Every Friday night is pizza night, which means an obligatory pizza or two that the kids like. Then there's always one, usually the 3rd out of the oven, that's made just for the adults who want something special to go with the red wine. This one was shockingly good: sauteed mushrooms with rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes, Parmigiano and the secret... crumbled and crunchy pieces of prosciutto.
A Trip of a Lifetime - Italy 2003
- Synchronicity. It was just the right place to go, the right time in our lives, the right combination of every element involved. What a blessing to have the chance to spend 10 days with your father - as an adult - to speak of all kinds of things, to visit your roots, re-trace the steps of your grandfather (and his father) and encounter magic and wonder at every turn...
Another Trip of a Lifetime - Italy 2006
- Twice in a lifetime seems too much, but it was just as good the second time as the first. In many aspects, it was even better; closer with family than ever before. And flying back First Class because of an airline error wasn't bad either...
Butterfly World 07
- A Saturday morning trip to Butterfly World in Coral Springs, FL ends up surpassing our expectations in every way. It was like walking into a dream.
Butterfly World - Again!
- When Grandpa and Grandma came down to Florida at Christmastime 2007, we just had to show them how cool Butterfly World was.
Cape Cod 03
- Our first father/daughter trip together. We travelled up to Cape Cod to see grandparents and find Blueberries!!! And some seafood and ice cream and beach time and... unforgettable memories!
Cape Cod 06
- The second father/daughter trip to the place of my roots. Magical and peaceful memories for a lifetime.
Fishing Pictures
- When Andy's Diner opens one day, these will be some of the pictures on the wall...
Guest Chefs @ Andy's
- When the challengers come to Kitchen Stadium! One in particular keeps the pictures and the gastric juices FLOWING. Go Auntie! Go Auntie!
A Malbec Quest
- Two friends strive to sample every Malbec they can find. Their opinions are those of amateur vinophiles, but their thoroughness is the stuff of legend!
Andy's Humidor
- It's my favorite way to end a great meal... out in the Florida Room, watching a ballgame or just relaxing!
La Luna Cigars
- A boutique brand on Calle Ocho in Miami's Little Havana. Known by locals and "Luna-tics" the planet over.
Padron Cigars
- Their tag line says "...quality is a matter of family honor" and they couldn't have written anything more appropriate. My Saturday morning visit produced a deep respect for the Padron family, a heightened appreciation of their quality products and the happy expectation of many a Saturday morning to come visiting some new friends.
Tabacalera Perdomo
- It is hard to miss the determination and commitment of this cigar company. With over a dozen different brands, culminating in the legendary "Edicion de Silvio", the Perdomo family is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of their patriarch Silvio and the values he came to embody.
Deeply Delightful "Hondo"
- If you are a Cigar Aficionado and will be visiting Buenos Aires in the near future, then you MUST visit "Hondo" in the city's sparkling new Puerto Madero area. Hondo means "deep" in Spanish and my evening there was DEEPLY DELIGHTFUL!
Fairchild Tropical Garden
- Lucky enough to live very close to this jewel of a spot in Miami.
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October 2009
Outta the Park...
Every Friday night is pizza night, which means an obligatory pizza or two that the kids like. Then there's always one, usually the 3rd out of the oven, that's made just for the adults who want something special to go with the red wine. This one was shockingly good: sauteed mushrooms with rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes, Parmigiano and the secret... crumbled and crunchy pieces of prosciutto.
Home Sweet Home...
Back from a wonderful trip and back in the swing of things...
Baked chicken, sauteed broccoli and mashed sweet potato with crunchy bits of American Prosciutto (see prior post detailing the goodies from Iowa).
Our Happy Place...
Always involves pasta! Penne with meatsauce, made with short ribs over the weekend and simmered for hours upon hours. Had to add a little drizzle of pesto on top too. When the week is busy, it's always so nice to have cooked up a storm on the weekend for a fridge full of leftovers!
From Miami With Love...
We had a reunion dinner of sorts tonight with the same gang as 3 months ago... but we were missing the center of attention. Our dear Cugino was stuck in Iowa and couldn't make the dinner. He sent some lots of pork products in his stead (see prior post) and we put them to the test. We served a risotto made with shallots and fresh corn with a crispy piece of speck on top that was then broken up and mixed into the risotto. Ok, and we also made al'Amatriciana. And a poached pears in red wine with vanilla icecream and pistachios... Lastly, we took a photo to show our friend how much we miss him.
That's you in the middle Cugino... and it wasn't the same without you!
Del Cielo Mismo...
Well, actually from Iowa... but it felt like it fell from Heaven. My dear Cugino from Iowa sent a spectacular care package today including...
packages of pancetta...
packages of speck!
packages of prosciutto
and a big chunk of pancetta!!!! Oh, the meals we're going to make around here... Grazie Mille Cugino!
Over the weekend, we picked up some Ditalini from a brand famous for their olive oil and hailing from none other than "the fields of Molise". We made a ditalini with butternut squash and pancetta then (with far inferior pancetta, I'll have you know!)
And speaking of Molise, my daughter had to do an art project that celebrated her family heritage. She asked for photos of the family ancestral town and then reproduced the church from there along with some of the elements from the original town crest...
A most beautiful day all around!
With a Twist...
We make homemade pizzas at least once a week for more than one reason: they're a crowd-pleaser, the kids participate in the choice of toppings, they're cheap and hearty. And they are the perfect accompaniment to red wine! The kids chose pepperoni tonight...
The star of the show - for the adults - was inspired by the cooking and flavors of the Italian region of Molise. My ancestors are from there and a list of their favorite foodstuffs was eerie to read - as it is a perfect match of the items I innately love to eat: lamb, artichokes, garbanzos, fennel... amazing. The pizza tonight was more of a focaccia bread made with no sauce, a roasted garlic spread, Pecorino Romano cheese, fresh rosemary and julienne strips of sundried tomatoes...
A little crushed red pepper flake sealed the deal. This one will be repeat FREQUENTLY!
All Over the Map...
From Pad Thai to BBQ pork to Halibut estilo Veracruzana for fish tacos
We have truly been all over the map this week!
How We Roll...
Life in the Italo/Cuban Brady Bunch home is a beautiful thing... sometimes it is Potaje de Chicharo with Tostones and Mojo. And at others, it's...
Pizza Napolitana with fresh tomato and garlic. Or a pizza with Italian Sausage, oil-cured black olives and pesto...
Whatever it is, it's a WONDERFUL LIFE, full of love and happiness.
