Monday, June 29, 2009

Recipe Monday's

Every Monday I will be adding a new Italian Style recipe to my blog for everyone to enjoy!
Today is Stuffed Artichokes and please don't be intimidated by the artichoke it is fairly easy and the outcome is so great. Also, don't think your kids won't like these because I loved them as a kid and I never had a problem feeding them to mine or anyone elses children either. Also, most supermarkets carry artichokes now and Italian import markets (the ones that carry fruits & vegatables) will also have a great selection
Stuffed Artichoke Recipe


1 cup bread crumbs

½ cup grated Pecorino-Romano Cheese

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

¼ teaspoon garlic powdersalt & freshly ground pepper to taste

6 tablespoons olive oil

4 artichokes

2 cloves of garlic, sliced


1. Combine bread crumbs, Pecorino-Romano Cheese, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium bowl. Mix together well.


2. Cut stems off artichokes, flush with bottom. Cut pointy leaves off the top of the artichokes. Spread leaves of each artichoke out and push stuffing in between them.


3. In a pot just large enough to fit the artichokes, add the sliced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the artichokes. In that order! Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the top of the artichokes.


4. Turn heat on to medium and cook until sizzling about 1-2 minutes. Add water to reach half way up the sides of the artichokes.


5. Cover and cook until the artichokes are tender and a leaf is easily pulled out, about 45 minutes. If liquid is evaporating too quickly add a little more water.


6. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle a little of the liquid from the pot over the artichokes and serve.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Festival Time























Well, July is here and that means it is Festival time not only here but all over Italy. However, unlike here in the states where the majority of our festivals fall around are wonderful patriotic holidays in Italy every festival is dedicated to an adorned Saint. You would be hard pressed to find a festival that isn't but i am aware of a festival for Mt Vesuvious that is had to honor the volcanic mountain so that it won't erupt. Anyhow, the streets are filled with people, young and old alike tasting the wares of all of the italian vendors, very popular is the fresh italian pork sausage. The sweets are not far behind Cannoli & Sfingi (a very popular sweet these are little balls of dough mixed with fresh ricotta deep fried and dipped in honey and sprinkled with powdered sugar.) YUM YUM!!! Gelato the italian version of ice cream is so fab it is nothing like ice cream the vanilla is like no other vanilla I have ever tasted. Here in Buffalo NY we are the home to one of the Largest Italian Heritage Festivals in the country. Many years ago when i was a child my family always had a fried dough stand and a cannoli stand at the festival always very popular. Every year the local Italian Fest has grown and grown but 1 thing still remains, the majority of the attendees are generations and generations of proud Italian families all coming out for the same thing. To celebrate their heritage, to be proud of who they are, hear stories of the old country and to listen to live Italian Music.





So, If you ever have a chance to visit an Italian Festival do so you won't be disappointed!!




Sunday, June 21, 2009

All things Italian


Hello Everyone


Welcome to my blog. It has been a very busy first month on-line for us. I have learned a lot about the computer over the last month and i must say i am getting very good at it.


In the Past Month


I have

--Joined,sold and bought on Etsy

--had almost 50 sales

--met a great bunch of people

--joined the beagle street team


Fathers Day sales kept us very busy including locally I had 16 dozen cookies to make for a wedding.


Now that i have learned how to blog i am hoping to spend time on this site talking about italian food,customs,traditions and well pretty much everything!


Talk Soon

AnnaMaria