Your next summer menu doesn’t need to be complicated to feel special. I’m sharing what we’ve been cooking lately at Gia’s Italian Kitchen, starting with a seriously satisfying quinoa salad that’s built for real life: roasted asparagus, spinach, cranberries, toasted walnuts, and a bright Italian vinaigrette that gets extra punch from Dijon mustard. It’s fresh, colorful, and easy to serve for guests, but it also shines as a weeknight dinner when you want something healthy that still tastes like a treat.

All the recipes are on my website:

https://giasitaliankitchen.biz/recipes-mangia

I also walk through my favorite simple trick for raw kale: massage it with olive oil and sea salt and give it time to soften. That one step takes kale from chewy to tender and makes the whole salad feel more balanced. If you want to make it a full meal, I share easy add-ons like roasted chicken or salmon, plus how to prep the quinoa and dressing ahead so you’re not rushing at the last minute.

Then we go sweet with gluten-free peanut butter oatmeal cookies that are basically baked “protein ball” energy: banana, honey, vanilla, peanut butter, oats, cinnamon, and eggs. They store beautifully in the fridge for quick snacks, and yes, I admit to an extra swipe of peanut butter on top.

Finally, I put backyard rhubarb to work with a bright pink rhubarb syrup, then turn it into a rhubarb mint mojito idea for the Fourth of July.

If you like practical recipes, make-ahead tips, and seasonal cooking that stays fun, subscribe, share this with a fellow home cook, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.

Craving a private dinner experience with family & friends?

Imagine a unique cooking experience where you could be the hero! We will create memories for friends & family through private dinner parties (virtually or in person) & employer teambuilding events via Italian cooking experiences. You select a custom menu, I provide the instruction!

My full menu can be found on my website: https://giasitaliankitchen.biz

BOOK private cooking experience, virtually or in-person, for a fun and unique experience that you will all absolutely love!

• Family across the country? Create memories with the kids and grandchildren to laugh while you cook with me with a virtual class.
• Girlfriends in 6 different states? Craving a virtual cooking experience and happy hour, let’s get cooking!
• Friends or family want a private dinner party in-person?
• I can come to your or provide a local kitchen space

Learn more about us…all of our socials here: https://linktr.ee/giasitaliankitchen

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Estes Park, Colorado gave us the perfect mix of mountain adventure and “what should we order next” energy. We just got back, and we’re unpacking the trip in the most delicious way: a mini food tour, a couple unforgettable hikes, and the kind of drink inspiration that follows you home. If you’re searching for Estes Park travel tips, Rocky Mountain National Park ideas, and where to eat in Estes Park, you’ll get a real-world itinerary that’s equal parts scenery and flavor.

We talk through the highlights we actually tasted, from crispy Brussels sprouts and fresh, bright tacos to a savory crepe stop downtown. We also share why we try hard to stay local with cafes and coffee runs instead of defaulting to chains, because the small places end up shaping the whole vibe of the trip. Then the outdoors takes over: a 4 a.m. sunrise hike under a bright moon, big views across the valley, and elk encounters that remind you to keep your distance, especially during birthing season.

The drinks get their own spotlight, too. One brewery surprised us with a canned Italian-style spritz, and our favorite “reward” stop delivered a rooftop combo we’re still thinking about: an ahi tuna taco and a gin spritzer with St Germain, prosecco, and lavender syrup. That leads into an easy at-home takeaway for cocktail lovers and home cooks: simple syrup, plus how we infused rhubarb from the garden into a tart, gorgeous mixer you can splash into gin and club soda with lemon.

We wrap with horseback riding through the mountains, our favorite brewery pick, a funny elk moment around Estes Lake, and a daytime tour of the historic Stanley Hotel, famously tied to Stephen King’s inspiration for The Shining. If you enjoy travel stories with practical food and drink ideas, subscribe, share this with a friend planning Colorado, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.

Find the videos on all of my social medias....pick your favorite, all listed here:

https://linktr.ee/giasitaliankitchen

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Making Pasta at Kingston Yard

Get ready, Cedar Rapids — we’re turning up the heat at Kingston Yard this summer! Join me on Sunday, June 14 at 2pm for a live, on stage pasta making experience that’s fun, flavorful, and totally unforgettable. VIP tickets are on stage with me!

Get your tickets here (https://giasitaliankitchen.biz/shop/ols/categories/special-events)

I’ll be rolling, shaping, tossing, and saucing fresh pasta right before your eyes — sharing chef secrets, Italian cooking tips, and the kind of kitchen magic that makes homemade pasta absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re a foodie, a home cook, or just someone who loves a great local event, this is your chance to experience Gia’s Italian Kitchen live.

Want to be HANDS ON? Get the VIP experience up on stage with me! Limited VIP tickets available! Get them NOW!

🎉 What to Expect • A high energy, interactive cooking demo • Fresh pasta made from scratch — right on stage • Tips you can use at home the same night • Laughs, stories, and Italian kitchen vibes • A delicious, community driven experience at Kingston Yard

📍 Where: Kingston Yard, Cedar Rapids (145 – 3rd St SW)

📅 When: Sunday, June 14 at 2pm CST

🎟️ Tickets: Limited seating — grab yours early (https://giasitaliankitchen.biz/shop/ols/categories/special-events)

VIRUTAL ATTENDANCE - we do have an option to attend virtually, for a reduced ticket price. A video link will be sent after purchase.

Come hungry for inspiration, flavor, and a whole lot of fun. Let’s make some pasta together, Cedar Rapids — see you at Kingston Yard!

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.

Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!