Another Book Review!

Breaking Bread in L’Aquila (Food and Fate Publishing, an imprint of Telos Press) is Maria Filice’s first cook book and after reading it, one wonders –– how can that be? Where has she been hiding? Why hasn’t she shared her style of cooking –– and living –– with us long before this? Especially when what she has to offer –– recipes for nourishing, elegant, and sustaining repasts –– is characterized by simplicity, altogether too rare practicality, and great warmth.

“Read More at Thought Catalog.”
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2010/maria-filice-breaking-bread-in-l’aquila-food/.

Sloppy Giuseppe (Joe’s)

sloppy joes

Here’s what I call my version of Sloppy Giuseppe (or sloppy joe’s).

Turn a little left over bologne sauce and toasted crusty Italian bread in honor of a last minute March 19th “St. Joseph’s Day”.

A little leftover sauce (bologne) poured over some crusty bread and you just made yourself a hearty lunch or dinner.

Add a green leafy salad and a perfect meal. A little wine, a little cheese and now we’re talking …….

buon appetito!

Great Twist to a Classic: Pasta e Piselli

Pasta with Funghi and Piselli 3-12

Have you ever thought about adding mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes to the classic: Pasta e Piselli?

My guests loved it – not to mention the chef and hostess. The colors and textures were the perfect fashion bowl to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1 lb. spaghetti (or your favorite)
1 lb. frozen peas
16 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 lb. mushrooms (your favorites)
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. oregano
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, rough chop
Freshly grated Parmigiano cheese, to taste (I use a handful – the best measuring cup!)

Preparation:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the garlic, stir occassionally for a minute, as the garlic turns golden, add the mushrooms, salt and pepper. Stir for three minutes and then add the peas and tomatoe sauce. Lower the heat the medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the sundried tomatoes, oregano and lower the heat to low.

In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the past, and add to the pan with sauce and toss.

Drizzle a little more extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated parmigiano cheese.

Serve immediately……Buon appetito!

A little Abruzzo kick to your bread!

the classic aglio, olio and pepperoncini
Hold

the

pasta!

Add a little kick to a few panty favorites: aglio, olio and pepperoncino flakes! I added a little sliver of peccorino cheese and it’s a perfect Abruzzo bite!

Serves 4

Ingredients:
4-6 slices of crusty Italian bread
1 clove garlic
Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Dash of pepperoncino flakes
Peccorino cheese, slivers

Preparation
Prepare a grill pan on heat high. Toast the bread on each side for approx. 2-3 minutes.
Romove from the pan. Rub the garlic on each side of each toasted bread. Drizzle olive oil, and add a pinch of pepperoncino.

Plate the bread on platter and add a sliver of peccorino cheese on the toasted bread. Ready to serve!

Tip: serve with a salad or your favorite grilled meat or fish!

 

The Power of Google Search: Breaking Bread in L’Aquila

BreakingBread_front_cover

Hi Everybody,
I wanted to share with you an incredible contact link that I made in less than twenty-four hours! Samantha (Sammy) Dunham, creator of the website: http://www.lifeinabruzzo.com/ found yesterday’s review on “google alert”. We have been breaking bread and brainstorming some great ideas about my book launch “Breaking Bread in L’Aquila”.

We will be announcing on Tuesday (3/23) a food styling/photography contest with an ingredient close to the region: lentils. It’s going to be fun! Don’t forget to check in at foodandfate.blogspot.com for the details.

My distributor, Telos Press Publishing will be selling the book at www.foodandfate.com.

ciao,
maria