Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic

Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic

Few dishes are as comforting as roasted chicken! I especially like this one, because it sends the beautiful aroma of rosemary wafting through my house.

Read more on my blog: http://askamydaily.com/roasted-chicken-with-rosemary-and-garlic

More great recipes from my book Breaking Bread in L’Aquila.

a presto,

Maria

Veal Cutlets

IMG_7506Hi Everybody,

I love veal cutlets …. cotoletta!

What’s the difference between a veal cutlet and a veal schnitzel? The schnitzel, Austrian version of a cutlet does not use the egg wash, just bread crumbs and flour only. The Polish cutlet is a breaded pork chop or chicken (no egg wash). In other cultures, the Australian version uses lamb, but if you make it with chicken, they call it a chicken schnitzel. In Britain, a cutlet is referred as a fried chop and no bread crumbs are used. In Russia, cutlets are pan-fried mincemeat croquettes (breaded meatballs). In India, a cutlet is cooked meat with spices, which are then dipped in egg and bread crumbs.

This version of the recipe reflects my Southern Italian roots from Calabria. In Italian, they are called cotoletta.

Read more at my weekly blog:  http://askamydaily.com/veal-cutlets


a presto,

Maria !

Summer Sandwich Time in Italy

This week’s blog was written in L’Aquila:

paniniheaven1

read more at:

http://askamydaily.com/summer-sandwich-time-in-italy

While travelling this week, I had the opportunity to eat my all-time favorite sandwich: a prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato Panini. The photograph above was taken at a local no name bar owned by two brothers. L’Aquila is a town just 90 miles east of Rome in the Abruzzo region of Italy. These are the best panini you’ll ever find, and they’re well worth the trip! Simple and delicious: prosciutto, fresh creamy mozzarella, and perfectly ripe tomatoes.

Easy to make at home:  
This sandwich is prepared with freshly sliced prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and sweet vine tomatos. Before you layer the sandwich, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar on one of the slices of bread (lightly), then layer the prosciutto (2-3 slices), two slices of mozzarella and tomato slices. If you have fresh basil, thinly slice or tear in small pieces) and add on top. Another option is a sprinkle of dry oregano.

Always remember, the secret to a perfect sandwich are fresh ingredients.

a presto,

Maria

Eataly opens in Rome!

Auguri to Oscar Farinetti

The New York Times has described it as a “megastore” that “combines elements of a bustling European open market, a Whole-Foods-style supermarket, a high-end food court and a New Age learning center.”

New location in Rome opened 6-21. www.roma.eataly.it

I’m in Italy as we speak – hope to report back with photos on the new location.

I met Oscar Farinetti at the store opening in NYC. He loved my cookbook “Breaking Bread in L’Aquila” and was very happy to put my book at the store in NYC. I hope to see him this week!

a presto,

maria

Happy Father's Day

Hi Everybody,

Happy Father’s Day!  This week’s blog is dedicated to my dad:
http://askamydaily.com/happy-fathers-day

My cooking is in my DNA on both sides of the family!

pastaandchickpeasandother1

a presto,

Maria