THE STORY OF PORCHETTA

So Barb asked why is porchetta so meaningful to me. Well according to some research and to validate what I thought it is a dish of the Lazio region- the area of my birth! Central Italy near Rome. Now other areas of Italy may make their own version of the dish. Basically the meat from the pork is used. The skin is used as a base. It gets stuffed with layers of the meat and fat. Spices are added like garlic, rosemary, fennel, salt, pepper and perhaps a herb or two depending on the chef! Rolled in the pig skin and tied to keep everything in. The skin becomes crispy after hours of cooking in the oven. The meat is very tender. The one bought for the party that was my previous post is a speciality of Vicentina Fine Foods.  I do not know what herbs and spices they use. It became popular in North America when Italians immigrated here. Pork is a popular dish of Canadians too. Pork roasts and pork chops are cooked by many Canadian families coast to coast as staples. Although Italians will call a pork roast porchetta, it really refers to a special way of cooking the pork not just a regular pork roast in the oven. The modern pulled pork sandwiches sold in sandwich stores  are porchetta. Many Italian-Canadians in Ontario love porchetta. It can be bought in slices for everyday lunches or on meat platters. However, made as a big porchetta for a party it is better.

Don't you think? #vicentina
Vicentina

PORCHETTA FROM VICENTINA'S FINE ITALIAN FOODS VAUGHAN ONTARIO

My daughter and son-in-law hosted a wonderful Family and Friends Christmas party December 13th. For our contribution, a porchetta roast was provided for it.

Vicentina is a wonderful location in Vaughan that serves Fine Italian foods. #vicentina
Vicentina

A porchetta roast- 15 lbs. was bought for the celebration. So what is porchetta? Pork or from the porco-pig, it a " boneless pork, slow-roasted to perfection and seasoned with traditional Italian spices" according to the Vicentina brochure.

So early Sunday morning, the friendly staff provided our roast and our bag of a dozen buns.

Neatly wrapped for easy transport, it stayed warm before it was ready to be served.

Barb bought some mustards- regular french, dijon and a mustard with some herbs to complement it. The skin is crunchy and can be eaten if wanted!

In a bun as a sandwich or just some pulled pork on a plate, it was a delicious addition to the feast.

Granpa loves to cook but also loves to eat! The porchettta was a big hit. Maybe Barb and I will go to the Vicentina lunch room for a quick sandwich sometime on one of our outings.

BUON APPETITO!

PIZZA AND MORE PIZZA ALONG WITH CAKE

My little granddaughter turned 2 on Thursday. So a quick pizza dinner and cake to share in the event at her home with the other grandchildren was fun. Then her birthday party with friends at a playground setting Friday with more pizza, fresh vegetables and dip, fruit and cake. Celebrating was more important than staying on my diet. So today no more pizza and just the veggies and dip. Well maybe- Barb did bring some pizza home from the party!!

COOKING HELPS THE HEALING PROCESS

I was so bored with having to heal after my knee surgery. So one day when Barb was home she passed me the cutting board with carrots, onions, celery, garlic. She got the passata and meat. "Make me a sauce." So unable to stand by the stove, I prepared the items for the ragu sauce sitting. Barb helped with the pot on the stove. I put in the ingredients, stirred and added the rest of the items and let the sauce simmer. Yes the aroma in the house was good. I had knee surgery and some glitches but I am back. The cook is back! Getting back to normal routines is a great way to heal and work through the pain! And eat well!!

GOOD TO COOK AGAIN

I must be on the mend. Seafood sauce- shrimps and clams with tomato passata- on some linguine was a good lunch for Barb and me. I can balance on my walker so I was okay. Now what can I make today?

GRANPA IS ON THE MEND

After knee surgery I can make some simple things but have to leave the cooking for meals up to Barb. We had take out Chinese Food on Friday as we did not get home from the hospital until 6 pm. Barb has made farafalle pasta with rapini. A slow cooker pot roast with potatoes, carrots, onions and beans was made for dinner last night. The kids came by yesterday with some buns and pizza from my favourite bakery. She made peameal bacon and a fried egg for breakfast.  Of course when Barb cooks I always need salt. It is our standing joke- not enough salt!! Then she does give me that look sometimes- you know the one wives make!!

A CANADIAN THANKSGIVING

The start of the long weekend. Time to shop. Already have a frozen turkey in the freezer with extra thighs to have more dark meat. Barb does the dinner while I prepare the vegetables. Most posts coming about the meal. This cook has to shop!!

CALABRESE BREAD/PANE IN RICHMOND HILL ROBERTO'S BAKERY

My daughter, husband and children recently moved to Aurora Ontario. It is convenient for me as I have found a new bakery for bread on the way to their place.

Actually I heard about the bakery one day at Grande Cheese- a wonderful store for cheeses and a variety of Italian products. One of Barb's favourite stores! On Sundays Roberto's bakery brings their bread there. There was a crowd waiting for it. It was the hard bread in the style from Calabria- a southern province of Italy. Someone said if you like it so much, you can go to the bakery, it is just on Bathurst north of King side road. Still Richmond Hill address but closer to Aurora.

Barb and I took the grandchildren home around 0730 from a sleepover last weekend and stopped for a  cappuccino on the way home while waiting for the bread to be finished. An early morning shot of the store while the new supply of goods was being freshly baked. Chatting with the baker/owner who said he gets up at 5 not 3 like some bakeries. He made our coffees then went to the back to finish the first round of baked goods. They have been in this spot for over 5 years. We told the baker/owner that we love the bread and have told others. New satisfied customers.
I asked the lady who came later how the crust becomes so hard. She said they bake it an extra hour.

I wanted the regular loaf and buns. There is the round version that is popular too. The bread fresh from the oven is good with fried eggs for breakfast. Tomatoes with some oil, garlic and parsley on a crunchy piece is very tasty too as a quick lunch item. Or just a fresh slice with anything!
Roberto's has other items like cakes, pastries, a hot table for lunch, deli and coffees. It is a little place but does the trick with its good food.

Now another reason to want to go to see the family in Aurora!

FISH AND CHIPS ON A FRIDAY NIGHT

So a quick Friday night trip to the Allencourt Restaurant in Richmond Hill for a quick meal of Fish and Chips. It is hard to find a good old fashioned Canadian restaurant in town anymore. Barb had her fish and chips with coleslaw and a coffee. I don't like coleslaw so had it with the Greek salad. I also had a coffee with my meal. The halibut fish was tender and the batter crispy. The french fries were big fries made in the traditional way. Like the kind that we make at home that can be fried in a deep fryer or on the stove. I get a craving for Fish and Chips once or twice a year. So craving filled, next Friday will need a different menu.

SATURDAY NIGHT TO THE DAIRY QUEEN

I decided to take Barb out again on Saturday night. It was a trip to the local Dairy Queen for an Ice Cream Cone. Well Barb had the Double Brownie Chocolate Fudge Sundae- at lease I think that's what it was! I just had a large cone with no chocolate dip! Barb informed me that it is the same Dairy Queen across from the Richmond Heights Plaza where she has been having ice cream since 1962. New employees of course but the same location. There are other items on the menu like warps, burgers, fries so the business goes year round. And still good ice cream. Nothing fancy! A warm Saturday night for a cone sure is living!

DINNER OUT TO START THE LONG WEEKEND

Barb complained that we had not gone out to eat for ages. So Friday night, we went to our favourite Chinese Food restaurant in Richmond Hill. The Choice of the Orient has been in town for the same length of time we have- 27 years. We have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and just Friday nights out there The usual- 2 spring rolls, chicken wings, Cantonese Chow Mein, Peppered Seafood Combination and Lemon Chicken. Barb had a Blue Hawaiian Cocktail instead of the usual glass of white wine. Sometimes we order more but it was enough and even took home some leftovers for Saturday lunch. We are known there as the owners always greet us. They wondered where we had been but actually for our May anniversary we had ordered takeout from them. Nice start to the long weekend and this granpa did not have to cook.

FRESH GNOCCHI FOR A SUMMER FEAST

Finding some ricotta cheese in the fridge, I decided to make enough gnocchi for 3 families.A cooler kitchen allows the pasta to be firm. Putting it in the freezer to keep it fresh for dinner later, a simmering ragu-meat sauce will complement the dish.  Although only the end of August, this cold weather dish is always a favourite with my family.

With just a salad it is a great meal. Or it can be a side dish for a full dinner. I often make it with potatoes but heh today cleaning out the fridge netted the family this hearty pasta treat!

FRIDAY IS PIZZA AND CALAMARI

So I bought my pizza for the gang from Grande Cheese as normal. I had bought a large bag of calamari or I thought they were calamari. Anyway sitting down to dinner Friday the calamari looked rather thin. My little grandson stated are they onion rings grandpa? Barb even dipped hers in cocktail sauce. They looked like calamari in the bag. So we had pizza and onion rings along with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden. Not time I will read the package. However, they were in the frozen fish section of the store!

JULY-COOKING THE FAMILY FAVOURITES

With extra family staying with us the last few months, it was a great challenge for this cook to keep all ages satisfied. Lots of summer salads. Turkey breasts with mashed potatoes, peas and gravy on Thursday. Pizza Fridays with some homemade zucchini pizza along with a store bought one. Chicken parmigiano with spaghetti. Lots of vegetables- beans, rapini, cucumbers were a few. Tomatoes- large and small! Lots of summer fruit for appetizers or after the meal. Veggies and dip to start a meal! Many days of scrambled eggs and bacon! Some barbecues! No homemade pastas due to the humid weather. Gnocchi is just too soft with humidity! So something to start up in the Fall. The cook has had a break from homemade.

Barb is nagging me to go to some markets as time has prevented those jaunts with other community outings like the Pan Am functions on weekends. Now with August here and life changing again, time for some of those trips. I will  gladly be sharing any adventures about eating!

DEVILLED EGGS-EASY FOR AN APPETIZER FOR A PARTY

Devilled eggs are a fun appetizer for any party. Boiling the eggs, peeling the shells, cutting in half, scooping out the yolk and putting in a bowl mixing with mayonnaise and scooping back into the half shells. Put some paprika on top with a leaf of fresh parsley then you have a nice platter of devilled eggs. Of course, this is Barb's dish- she make it. I just eat them!

WARM WEATHER BRINGS BACKYARD BARBECUES

Potato Salad is great for any summer meal especially a Saturday night meal on the back porch.

Chicken wings on the barbecue.

A simple tomato/cucumber salad with olive oil and vinegar.

Oh those summer meals with fresh bread and white wine. Love the outdoors and the relaxation.

A MOTHER'S DAY FEAST-CANADIAN MUSSELS AND LOBSTER

I made my wife a nice mother's day meal last night. Mussels with a tomato sauce with some white wine and hot peppers.

The small lobster tails were broiled in the oven.

Fried left over pepper slices the grandkids did not eat at lunch in some olive oil and garlic.

Tomato wedges and cucumbers with red vinegar and olive oil- salt to taste.

Eating on the back porch area with our kitchen dishes on a warm Saturday night was enjoyable. Dipping the lobster into heated butter with slices of Italian bread, well it was a meal made for a "queen". Barb enjoyed it so off the hook do not need to go out for a meal. To all the mothers, Happy Mother's Day especially my two daughters who are wonderful mothers. Like a good son, I took a bouquet of flowers to the cemetery last Friday for my mother who will always be loved and missed.

GRANPA'S TRIP TO VINNIE ZUCCHINI'S FOR A BIRTHDAY BASH

One of my sweet grandsons celebrated a birthday-#7 so the kids took us all to Vinnie Zucchini's for a family/birthday dinner. Italian buffet style so there is something for everyone. I am the fussy eater but was able to enjoy many of the dishes. A salad bar that I missed on the first visit to the food stations when I went straight to the seafood area. Loved the calamari. A pizza bar. A grilled food bar with lots of fresh veggies grilled but not mushy. Variety of meat and chicken. Well you know how buffets go! A inviting dessert area too. With birthday cake, no need to eat too much of the sweets. The restaurant relocated from the Dufferin/Steeles area to the edge of Vaughan Mills- a huge mall in Vaughan just off the 400 highway. Easy parking! With the seniors discount, I just may take Barb another time for a quick dinner out!

Oh the service was good too! As soon as I left the table to get another plate of food, the dirty one was removed. The most important aspect was celebrating with family and to see my little grandson so happy!! My oldest granddaughter sat beside me too so it was a wonderful time.

LAMB AND LASAGNA FOR EASTER DINNER-WITH CANASCIONE FOR A TREAT

Barb suggested I make the cooking for Easter dinner easy with an expected crowd of 15! A simple pasta with sauce she said for the first dish.  I chose to be more complicated. So yesterday I decided to make lasagna. Put it in the freezer after completing it to cook it fresh on Sunday. My mother always made a lasagna for Easter so I thought I would  keep the tradition alive. Bedsides all my grandchildren, children, guests, Barb and I like it too!

So it was a busy day with Barb away at a conference. I even had to clean up all the pots and pans as my sous chef was not available.
My family like a variety of meat. But for me lamb is a must. So I bought a lamb roast and chops that I will make with some oven roasted potatoes with rosemary as the seasoning. With the Canadians in the crowd a ham to eat with pineapple slices as well as some chicken breasts and Italian sausages. Remember there is a lot of meat in the sauce I used for the lasagna so if some of the kids do not eat the meat dish they had some in the pasta.

If time I may try to make my canascione treat- a favourite from the Ciociaria region where I was born. A egg noodle shell with an egg, cheese and sausage mixture inside which gets baked in the oven.  Easter a time for good eating. Of course everyone will bring an appetizer and dessert surprise. The kids will enjoy the Easter egg hunt that must occur before dinner. I have not finalised all the vegetables but I will make- peas, rapini for sure though.

Barb likes to make prosciutto on a bread stick as an appetizer for the guys. The kids just like the bread sticks.
For those that are new to this blog- I did write a post on making the lasagna March 2012 and making canascione- April 2012. You can find in in the listings.  For those that read regularly you know how to find the recipes I have written. Happy Easter everyone- remember to thank all the cooks in your family!

#lasangabyadolph#homemadelasagna#canascoinebyadolph#canascionefromlazio#canascioneisaciocariadish#porsciuttoonbreadsticks#lambandpotatoesforeaster#easterisagoodmealwithlamblasagnacanscione#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

SHRIMP FETTUCINE FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT

I made myself some bacala soup. For Barb I sautéed some shrimp in garlic and butter to put on top of the fettuccine - freshly made in a cream sauce. For vegetables, rapini and roast peppers with garlic and olive oil. Not bad for a Saturday night quick meal.
During the week, I made some fresh egg noodle pasta with a meat sauce- giving most of it to my two working daughters and families. My sons-in-law love my cooking too.
As Easter approaches, I will be trying to blend the two cultures- Canadian and Italian. I have noticed lots of reads for my Easter canascione. It really is true dish from the Ciociaria region.

Meanwhile the daily cooking continues. Barb loved her meal topped off with a little glass of white wine. It will be a busy week for traditional cooks and bakers. Easter like other holidays has its festive dishes. I was thinking I might make a lasagna. My mother used to make one every Easter. It could keep some traditions alive. Happy Palm Sunday everyone as we enter the Easter Holy Week.

#shrimpfettucine#shrimpsforasaturdaynight#peppers#rapini#pastawithveggiesisagreatsaturdaynightmeal#lovingsimplesaturdaymeals#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

MARCH A TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE SPRING GARDEN

Along with making a large pot of ragu sauce to go with the fresh gnocchi I made on the weekend, I have been busy seeding some tomatoes and other plants for the Spring garden. Snow is still on the ground but underneath lies the soil waiting for the good weather. I have a little spot by the back door in the kitchen with a good southern sun. Oh the gnocchi was a feast for my girls as well as keeping a meal or two for Barb. I am dieting so avoiding too many carbs but making pasta fills the need to have some fresh pasta in the house. With the weather slightly warmer, there is a pull to go outside and work. However two feet of snow gets in the way. Soon!

VALENTINE'S DAY BROUGHT A WEEKEND OF GOOD EATING

I made Barb and me a seafood feast Friday night.

Shrimp sautéed in butter, garlic and parsley, lobster tails broiled, asparagus, mushrooms cooked in olive oil with garlic, rapini, baked potato with sour cream and of course some fresh Italian bread. Barb topped her meal off with a glass of her favourite white wine.

Goodies for the family. Nut free cookies from Longos, Smarties and some heart chocolates. A little purple teddy bear for the youngest granddaughter.
A get together at a daughter's house with all the family.
Gnocchi with a meat sauce, salad, chicken and stuffed red peppers.

Since sweets are the reason for the day.

A big cookie with a heart.
And the romantic in me did buy my wife roses for the day.

Maybe it is a created Hallmark Day but a much needed break to the winter months.

A LITTLE ITALIAN/A LITTLE CHINESE ON A TUESDAY NIGHT

Cooking the same old thing every week is tiring. So on my early morning awakening, I decided to make some Italian stuffed red peppers. Going to the Chinese market I bought some Chinese noodles and bean sprouts to use in my pork stir fry.
The meal turned out quite tasty.

I prepared the peppers in the morning making 4 lovely ground beef stuffed red peppers that I baked in the oven later in the day just before dinner.

The stir fry was started early with the pork needing to be sautéed longer.

The carrots, onions and green pepper were cooked earlier too. Just before dinner, putting it all in the pan and adding the fresh bean sprouts. Cooking it enough but not to let the bean sprouts become mushy while the water boiled for the Chinese noodles.

Not a bad meal with lots of vitamins and minerals along with good taste. Needed some soya sauce to round off the taste. With a couple of peppers left over, Barb could bring one to work tomorrow. As long as I don't eat it for a midnight snack! So a little Italian and a little Chinese on a cold Canadian winter night!

GRANPA HAS A BIRTHDAY DINNER OUT

Locale in King City, just north and west of Richmond Hill was the location of a special birthday dinner for Barb and Me! Our 65th birthday celebration! With children, spouses and grandchildren, the table had 11 people. My favourite people! Italian cuisine! The food was tasty and fresh. I had the seafood linguine. While Barb had the patate pizza. Mixed greens, calamari and a couple of appetiser trays- cheese and salumi- a variety of salami rounded out the meal.

A beautiful birthday cake from the Artsy Baker was delicious. All edible fondant! Barb was most excited to get our joint birthday present- tickets to see Bob Seger and Silver Bullet Band. All in all a great night for the cook- and no dishes to wash!

A NEW YEAR FOR COOKING-2015

Ended the 2014 year with lots of good eating and some cooking.

 

Plenty of seafood during the Christmas season. Of course turkey dinner on Christmas Day.

 

                                              
                                                Fried chicken for picnics or a quick dinner.

But the winter is a great time for soups and sauces. The aroma in the house is very appealing to Barb. She like to use her bread maker her mother gave her years ago to have some fresh bread in the house. The machine does all the work.  Winter is boring without the vegetable garden. I find the fresh vegetables at the stores something to be desired. So a soup that can use soggy or less than fresh veggies works supplying the needed healthy ingredients. Besides for those like myself, time to shed some pounds. Homemade soups without any preservatives or too much sodium can help with that process.

 

Don't tell Barb but I am looking forward to being dragged to those summer farmers' markets. I have to get through the long winter months. Yes I have been reading some good books and doing my soudokos but there is just so much time to spend indoors. With the purchase of some low priced eggs from Shoppers Drug Mart, maybe the girls will benefit from some homemade pasta. Idle Cook, idle Mind! Here's to a new year of good cooking!