Sunday At the Giacomettis

  I came across these lovely peppers at a local farmers market.  I was looking for an appetizer I could serve ahead of a grilled menu.  I had one sausage to use up, plenty of bread crumbs on hand and enough cheese to open a small shop.  Perfect!  I love recipes that turn out full of flavor, yet require very few ingredients.  You will be surprised what you can do with very little.  One sausage link?  Here is the recipe. Ingredients:  About 12 baby peppers  1 cup of bread crumbs 1 large sausage link.  I used pork.  Use what you like 2 teaspoons of salt 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 2 tablespoons diced onions 2 tablespoons olive oil About 2 ounces of Mountain Gorgonzola.  ( You may use any soft, cheese your like). 1/2 cup white wine (optional) One egg 2 tablespoons diced celery leaves  2 tablespoons diced parsley Method:  Slice open your peppers.  Clean out the interiors of...

My darling husband, Alfredo, requested this delicious Risotto for his Birthday.  I usually make this at Christmas, when we can have our Lobsters flown in fresh, from Maine.  In all honesty, after an Ice storm one year and a UPS cancelled delivery for the area, I had to use plan B.   I was  surprised at what I could find at the local Sam's Club.   South African Lobster tails?  I just had to give it a try.  There was no turning back.  They are of surprisingly, excellent quality and made for a tasty Risotto.  Happy to see they are available now, all year long.    Happy Birthday Alfredo.  Here is the Recipe.  Buon Appetito~ 2-4 servings We ate this as a Main dish. Ingredients:  2 lobster tails, shells on (4-6 ounces each, larger if you prefer).  Just takes an extra few minutes to cook).  Be sure and defrost them first.  To do this, place them in a bowl of cold,...

A recent trip to the Whole Food Market in Memphis, TN, landed me in seafood heaven.  How do they do it? Better I not stop and think about it.  Just enjoyed staring into the case.  Spending at least and hour going though there selection one by one, wondering what goodness I could go home with.  Came across this mixture of seafood from the Pacific Coast.  Didn't even stop to think how long that seafood had already travelled.  Just asked them to pack me up about a pound and a half of the seafood mixture.  Shrimp, Langostino's, calamari, mussels, how bad can that be?  A quick saute in some olive oil and garlic and a splash of tomato paste is all.   This is a quick and easy recipe as the fish cooks in hurry.  In less time that it takes to boil pasta,  it's ready.  My kind of meal!  Buon Appetito. Ingredients for 6 people One pound of good quality Italian Spaghetti (Look for the Made in Italy on the package) 3 cloves...

For 4-6 people Ingredients:  One orange, yellow and red bell Pepper, cored and sliced thin 1 teaspoon of salt for your peppers 2 cloves of garlic/ chopped (about a tablespoon) 4 tablespoons of olive oil (2 for the mussels and 2 for the peppers) Pasta of your choice.  one pound Tagliatelle (homemade) or one pound Spaghetti or Fettucine pasta. Salt for your Pasta water. 2 pounds of cleaned fresh or frozen mussels. one cup of white wine Method: In a large skillet, heat your olive oil on medium heat.  Add  your mussels and toss in the pan.  Place your lid on the pan so steam accumulates in the pan.  After about 5 minutes, remove your lid.  Your mussels should be opened completely.  If you see any closed, discard them.  Add your white wine and contine to cook until the wine has evaporated from the pan (another 5 minutes).  At this point remove your mussels from the pan and set aside.  Remove what's...

BuonGiorno a Tutti! It was a hot day in New York for our Forth of July Festivities. Thank goodness for a refreshing Cannellini Bean Salad, perfect for any Summer picnic. Saluti, Barbara,  Sunday At the Giacometti's . Here is the recipe.  Please share!!! 2 cups of Cannellini Beans, Rinsed overnight and cooked for an hour on the stovetop on Simmer. Drain and let cool. Place into a deep, round bowl and add. 1 diced spanish onion 2 cups cherry tomatoes cut in half One fennel sliced thin 2 small cloves of garlic chopped. One handful of chopped parsley Handful of chopped basil 1/2 cup lemon juice Several extra sliced lemons for garnish 2 teaspoons of salt One teaspoon of pepper. Toss all your ingredients together and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Place a small bottle of Extra Virgin olive oil beside the bowl for your guests to drizzle on top. You won't be able to resist~ Buon Appetito! Can be made a day ahead too! Please share! Special Note: Omit the lemon juice and ad...

My Mom and I couldn't resist a trip to the Bronx and Little Italy today.  After all, it's Friday, and Friday's demand fish.  Who better to visit than Randazzo's fish Market, on 187st and Arthur Avenue, in the "Little Italy" section of the Bronx.    My Mother isn't so adventurous in her cooking, like I am.   She is very old fashioned (at times).   I combed through their terrific selection and came across a Mediterranean fish called "Orata."  Who could resist?   My Mom's old grill grate came to mind too.   That must be older than me.    What a perfect combination.   I never cook on a gas grill at home.   I believe in Charcoal.  My Mother, like so many of you, turned to a gas grill out of convenience, but will admit that charcoal is always bet.  In an effort to succeed, I delicately stuffed the cavity of the fish with citrus and herbs.   Although the gas grill was turned up high, ...

Everyone who knows me, knows I am full of beans.  Did I get your attention? They are literally, falling out of my freezer, all the time.   It's not unusual in my house to slide open the freezer door and see bags and bags of frozen beans.   Whenever I am home for the day, I take advantage by putting on some beans to cook.   A pot of  cold water is all you need.   After they're cooked,  cool and drain into freezer bags and they are ready to go at any time.   They are the perfect, healthy, side dish for steaks, chicken, even fish.  Buon Appetito! Serves 6 people Ingredients: 2 cups Cannellini or White beans (cooked and reserved in their water) 3 large cloves of garlic, mashed or cut in half (you can discard them after) 2 teaspoons of salt (plus more if you like) One  pint of grape tomatoes (split) 3 tablespoons of good olive oil teaspoon of pepper (optional) optional 1/2 cup of white wine Met...