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Blog – Page 13 – GT Food & Travel
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Category: Blog

  • Burritos – Anna’s Taqueria

    Burritos – Anna’s Taqueria

    I’ve been in the U.S. for 2 weeks. When I land in Boston, my first food stop is my Mom’s kitchen and then Anna’s Taqueria in Davis Square. It is a no frills, order at the counter, sit in or take away taqueria located near Tufts University. 

    I start with chips and Anna’s creamy guacamole made with mashed avocados, chopped onions, tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream.

    Then on to the “super” 12” burrito. There’s a choice of 9+ fillings. I order grilled chicken, grilled vegetables or carnitas. Last week, I had the carnitas burrito on a soft wheat tortilla stuffed white rice, black beans, sour cream, salsa and extra jalapenos. The roast pork was tender and a bit spicy. The tomato, onion and cilantro salsa adds a fresh, citris taste to the mix.

    Delish ingredients and friendly staff have made me a regular for more than 10 years. I’ve got to fit in one more before heading back to Rome!

    Anna’s Davis Sq.
    Davis Square
    236A Elm Street
    Somerville, MA
    +1 617-666-3900

  • Lunch in Siracusa – Sicilia in Tavola

    Lunch in Siracusa – Sicilia in Tavola

    After KBT and I grazed our way through the Ortigia market, we sped off to our lunch reservation at Sicilia in Tavola.

    We started with polpette di pesce neonata grigliate (grilled whitebait patties). The fluffy clouds were laced with peppery parsley, parmesan and topped with a splash of lemon juice. They were cooked perfectly. (Note: I learned yesterday that there is an EU-wide fishing ban on neonata due to overfishing. I will not be ordering neonata anytime soon and encourage others to do the same).

    We chose gnocchi con ricci di mare e pistacchio di Bronte (gnocchi with sea urchin and chopped pistachio nuts) and spaghetti mare con granella di mandorle (spaghetti with mixed seafood and grated almonds) for our first courses.

    In Sicily, I search out ricci di mare in any form I can get my hands on. Creamy and bright, it tastes and speaks of the sea. The plump potato pillows in a light fish sauce topped with coral bits and toasted green gems were luscious.

    Spaghetti mixed with tender shrimp and chunks of fish was complimented by sweet grated almonds.

    Due to a food coma, we stopped eating after the first course.  The warm service, simple décor and range of fresh seafood based pasta dishes make for a winning recipe. I recommend making a reservation.

    Sicilia in Tavola
    via Cavour, 28 Siracusa
    Tel. +39 392 4610889
  • Eating our way through the Ortigia Market – Siracusa, Sicily

    Eating our way through the Ortigia Market – Siracusa, Sicily

    I can’t spend enough time in Sicily. I am a bit bias given two of my grandparents were born near Napoli and the other two near Siracusa (Syracuse)…so when my friend, KBT, and I squeezed in a food crawl in Siracusa I was elated.

    The cool sea air of the nearby fishing port engulfed us as we walked to Ortigia. The small island of Ortigia is the historical heart of the city and it’s where you’ll find the market located on Via De Benedictis and the surrounding streets.

    A seemingly endless spread of mussels, calamari and swordfish is displayed beside piles of cheese, spices and salami. Cleavers crash down on white cutting boards, vendors shout and shoppers breeze by; I was mesmerized.

    Every five steps we stopped to munch on Sicilian snacks. Buttery raw shrimp, fresh ricotta and nuts were on our hit list. Some of the best pistachios I’ve ever tasted are from Bronte. I meant to stop myself after I bought the first pound of these lustrous green gems but before I knew it, I had a two pounds of pistachios, two bags of Avola almonds and a sack of sun-dried tomatoes in tow.

    Next stop…Andrea Borderi’s shop. Tables of pear-shaped smoked provola, wheels of pecorino and small rounds of ricotta salata (lightly salted milk curd that is pressed and dried; it is nutty and mild tasting) were placed beside cases of braided mozzarella.

    Andrea offered us a slice of peppery sheeps’ cheese and his special tricotta (ricotta cooked three times) drizzled with olive oil and oregano over thin crisp bread. The velvety milky bite sprinkled with perfumed green specks vanished quickly in our mouths.

    Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted rectangular blocks of aged cheese – Ragusano. This was the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese that I was hoping to find; a specialty from this region, it is made with whole milk from Modicana cows which are reared in the province of Ragusa.

    Andrea eagerly offered us a taste. As he carved away at the cracked golden-yellow chunk, it appeared as if it would crumble under the weight of the knife. He handed us a generous unbroken piece. It was piquant like aged provolone and moist with oil. I added two pounds of vacuum sealed perfection to my expanding baggage and we were on our way. We were late for our lunch reservation but that’s a tale for another day.

     
    Borderi Shop
    Via De Benedictis, n. 6
    Ortigia Market, Siracusa


  • Antica Marina Osteria – Catania, Sicily

    Seafood, Sicily, summertime…jackpot! I’ve been living in Rome for 4+ years and it’s become increasingly difficult to find a meal that brings joyous tears to my eyes. I knew there was a good chance that I’d find what I was looking for in Sicily.

    During a road trip in July along the east coast of Sicily, we stopped in Catania for lunch at Antica Marina Osteria. This friendly and casual local owned by Maurizio Scorza, Giovanni Leonardi and Campisi Salvatore serves seafood dishes in an intimate space tucked away on the la pescheria di Catania (Catania fish market).

    We started with an assortment of seafood antipasti for which the restaurant is well known. Eight white ceramic bowls arrived at our table brimming with delicacies from lightly fried cuttlefish to tuna, zucchini and roasted cherry tomatoes tossed in local olive oil.

    Mussels stuffed with breadcrumbs and parsley were a great contrast to the zing of thinly sliced salmon with chili pepper and mushrooms.

    Tender octopus salad and shrimp prepared like ceviche were two of my favorite dishes. The small shrimp were sweet and delicate served in a marinade of tangy lemon juice, parsley and olive oil.

    The starters were followed by tagliolini ai ricci di mare (pasta with sea urchin sauce) and tagliolini ai cozze ed alga (pasta with mussels and seaweed). The velvety orange specks of sea urchin transported me back to my Sicilian grandmother Maria’s kitchen table. I closed my eyes as it dissolved into a buttery broth on my tongue…pure bliss.

    We chose ricotta cake for dessert. The creamy and luscious cheese was encrusted by sweet toasted almonds and dark chocolate bits and topped off with a sprinkle of powdered sugar…a dream ending to a heavenly meal.

    Antica Marina’s fresh ingredients, enticing specialities and welcoming atmosphere make this a not-to-miss destination for seafood lovers.

    Antica Marina Osteria

    via Pardo, 29 – Catania

    Tel. +39 095 348197

    www.anticamarina.it

  • Making Pizza with Bonci at Tricolore

    Making Pizza with Bonci at Tricolore

    I’ve been waiting months to take Gabriele Bonci’s pizza course at Tricolore. Since the rush of bloggers, foodies and groupies partook in this Roman Pizza Guru’s initial lessons back in January, many of the kinks of this 2 day, 170 euro course have been worked out. Special thanks to writers like Katie Parla for giving their feedback about the first classes.

    I attended the two-day course on May 26/27 with my friend, Kathy. I was hooked within the first 5 minutes of the lesson when Bonci said “Cibo è sociale” (food is social). It sums up the way I feel about food and cooking, an experience to be shared, enjoyed and cherished. He teaches you to think like a chef rather than follow a recipe. While a basic recipe is necessary for the dough, it is not the end all be all, there are a number of factors that must be considered including the weather, type of flour, yeast, rising time, etc…See “Elizabeth Minchilli In Rome” blog for a detailed explanation of how to make Bonci’s famous crust.

     

    We learned how to make Pizza al Taglio (pizza by the slice) from the master himself. Pizza by the slice is Roman street food at its best. We quickly learned how it can be recreated in large rectangular pans in our electric ovens at home. On the first day, we made our own dough with a recipe adapted for home use and made pizza bianca from Bonci’s dough. On the second day, we made pizza from our dough which had rested and expanded overnight. Toppings included red onions, peppers, fresh cherry tomatoes, pancetta with shaved pecorino cheese, spinach and mortadella…heavenly.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The highlight of each night for me was the creative dishes encrusted in pizza dough. On the first day, Bonci encased two chickens stuffed with peppers, lemons and herbs in pizza crust. On day two, he wrapped pork loin topped with pancetta, orange, apples and prunes in his famous dough and a mixture of rabbit with olives in a bowl shaped crust. At the end of each class we eagerly watched as he removed the steaming top to reveal the succulent dish inside. The chicken was quickly carved, plated and adorned with a lemon sauce while the pork was served with an orange prune salsa. Each was accompanied with a piece of the delectable savory crust. I can’t wait to make these at home to share with friends!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    If you’re in Rome, be sure to indulge in Bonci’s pizza and bread at his pizzeria “Pizzarium” , Rome’s most prized pizza by the slice shop.  Address: Via della Meloria, 43; telephone 06 39745416; Cipro metro stop.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Friday Night at L’Osteria di Monteverde

    Friday Night at L’Osteria di Monteverde

    Last Friday, I had dinner at L’Osteria di Monteverde.  I’ve been a bit anti-Osteria di Monteverde since it took over the space of a popular locale and the menu was changed to typical Roman fare.  I visited the Osteria when it first opened its doors in September and wasn’t impressed but after much hype, I decided it was time to give it another go.

    Friday night, I was thrilled to see that chef, Roberto Campitelli had added many fish dishes to his repertoire.  Roberto is the chef and Fabio Tenderini runs the front of the house. The service is warm and the interior is simple.

    By 9:30 there wasn’t a seat left in the dining room. A steamy basket of irresistible artisan bread and grissini arrived quickly. Antipasti of zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, wrapped in prosciutto, served over saffron sauce and raw seabream in sesame oil were well presented. The nutty oil was a great compliment to the thinly sliced fish, mixed salad and yogurt sauce.

    Primi (first courses) included tagliolini pasta with pesce azzuro (typically mackerel, sardines and anchovies), spring onion, lemon and balsamic vinegar and pacchero pasta with arugula and fresh tuna. The tagliolini was the clear winner in this category. The homemade pasta tossed with meaty white morsels of fish was delicately balanced with lively citrus, onion and rich balsamic accents.

    Secondi (second courses) included seared tuna lightly coated in breadcrumbs with eggplant caviar and coda alla vaccinara (Roman stew made of oxtail, tomatoes and other vegetables). The coda was stewed to perfection, succulent and savory. I’ll be heading back for this dish; no doubt.

    I ended the meal with lemon cheesecake in caramel sauce dusted with powdered sugar and an espresso. The crust was moist and divine.

    Average cost per person including a bottle of water, ½ bottle of wine and coffee is 35 euro; reservations recommended.

     

    Osteria di Monteverde

    Via Pietro Cartoni 163/165

    Tel. 06 53273887

     

  • Buona Pasqua! Happy Easter from Naples!

    Buona Pasqua! Happy Easter from Naples!

    Like all holidays in Italy, Pasqua (Easter) has many traditions both religious and culinary. After 40 days of fasting for Lent, Easter Sunday arrives with enough food to feed an army.  Dishes include lamb or goat, savory Easter breads with a different twist from every region, la colomba and hollow chocolate eggs.

    I am lucky enough to spend today near Naples where my maternal grandparents were born. They brought many traditional recipes from Salerno and Avellino to Boston; specialities that my family recreates for each Easter celebration; specialities that I want to share with you from this amazing region.

    Let the food speak for itself!

    Tortano Napoletana – This savory bread is made with salami, provolone cheese and lard; melt in your mouth, cling to your arteries goodness…

    Pizza Rustica or Pizza Ripiena – This dish is filled with cheese and meat and resembles a pie. Ingredients include cheeses like ricotta, pecorino romano and mozzarella and meat such as salami, prosciutto and sausage.

    Cannelloni – This home made pasta is rolled and stuffed with ricotta cheese and ground meat and topped with tomato sauce.  After all, it wouldn’t be an Italian meal without pasta.

    Capretto – Goat and potatoes roasted with garlic, olive oil and white wine. This succulent dish signals spring time!

    Pastiera Napoletana – This cake is made with ricotta cheese, orange blossom water, grain and candied citris peel.

    Buon appetito and Happy Easter!


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