Transport yourself to the Mediterranean with this cozy meal of tender chicken thighs that are gently cooked with vermouth, lemon, olives, and prosciutto.
Linda Pacchiano, Recipe Tester
A list of all the recipes Linda Pacchiano has tested.
Linda Pacchiano has been a Leite’s Culinaria tester since December 2006. After graduating with a degree in foreign languages and international business from Georgetown University, followed by a long career in the pharmaceutical industry, she pursued culinary and pastry arts at the International Culinary Center (founded as the French Culinary Institute) in New York City. She also trained in advanced cake design at New York’s Institute for Culinary Education.
Pacchiano worked as a Chef/Instructor at the Viking Cooking School in Fairfield, NJ for six years, as an Adjunct Culinary Instructor at the County College of Morris in Randolph, NJ, and served as a Wilton Method Instructor for 10 years, teaching all levels of cake decorating courses.
She currently volunteers at the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry, leading their Kitchen to Table program, creating nutritious meals, and guiding corporate volunteer groups in preparing meals for the Food Pantry’s homebound clients. She has also led cooking demonstrations for the Food Pantry’s clients, instructing them on how to prepare simple, nutritious meals in their home kitchens. She is ServSafe Certified by the U.S. National Restaurant Association.
Jim Lahey’s No-Knead Bread
Behold, the no-knead bread recipe that incited an insurrection among home bakers everywhere.
Crème Caramel
Similar to flan in its delicate texture, this classic creme caramel is as simple as it is sophisticated. You’d expect nothing less from the French, yes?
Pan Seared Scallops
Perhaps the easiest and most elegant dinner conceivable. Here’s how to cook your pricey (and worth every penny) sea scallops to perfection.
Hamantaschen
Our testers are singing the praises of these sweet cookies that are stuffed with poppy seed and apricot filling. We’re quite certain you will be, too.
Sugo di Pomodoro ~ Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce
“Simple, quick, and delicious.” “Elegant.” “It sure as heck is good.” That’s what folks are saying about this easy weeknight supper.
Chicken Apple Sausage
Seriously, it’s so easy to make your own sausage. Insanely easy. And holy heck, does it taste phenomenal. No meat grinder required.
Cheese Danish
A startlingly spectacular made-from-scratch cheese Danish that is going to forever change your notion of what a cheese Danish ought to be.
Wild Mushroom Risotto
The secret to this intensely flavored risotto? Using chicken stock mingled with the liquid from rehydrating dried porcini mushrooms.
Parmesan Potato Gratin
We used to get our gratins and scalloped potatoes confused. But then we tried this gratin. Guess which one is now our favorite?!
Roast Pork with Crushed Grape Sauce
An elegant yet easy approach to roast pork that draws on iconic autumn flavors. And it’s as affordable as it is impressive.
Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Earthy collides with slightly sweet in this beautiful burnished brioche and wild mushroom stuffing. (Did we mention it’s easy?)
Dark Chocolate Mousse with Candied Hazelnuts
Give this decadent dark chocolate mousse a try and see why our testers are calling it the best chocolate mousse they’ve ever tried.
Spicy Beef Taco Bake
Taco casserole. Were there ever two words more beautiful side by side?
3 Ingredient Condensed Milk Cookies
Homemade cookies that require only 3 ingredients and no mixer? You bet. It doesn’t get any easier than this, folks.
Crab Cake Burger
Fresh crab necessitates only Old Bay and very little in way of other ingredients. That’s exactly what you’ll find here.
Breaded Oven Fried Chicken Thighs
These crumb-coated thighs come together with no fuss and can easily be adapted to whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand.
Peach and Crème Fraîche Pie
Whether you seek convention or innovation, you’ll find it in this haute yet humble peach pie, which draws on tradition yet still wields some surprises.
Corn and Roasted Poblano Soup
Our testers are calling this creamy, comforting bowl of sweet corn and roasted poblano soup “the essence of summertime”. We couldn’t agree more.
Grilled Whole Fish with Cucumber Salad
Take the guesswork out of grilling whole fish with this easy recipe. A creamy cooling cucumber salad completes this summer meal.