The history of the puttanesca sauce is interesting. Some say, because of the Italian translation of the name, puttanesca, which means prostitute, a whore’s favorite meal. But I know a much likelier version of this history from my mom’s home town, the island of Ischia. Apparently, it was late one night and clients showed up … Read more
Vodka releases flavors from the tomatoes that are alcohol soluble. The alcohol coaxes those flavors out and then disappears. But the alcohol does lend some flavor. It is almost sweet, peppery flavor that makes the tomatoes taste sweeter. If you can taste the alcohol, the sauce hasn’t cooked enough. The cream should be added at … Read more
It’s hard to imagine south Italian cooking without eggplant — on pasta, grilled, stewed, roasted, stuffed and more. I included a stuffed version that is absolutely delicious with non other than our authentic Marinara sauce! Ingredients: 2 medium eggplant 8 oz ground beef 1 large thinly sliced onion 4 Tbl extra virgin olive oil 1 … Read more
Mussels are a staple of southern Italian cooking. I found that no matter what dinner table I sat at or what restaurant we ate at while visiting family in Monte di Procida and Ischia mussels were always part of the meal, either as an appetizer, on bruschetta, on spaghetti in a soup or even on … Read more
Ingredients: 12 oz fresh Salmon 4 oz grated Parmagiana cheese 1 cup heavy cream One 25 oz jar 825 MAIN Marinara Sauce 1 lb Farfalle pasta Procedure: Bake salmon for 12 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. In a medium skillet add cheese, cream and Marinara Sauce on simmer. Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts of … Read more
Ingredients: 2 small zucchini 2 small yellow squash 1 yellow pepper 2 small Italian eggplant 1 large thinly sliced onion 4 Tbl extra virgin olive oil One 25 oz jar 825 MAIN Marinara Sauce Procedure Thinly slice pepper add to skillet with EVOO and saute for 10 minutes on medium heat, meanwhile thinly slice remainder … Read more
Ingredients: 24 littleneck clams 1 clove chopped garlic 1 Tbl fresh chopped parsley One 25 oz jar 825 MAIN Marinara Sauce 1 lb linguine Procedure: Wash clams and scrub under cold running water with stiff brush. Discard any opened clams. Combine olive oil in saucepan heat. Add clams, still in their shells. Add chop garlic … Read more
Ingredients: 1 lb peeled deveined raw shrimp One 25 oz jar 825 MAIN Marinara Sauce 1 lb linguini Procedure: Bring 2 quarts of water in pot to a boil add, 1 teaspoon salt & begin cooking pasta for 7 minutes. While pasta cooking in large heavy skillet sautÃ. diced shrimp with Marinara sauce on medium heat … Read more