Dolce e Gabbana Meets 825 MAIN Marinara Sauce

825 MAIN Marinara Sauce meets Dolce e Gabbana! As we were leaving Italy this past spring, after visiting my sister Giovanna, a boutique in the Napoli airport jumped out at me! We got to the airport in plenty of time and as we settled into our gate’s waiting area, I told my husband that I … Read more

Bella Figura and Zucchini Flower Zeppole

I am so embarrassed that it has been so long since I have written a blog entry. Our only daughter is getting married and I have been preoccupied with making sure that everything is perfect because god forbid I make a “brutta figura”! But I ended up making a “brutta figura” with all of you … Read more

Broiled Shrimp Scampi Recipe from our restaurant menu

Here’s a popular shrimp recipe from our restaurant menu. Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs. Colossal shrimp (For information on choosing shrimp see my last blog post)4 garlic cloves thinly sliced1 tablespoon salt1/2 cup sherry wine1 1/2 cups butter (less butter if you don’t plan on serving over pasta)Paprika1 tablespoon parsley finely choppedLemon wedges (optional)Pasta … Read more

Slow Rise Panettone Recipe

Adapted from Gourmet Magazine, December 2008 Ingredients: 1 cup golden raisins2 tablespoons gold rum2 tablespoons hot water3-3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour2/3 cup sugar1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast1/4 teaspoon lemon zest1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise3 large eggs, room temperature2/3 cup lukewarm water1 tablespoon warm honey12-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter (10-1/2 tablespoons softened and cut into … Read more

Chicken Scarpariello

Serves 4 Ingredients: 4 Boneless Chicken breasts about a pound½ cup of flourSalt pepperCanola Oil for frying4 cloves of garlicExtra Virgin Olive Oil½ cup of white wine½ chicken stock½ cup of butter4 hot cherry peppers packed in vinegar (slivered with seeds removed)4 small Yukon potatoes (peeled and sliced in rounds boiled until tender) Procedure:

Vegetarian: Ricotta & Zucchini Balls

Ingredients: 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil4 zucchini1/2 cup ricotta drained2 eggsbread crumbs½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggianosaltblack pepper½ cup basil chopped Preparation:

Vegan Eggplant Balls

Ingredients: 1 medium eggplant, diced1 garlic clove, peeled1 shallot, minced¼ + 1/8 teaspoon saltFreshly ground black pepper, to taste1-1 ½ tablespoon(s) extra virgin olive oil¾ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (gluten-free if desired), divided½ teaspoon dried oregano¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley Procedure:

Chiacchiere al Forno – a Carnevale Neapolitan Cookie

I had a seminar this past weekend and I made an Italian cookie that is usually made to celebrate Carnevale (Mardi Gras, fat Tuesday).  The cookies are usually fried or baked and served with a cup of chocolate sauce to dip into.  For convenience of serving this as part of the cooking seminar I dipped … Read more

Grilled Ham and Cheese on Scooped- Out Italian

Ingredients: Fresh crusty Italian bread (French baguettes)Thinly sliced boiled hamThinly sliced mozzarella cheeseExtra virgin olive oilpaprika Procedure: Don’t forget to smile while you bite into the crispy gooey Ham and Cheese on scooped out Italian!

Christmas Eve’s Clams Oreganate And My Favorite Christmas Present

The Typewriter This  Christmas season I got all nostalgic and  I remembered one of my favorite Christmas present from the past. Don’t be surprised if this favorite gift of mine involves the restaurant.  My thoughts brought me back to 1971 when I woke up on Christmas morning to find my very own typewriter underneath the … Read more