Breaking Bread in L’Aquila Breaks Bread with George Clooney’s The American

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2010

Breaking Bread in L’Aquila Breaks Bread with George Clooney’s The American!

Maria Filice, food stylist and author of Breaking Bread in L’Aquila, contributes three regional recipes to the website of Focus Features’ new film The American, in advance of the September 1 release of the George Clooney thriller.

With the film set in the Abruzzo region of Italy, Focus Features asked Ms. Filice to provide three recipes that exemplify the cuisine that Clooney’s character might have enjoyed. “I was thrilled to be contacted by Focus Features and asked to contribute to the movie in some way—especially when the earthquake-ravaged region deserves so much attention. Abruzzo is unusually rustic and beautiful, with the sophistication and Baroque elegance of L’Aquila at its center.”

Filice’s book Breaking Bread in L’Aquila is the perfect companion to the Clooney film. Its regional recipes are both classic and contemporary. The Canadian-American author was inspired to write about this untouched region during her years of extensive travel through Abruzzo’s communities, where she experienced first hand its delicious food, lively culture, and beautiful music.

To view Filice’s recipes, please visit the Focus Features website: http://focusfeatures.com/article/the_cuisine_of_abruzzo?pageref=4.

The cookbook was published on April 6, 2010, on the first anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the Abruzzo region. Releasing the book on the earthquake’s anniversary was a message to the people of the region that “we have not forgotten.” Additionally, the author is donating the book’s net proceeds to the restoration efforts and the assistance still desperately needed in L’Aquila.

First-time author Filice considers herself an honorary “L’Aquilana.” Her book has received abundant praise from print and online reviewers, including the Library Journal, i-Italy, and Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts. She writes a lively and entertaining blog from her kitchen at foodandfate.blogspot.com.

For more information, please contact David Nudo, Marketing Director, at davnudo@gmail.com.

Maria Filice, Breaking Bread in L’Aquila
ISBN: 978-0-914386-43-8
Price: $29.95

Buy directly from the publisher at telospress.com/foodandfate, or from Baker & Taylor, Follet, Coutts, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Midwest, or YBP.

The American Abruzzo Recipes

Ciao Everybody,

Focus Features-the company that produced and is now distributing The American starring George Clooney asked me to contribute an article on the cuisine of Abruzzo!

You can read my article and those of other fellow culinary experts by clicking the link below:
http://focusfeatures.com/article/the_cuisine_of_abruzzo?pageref=4.

Feel free to share the link with your friends, foodies, acquaintances, on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Google, etc. Thank you!

warm wishes,

maria

Radio Interview with Terry David Mulligan: The Tasting Room

It was a thrill when Terry David Mulligan contacted me to interview me about my book “Breaking Bread in L’Aquila” for his radio show The Tasting Room. The Tasting Room is heard on various radio stations, including CKFR AM 1150 in Kelowna, British Columbia and CFUN AM 1410 in Vancouver.

It was so much fun breaking bread with Terry! Terry’s easy going and relaxed style made me feel right at home in my kitchen. Terry is referred to the “Dick Clark of Canada”, the youngest living Canadian teenager!

I hope you enjoy! Click here to listen to the interview.

maria!

Pasta with Porchini Mushrooms and Fresh Italian Sausage

It happens to the best of us! I got a little intimidated when I decided to cook a bowl of pasta to my wonderful friends from Rome (they are great cooks)!

I added porchini mushrooms to my simple tomatoe sauce while I slow cooked fresh Italian sausage and chicken breasts.

Just before I was ready to serve….I pulled a “Ralph Cramden” – getting a little stage fright…… A reminder that “if” it happens to you, take a deep breath and tell yourself that you poured a lot of love into the pot!

After serving my pasta, my friends cheered: Complimenti Maria! Brava! I had a sip of red wine and with a toast with my guests: Buon Venuti and Buon Appetito!

Maria!

ps – my apologies…..forgot my camera but will post this tasty dish, photo and proper recipe measurements soon!

Seafood Salad To Perfection!

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The secret of the perfect seafood salad is timing. When your favorite fish is cooked to perfection, add a little extra virgin olive oil (live a little …experiment with infused oils or a drop of truffle oil). Add: fresh lemon wedges, fresh italian flat parsley (chopped), 1 clove of minced garlic and juice of one lemon. DONE! I sometimes like to add olives, marinated mushrooms (or whatever I see in the pantry, counter or refrigerator). Adding a little of this and that makes it your signature dish!

Serve over a bed of greens as the perfect antipasto or light lunch or dinner!

The recipe is my book “Breaking Bread in L’Aquila” – I serve it in decorative martini glasses, garnished with radicchio!

Don’t forget to serve with your favorite white wine or rose wine.

a presto,

maria