Tag: seasonal

Crispy Succulent Shrimp (Gamberi Fritti)

Crispy Succulent Shrimp (Gamberi Fritti)

When I was a kid on a steamy summer Friday night in Jersey, fried fish was one of my favorite dinners. My Mom lightly dredged an array of fish in flour and quickly fried them in olive oil. We ate the fish hot out of 

Summer Heirloom Tomatoes Are In

Summer Heirloom Tomatoes Are In

I returned from NYC to find the first decent crop of local heirloom tomatoes. A big, fat golden and red orb in the farmer’s market had my name on it. The ripe tomato had a sweet aroma and was just firm to the touch. You 

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms (& Friends)

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms (& Friends)

I made baked stuffed mushroom caps to accompany prosciutto and smoked mozzarella on my antipasti platter. That’s them in the front of the plate. Stuffed mushrooms are quick and easy to make and pack a lot of flavor. Serve them hot out of the oven or 

Easter Savory and Sweet Ricotta Pies

Easter Savory and Sweet Ricotta Pies

The Spring holidays are upon us. Passover is covered. We’ll be at Joyce Goldstein’s Seder celebrating the Italian Jewish kitchen. (Our private table is full. Sorry to those of you who wanted to join us. Maybe next time.) Now I’m getting ready for Easter. I’m making 

St. Joseph’s Day Is Coming! Make Zeppole

St. Joseph’s Day Is Coming! Make Zeppole

March 19 is St. Joseph’s Day, also Father’s Day in Italy. It’s the time of year to make a special sweet, Zeppole di San Giuseppe. You find zeppole all over Italia this time of year. Each region makes them in their own way. In North 

North Beach Farmers’ Market Is Back

North Beach Farmers’ Market Is Back

I missed the Sunday North Beach farmers’ market since the tents were rolled up last October. But spring has sprung and the market re-opened last Sunday. It’s in a new location on Powell between Union and Columbus right across from Washington Square Park. This is a much 

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. 

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.

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.

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 

A Jersey Thanksgiving

A Jersey Thanksgiving

We’re all gathered in northern Jersey for our Italian-American Thanksgiving dinner, 3 generations in the kitchen today. My sister Rose and her daughter Wendy are in charge, I’m just the sous chef. RoRo has been rocking in the kitchen since 7 this morning and barking 

Free Recipe: Salsa Verde (Green Herb Sauce)

Free Recipe: Salsa Verde (Green Herb Sauce)

A really versatile condiment that you can serve with vegetables, fish or meat.

Italian-American Thanksgiving – Roasted Turkey, Chestnut-Sausage Stuffing, and Gravy

Italian-American Thanksgiving – Roasted Turkey, Chestnut-Sausage Stuffing, and Gravy

Recipes for Italian-American roasted turkey, chestnut and sausage stuffing and turkey gravy.

Giardiniera (Pickled Vegetables)

Giardiniera (Pickled Vegetables)

Giardiniera, flavorful marinated vegetables, is a staple in the Italian kitchen. Make up a batch. Great on sandwiches or on an antipasti platter. It’s versatile!