Tag: authentic

Cook with Gianni Live in North Beach

Cook with Gianni Live in North Beach

Cooking Class at Cookhouse My friend Chef Tom Herndon of Hipp Kitchen asked if I wanted to do a cooking class showcasing the rustic food of Italia. Tom teaches those with food allergies and sensitivities so I’m cooking without gluten, dairy, shellfish, soy or peanuts. 

Caponata Siciliana (Eggplant and Vegetable Cooked Salad)

Caponata Siciliana (Eggplant and Vegetable Cooked Salad)

I scored some beautiful small Italian eggplant at Union Street Produce so I just had to make caponata. I love this flavor-packed sweet-sour eggplant side dish (condimento) from Sicilia. Usually I make caponata during the summer when the eggplant and tomatoes are at their prime. I 

Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and Peppers

I used hot and mild sausage from North Beach’s Little City Meats.

SF Examiner in My Kitchen

SF Examiner in My Kitchen

Gianni’s North Beach was featured in a San Francisco Examiner article. The reporter and photographer joined me while we were filming our 3 new episodes.

Father and Son Reunited in North Beach

Father and Son Reunited in North Beach

The white butcher paper with the funny Italian sayings covering the windows for months is finally coming down. Geppetto, North Beach’s second salumeria (Italian deli) will have a soft opening tomorrow. “God willing,” says owner Giovannni Zocco. Geppetto (658 Vallejo between Columbus and Grant) is 

New Year’s Eve Menu

New Year’s Eve Menu

Here’s what we’ll be eating for our North Beach New Year’s Eve dinner. Quick and delicious dishes to get you ready to roll into 2012 with friends and family.

Holidays in America

Holidays in America

Lidia Bastianich’s PBS special “Lidia Celebrates America: Holiday Tables and Traditions” is a celebration of family traditions, the common immigrant experience and the importance of food in 4 ethnic cultures. Watch it. You’ll feel good.

My Basil Pesto Gnocchi Is Too Green!

My Basil Pesto Gnocchi Is Too Green!

Olive Garden, Romano’s Marcaroni Grill, Buca di Beppo bastardize true Italian and Italian-American dishes. Stay away! Make your own easy, delicious authentic dishes.

North Beach Discovery: Fresh Truffles from Italia

North Beach Discovery: Fresh Truffles from Italia

Fresh truffles arrive in North Beach from Italia. Get them while they last at Cavalli Cafe.

Calzone From Leftovers

Calzone From Leftovers

Make calzone stuffed with sauteed escarole, roasted sausage and mozzarella. In case you don’t have leftovers in your fridge here’s the recipe from scratch.

Free Recipe: Roast Beef Studded with Garlic and Parsley

Free Recipe: Roast Beef Studded with Garlic and Parsley

Roast Beef studded with garlic and parsley is a zesty roast that you can make in about an hour. You’ll be happy if you have any left over for sandwiches.

Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes (Cena di Vigilia)

Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes (Cena di Vigilia)

UPDATE: There is now a video recipe for Cioppino, the simple and easy seven-fish San Francisco stew: WATCH NOW Italian-American families have their favorite dishes for Christmas Eve fish dinner – some serve 7 fish (for the 7 sacraments or 7 virtues), some serve 10 (for 

Fried Calamari with Vinegar Pepper Confetti

Fried Calamari with Vinegar Pepper Confetti

Calamari fritti (fried squid) takes about 5 minutes to make and you are rewarded with the fresh, clean taste of the sea.

Free Recipe: Semolina Bread with Sesame Seeds

Free Recipe: Semolina Bread with Sesame Seeds

I recently spent a delightful evening with my friend Viola Buitoni, a wonderful Umbrian cook and teacher, and Carol Field, the San Francisco author of the just reissued classic, The Italian Baker. Viola hosts the wonderful Italian gastronomy series at the Italian Cultural Institute.  The presentations 

Is North Beach Shrinking?

Is North Beach Shrinking?

I was worried about the south side of Vallejo Street between Columbus and Stockton. There was an even mix of Italian and Chinese stores on that block. Then Pulcinella Pizzeria closed and I heard that Victoria Pastry (est. 1914) on the corner was moving to