My New GPS

What’s the correlation between my new GPS and my style of cooking? It’s simple and stress free!

Tip of the day: don’t forget to stock your pantry with the basics: canned tomatoes, anchovies, olives, tuna, your favorite canned beans, spices and dry pasta and rice (to name a few).

My book: Breaking Bread in L’Aquila offers simple, rustic and delicious recipes and organized to make your meals a green light success!

maria!

Fresh Blueberries and Ice Cream

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Just before I left Toronto, I prepared my dad’s favorite: fresh blueberries and ice cream. Take advantage of the fresh fruits that are now in season – blueberries (go for local).

I love ice cream and fresh berries…..any excuse for ice cream. I added a little fresh mint from the garden and some lemon rind to garnish. Simple and delicious!

Happy Father’s Day!

maria!

Quick Update!

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Here’s a quick photo of me and Lori De Angelis, CHCH Community Reporter. It was fun though….technical difficulties forced my live six segment demo to a spontaneous pre-taped segments.

I chose six simple dishes from my book Breaking Bread in L’Aquila. Simple, rustic and delicious! Will post the segments in the next few weeks.

Looking forward to more segments with Lori!

maria

Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic

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The Canadian Press reviewed my book www.thespec.com/article/768428

Here from the book is her succulent recipe for roast chicken. “I especially like this one because it sends the beautiful aroma of rosemary wafting through the house.”

ROAST CHICKEN WITH ROSEMARY AND GARLIC

Makes 6 servings

* 1 whole chicken, about 4 lb (1.8 kg)

* 3 tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil

* 3 cloves garlic, minced

* 3 tbsp (45 mL) fresh rosemary, chopped

* 1 tbsp (15 mL) coarse salt

* 1/4 tsp (1 mL) freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper and mix well. Using a spoon (or your fingers), rub mixture under skin and outside of chicken until it’s well coated.

Place on a rack in a baking pan and bake until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 90 minutes. Check chicken periodically and baste several times.

Let chicken sit for about 10 minutes before carving. Then cut into pieces and serve warm.

Serve with your favorite vegetable – choose a local vegetable – zuccini, green beans or my favorite: roasted potatoes.

enjoy,

maria

Mafaldini with Eggplant and Zuccini

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My friend Elena in Rome prepared this pasta dish and it was so delicious. Only in Rome can you find uniuqe pasta shapes (and yes, use your imagination) and they already thought of it! I couldn’t find this pasta shape but it’s a short version of the malfalde, rectangular size double side-curled.

This is the perfect time of year to use your local vegetables and add to your light tomatoe sauce to bring out of the fresh flavours. Elena added lightly sauteed cubed eggplant and thinly sliced zuccini.

Simple, fresh and delicious!