site. I’ve spent most of my life in the Philadelphia area, with roots in the Campania region of Italy, and so I draw inspiration from my Italian heritage and Philadelphia upbringing. Frequent visits to Central NY (Utica) (husband!) and a brief stay in the Midwest have also influenced my cooking and baking (Detroit pizza – coming someday soon!).

Philadelphia favorites include soft pretzels, Philadelphia tomato pie, and Philly roast pork. There is so much good food here, we are lucky to have a broad range of so many cuisines and the pizza scene is also amazing!

Get to Know Me

Undoubtedly, it’s my mother. Her consistent passion for baking bread, crafting pizzas, and creating amazing Italian desserts has profoundly influenced my cooking and baking.

My mother was an Italian immigrant and lover of all things homemade, made homemade fusilli, cavatelli, gnocchi, and more, including the famous peach cookies.

Her baking specialties included Italian Rum Cake, cannolis, pignoli cookies, struffoli, peach cookies, and sfogliatelle. She also took great pride in other favorites like home made pasta, home made spaghetti sauce, gnocchi, and Italian bread. I miss her everyday.

Always in the kitchen! I enjoy trying new recipes, making homemade meals, and especially baking when I have free time. It’s my true passion and where I find solace in stressful times.

The Campania region of Italy is renowned for its exceptional cuisine. It is celebrated for producing some of Italy’s finest culinary staples, including the world-famous Neapolitan pizza, rich tomato-based sauces, buffalo mozzarella cheese, eggplant parmesan, delectable pastries like sfogliatelle, and limoncello.

The region’s coastal location also brings an abundance of fresh seafood to its traditional dishes, making it a food lover’s paradise.

Shredded beef sandwich on wooden board with cheese and pickled veggies.

Personal Favorites (hard to choose!)

I’m always curious when I visit someone’s cooking site – what is their favorite? What do they make mostly?

This was hard to choose – almost impossible, to be honest! I’ve chosen many, as narrowing it down further would be too hard!

Favorite Recipes

SEE ALL

Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order!)

My Favorite Soups

My Favorite Cookies