Italian Olive Oil
on Nov 18, 2009 in General I couldn’t imagine cooking an Italian meal without olive oil.  Like fine wine, olive oil takes time and patience to be perfected.  Like wine, never cook with an olive oil that doesn’t taste good to you.  The quality of the oil will gre...

Pollo alla Parmigiana
on Nov 14, 2009 in Poultry Recipes This is one of my favorite dishes to make for the kids.  Herb and cheese encrusted chicken, pan fried then baked with red gravy and fresh mozzarella cheese served on top of your favorite pasta.  True Sicilian parmigiana is made with eggplant but th...

Napoli in Chicago
on Nov 9, 2009 in General Since I’ve started these posts I’ve always emphasized family and the difference between corporate and family owned businesses.  The passion and pride Italians have, have always shown in the products they produce.  Wines, cheese, olive oils, can...

Stuffed and Looooooooooooving It!
on Nov 4, 2009 in General This recipe is not from my ebook, “Mia Cucina Pazzo”, but it’s one I’ve been making for my family and friends for a long time.  I just add a little oregano and basil, some Mozzarella and Asiago and called it “Italian St...

Chocolate Italian Style
on Nov 2, 2009 in General Since Halloween is over I feel like talking about chocolates. Not just any chocolate but Italian chocolates. Chocolates like, "Perugina Bacci", "Amedei", "Venchi", "Caffarel", and of course "Ferrero". These chocolates are considered some of the fi...

Chocolate Italian Style
on Nov 2, 2009 in General Since Halloween is over I feel like talking about chocolates. Not just any chocolate but Italian chocolates. Chocolates like, "Perugina Bacci", "Amedei", "Venchi", "Caffarel", and of course "Ferrero". These chocolates are considered some of the fi...

Mussels, Mocali Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 and a Macanudo!
on Oct 31, 2009 in Seafood Recipes I can’t get enough of this delicious dish.  A couple of days ago I had a few people over for dinner and made this Mussels in Marinara recipe, drank two bottles of Mocali Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 and smoked a few Macaudo’s after dinner...

Mussels, Mocali Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 and a Macanudo!
on Oct 31, 2009 in Seafood Recipes I can’t get enough of this delicious dish.  A couple of days ago I had a few people over for dinner and made this Mussels in Marinara recipe, drank two bottles of Mocali Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 and smoked a few Macaudo’s after dinner...

Caputo Cheese Market
on Oct 28, 2009 in General An unbelievable place to visit is  Caputo’s Cheese Market located at 1931 North 15th Ave. in Melrose Park.  It’s an Italian cooks dream to find over 1000 cheeses as well as delicious deli items and a variety of imported Italian products...

Caputo Cheese Market
on Oct 28, 2009 in General An unbelievable place to visit is  Caputo’s Cheese Market located at 1931 North 15th Ave. in Melrose Park.  It’s an Italian cooks dream to find over 1000 cheeses as well as delicious deli items and a variety of imported Italian products...