Over the last three weeks, food became a source of comfort, celebration, and connection. From home-cooked Italian classics during a challenging week, to sun-soaked meals in the Bahamas, and finally Christmas cooking filled with tradition and family, this stretch captured what The Amore Life is all about — slowing down, cooking with intention, and savoring moments together.
Recipes
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One-Pan Chicken with Artichokes & Arborio Rice (Giada-Inspired + Gluten-Free)
This One-Pan Chicken with Artichokes & Arborio Rice is a gluten-free spin on Giada’s recipe from her Super Italian cookbook. Made with chicken thighs, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, oregano, lemon, and Arborio rice, it’s creamy, bright, savory, and all cooked in one pan. A flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dinner perfect for busy nights.
Stories / Travel & Destinations
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What I Ate This Week: Simple Plates, Standout Bites & A Giada Win (Dec 1 – 7)
A hectic week meant lots of leftovers and quick meals, but a few standout bites brought some much-needed joy: Romanacci’s Penne alla Vodka with Chicken, a fantastic Chicken Francese and Brunello-filled dinner at Testo’s in Monroe, and a delicious Roman-Style Chicken inspired by Giada—made gluten-free with Arborio. Not every week is glamorous, but there were still moments worth savoring.
Recipes
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Authentic Beef Ragù Sauce
This Beef Ragù Sauce is made with Passata, beef, onion, garlic, herbs, and red wine — no sugar or carrots. Slow-simmered for over two hours, it develops deep, rich flavor that’s perfect for pasta, lasagna, or polenta. A clean, traditional Italian sauce that’s hearty and comforting.
Stories / Travel & Destinations
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What I Ate This Week: Thanksgiving Edition — Gratitude, Comfort & Classic Flavors (Nov 24 – 30)
This Thanksgiving week was a mix of gratitude, comfort food, and a little bit of chaos as we celebrated while living with family. The week started with Trumbull Bagel Company and a stop at Geronimo, followed by a Southport Diner breakfast before prepping for the holiday. Thanksgiving Day featured a smoked turkey breast, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, gluten-free stuffing, Brussels sprouts with bacon, and plenty of wine. The weekend brought leftovers, a quick goodbye to our youngest daughter, and a cozy Sunday baked ziti made with bison and hot Italian sausage. A comforting, memorable Thanksgiving edition of What I Ate This Week.
Recipes
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Pellet Smoked Turkey Breasts with Maple Syrup Whiskey Butter
This Pellet Smoked Turkey Breast is dry-brined, smoked low and slow, and basted with a sweet, smoky maple syrup whiskey butter that caramelizes beautifully. Tender, juicy, and full of flavor, it’s the perfect smoked turkey recipe for holidays, gatherings, or weeknight dinners.
Stories / Travel & Destinations
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What I Ate This Week: Lakeside Dinners, Italian Classics & a Taste of Carbone NYC (Nov 17 – 23)
From Romanacci’s comfort pasta to lakeside dining in Mooresville and a final stop at Carbone NYC, this week’s meals celebrated Italian flavor, Southern charm, and good company. Whether it was cavatelli with sausage and broccoli rabe or burrata topped with caviar, every bite had its own story.
Stories / Travel & Destinations
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What I Ate This Week: Flights, Flatbreads & Family Football (Nov 10 – 16)
From hotel bar bites in Charlotte to Notch 8 pizza and a home-smoked prime rib, this week was a mix of travel eats and comfort food. Between customer dinners, flag football games, and lazy Sunday cooking, each day had its own flavor — literally
Stories / Travel & Destinations
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What I Ate This Week: Sandwiches, Hungryroot Experiments & Game Day Fun (Nov 3 – 9)
From a perfect Pollo Toscana sandwich to experimenting with Hungryroot meals, this week’s eats mixed convenience, local flavor, and a few surprises. With oysters at The Sinclair, nachos at Chelsea, and football feasts with friends, every bite reminded me that food is just as much about the company as it is about the flavor.
Stories / Travel & Destinations
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What I Ate This Week: Burgers, Tacos & Cozy Home Cooking (Oct 27 – Nov 2)
From a cozy one-pot chicken dinner to juicy Fairfield burgers and carne asada tacos at Geronimo, this week’s meals balanced comfort with a touch of adventure. Even the weekends brought more deliciousness — café breakfasts, Italian dinners, and a little gelato while house hunting around town.
Stories / Travel & Destinations
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What I Ate This Week: Comfort, Cajun Smoke & Family Feasts (Oct 20 – 26)
From a creamy Tuscan chicken pasta to bone-in Cajun smoked pork chops, this week’s menu was all about comfort and connection. Between house-hunting, family milestones, and a few nights out with friends, each meal offered something special — a reason to slow down, share a story, and savor the good stuff.
Recipes
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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Broccoli Recipe
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Broccoli combines juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender broccoli in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired dinner that tastes like Tuscany in every bite. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s perfect for weeknights or when you want comfort food that feels special.