Blog - Proud Italian Cook

Mamma Agata’s Sausage and Red Pepper Pasta

May 7, 2012 by Marie 170 Comments

Do you know who Mamma Agata is? Just in case you don’t, let me introduce her to you. Mamma Agata is a legend on the Amalfi Coast and Ravello. At a very young age her cooking talents were being noticed and shortly after, her name became famous among American movie stars and politicians.
Mamma Agata has cooked for Humphrey Bogart, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Fred Astaire, and Jacqueline Kennedy just to name a few.Today you’ll find her still in the kitchen along with her daughter Chiara and son-in- law Gennaro right beside her, conducting classes in their cooking and wine school that is actually their private home. Their beautiful home sits on a clifftop, 1000 feet above sea level with a spectacular view of the Amalfi coastline.
This has been on my “bucket list” for years!

You can imagine my excitement when I received an email from Chiara asking me if I’d like to review their cookbook, pasta and olive oil. I couldn’t wait to open up the package the day it arrived. The cookbook was hand signed by all in the family and there were two different pastas, pappardelle and spaghetti, a bottle of their newly launched olive oil and a beautiful handwritten note from Chiara.

I was dreaming about the Amalfi for days! This is the actual view from their terrace! Wouldn’t you love to gaze out at this every day?
I can see why her school is called, ” The Hidden Treasure”.

Mamma Agata, “Simple and Genuine” was a labor of love written by Chiara Lima, Mamma Agata’s daughter. She wrote the book to “save” her mothers treasures for generations to come, her experiences, recipes, secrets and techniques.
Their first cookbook, which was self published, has been honored with the” Gourmand Best in the World 2010 Award” coming in second in the category ” Best Easy Recipes”. This book is filled with mouth watering recipes, there are so many I want to make like her Lemon Chicken that has a wine and herb infusion prepared four days before the dish and her Lemon Cake which she is so well known for.
You can only order the book on her website, they ship all over the world, and each and every copy will be personally signed!

I couldn’t wait to try the pappardelle, so I decided to make the Sausage and Red Pepper Pasta from the book, following the instructions to cut the peppers not to thin and not to thick.

After sauteing the peppers ahead of time I added sliced onion and cooked until golden brown. Mamma Agata likes to cook the sausage whole in a ring, then pierce with a fork, it allows the juices to flow in the pan and will enhance the flavor of the sauce.

The pasta is hearty, toothy, made with the highest quality durum wheat produced exclusively in Italy. The surface is slightly rough, perfect for absorbing your sauce!

After your sausage is seared you add in cherry tomatoes, fresh torn basil and a cup of fresh tomato sauce, I had some homemade marinara that I added to mine. Remove the sausage, cut into slices and toss it all with your slightly under cooked pappardelle and allow it to cook a couple of minutes more in the sauce. The end result is amazing!

Before we devoured the main course we sampled the olive oil, very fresh tasting with a nice peppery bite!
If you’d like to have a taste of Mamma Agata’s kitchen you can order the pasta and olive oil . Remember, they ship all over the world!

One day, I know I will be sitting here!

Bakersfield

May 2, 2012 by Marie 8 Comments

There’s a new dining spot in town and it’s called Bakersfield! Located in Westmont,Il. and created by the same folks that recently launched Standard Market, which happens to be directly across the street.
Recently I was invited to attend their soft opening.

Upon arrival I noticed the outdoor patio complete with a fire pit, fire place and a long communal table on one end. The day we were there it was cool and rainy out but soon it will be a great space to meet up with friends and dine al’fresco.
Inside the restaurant the feeling is very contemporary and casual, with plenty of light and a welcoming bar area.

The kitchen is an open concept which I love, there’s something about seeing the hustle and bustle that goes on in there. Close and upfront seating is available where you can see the chefs in action preparing your food, I might have to get a seat there next time!

A beautiful floor to ceiling glass wine room situated in the main dining room.

The menu has something for everyone, meat lovers, fish lovers, vegetarians and those who just want to indulge!

We were a party of four and started by ordering three appetizers, the first one being the Housemade Guacamole, very fresh, with lots of lime and cilantro flavor throughout.

Next, we ordered the Crispy Thai Shrimp with a mango slaw that had just the right amount of heat, loved it!

Seared Beef and Goat Cheese on sushi rice, I could have made a meal out of that alone, so good!

I came with some serious meat eaters that day, in fact this family member of mine loves steak, she ordered the 72 HR Marinated Wood-Fired Cajun Ribeye. Her exact quote was, “I’m a real steak person and this is one of the best steaks I’ve had!” My husband had the same thing so of course I tasted it and it was like buttah! My only recommendation would be just a little more heat in your cajun spice.

Check out that Loaded Baked Potato! We shuttered at the thought of the calories and WW points!

The ribs were fall off the bone finger licking good!

Me, I ordered the Knuckle Sandwich, a buttery toasty roll stuffed with Maine lobster.

I’m glad everyone else was too busy eating because I didn’t want to share it with anyone! I will order this again.

I was a little disappointed when dessert time came around because as we were eating our dinners we kept seeing this very tempting Double Nut Brownie concoction going around and diners next to us told us we had to get it along with the Tres Leches Cake, unfortunately they ran out of both and the only dessert left was the Fried Oreos with vanilla custard, chocolate sauce and ice cream.

Now honestly, I didn’t think that would be something I would ever order… Boy was I wrong!

Open for business now, visit Bakersfield for some exceptional food!

8 Comments Filed Under: Chicago Tagged: Bakersfield restaurant, Standard Market, Westmont

Caprese Ravioli with Roasted Tomato Pesto Sauce

April 19, 2012 by Marie 59 Comments

Here’s a little appetizer I put together in minutes. I fortunately have access to good quality fresh pasta sheets so it made the process go really fast!

I pre-roasted grape tomatoes ahead of time, bought some fresh mozzarella balls and basil for my ingredients.

Now believe me, I like to make fresh pasta, but I can’t just make a little bit, it ends up being an all day project with tons of pasta and flour all over my kitchen, and besides I like to do it in the winter.
So I’m grateful to purchase these neat little sheets all perfectly cut and ready to go!
I used a 3 inch cutter and was able to make about ten ravioli, enough for four people, about two each.
The perfect starter while your grilling up something!

Look how simple this is! Wet your cut pasta around the edges then place a basil leaf, a roasted tomato, (make sure it’s not too juicy) and top it off with a mozzarella ball.

Crimp them together with a fork close to the mozzarella ball so it doesn’t move around.

Boil until tender and then drain on a kitchen cloth, you don’t want them to be wet!

For a very quick sauce you can take some good store bought pesto like I did, add in a few of those extra roasted tomatoes you have, and a little lemon zest for freshness, mix together and spoon it all over!
And if that’s not enough, drizzle your plates beforehand with the best balsamic glaze you can find, here’s mine. Oh My!