Saturday afternoon, Chip and I drove to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx to meet my cousin Angela and her husband, Adrian (Herbie) for lunch. I have not seen my cousin in over 20 years, yet we have experienced each other’s lives, pictures, and families via Facebook. We were long overdue to get together. Looking for food comfort in our Italian roots, we selected the San Gennaro Restaurant. Chef Gennaro is a warm and engaging master of Italian food with a Naples…
Limoncello. Sheer perfection when lemon and sugar meet alcohol. I took my first crack at a batch of Limoncello. I initially tasted this lovely liquor when Chip and I were in Italy. Once outside of Pompeii we had fresh limoncello on a hot August afternoon and again in Capri where the lemons on the lemon trees were large and beautiful. Here is a simple recipe that proved perfect. Try it. What you Need: 10-15 lemons- find some that have thick…
Growing up in an Italian household with a stay at home mom, dinners were simple and inexpensive. Macaroni or pasta as kids today call it was a cheap and effortless way to feed your family. Throw in some meatballs, old chicken or left-over pork chops and you have a meal! Wednesday was indeed Prince Spaghetti Day in my house. Macaroni is such a wonderful thing. Banished by so many health enthusiasts and waist watchers as a bad carb, macaroni in…
Wednesday’s Recipe for Saturday’s Dinner centers around dessert. This week we will make Zabaglione, pronounced [zah-buh l-yoh-nee; Italian dzah-bah-lyaw-ne] This is a splendid custard-like dessert made often with Marsala or Limoncello. Chip and I made it both ways but loved the Limoncello! What you need: 5 egg yolks (save the whites for breakfast) 3 tablespoon of sugar 25 ml of Limoncello lemon zest to taste fruit of choice! What to do: Simple: Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in the top half…
Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my Irish friends! I have spoken often of my Manhattan roommate, Patricia Cunningham, God rest her soul. We lost her too early in life but her "Irish memories" will stay with me forever. I think about the differences in our take on life and how your genetics and ethnic background can form you in ways you don't realized until faced with it. On that note, here are some reasons why I know I have…