No convenience food here, unless you count the fact that I had frozen purchased sausage from a supermarket (a mix of hot and sweet), and the tomatoes were canned, a mix of JerseyFresh crushed and BioNature organic crushed. I did use rigatoni for this, my favorite dried pasta, De Cecco. (Although I do like Barilla … Continue reading
Filed under Italian …
Meant to be
It would seem there was always a restaurant critic locked inside me, waiting to come out. I had to laugh when I recently came across my handwritten notes from a dinner I enjoyed, back in 1993, at Luchento’s Ristorante, on Route 33 in Milllstone. The place (under different ownership now), was legendary for its huge portions … Continue reading
Ravioli Roundup
I had to admit this asparagus/gruyere ravioli from Whole Foods was pretty good. I served it with a little butter and olive oil, and a dusting of Parmesan, and had salad on the side. It really is amazing what good ravioli one can find now (even Trader Joe’s has some decent ones), and the quality, and … Continue reading
Le Virtù in Abruzzo
This is my September 21 In the Kitchen column from the Lifestlye page of the Packet. Since it is not yet online, I reproduce my original text here, so I can be sure to share this with online readers. Food and Traditions of Abruzzo I was all set to write about kale -very trendy! – for … Continue reading
Sausages & Grapes
I did get a little ahead of the cool weather when I made this dish a couple weeks ago. But I’d been to Mallery’s Grazin’ Meats and brought home both sweet and hot Italian Sausage. And I had these amazingly flavorful Thomcord grapes from Trader Joe’s. It’s been years since I’ve enjoyed seedless grapes, as … Continue reading
Milanese Two Ways
I love chicken, veal, or pork prepared Milanese style. Turkey works too. A pounded cutlet (or sometimes a chop on the bone), is dipped in (usually) flour, egg and breadcrumbs, and then fried in butter. Or maybe butter and oil, depends on what you like, or the chef’s preference. I don’t think it should be deep … Continue reading
Gelavino Gelato
Welcome to Gelavino Gelato in the Princeton Shopping Center! Rather than drive into the eye of the storm last night on my way home to Montgomery (and on heavily wooded roads), I pulled into the Princeton Shopping Center thinking to wait it out. I parked along the Harrison St. side, and promptly noticed a sign … Continue reading
Birthday Dinner at Camillo’s Cafe
I took my friend Carol out to dinner for her birthday earlier this month, and since I hadn’t been to Camillo’s Cafe, in the Princeton Shopping Center for a while, thought we’d give them a try. What started out several years ago as a very modest and inexpensive Italian spot has grown into a larger … Continue reading
Katie Parla’s Rome for Foodies
If you’re headed for Rome (or just dreaming like me), here’s a smartphone app you won’t want to miss. Katie Parla, a Rome-based food historian, journalist, and blogger with roots in Central New Jersey, launched her first Rome for Foodies app earlier this year, and it’s just the thing to help you find the best … Continue reading
Bruschetta Pizza?
My friend got a surprise when this bruschetta pizza was delivered to our table at Osteria Procaccini in Kingston. We’d been so busy chatting that it hadn’t really registered when the waitress made a point of saying it was an uncooked topping as my friend ordered it. The pizza is quite cool, therefore, although the … Continue reading
NJ SPICE 