I can't get no satisfaction because I can't get any fresh Italian bread around here in Jersey. Let's discuss the importance of fresh bread in any Italian household. If I'm at my parents house and there's no bread, its like there is a three alarm fire. We can not function without fresh bread. "U Pane" is the staple of the house, it was more than bread, it signified love, dinner time with my family and just always seemed to taste good with anything in it or on it..always made me feel better.
I grew up my whole life with my father coming home from work and bringing a loaf of fresh Italian bread from the bakery in Newark, NJ. Yes, these were the days when stopping "pu pane," (Thats how we say it) was an important daily ritual. Now, since I've moved out of the city suburbs into the suburbs my local grocery store has to provide me with bread that makes me want to vomit. If I want fresh bread or just even good bread I have to settle for the bagged Calandra bread brought in from who knows when. I like their bread, but I'd rather go pick up in the bakery. In New Jersey, or I should say more south Jersey, the bakery absence is a huge problem. I remember going to an occasion and promising the host I would bring the pastries, then I realized what was I crazy, I couldn't vouch for these Merigan bakeries and their pastry capabilities. What a mess. Anyway, I still struggle to find the perfect loaf of Italian bread but will remain loyal to North Jersey for what I need.
What are you thoughts? Who makes the best bread?
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4 comments:
Was that fresh bread of your childhood whole grain?
Do you know if the bread associated with the traditional Mediterranean diet was whole grain or refined?
Thanks,
-Steve
Best bread outside of Italy is definitely TERRANOVA in the Bronx. We used to leave Boston at 2AM to get there just as it was getting out of the oven, pack the van with all different loaves (including with black olives!) and sell at our Italian grocery store here. It would be gone within hours...It's pricey, but worth it. So authentic and just really, really good bread!!
Around where I live in Boston, the best is probably Bova's in the North End (our "little Italy") or Vincenzo's Bakery in Revere.
Good luck finding the perfect loaf near you! :)
and Buone Feste!
aw honey, I feel sorry for you cos I know what it is you're missing! My personal favourites are a crusty pasta dura loaf, so soft and fluffy inside and crusty on the out! or a nice hard Ciabatta! hehe....
I think you need to get a bread maker and create your -inner-home-italian-bakery!
Thanks everyone for your comments. Yes, I shall be on my quest till I go back to Italy for the real things. Oh and Dr. Parker the bread is always or usually made of a semolina. The whole wheat here in the states is different than the consistency they use in Italy. My opinion. One makes me sick and the other doesn't.
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