copyright 2009, Maria Liberati

Being a foodie when I think of the World Series..it doesn’t bring to mind baseball but  brings food to mind…  not just any food..Philly has  great soft pretzels..great with mustard or you can make a yummy grilled cheese sandwich with a Philly pretzel and fontina cheese. NY city brings to mind my favorite bagels..and NY cheesecake.  Of course Philadelphia has a famous Italian market and so does NY city (Brooklyn)…So if we had to decide the world series on food  I don’t know if I could pick a winner, would probably be a tie. Do you have any favorite foods from Philly or NY?  They are both great food towns..when visiting both cities you will always say ’so much food, so little time’  because there is never enough time to taste everything. And it really makes you think..do you have to be a great food town to get into the World Series??..I mean what we would have done if Boston was also in the World Series..too much great food to occupy your mind (and stomach) how could you concentrate on any game??

I can’t predict whther Philly or NY will win but I know  they will both have great food to celebrate with- so it’s a win-win situation all around…another occasion to celebrate with great food!  Here is a recipe for a long time favorite in Philly’s Italian market (now you can find them all over the city)-the Philadelphia cheesesteak. You can also find vegetarian ones in the city,they are healthier and are worth a try also..

 http://trifter.com/usa-canada/pennsylvania/philadelphias-famous-cheesesteak/

http://notecook.com/appetizers/sandwiches/authentic-philadelphia-cheesesteak-recipe/

In the spirit of the World Series, do you have a favorite Philly or NY city food? Tell us about it.

Just in time for the Holidays get your copy of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking : Holidays & Special Occasions

Hope to see you at my next appearances at:
 Monday, Nov 2, 7 PM-Willingbboro Public Library in Willingboro, NJ

Saturday, Nov 14th, 2pm. Warren Twp Library, Warren NJ
Sat Nov 21st, Kuhns Corner Books, Perkasie, Pa

Sat December 12th, Franklin Twp Library, Franklin NJ

Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene,

Maria

copyright 2009, Maria Liberati

Editor: Eliza Chute

Who can have a bad day, when the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky? But better question is, who wants to be inside? Picnics are a great outdoor activity, whether it’s taking lunch in the park nearby your office, or hiking through the mountains to a beautiful peak point, and settling in there. If you are tired of the same old portable food options you have always been bringing, and looking for easy alternatives, try reading The New York Times article by Mark Bittman (link below) that outlines 101 20-minute dishes for picnics. My personal favorite thing to bring on a picnic, is a pesto and mozzarella sandwich. It’s fast and easy to make and even great cold. All you do is spread pesto on toasted bread, add the cheese. I also like to add tomato or sun dried tomato for a little extra flavor. (It also makes a nice pesto grilled cheese if you are at home, in that case it is especially good with Monterey Jack.)

Although picnics are a great summer activity, picnics on the beach get a little bit more complicated, sandy food is less than desirable. There is nothing worse than the crunch of sand as you bite into a sandwich you’ve been waiting all morning to eat. The key to avoiding such a catastrophe: packaging. First and most common mistake: baskets. Although they are cute and the quintessential picnic accessory, there are holes in them, so sand gets in. Due to the environment of the Beach, I doubt you will be able to have a salad without every bite getting ever more crunchy as it travels from your Tupperware to your mouth. Sandwiches are probably the best way to go, however if you are really craving a salad try putting it in a whole wheat wrap for a healthier lunch.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/dining/02mini.html

 copyright, 2009, Maria Liberati

It is amusing to sit and watch how people that are extremely cold warm up. Some will stare in disbelief at their reddened hands, almost frozen and unable to move. Others seem to think that laughing  to shake off the cold’s icy touch is the best solution. Then there are those that will just sit without uddering a word, who seem to sit mute  almost as if  in shock.

After visiting the ’square coliseum’, we knew we needed  some solution  to the cold wind.  The Solution ………was a visit to Palombini  (coffee bar) next door, the visions of sweet pillows of pastry and colorfully decorated cakes for Carnevale and Easter  was all that was needed to get us inside. That was the easiest decision, now came the world’s most difficult decision..what should we order or not order…

It was the perfect resting place for cold weary shoppers.. in the Eternal city how can anything but indulgence be your mission..food ,fashion, beauty, art, architeture..

To my next visit to Palombini and enjoy some tramezzini at home if you can’t meet me there.

Join me at The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm Cooking School in Italy on Sept 23-Oct 6th at the villa. Stay for 6 nights/ 7 days with us and enjoy hands on authentic cooking classes, vineyard tours, visits to artisan food producers, wine tastings and more. (Almost all inclusive)_Everything exept airfare..Included is all meals cooking classes, lodging, excursions, wine tastings and transport from airport and back. Limited to 12 participants and if yo uregister by May 1st you receive $200 off the price. An Experience you will never forget. Makes a great Mother’s Day gift!

Visit our recipes and articles page, updated frequently with all the recipes you have been asking for and more to come.

Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene

Maria