Monthly Featured Chef: Giada DeLaurentis

We fell in love with her years ago when she brought us Everyday Italian. We filled our pasta bowls with countless pasta recipes in her Everyday Pasta, and our families sung praises when we cooked from Giada's Family Dinners. She is Giada Delaurentiis, wildly popular Food Network superstar and author of eight bestselling cookbooks!

Nowadays Giada is known, not only for her Italian recipes, but also for her fresh California-style recipes and also her healthy recipes and lifestyle. Her latest book, Happy Cooking, just hit the shelves last month.

No doubt we will be Happy Cooking the recipes of Giada Delaurentiis this week! Please make and post your dish by Sunday, December 13th! Feel free to share your favorite Giada recipes in your post. Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after linking so we don't miss out on your dish. 

New to IHCC? Need help linking up? Check out our Welcome page. If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.
 

If you missed out on our Nibbles & Noshes theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the tasty bites we shared.

An InLinkz Link-up

October Potluck!

Oh, yes ... we all love a Potluck around here!

And, what's not to love, when Potluck means not only do you get to choose the recipe, but you also get to choose the chef.

That's right, choose any donna hay recipe you like, or if you prefer take the opportunity to revisit any one of our previous eight IHCC chefs:

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada de Laurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madjur Jaffrey

Yotam Ottolenghi

That makes for a veritable smorgasbord of English, American, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern and "modern Australian" recipes to choose from.

To join in just post and link your October Potluck dish from any one of our IHCC chefs by Sunday 27 October.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish.

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Check out our Welcome page.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

If you missed our Up & At 'Em! theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the fabulous breakfast dishes everyone made.

August Pot Luck

Oh, yes ... we all love a Potluck around here!

And, what's not to love, when Potluck means not only do you get to choose the recipe, but you also get to choose the chef.

That's right, choose any Ottolenghi recipe you like, or if you prefer choose any recipe from any one of our previous seven IHCC chefs:

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada de Laurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madjur Jaffrey

That makes for a veritable smorgasbord of English, American, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern recipes to choose from.

To join in just post and link your August Potluck dish from any one of our IHCC chefs by Sunday 25 August.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish.

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Check out our Welcome page.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

If you missed our Nuts and Seeds theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the fabulous "nutty" dishes everyone made.

Don't forget to check out the Optional Monthly Community Recipe - there's still a couple of weeks to get your entries done, and you can post them using the linky at the end of this post. This month we're making Labneh, and you'll also find a round-up of all the Hummus dishes everyone posted last month.  This fun IHCC feature is a great way to join in cooking one recipe as a group, to share your experiences and connect with other members of the group.

**Please notice the poll on the sidebar.  We are asking participants to vote on whether they wish to continue cooking the recipes of Yotam Ottolenghi for an additional two months (end of November) OR whether they wish to vote in a new female chef/cook starting October 1st. The poll will be up for one week only, until August 27th.  Depending on the results of the poll, we will either announce a continuation with Ottolenghi or post a new poll asking for your vote on a new female chef/cook!

July Potluck (Choose from Ottolenghi or any former IHCC Chef)

Potluck is easily everyone's favorite week!  This is the week where the choice is all yours! You can choose any Ottolenghi recipe or any recipe from one of our previous seven IHCC chefs:

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada de Laurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madjur Jaffrey

To join in just post and link your July Potluck dish from any one of our IHCC chefs by Sunday, July 21st.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish.

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Check out our Welcome page.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

If you missed our Fruitfull theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the fabulous "fruity" dishes everyone made.

*** Don't forget to check out the Optional Monthly Community Recipe - there's still a couple of weeks to get your entries done, and you can post them using the linky at the end of this post. This month we're making harissa, with the added challenge of using harissa in an Ottolenghi recipe. This fun new IHCC feature is a great way to join in cooking one recipe as a group, to share your experiences and connect with other members of the group. ***

June Potluck (Choose from Ottolenghi or any former IHCC Chef)

Oh, yes ... we all love a Potluck around here!

And, what's not to love, when Potluck means not only do you get to choose the recipe, but you also get to choose the chef.

That's right, choose any Ottolenghi recipe you like, or if you prefer choose any recipe from any one of our previous seven IHCC chefs:

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada de Laurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madjur Jaffrey

That makes for a veritable smorgasbord of English, American, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern recipes to choose from.

To join in just post and link your June Potluck dish from any one of our IHCC chefs by Sunday 23 June.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish.

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Check out our Welcome page.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

If you missed our Little Bit of Sunshine theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the fabulous "sunny" dishes everyone made.

*** Don't forget to check out the Optional Monthly Community Recipe - there's still a couple of weeks to get your entries done, and you can post them using the linky at the end of this post. This month we're making Hummus, and you'll also find a round-up of all the Preserved Lemon dishes everyone posted last month.  This fun new IHCC feature is a great way to join in cooking one recipe as a group, to share your experiences and connect with other members of the group. ***

April Potluck (including Ottolenghi and all Former IHCC Chefs)!

It's time for everyone's favorite theme....POTLUCK!  Potluck week is everyone's favorite week for a reason.  Anything goes!  Plus, this time around we are introducing a new feature to provide even more freedom and variety. 
  

Each month during POTLUCK week, you can chose to share an Ottolenghi recipe OR a recipe from any former IHCC Chef!  

You now have eight chefs to chose from.  You can actually chose from thousands of recipes and nearly every type of cuisine imaginable.  What are you craving this week?  British?  American? Italian? Mediterranean? Mexican? Indian? Asian or maybe something from the Middle East?  I'm pretty sure we've got you covered.

If you're not familiar with the former IHCC chefs, here is the list: 

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada Delaurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madhur Jaffrey

and of course our newest addition: Yotam Ottolenghi!

So get out those cookbooks, or hunt for recipes online, but remember you now have eight fantastic chefs to chose from!  Please post and link your POTLUCK dish by Sunday, April 28th.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after so that we don't miss out on your dish.  

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Please see our Welcome page.  If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

 

If you missed out on our Get Back to Your Roots! theme, then please head over now to check out all the wonderful dishes that everyone shared.  

Also, a special reminder to check out the details on our Optional Monthly Community Recipe.  This month's recipe is Shakshuka, a lovely egg dish loaded with vibrant veggies.  Click this link to be directed to the recipe and a video.  

 

Arrivederci Giada

A wise man once said,

"We're here for a good time, not a long time

So have a good time, the sun can't shine everyday."

Okay, maybe it was Trooper, but that doesn't make it any less true.

This is our last week of cooking with the lovely and talented Giada de Laurentiis, whose enthusiasm and vitality is infectious both in life and in the kitchen. We have learned a lot from her and are sad to see our time with Giada come to an end.

But, like all ends, a new beginning also unfolds. Stay tuned next week for our first week of cooking with Jamie!

For now, let's send Giada off in style. A goodbye party with love and gratitude. Now is the time cook up that special treat you have been putting off. Let's have a going away party!

Whip up your going away goodies or dishes, link up with Mr. Linky, below, on or by March 27th, and leave a comment to let us know you've posted!

New to IHCC? Check out our Welcome post for more details.
I Heart Cooking Clubs *Arrivederci Giada* Participants

1. Michelle ~ Dirty Risotto 2. Tina Marie - Dirty Risotto and Eggplant 3. Kim - Recipe Recap & Favorites 4. Chicken Piccata

5. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Spaghetti Marinara with Vegetarian Meatballs 6. Yvette - Arrivederci Dinner 7. Deb In Hawaii--Salmon w/ Lemon, Capers & Rosemary 8. natalia - Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze

9. Heather ~ Chocolate, Brie, & Basil Panini 10. Natashya - Chicken with Balsamic BBQ Sauce

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It's Spud Week and....The Vote Is In!

  

  It's official!! The voting poll is closed and the people have spoken. The new chef we will be cooking along with for the next six months is the one and only, Jamie Oliver ! Jamie's passion and love of food, along with his endless bevy of cookbooks and recipes, is going to make for an exciting and adventurous six months.  We can't wait!  

But, before we get started on our new adventure with Jamie, we have two more wonderful weeks left with the Princess of Italian Cooking, Giada De Laurentiis.

This week at I Heart Cooking Clubs it's Spud Week! To ring in St. Patrick's Day, we are combining our love of Giada with our love of the ever popular potato.  Sounds like a match made in heaven!

Whether your spuds are the star of the show, tucked away in a stew, or sitting on the side lines, there is sure to be a recipe for you.  Giada has a large array of potato recipes ranging from side dishes, to soups and stews, to homemade potato chips, and even a recipe for tilapia with purple potato crust.

You might even choose to go all out and make gnocchi from scratch.  Giada has recipes for both traditional potato gnocchi, as well as recipes for sweet potato gnocchi.  Don't have time to make the gnocchi from scratch, no problem!  Grab a box at the market and whip up one of Giada's many gnocchi recipes. The sky's the limit!!

Looking for more potato recipe and ideas? Click HERE to be directed to the Food Network website where you will find a list of some of the many recipes containing potatoes. 

Please make and post your Spud Week recipe by this Sunday, March 20th.  Please be sure to connect your post with Mr. Linky below so that we can all be sure to see your recipe. Also, please leave a comment after linking up to Mr. Linky so that we are sure not to miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

Didn't get a chance to stop by last week's potluck?  Head over HERE to check out all the tasty dishes everyone brought.

*photos courtesy yahoo.com and foodnetwork.com

*Spud Week* Participants

1. Tina Marie - Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese and Breadcrumbs 2. Michelle ~Broiled Zucchini and Potatoes with Parmesan Crust 3. Yvette - Roasted baby potatoes with herbs 4. Kim - Broiled Zucchini and Potatoes with Parmesan Crust

5. Natashya - Gnocchi with Thyme Butter Sauce 6. Heather- Gnocchi bathed in Brown Butter and Thyme 7. natalia - Bacon and Pancetta Potatoes 8. Deb in Hawaii--Creamy Artichoke (& Potato) Soup

9. Meredith-Parmesan Potato Pancake 10. Tammy Lou 11. Spicy Sausage and Potato Soup

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March Potluck with Giada!

Time is running out! Only three more weeks to cook with Giada before we switch to our new chef! (BTW Did you vote for your favorite yet? The voting poll is on the side bar and currently it looks to be an epic battle between Rick Bayless and Jamie Oliver with Bobby Flay a ways behind. Of course there are still several days to vote and as we have seen before it is really anyone's game down to that final deadline--so vote for your top choice to make sure your voice gets heard!)

But I digress... back to our current chef and theme! This week is our final Potluck with Giada. Time to cook one of those last Giada recipes you have tabbed in her books or bookmarked on Food Network but have not yet got around to making...

So whether you are craving decadent or healthy, sweet or savory, pasta or salad, cocktail or dessert, breakfast or dinner, Potluck is the time you get to pick any Giada recipes your little heart desires...

Get to zesting, and start cooking up your selected Giada Potluck creation!

Make and post your March Potluck! dish by Sunday, March 13th. Don't forget to link your post of the week's with Mr. Linky below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous creation!

Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

If you didn't feed your fever for our Spring Fever! theme last week, be sure to head on over and see all of the delicious "springy" dishes everyone brought!

Don't forget, we're cooking through the recipes of Giada De Laurentiis through the next three weeks...so if you've linked up a post, please be sure that you've used/adapted one of her recipes!

See you at the March Potluck!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *March Potluck with Giada!* Participants

1. Yvette- Croissant Panini 2. Beth Anne - Arancini di Riso 3. Yvette- Chicken tetrazzini 4. Natashya - Sundried Tomato and Chickpea Crostini

5. Deb in Hawaii--Melon & Mint Slush 6. Lyndsay The Kitchen Witch 7. Michelle ~Pecorino Romano with Apples and Fig Jam 8. Lana - Butternut Squash Soup

9. Kim - Deep-Fried Bocconcini with Garlic and Tomato Chutney 10. Andrea ~ Torta de Pasta

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Spring Fever!

***A quick announcement before we talk about this week's theme...IT'S VOTING TIME!  That's right.  One more month of cooking with Giada...then we bring a guy into the kitchen.  Who do you want to spend the next 6 months with?  Rick Bayless...Bobby Flay...or Jamie Oliver.  Those are your choices.  I've got to say, I'm looking forward to spending time with whichever guy wins the vote...I enjoy them all!  Check out the sidebar and place your vote.  The poll will stay open for 2 weeks.  Then we'll have 2 more weeks to gather books, recipes, websites in preparation for the winner!***
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've got it.  Oh yeah, I've got it bad!  What do I have?  A fever.  SPRING FEVER!  Please snow...please, Please, PLEASE go away!  I want tiny green buds and pastel flowers and refreshing rains.  I want asparagus spears poking their tips through the soil.  I want tiny red strawberries, packed with sweet juices.  I want baby lettuces and spring garlic and fleshy little apricots.  Not to mention tangy rhubarb and sweet little peas and peppery watercress.

How 'bout you?  Have you got the fever?  Well, head into the kitchen with Giada and make something that represents SPRING to you!  Be it the ingredients, the memories, the anticipation, Spring Break, you name it...what's your interpretation?

Make and post your Spring Fever! post by Sunday, February 6th. Don't forget to link your post of the week's with Mr. Linky below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous creation! Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

If you missed the Potluck theme last week, be sure to head on over and see all of the delicious dishes everyone brought!  Don't forget, we're cooking through the recipes of Giada De Laurentiis right now...so if you've linked up, be sure that you've used/adapted one of her recipes for your post!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Spring Fever* Participants

1. Mary w/Roasted Veggie Lasagna 2. Beth Anne - Strawberry Nutella Panini 3. Andrea at Nummy Kitchen -- Strawberry Mango Spring Rolls 4. Kim - Pastina with Peas and Carrots

5. Deb in Hawaii--Salmon in Lemon Brodetto with Pea Purée. 6. Chicken Marsala 7. Natashya - Ice Caffe Latte 8. Tina Marie - Sundried Tomato Garlic Corn Muffins!

9. Roz - Baked Orzo with Fontina and Peas 10. Meredith-Linguine with Shrimp and Lemon Oil

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February Potluck with Giada!

Ready for another fabulous Potluck with Giada?!

Time to pick out one of those recipes that you have had your eye on. You know the ones; the recipes with the bright glossy photos that make you pause every time you see them. That make you go hmmmm, and your mouth starts to water just a bit... that's it. We have only one month left with the lovely Giada De Laurentiis, and now is the time to make sure you cook up those dishes that have been haunting your dreams.

Perhaps you have a few winter dishes that you want to cook up before spring finally arrives. One last blast of pure comfort food while the snow still flies.

Find and cook up that Giada dish that tempts you so; post it and link up with Mr. Linky by Sunday, February 27th. 

New to IHCC and not sure what a permalink is?  Check out our Welcome post.

Link your Giada posts that you cooked up this week here.

Don't forget to check out all the wonderful Noodle dishes from last week!

photos from google images
I Heart Cooking Clubs *February Potluck with Giada!* Participants

1. Michelle ~ Fried Mozzarella Sticks 2. Natashya - Roasted Pork Loin with Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

3. Kim - Gorgonzola and Porcini Risotto 4. Deb In Hawaii--Lemon Chicken Soup w/ Fideos Noodles

5. Meredith-Marinara Sauce

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Using Your Noodle

This week at I Heart Cooking Clubs we're using our noodles!  

ALL NOODLES ARE INVITED TO THE PARTY!

With numerous pasta recipes ranging from soups and salads to appetizers, main courses, and even desserts, there is a Giada recipe for you!  You can even choose to use your noodle for breakfast in a frittata! The possibilities are endless.

Some of you might even be feeling adventurous enough to try your hand at some homemade pasta.  If so, Giada has a great instructional video on how to make fresh pasta HERE.

If you really want to have fun using your noodle, you could try your hand at something crispy and crunchy like these crave-worthy Fried Ravioli with Marinara.

Now that's a good way to use your noodle!

Need a quick pasta recipe that is ready in less than 20 minutes?  There is bound to be a "quickie" pasta dish to get you through the week.

HAVE FUN USING YOUR NOODLE!  

Please choose and post your Giada recipe by Sunday, February 20th.  Don't forget to link your post for this week's theme with Mr. Linky below, so everyone can see how you used your noodle!  Also remember to leave a comment after each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

New to IHCC and not sure what a permalink is?  Check out our Welcome post.

If you missed "That's Amore" last week, be sure to head on over and see how everyone expressed their love.

Don't forget, we're cooking through the recipes of Giada De Laurentiis right now...so if you've linked up, be sure that you've used/adapted one of her many recipes for your post!

*photos courtesy Food Network

Using Your Noodle Participants

1. Beth Anne - Linguine with Olives and Breadcrumbs 2. The Country Cook- Fiery Angel Hair Pasta 3. Tina Marie- Angel Hair Pasta with creamy mushroom sauce

4. Rigatoni with Steak Sauce 5. Natashya - Rigatoni with Mushroom and Crab Sauce 6. Deb in Hawaii--Rigatoni with Red Pepper, Almonds & Bread Crumbs

7. meredith-pennewithspicytomatosause 8. Kim -Penne with Shrimp in Herbed Cream Sauce 9. Michelle ~Linguine w/ Shrimp & Lemon Oil

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That's Amore!

What is Amore you ask? Well... perhaps Dean Martin sums it up best...

"When the moon hits your eye

Like a big-a pizza pie

That's amore

When the world seems to shine

Like you've had too much wine

That's amore

Bells'll ring

Ting-a-ling-a-ling

Ting-a-ling-a-ling

And you'll sing "Vita bella"

Hearts'll play

Tippi-tippi-tay

Tippi-tippi-tay

Like a gay tarantella

When the stars make you drool

Joost-a like pasta fazool

That's amore

When you dance down the street

With a cloud at your feet, you're in love

When you walk in a dream

But you know you're not dreamin', signore

'Scusami, but you see

Back in old Napoli, that's amore!"

That's Amore! is our theme this week.

Which of Giada's recipes say amore or love to you?

• Is it a big pizza pie?
• Some pasta fazool?
• Something elegant?
• A bite of something sweet and decadent?
• A festive cocktail?
• Chocolate perhaps?

Whatever you choose, when it's made with love...then my friends...That's Amore!

Decide which Giada recipe best shows your love, post it by Sunday, February 13th and don't forget to link your post for this week's theme with Mr. Linky below, so we can all share the love. Also remember to leave a comment after each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

New to IHCC and not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

If you missed "You Are Such a Meatball!" last week, be sure to head on over and see all of the delicious meatball-filled dishes everyone brought.

Don't forget, we're cooking through the recipes of Giada De Laurentiis right now...so if you've linked up, be sure that you've used/adapted one of her many recipes for your post!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *That's Amore!* Participants

1. Arlene-Braised Short Ribs with Tagliatelle 2. Giada's Strawberry Crumble 3. That's Amóre MEATBALL SUB ~girlichef 4. Natashya - Artichoke and Tuna Panini!

5. Beth Anne - Steak with Balsamic BBQ Sauce 6. Roz - Italian Sausage and Pepper Subs 7. Kim - Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies 8. Michelle Petite Filet w/ Gorgonzola & Mushroom Sauce

9. DebinHawaii--Foil Wrapped Salmon & Saffron Harvest Grains 10. Couscous & Consciousness - Amaretti Torta 11. Meredith-(fixed link!)Toasted Pound Cake with Mascarpone and Amaretto

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You are Such a Meatball!

On top of spaghetti,

All covered with cheese,

I lost my poor meatball,

When somebody sneezed.

It rolled off the table,

And on to the floor,

And then my poor meatball,

Rolled out of the door.

It rolled in the garden,
And under a bush,
And then my poor meatball,
Was nothing but mush.

The mush was as tasty
As tasty could be,
And then the next summer,
It grew into a tree.

The tree was all covered,
All covered with moss,
And on it grew meatballs,
And tomato sauce.

So if you eat spaghetti,
All covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball,
Whenever you sneeze.

Giada eating Meaballs at Meatball Madness-photo credit: Food Fashionista

We all know that Giada loves her meatballs.  And so do we!  Whether you decide to carefully place them on top of spaghetti...float them in a bowl of soup...pile them into a bun...or scatter them on a pizza...just bring on the meatballs!  That's right, head into the kitchen with Giada and start rolling.  It's all about the meatballs this week! 

Make and post your Meatball post by Sunday, February 6. Don't forget to link your post of the week's with Mr. Linky below, so we can all enjoy your fabulous creation! Remember to leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

If you missed the Potluck theme last week, be sure to head on over and see all of the delicious dishes everyone brought!  Don't forget, we're cooking through the recipes of Giada De Laurentiis right now...so if you've linked up, be sure that you've used/adapted one of her recipes for your post!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *You are Such a Meatball!* Participants

1. Michelle~ Baked Ziti w/ Meatballs 2. Mary w/Mini Chicken Meatballs 3. DebinHawaii--Turkey Meatballs & Couscous w/ Apples, Cranberries & Herbs

4. Natashya - Polpette and Spaghetti 5. Kim-Bucatini All'Amatriciana with Spicy Fontina Meatballs 6. Turkey Meatballs & Tomato Sauce

7. Meredith

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