Big Mamma's Italian American Cooking
This is a collection of recipes from Teresa Lapetina Greco (Big Mamma), her daughter Elizabeth Greco Noviello (Mamaw), her granddaughter Marie Noviello Casazza and her great-granddaughter-in-law...Lee Casazza. My cookbook is available in a hard cover. Email me if you'd like to purchase one. They are only $15.00 plus postage. All photos are protected by copyright. Buon appetito!
Sunday, December 29, 2024
ZUPPE DI PESCE
Monday, December 23, 2024
MARINATED MOZZARELLA BALLS
Sunday, December 22, 2024
SPAGHETTI ALL'AMATRICIANA
This is one of the simplest and most delicious pasta sauces. In Rome this tomato sauce is served with bucatini, which is a hollow version of spaghetti; it's like a straw with a tiny hole. The sauce originated in the small town of Amatrice, about 2 hours northeast of Rome. In Amatrice, they prefer spaghetti. Sadly, an earthquake destroyed almost the entire historic town.
6 oz guanciale or pancetta, diced
1 T extra-light olive oil
½ medium yellow onion, diced
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (28-oz) cans whole peeled Italian tomatoes
¼ cup Pino Grigio or other dry white wine
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
CHICKEN MARSALA - Pollo al Marsala
In Italy you usually see Veal Marsala on the menu in restaurants. Some people believe this recipe was originally created because Marsala wine (a fortified wine) was produced around the city of Marsala in Sicily.
This recipe is made with boneless chicken breasts and is prepared in under 45 minutes. This is a classic Italian-American recipe.
2 small or medium size boneless chicken breasts halves
Monday, November 11, 2024
CLASSIC CHICKEN PICCATA
Chicken Piccata is on the menu in most Italian restaurants, and it is so easy to prepare at home. The recipe originated in Italy with veal. Serve this with Risotto or pasta and a green salad.
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
½ cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
1 cup chicken stock or broth
2 T capers, drained
3 T unsalted butter, room temperature
2 T chopped Italian parsley, for garnish
Dredge chicken in the flour mixture and set aside on a platter or pizza pan.
Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large cast-iron skillet.
Add the chicken to the skillet and fry for about 4 minutes on each side, until golden.
Transfer chicken to a platter or pizza pan and set aside.
Add the garlic and cook another minute.
Add the wine to deglaze the pan while stirring.
Pour in the chicken stock and simmer a couple of minutes.
Stir in the lemon juice and capers and simmer 3 to 4 minutes, to reduce slightly.
Remove skillet from heat and stir in the butter and allow to melt.
Sunday, September 29, 2024
FARFALLE PASTA SALAD
Farfalle (butterflies or bowties) are one of my favorite pasta types. Serve with grilled salmon or chicken. . .even as a complete entree.
Thursday, September 12, 2024
TUSCAN PANZANELLA SALAD
Panzanella roughly translates to bread (pane) small basket (zanella). This salad is especially wonderful when tomatoes are in season. If you want the salad to be a complete meal, add a can of rinsed and drained cannellini beans to the salad for protein.
Serves 4