Next Day's Tomatoe Sauce = Bolognese

Nothing tastes better than a bowl of spaghetti prepared by mamma. This basic "go to" tomatoe sauce is also included in my book "Breaking Bread in L'Aquila". My mother uses San Marzano tomatoes - tomatoes that she jars at the end of the summer.

Today, she added sautéed ground beef (leftover from yesterday) and added fresh basil and hot chili flakes (we like a little heat = we're Calabrese) and freshly grated parmigiano cheese!

The perfect dish for any day of the week!

a presto,

maria

Next Day's Tomatoe Sauce = Bolognese

Putanesca Sauce (well almost)!

One of my favorite pasta sauces is Putanesca - very simple, spicy robust flavours!

I prepared it last weekend..... forgot the capers! On the other hand, how can you go wrong with garlic, anchovies, red chili flakes, black cured olives, Italian tuna and fresh Italian flat parsley = great sauce poured over spaghetti al dente!

That's the great thing about Italian cooking - it's a little of this and that right from your pantry. Don't forget, a great glass of vino !

a presto,

maria

Putanesca Sauce (well almost)!

Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic

What's better than the aroma of garlic and rosemary wafting through the house! The perfect eau de pollo ....

Let the garlic and rosemary marinate your oven roasted chicken with the perfect, fresh ingredients. I like to serve my roasted chicken with roasted potatoes, rosemary and roasted garlic. This is another simple recipe in my book "Breaking Bread in L'Aquila".

It's great for next day lunches and panini!

I enjoy this dish with a glass of white - Trebbiano d'Abruzzo

a presto,

maria

Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic

Poli Comunicazioni Interview

Hi Everybody,

I was in Italy in October'2010 and spent a few days in Florence. Poli Comunicazioni interviewed me and I wanted to share the interview.:

http://www.mediacentertv.net/breakingbread/video.html

Special thanks to Antonietta Petruccelli and introducing us to Anna Santucci for making this interview happen!

a presto,

maria

Poli Comunicazioni Interview

I'm Honored!

Women in the Spotlight

I met Laura Ponticello and other inspirational women at one of groups I joined - WOMEN TIES. Last month I was guest speaker at a luncheon and spoke about my book and how social networking has really opened up great opportunities around the globe.

Check out her website at www.laurasbooklist.com - she has a wonderful showcase of women books with inspirational stories. I'm honored that Laura included me in her showcase. Read more about her too!

a presto,

maria !

I'm Honored!

Same Time Each Year !

Hi Everybody,

I'm looking forward to hosting our annual Telos Conference this weekend. Tonight, I am hosting the pre-conference dinner at my place, 30 guests (editorial and guest speakers). I will take photos of the dishes that I prepared. I'm preparing dishes from my book "Breaking Bread in L'Aquila" and more.....

There are a few vegans, vegetarians and those like me who eat almost anything.

Whenever someone asks me what "I like", I always reply with "ask me what I don't like".

a presto,

maria !

Same Time Each Year !

Ooops ! It happens to the best of us !

Over the weekend, I made biscotti from my book "Breaking Bread in L'Aquila". I'm serving them at our Telos Conference this weekend during coffee breaks!

I measured enough to make four batches. I realized after mixing the seven cups of flour, something was wrong. The batter was a little too wet. I realized I added four extra eggs in error. What was I going to do ......

I didn't have enough to make two extra batches, besides, the bowl couldn't hold six batches of cookie dough. It was now turning into an I Love Lucy episode ...

I added more flour, vanilla and sugar (a little of this and a little of that).

Nobody will know the difference unless of course someone is reading this blog!

It happens to the best of us! I wonder if that seven-egg sponge cake resulted in an error. Read it from my other blog posts!

a presto,

maria

Ooops ! It happens to the best of us !