Italian American Girl: Making Giambotta- Vegetable Stew

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Making Italian Knot Cookies -

It's been a family affair here lately at Italian American Girl. Last week my mother made Italian Stuffoli, this week I took the opportunity to film my sister, Maria and niece making Italian knot cookies. We only do these projects once a year and I wanted to share the process with you.

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How To Make Italian Christmas Struffoli

Here is a video of my mother making Italian Struffoli, she's very camera shy so I couldn't really feature too much of her. LOL. As you will notice we married the shots and video together just to give you an idea of the process. I will post the recipe as well.

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Italian Cooking- Cookies & Sweets-- Traditional Recipe Talk This Sunday - December 12 at 8:00 pm

Join me this Sunday -- December 12th for a hosted chat in the Italian American Girl group on Facebook, where we will be talking about traditional recipes for dinner and desserts. What are you making for Christmas Eve? The traditional seven fishes. Did your grandmother pass down the recipe for making zepole?

These traditions are slowly get lost in our Italian American community, let's work together for a little chat this Sunday at 8:00 pm and talk traditional Italian recipes.

Everyone is invited including all Italian American aficionados in the culinary arts, I encourage you to join the discussion so you can share you expertise.

To join the group you must be on Facebook:
ItalianAmericanGirl@groups.facebook.com Tweet

An Italian Snack..Biscotti Con Pomodoro

Ok, how lucky am I that my mother made biscotto with pomodoro, peppers and basil..topped with oregano and olive oil from Italy. If you've never had this before basically its "Biscotto di Grano," which is hardened bread usually of a wheat/grain consistency. The bread is used in all types of salads, breadcrumbs and even dunked in morning latte. (which my father does) The bread is hardened but in this case to add into a pomodoro insalata we usually wet the bread with water so it absorbs the oil and seasonings and then gets soft enough with enough crunch to dip into the salad. Honestly, if you've never had this ..its a must. For me, I've grown up eating it a lot..and now that its almost the end of October my father had a few remaining tomatoes left from his garden. ( oh yes...the man is a genius) and my mother added peppers that were the last to grow from the garden as well into the salad. I don't know why this particular biscotto con pomodoro was especially good tonight, maybe because it was made with the last of the vegetables. By the way, the bread my mother brought back from Italy recently..so we had all of our ingredients ready to roll. Thanks Ma for making it! Tweet

National Lasagne Day- July 29, 2009.

What would an Italian American blog be if I didn't mention important dates such as "National Lasagne Day?" So in honor of our delicious and staple food in the Italian household, I wish you all a healthy, happy National Lasagne Day. Now, with all this talk about lasagne and sauces, I feel the need to make lasagne. Buon appetito!!

Check out a national restaurant giving out free lasagne today in honor of the holiday:
http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200907/1248805415.html

PS- I had written "lasagna" because that is how many Italian Americans identify and pronounce it, to know the "lasagne" is proper. Thank you to those who wished to see it written properly. Tweet

Super Model Turned Celebrity Chef, Maria Liberati, Appearing At Bally's In Atlantic City, NJ To Talk About Healthy Italian Cooking.

Former international supermodel Maria Liberati knows a thing or two about staying fit. In her best selling book, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking, she stresses the importance of fresh, healthy ingredients and eating in moderation. Liberati will share her recipes and love for healthy, Italian foods at the Atlantic City Wine & Food Festival at Atlantic City's Bally's Hotel and Casino, June 26-28.

According to this Italian model-turned-chef, a traditional, Italian diet is a great way to stay in shape. The recipes in her book are testaments to her belief that healthy foods can be delicious and still beneficial when portion sizes are noted and moderation is considered.

At the Atlantic City Wine & Food Festival , Liberati will be presenting summer recipes relating to a Tuscan-style picnic. On June 27th she will have a book-signing booth open all three days of the festival.

The Atlantic City Wine & Food Festival will feature food and wine tasting and chef demonstrations over the course of the three days. Other chefs that will also be making appearances include Food Network's Giada De Laurentiis and Guy Fieri.

For More on Maria Liberati:
http://www.marialiberati.com/

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Want to Learn How To Cook Like An Italian in Italy? Cooking Classes Abroad.

Cooking is great, but if you can cook like an authentic native Italian then you're in business. The latest trends sweeping the interested fans of Italian cooking are cooking schools/vacations in Italy. You can now book a week or two at a renowned Italian cooking school (taught in English) and stay at the best villas, hotels in Italy.

Imagine, being part of a one to two week school where you learn about the freshness, quality and agriculture behind all the best foods in Italy. Learn how to cook, love and nurture a passion by means of the best Italian chefs Italy has to offer. There are so many programs available throughout Italy where you can stay and cook at the venue or sign up at the local school and then stay at a quaint hotel or villa near by. Local spots are the key, the smaller the operation usually tends to be more authentic. (just my opinion) Here are a few sites where you can get further information on these types of Italian cooking schools in Italy:

http://www.italiancountrycooking.com/

http://www.divinacucina.com/

www.italiancookerycourse.com/

http://www.italycookingschools.com

If you of know of more local schools in Italy by experience or good word of mouth, please share your thoughts on this post! Tweet