It's been a bit...

Life at Casa Mazzola has been a whirlwind through April and May. Between travel, family time, and all the little things that fill a season, my cooking and recipe testing have fallen a bit behind. But even in the busyness, there have been some sweet milestones and fun changes in our world.

First, we welcomed a new great‑nephew on March 16th. I drove to Tennessee the first weekend of April to meet him, and oh my goodness—pure joy. Those tiny newborn days go by in a blink, and every new photo shows a whole new little face. I can’t wait to get back for more snuggles.

While I was there, I also came home with a very special souvenir: a jar of my niece Claire’s sourdough starter, lovingly named Roxanne. I’ve tried (and failed) to grow my own starter before, so I happily accepted the head start. And let me tell you—my very first loaf was a triumph. Anthony and I were so proud we decided our new starter needed a name of her own. So, meet Matilda. You’ll be seeing plenty of Matilda‑powered recipes and discard creations popping up soon.

For our International Dinner, Anthony spun his trusty wheel and landed on Germany—perfect timing since we’re headed there this fall. I dove into Sauerbraten, a classic German pot roast that gets its magic from a long, tangy marinade. The roast soaked for three full days in the fridge, and the result was melt‑in‑your‑mouth tender. We loved it so much it’s already earned a spot on our “make again” list. I’ve included a photo below so you can see that beautiful, cozy plate for yourself.

More adventures—and more recipes—are on the way. Thanks for cooking through life with us.

Sauerbraten

Matilda's first loaf