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    Home

    About

    My name is Cara Mia Cipolla. Translated in Italian, it literally means My Dear Onion.

    Cara Kretz portrait in sunny window

    Cara Cipolla Kretz, Member, International Association of Culinary Professionals.

    As a home cook, wife, start-up entrepreneur, recovering corporate workaholic, and travel aficionado, the creation of HomemadeItalianCooking.com™ is a natural place for me to explore my culinary heritage while finding a little creative enjoyment. My goal is to pass on my recipes, tips and secrets and hopefully inspire others to become great home cooks. In addition to the blog, I also write cookbooks, teach cooking classes, and take on the occasional consulting project for other culinary businesses.

    Family and Food traditions are important to me.  I grew up in a large Italian, Catholic family in the Chicago suburbs. As the eldest of eight children, living in close proximity to Nonnie (my grandmother), numerous aunts, uncles, and tons of cousins, I learned to cook for a crowd.  My sisters - Marisa, Gia, Lisa and Lara - and I were the sous-chefs to our two Grandmas, and Mom. Three generations of women from two Italian families converging in the kitchen together. It was bliss.  At first our jobs as young chefs were to set the table and wash dishes. Eventually they let us help to roll out meatballs, stuff the ravioli and tie the braciole.  We learned from the best.

    Grandma and Grandpa Cipolla store

    My father's family comes from Aragona, Sicily, an especially beautiful village in the mountains near Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. My grandparents Settimo and Maria Cipolla emigrated to Chicago from Aragona and opened a grocery and butcher shop on the North side. Food was always central to our family as long as I can remember.

    My mothers's paternal family is from Ireland and maternal family from Campagnia, Italy. Surprisingly potato gnocchi was not often on the dinner menu. We were blessed that my Mother wrote down many of her family dinner recipes. However some of her recipes just had to be learned by watching.

    In this blog I will show you the tips and secrets of three generations of Italians and point out shortcuts that make it easy in this modern world. Since some people learn better by watching and doing, I have also included short videos for some of the recipes that will focus on more of the techniques and process  I use to make a successful dish. For the foodies, I even have a few advanced and fun dishes to try.

    Cuccidati Class

    SUBSCRIBE for updates, and follow me on YouTube and Instagram. Share my recipes with your friends and family.  I'd love to get your comments and feedback too! You can also email me at cara@homemadeitaliancooking.com. Buon Appetito!

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    Hi, I'm Cara Mia Cipolla. My goal is to pass on my recipes, tips and secrets and hopefully inspire others to become great home cooks. In addition to the blog, I also write cookbooks, teach cooking classes, and take on the occasional consulting project for other culinary businesses.

    More about me →

    Delicious Detox & Powerfoods cookbook. Buy Now!

    Global Cuisine

    • Oven Baked Corned Beef with Guinness Beer and Crispy Smashed Red Potatoes for St. Patrick's Day
    • Succulent and Crispy Pork Belly on Chinese Steamed Buns with Pickled Cucumbers and Hoisin Sauce
    • Spanish Paella on the Grill
    • Peach Panzanella Salad with Honey Cardamom Vinaigrette

    Holiday & Special Occasions

    • White Turkey Chili with Beans and Jalapenos for Super Bowl
    • La Befana’s Panettone Ice Cream Cake for Epiphany
    • Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Sicilian Christmas Eve Dinner
    • Amazing Two-Ingredient Pumpkin Cake with Buttered Rum Glaze for Halloween

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