President’s Day: US and Italian Presidents Share a Beer

You didn’t know it’s President’s Day? Come on, it’s only the 50th most important holiday on the federal calendar! Wikipedia says at the federal level, this holiday celebrates George Washington‘s birthday. However, some states have changed the name or meaning to include Abraham Lincoln too. And that’s what I’m going to do, as I want to work with two loved Presidents. Continue Reading…

Penne ai Quattro Formaggi (Super Tuscan Mac ‘N’ Cheese)

It is interesting how different cultures have very similar recipes that fall into the category of “Comfort Food“: Mashed Potatoes, Meatballs, Mac ‘n’ Cheese just to name a few.

Each and every family that I know has a few recipes that are executed “on demand” whenever it might feel appropriate: if somebody is sick, if the kids are driving you nuts, if grandma is coming for a Sunday dinner. We are no different! Continue Reading…

Valentine’s Day Beer Surprise

When I told my wife I was going to give her flowers, chocolate and jewelry for Valentine’s Day this year, she was really surprised how creative I was with my gift ideas. Not! What she didn’t know is that I actually was being ultra-thoughtful and spending a lot of time designing a cool gift. And I tricked her! Continue Reading…

The Flaming Mandarin

A couple of years ago we celebrated one of our dear friend’s birthday at Katsuya Restaurant in Hollywood. It was a real treat: private room, a fantastic menu, and a continuous flow of amazing cocktails that put the smile on everybody’s face. Since that evening The Flaming Mandarin has become one of our obsessions, and every time the same group of friends now gets together, this is what we drink, regardless if we are dining or not… we are just incredibly proud we could re-create a recipe that is now become even better than the original one. Continue Reading…

Olive Oil Gelato

Who does not have childhood memories associated with food? Our first birthday cakes, the special treats that grandma used to sneak us, or maybe the first thing we cooked, or attempted to cook? BUT, do you actually remember the first food item you ever purchased on your own? I am talking about that very specific moment when you finally were able to exercise your right to choose, without mom around to judge or suggest; that moment when the little cash floating in you pocket actually was handed out to somebody in exchange for food. What did you buy? Continue Reading…

Porcini Carpaccio

Porcini mushrooms are truly a gift of nature, and a blessing for anybody with a passion for food. Leonardo Da Vinci is quoted saying that “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”; nothing could be more true about this wonderful ingredient.

The following recipe for the carpaccio is extremely quick and easy, and in its incredible simplicity will deliver the pure flavor of the Earth to your palate.

Homemade Pasta

Making fresh home made pasta is easy but a little lengthy. For the most part, in hour house we use regular dry pasta for all of our recipes however, when the right ingredients like a fresh hunted duck or a succulent chunk of Boar come around, nothing better than prepare some fresh pasta to go with it, on the spot!

When I learned to make my very own fresh pasta from my grandmother we never used a scale, a measuring cup or a pasta rolling machine. She used to have a metal spoon, like the ones you used to find in groceries stores that sold beans, lentils and other dried goods… Continue Reading…

Straccetti con Speck e Porcini

Porcini Mushrooms are a “Northern Hemisphere” delicacy that can be purchased fresh from mid Autumn until mid Winter, depending on temperature and rain precipitation. These Fungi should preferably be eaten fresh, but given the limited time they can be sourced through the year, it is very convenient to purchased them dried which makes for easier storage and convenience of use.

Needless to say, if you know mushrooms there is no comparison between the fresh Porcini and the Dried ones, however if we exclude recipes that call for raw mushrooms like salads and carpaccio, both version are totally interchangeable. Continue Reading…

Tiramisu’

Let’s not be of any disgrace to the common Italian Stereotype, and introduce this recipe for what it is…
Tiramisu’ is the Italian food equivalent of Viagra, and it comes without the risk of the “4 hours” side effect!
Eggs, creamy cheese, sugar, cookies chocolate and coffee; in the right proportions this recipe will keep you going for a few days. Just remember, in case you have kids, to use decaffeinated coffee (or prepare two separate trays of cake)… On adults the effects of this cake are spectacular, on kids however, it would not be excessive to describe them as catastrophic! Continue Reading…