By Maria Filice • June 23, 2012 This week’s blog was written in L’Aquila:
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
By Maria Filice • October 24, 2011 
This is a meal with a mix of a little of this and that!
I always have chicken soup in the freezer (broth, veggies and chicken). I wanted to spice it up:
I added one cup of dry lentils (simmer on medium for thirty minutes)
Then added a bag of fresh spinach (simmer for three minutes)
I added leftover smoked gouda and fresh mozzarella from a dinner party (I had cubed before packing in freezer).
salt, fresh ground pepper and red chili flakes to taste!
Today, it’s lunch with my interns! Serve with your favorite crusty bread!
a presto,
maria
By Maria Filice • July 15, 2011 In this heat, who wants to heat things up in the kitchen! Today, I prepared a Gazpacho with my Maria twists …..
Ingredients:
3-4 Tomatoes, finely diced or 2 cups of grape tomatoes (cut in halves)
2 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped
1 Large Red Onion, finely diced (use your favorite)
1 english cucumber, finely diced
1 Yellow Bell Pepper, seeded and finely diced (adds nice color)
1 lemon, juiced and rind lemon
a pinch of red hot chili flakes
1/2 cup Fresh Italian Flat Parsley, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup of olives (your favorite)
1 cup of fresh mozzorella balls (cut in halves)
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1 tsp. dried oregano
2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
6-8 fresh basil leaves (rough chop)
Mix everything in a large bowl and ready to serve. A great antipasto or the perfect meal. I like the lemon zest and juice to the mix – gives it a fresh taste!
Serve with fresh crusty bread! Not to mention, a glass of chilled white wine or water with slices of cumumber!
I will be preparing this dish on CHCH TV 11 on August 18th! Stay tuned !
a presto,
Maria
By Maria Filice • May 2, 2011 
Not sure why the song “Wooly Bully” came to mind when I was preparing this salad but …. here’s a quick lunch that is not hard to prepare. The lyrics to this song on the other hand are hard to understand but a classic rock tune from Sam the Sham and the Paraohs in 1965 (well before my classic rock listening days) …..
I prepared a fresh salad (use your favorite greens) and added fresh mozzarella topped with sun dried tomatoes and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. I served with fresh crusty Italian bread and a great brainstorm session with one of my interns, Janie thereafter!
a presto,
maria
By Maria Filice • August 5, 2010 
How best to start a great evening of breaking bread with friends and family ……
One of my favorite antipasti (appetizer) is serving toasted bread with a variety of different toppings: roasted peppers, olive spread (tapenade), sauteed mushrooms (just to name a few in the volt). THEN…..a platter of pecorino cheese, fresh mozzarella, provalone …. vino/wine. I love serving on platters and passing around and choosing your favorites (one, two, three…..) around the table and sharing –
Don’t forget…..I will be preparing some of my favorites at my cooking class on October 1st. Classes fill up fast ….
Front and Center, 188 Front Street, Owego, New York 607 687 1760
www.frontncenter.net
a presto,
maria
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