Recipes from Today’s Show: Italian Comfort Food

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TODAY on MHTV: Comfort food comes in many forms and these recipes are staples in my family. I like to serve tender Italian meatloaf, polpette, with buttery, ricotta mashed potatoes and a healthy side of steamed spinach. Traditionally savory Italian cookies, taralli, are sweetened up with Marsala wine and a lemon icing glaze thanks to this family recipe from my Great Aunt Carolina. More from the show.

Get the recipes from this episode:

Polpette

Chunky Mashed Potatoes

Steamed Spinach

Wine Taralli Cookies

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Watch ”Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn” weekdays at 11 a.m. /10 a.m. CT on Hallmark Channel. Bonus episode airs weekdays at 11:30 a.m./10:30 a.m. CT.

36 Comments
  • Elizabeth October 18, 2010 at 11:14 am

    was wondering where Lucinda gets some of her utensils from. Have been trying to find the wooden spoon she uses, it has a unique shape to it and cannot find it in any of my local stores. Could you send me info regarding that. LOVE her show and recipes, have tried them, so easy and good tasting. Thank you!!! for making cooking enjoyable.

  • sholland October 18, 2010 at 11:17 am

    Hey Elizabeth,

    The wooden spoon Lucinda has is called a spurdle; it was given to her by a wood carver in Washington.

    Hope that is helpful–any questions about other kitchen equipment? Let me know.

    Thanks!
    Sam

  • Jeanne Titus October 18, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    Hi – I noticed the large cream-colored, rounded enameled pan that Lucinda uses for many of her recipes. What is it? Thanks!

  • sholland October 18, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    Hi Jeanne,

    That is a Le Crueset braiser; I believe it’s the 3 qt.

    Let me know if you need anything else!

    Thanks,
    Sam

  • Maureen October 18, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    I have made the meatloaf from Mad Hungry several times, and it was very good. Last night I made the flat roast chicken, and it was also delicious.

  • Liz Winstead October 18, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    Hi Lucinda! I love the show … My DVR and I have not missed a single episode. We have tried several recipes and love them all. Great, practical cooking and you are so genuine and inspiring. What type of knives do you use to accomplish the chopping? Keep those great shows coming! Liz W.

  • Rica Crohn October 18, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    I love your show. I might start cooking again!/?/ What is the name of the cookware piece you used to make the German Sausage dish. I think it’s major for this event in my life! Thank you for your very encouraging show. r

  • Rica Crohn October 18, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    dah, I just saw the answer..Crueset, 3 quart…can I still watch?

  • Lisa October 19, 2010 at 4:48 am

    I love different kinds of dishes from different parts of the world. Tasting a new found dish is like having a peak of that country or place. Thanks as always. By the way, I found a social networking site that presents the most delicious food from all over the world. Enjoy!

  • Charlotte October 19, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    Love your show. Cna not wait to try the Meat loaf with pistachio’s

  • Vickie October 26, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    Loving your show….what is the name of the pots & pans you use? I badly need to update mine, and yours look so efficient and excellent!

  • peggy borreson October 27, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    Lucinda, while enjoying a day off I Discovered your show. Loved Loved Loved it. I am now a Lucinda cooking groupie.

  • peggy borreson October 27, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    Lucinda, Love your show your recipes and you. keep sharing. Thanks.

  • fran n va November 3, 2010 at 3:18 pm

    I, too, would love to know where she got her “spurdle” from. It looks like a very useful tool. Maybe, Martha S. might want to put it in her collection. Also I am looking for a “tartle” which is used to tap dough into a tart shell. If anyone knows where I can get these, please respond on this blog. Thanks.

  • marsha November 16, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    what brand of knives does lucinda use?

  • Toni Rhodes November 20, 2010 at 5:39 pm

    Just saw the answer to one of my questions regarding the pot-Le Crueset. Now I just need the answer regarding the knife. Is it considered to be a santoku knife? It does not look like a chef’s knife.

  • Mari December 7, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    HI,
    can anyone send me a picture of the spurdle
    that Lucinda uses.
    I love to have one made. it looks very useful.

    I’ve made the layer vegie casserole. it was great.

  • Mari December 7, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    I too would like to get a the spurdle she uses.
    Can anyone send me a photo of it.
    I’m trying to have one made.
    I love her recipes. most taste great and a easy to make.

  • Sandra Parker December 10, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    Hi Lucinda, love your show, you make it interesting, & so good to see your boys enjoy cooking, being on the the show with Mom, have enjoyed every show, love the way you minimize the work that goes into every dish you make, because you are enjoying the process of making each dish.
    Went to Italy last year with my daughter, on my grandaughters honeymoon,enjoyed every dish we ate!
    Love the handcarved spurdle you use, would love to know how to purchase one or two, if you could arrange specifics on ordering from the man who carves them. Just like Martha’s shows, I am drawn to yours by your expertise in cooking, & your personalty!

  • Patti Kennemore December 13, 2010 at 12:22 am

    LOVE you & your show, Lucinda…just curious (or nosey)is there a nickname your Mom or brothers call you. I’ve noticed you shorten your sons & brothers names. Yes, that spurdle is cool. Hope that carver in Washington knows there is a lively market out there wanting his talent! Your Christmas show is marvelous…makes me want to get in my kitchen and stay there for a few days. Wish you were my sister or my neighbor!
    A fan in SC.

  • Michelle in MN January 2, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    My friend just introduced me to Mad Hungry and I’m hooked! But ever since that first show we watched I’ve searched for that spurdle she uses. Would you kindly send a picture or two with a few details and I will have my super handy dad-in-law make one for me? I’d love to give one to each of my cooking friends too. Thanks so much and keep us cooking these wonderful recipes! -Mad Hungry cooking in MN

  • Lynn Peter January 10, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    Do you sell cookbooks? I am interested in getting one. Thank you !!!!

  • Kim Ferm-Bunkley January 19, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    The wooden cooking tool Lucinda uses is actually called a spurtle, her’s is a hybrid of an ancient cooking tool used to stir oatmeal in Scottland. the web site to purchase one similar to Lucinda’s is http://www.kitchencarvers.com (they call it the spurtula).

  • ROSIE VIL. January 20, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    LUCINDA,BEAUTIFUL NAME, LOVE UR SHOW .UR RECIPES LOOK DELICIOUS AND EASY, MUST TRY EM.HAVEN’T MISSED A SHOW YET .YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD.

  • Terri January 24, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    I was wondering what kind of knife Lucinda uses?

  • Rosemarie Lisi February 23, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    Love your show! My teenagers even like it too. What are the knives you use and the dishes? I liked the one you served the clams and linguine. What is that style?

  • Sierra W. March 8, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    What kind of Knife does Lucinda use?
    Mothers Day is around the corner id love to get one for my mom!

  • Peg July 29, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    Does anyone know what kind of food processor Lucinda uses?

  • Elida Giordano September 20, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    Hi,

    You are a Godsend!Isee many of my mother’s dishes on your comfort foods shows She cooked by taste , touch or feel. Hence no measurments to start . And now you are a great help. And DELICIOUS!

    I will try your meatloaf this weekend

    One correction– A meatball is a polpetta,(plural is polpette)
    A meatloaf is called a POLPETTONE- MEANING A LARGER MEATBALL!!!

    lOVE YOUR SHOW.

  • Elida Giordano September 20, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Hi,
    Ilove your show. I see many of my mother’s dishes.Because she cooked by taste , touch or feel she left no recipes . You are making my time in the kitchen easier. thanks.

    Imust correct you on naming the meatloaf a “polpetta”. that would be a meatball!

    meatloaf is called a “polpettone” because it is a large meatball!!

    Anyway,all the added ingredients make me salivate.I will make it this weekend.

  • Elida Giordano September 20, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    I DON’T FOLLOW YOUR MEANING.
    I HAV E WRITTEN 2 COMMENTS ALREADY

    I AM THE AUTHOR AND BECAUSE I CONTRIBUTE A CORRECTION, I APPROVE THIS TO APPEAR ON THE WEBLOG.

    SINCERELY.

  • Claire October 3, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Hi Lucinda,
    I love your show also. I have made many of your recipes and my family always loves them. I was also wondering what kind of knife you use? I try to chop like you, but no luck. Even when I sharpen my knives they won’t chop through parsley like yours. Could you please tell me what the name and brand that you use.

    Happy cooking!

  • Linda Kilbourn June 2, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Where is the recepie for the Vegetable Lasagna??? Can’t find it anywhere, but it looked wonderful! Was the same day you made Escarole/Bean Soup.

  • Barbara DeGroot July 17, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    What brand of knives are used on the show and what type sharpener is used? Thank you.

  • diane strong August 9, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    after reading many questions and comments, I still have not found the answer to what kind of knives lucinda uses. please let me know. i have been looking for good knives forever.
    thanks a million!

  • kari March 28, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    she uses misono knife

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