Month: January 2013

Eggplant Rollatini

Eggplant Rollatini

You know how much I love eggplant and this is one of my favorite dishes. On my restaurant’s menu in the 80s, Eggplant Rollatini was a popular main dish. I ate it often at the end of the evening service. Make the marinara sauce, fry 

49ers Super Bowl Meatballs and Roasted Peppers

49ers Super Bowl Meatballs and Roasted Peppers

What do you expect from a guy in San Francisco’s Italian North Beach who hopes the Lombardi Trophy comes home with the 49ers? Here’s an Italian-American appetizer for your Super Bowl buffet that sports the Niner’s red and gold. The meatballs are easy to make and 

Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries

Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries

Panna cotta means “cooked cream”. The classic Italian dessert now enjoyed everywhere was created in the Piedmonte region in the northwest corner of Italia. Cows have a good life in Piemonte. They graze in beautiful Alpine pastures. It’s no wonder that their milk produces fantastic butter, 

Green Bean & Red Onion Salad

Green Bean & Red Onion Salad

Add this recipe to your list of dishes that you can have on your table in less than 30 minutes. It’s healthy and delicious. I love the simple taste of green beans drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt and a 

Grilled Steak with Herb Sauce (Bistecca con salsa delle erbe)

Grilled Steak with Herb Sauce (Bistecca con salsa delle erbe)

Want a fast weekday evening meal? You can have this flavorful steak on your table in less than 15 minutes. Ribeye, strip or porterhouse steaks work well. Cook the steaks on an outdoor grill or in a grill pan on top of the stove. I was 

Panettone Bread Pudding

Panettone Bread Pudding

Panettone is a buttery bread studded with raisins and candied orange, lemon and citron peel. Italians, especially in the north, love to eat panettone at Christmas and New Year. Dunk panettone in your morning espresso or cappuccino. Panettone for dessert pairs well with a glass 

Orecchiette with Cauliflower & Anchovy

Orecchiette with Cauliflower & Anchovy

April Bloomfield just bought North Beach’s iconic Tosca Cafe on Columbus and will soon be serving her food there. She has a cult following at her restaurant The Spotted Pig in NYC’s Greenwich Village. I wondered what was in store for us when she arrives here 

New in North Beach

New in North Beach

Lots of good things happening in the Village food scene. Dogfather’s on Green is now HRD Smokin Grill, right next to Golden Boy Pizza on Green Street. The folks from the SOMA’s HRD Coffee Shop have staked a claim that they can draw a crowd for 

Tuna Stuffed Roasted Pepper Roll-Ups (Peperoni Ripieni con Tonno)

Tuna Stuffed Roasted Pepper Roll-Ups (Peperoni Ripieni con Tonno)

This is getting to be a habit. Another gathering of friends and another request to bring an appetizer. “No meat and no cheese please, and make sure the appetizer is “finger food.” OK, I’ll take the challenge. I’ve been thinking about these stuffed pepper roll-ups 

Una Pizza Napoletana’s Mangieri Back in the News

Una Pizza Napoletana’s Mangieri Back in the News

I’ve been following Anthony Mangieri for years on both coasts. Actually I’ve been following his pizza. The guy had a reputation for making pizza Napoletano, pizza as made in Naples where it all started, my personal favorite. Some even said that Anthony’s pizza was better 

Pasta with Broccoli & Garlic

Pasta with Broccoli & Garlic

My friend Susan called from Jersey and the subject of her renowned cavatelli with broccoli came up during our conversation. Actually, we talked about “gavadeal” and broccoli, as cavatelli is known in the Jersey southern Italian-American argot. The broccoli in my fridge had to be 

Fried Fritters (Pasta Cresciuta)

Fried Fritters (Pasta Cresciuta)

Frying is an important Neapolitan cooking technique practiced by generations of southern Italian-Americans. One of my fans wrote that he continues his wife’s grandmother’s Christmas tradition by making savory fried fritters with an anchovy filet in the middle for the family to enjoy every year. 

Year of Italian Culture in America

Year of Italian Culture in America

2013 is the Year of Italian Culture in America, a campaign by Italy’s Foreign Minister to create renewed buzz and help Americans learn more about Italia. Events are planned throughout the U.S. San Francisco will play a leading role in the festivities. I can’t wait for spring 

Spaghetti Squash with Sage and Garlic

Spaghetti Squash with Sage and Garlic

A friend suggested a winter squash as a side for my New Year’s Eve veal roast stuffed with spinach. Spaghetti squash was a perfect choice. The yellow spaghetti squash balanced the colors on the plate. The slightly sweet squash accented by mild sage and garlic infused