5. To serve, there are two options. For a more formal look, fold back the plastic, invert the pan onto a chilled platter, unmold, and remove the plastic. Slice the semifreddo and transfer each slice to a chilled dessert plate. Or spoon the semifreddo directly from the pan (watch out for the plastic wrap) into chilled ice cream bowls. Sprinkle each serving with the remaining truffles and serve immediately.
* * *Love and Baci* * *
I didn’t grow up eating Snickers bars or Twix. In our house, we ate imported Italian candy. Every Valentine’s Day, my father would give us all Perugina Baci candy— chocolate hazelnut “kisses”—to show us how much he loved us. I still love those truffles, and thankfully, you can find them at specialty groceries now, like Trader Joe’s.
La Pacchia è Finita!
La pacchia è finita is a famous phrase in Italian that means the fun has ended, the party’s over, and it’s time to go home. But it’s not sad. Pacchia is a state of mind where you don’t worry, but are happy. It’s about the good life. Che pacchia! is the same as saying something is easy, like a piece of cake.
And so I’m leaving you with that thought: that you can live the good life no matter where or who you are. We get out of life what we put into it, and I hope you receive as much love and sweetness as you’ve all given to me.
One final Italian proverb: A tavola non si invecchia. It means, “At the table with good friends and family, you do not become old.” I’m raising my glass to all of us staying young in our hearts, our minds, and our love—even if we can’t keep some other parts from sagging just a little!
Tanti Baci,
Teresa xx
Index
A
Alici Baked Potatoes, 180
almonds, toasted, 192
America
Italy’s differences to, 20–21, 37, 58, 70, 78, 113, 149, 151–152
sayings in, 14
substitute ingredients in, 34, 35
anchovies
Alici Baked Potatoes, 180
Grilled Tuna Puttanesca, 163–164
Olivada, 42
angel food, 186
antipasti (appetizers)
about, 33, 51, 63
Bruschetta, 37–40
Grilled Zucchini Scapece, 181
importance of, 33
Mini-Peppers with Sausage-Ricotta Stuffing, 47
Olivada, 42
Portobello Mushrooms, Grilled Marinated, 48
Tuscan White Bean Crostini, 41
aphrodisiacs, 73, 143, 194
apple(s)
Grilled Rings, 122
Marinade, Herb and, 104
Marinade, Rosemary, 122
picking, 184
Pork Chops Stuffed with, 104–105
Applesauce, Joe’s Juicy, 190
Artichokes and Fontina, Chicken Breasts Stuffed with, 124–126
arugula
about, 67
Grilled Fig and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, 66
Tomato and Baby Bocconcini Salad, 75
Asiago, 34
B
Baci Semifreddo, 195–196
bacon. See pancetta
Baked Potatoes, Alici, 180
baking
ovens, grills and, 27, 51, 152–153
peels and sheets, 52
by sun, 171
balsamic vinegar, 64
barbecuing, 19–20
basil
fresh, 64
Glaze, 132
Pesto, 75, 160, 161, 173
Rosemary Marinade, 124
Summer Salad, 74
basting brushes, 26
Batali, Mario, 73
Bean Crostini, Tuscan White, 41
beef. See also steak
Giudice Burgers with Peppers and Gorgonzola, 99–100
Grilled Meatballs and Tomato Sauce, Ziti with, 158–159 handling, 84–85
Ziti with Grilled Meatballs and Tomato Sauce, 158–159
bell peppers. See peppers (bell)
Bianca, Pizza, 58, 59
blackberries, picking, 185
blue cheese. See Gorgonzola
blue crabs, 166
blueberries
Grownup Fabellini Sorbet, 193
picking, 184
Bocconcini
about, 35, 75
Salad, Tomato and, 75
bread. See also Bruschetta; Crostini
crumbs, 89, 128, 147
Italian saying about, 43
broccoli rabe
Juicy Joe’s Chicken and, 128–129
as kale substitute, 37
Bruschetta
Crostini vs., 39
Grilled Ciambotta for, 44–45
Grilled Peperonata, 179
Kale and Pancetta, 37–39
Olivada for, 42
personalizing, 40
brushes, 26
burgers
flipping, 84–85
with Peppers and Gorgonzola, 99–100
burners, 28, 29, 152
Burrata, 34. See also Mozzarella; Ricotta
butter
Garlic, 95
grilling history and, 21
Lemon-Caper, 145
C
Cake, Summer Cassata, 186
canned foods, 17–18, 73, 89, 128, 163, 171
capers
about, 143
Cherry Tomato Salsa, 142
Grilled Peperonata, 179
Grilled Tuna Puttanesca, 163–164
Lemon Butter, 145
Caprese, 75
Caramel Sauce, 191–192
carne (meat). See meat
Carrots, Fabellini Glazed, 174
Cassata Cake, Summer, 186
Casserole, Mama’s Smothered Lamb and Potato, 112–113
charcoal grills, 21–22
charring, 27, 36, 178
cheese. See also specific cheeses
on fish, 146, 147
standards and types, 34–35
chicken
Breasts, Marinated, with Grilled Apple Rings, 122–123
Breasts Stuffed with Artichokes and Fontina, 124–126
and Broccoli Rabe Dinner, Juicy Joe’s, 128–129
butterflying, 120
alla Diavolo, 120–121
doneness, 86–87, 115–116
Italian sayings about, 115, 117
Milanese, 88
mistakes, 115, 117
Parmesan, Gabriella’s Grilled, 127
Roast, Whole, with Herb Rub, 118–119
for salad entrées, 65
Spiedini with Basil Glaze, 132
temperature, 115–116
tenderizing, 82, 117
Thighs with Sweet and Spicy Rub, 130
chimney starter, 27
Christmas Eve, 72
Ciambotta, Grilled, 44–45
clams
Jersey Shore Seafood Pasta, 166–167
with Lemon-Caper Butter, 145
cleaning
grills, 24–25
minimizing, 153
raw meat handling and, 30–31
seafood, 136, 166
club steak, 95
contorni (side dishes). See side dishes
Corn on the Cob, Parmesan and Paprika, 177
crabs
blue, cleaning, 166
Jersey Shore Seafood Pasta, 166–167
Salmon Involtini Stuffed with, 137
creamy sauces, 138, 151–152, 160
Crostini
Bruschetta vs., 39
as dessert, 40
Grilled Ciambotta for, 44–45
Olivada for, 42
personalizing, 40
Tuscan White Bean, 41
cutting meat, 93, 103
D
Dad’s Jersey Shore Seafood Pasta, 166–167
dessert
Crostini as, 40
fruit as, 183–184, 185
Grilled Peach Sundaes with Caramel Sauce, 191–192
grilling, 185, 191
Grownup Fabellini Sorbet, 193
Italian Peach “Sangria,” 189
Joe’s Juicy Applesauce, 190
Summer Cassata Cake, 186
traditional Italian, 183, 189
wine as, 183
Diavolo, Chicken alla, 120–121
diet, Mediterranean, 151–152
dip, 41. See also sauce; spreads
direct heat, 27, 29–30, 153
dolci (desserts). See dessert
Dough, Pronto Presto Pizza, 52–53, 55
dressing
Gorgonzola, 68
Pesto, 75
Red Wine Vinaigrette, 110–111
re-seasoning with, 64
Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette, 74
Sweet and Sour, 179
vinegar types for, 64–65
drinking, 183, 189
E
eggplant
about, 173
Grilled, with Pesto and Mozzarella, 173
Grilled Ciambotta, 44–45
Grilled Vegetable Lasagna, 155–157
entertaining
holiday, 72, 183
interacting when, 33, 63
with leftovers, 154
plating for, 166
side dishes and, 126
timing and, 36, 152, 165, 166
F
Fabellini
Glazed Carrots, 174
Sorbet, Grownup, 193
farmer’s markets, 17–18, 65, 184
Fig
Grilled, and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, 66
Prosciutto and Gorgonzola Pizza, 61
filet mignon, 95
first courses, 33, 51, 63. See also antipasti
fish
cheese on, 146, 147
grilling and handling, 136
Italian saying about, 135
meaty white, 142
scapece-style, 181
Sea Bass, Grilled, with Lemon-Wine Sauce and Pistachios, 138–140
Swordfish with Cherry Tomato-Caper Salsa, 142
Tuna Puttanesca, Grilled, 163–164
Tuna Steaks with Pepper-Olive Relish, 141
Flank Steak alla Sala Consilina, 92
flare-ups, 25, 27, 90
Fontina
about, 34
Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Artichokes and, 124–126
food. See also shopping
aphrodisiac, 73, 143, 194
canned, 17–18, 73, 89, 128, 163, 171
farmer’s markets, 17–18, 65, 184
freshness, 17–18, 64, 65, 90, 171, 184–185
growing, 64, 65, 171
imported, 17–18, 34, 146, 184
ingredients, key, 21, 45, 53, 63, 73, 172
mass-produced, 65
sun-dried, 171
waste reduction, 89
worst, 20
forks, 84–85
freshness, 17–18, 64, 65, 90, 171, 184–185
frittatas, 153–154
fruit. See also specific fruits
as dessert, 183–184, 185
freshness, 17, 64, 184–185
grilling, 63, 185, 191
Italian sayings about, 17, 171, 183
liqueur, 186, 191
picking and storing, 184–185
Frutti di Mare Seafood Salad, Mama’s, 72–73
Fusilli with Grilled Sausages, Zucchini, and Ricotta, 165
G
Gabriella’s Grilled Chicken Parmesan, 127
garlic
Butter, 95
“The Quickie” Tomato Sauce with, 54, 56
roasting, 74
gas grills, 21–22
Gazpacho, Italian, 77
girls guide, 19, 22–23
Giudice, Dad, 166–167, 189
Giudice, Gabriella, 123, 127
Giudice, Joe, 81, 99, 128–129, 134, 190
Giudice, Mama, 72–73, 112–113, 171, 181, 189
Giudice, Teresa
accomplishments of, 13–15
childhood of, 14, 109, 135–136, 171
daughters of, 14, 64, 123, 127
entertaining by, 33, 135–136
Giudice Burgers with Peppers and Gorgonzola, 99–100
Glaze
Carrots, Fabellini, 174
Chicken Spiedini with Basil, 132
Goat Cheese, Grilled Fig and Arugula Salad with, 66
Gorgonzola
about, 35
dressing, 68
Fig and Prosciutto Pizza, 61
Giudice Burgers with Peppers and, 99–100
Granita, Watermelon, 194
Grilled Apple Rings, 122
Grilled Ciambotta, 44–45
Grilled Eggplant
Parmesan, 173
with Pesto and Mozzarella, 173
Grilled Fig and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, 66
Grilled Meatballs and Tomato Sauce, 158–159
Grilled Peach Sundaes with Caramel Sauce, 191–192
Grilled Peperonata, 179
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Marinated, 48
Penne with Creamy Pesto and, 160
Grilled Sea Bass with Lemon-Wine Sauce and Pistachios, 138–140
Grilled Steak Pizzaiola, 90–91
Grilled Tomato and Basil Sauce, 168
Grilled Veal Chops with Marsala Mushrooms, 108–109
Grilled Vegetable Lasagna, 155–157
grilling
barbecuing vs., 19–20
basic how-to, 22–31
chicken, 115–117
dessert, 185, 191
fish, 136
flare-ups, 25, 27, 90
fruit, 63, 185, 191
for girls, 19, 22–23
health of, 18, 21
heat, 22, 27–30
history of Italian, 20–21
with lid, 22
mistakes, 22, 25, 30, 65, 84–85, 136
pasta and, 152
pizza, 51–52, 51–54
safety, 24, 25, 36
sexiness of, 18–19
space for, 126
steak, 84–85
sticking during, 25, 30, 90, 136
techniques, 84–85
timing of, 36, 152, 165, 166
tips, 22, 30, 36, 91, 95, 136, 149, 178
tools, 25–26, 52, 84–85, 145
grills
burners for, 28, 29, 152
charcoal vs. gas, 21–22, 27
cleaning, 24–25
fixing, 29
leak testing, 25
oiling, 25, 30, 90
pots and pans on, 152–153
shopping for, 28–29
as stove and oven, 27, 51, 152–153
turning on and off, 22–24, 27
growing food, 64, 65, 171
H
hammers, tenderizing, 81, 82
health, 18, 21, 77, 151–152, 194
heat. See also spiciness
direct, 27, 29–30, 153
for fish, 136
grill buying and, 28, 29
indirect, 27, 29–30
as tenderizer, 81
herbs. See also basil; marinade
dried, 90
fresh, 64, 90
Italian, 21, 106, 172
rubs with, 130
holidays, 72, 183, 196
hydroponics, 65
I
ice cream
Baci Semifreddo, 195–196
Grilled Peach Sundaes with Caramel Sauce, 191–192
Grownup Fabellini Sorbet, 193
Joe’s Juicy Applesauce on, 190
Iceberg Lettuce Wedge with Gorgonzola and Pancetta Crumbles, 68
imports, 17–18, 34, 146, 184
indirect heat, 27, 29–30
ingredients. See also food
key, 21, 45, 53, 63, 73, 172
specialty, 45, 73, 146, 196
substitutes, 34, 35, 37, 132
insalate (salad). See salad
Involtini, Crab-Stuffed Salmon, 137
Italian Gazpacho, 77
Italian Marinade, 106
&n
bsp; Italian Peach “Sangria,” 189
Italian Spareribs, 106
Italy
America’s differences to, 20–21, 37, 58, 70, 78, 113, 149, 151–152
antipasti serving style of, 33
bread importance in, 43
capers in, 143
cheese standards in, 34
cheese-on-fish rule in, 146, 147
dessert traditions in, 183, 189
farms, 171
food waste reduction in, 89
France’s differences to, 160, 174
grilling history of, 20–21
health of, 21, 151
herbs common in, 21, 106, 172
hotness and, 13–14, 67
New Jersey and, 135
pasta consumption in, 151–152
poultry importance in, 115, 117
salsa in, 149
White Pizza history in, 59
J
Jersey Shore, 20, 28, 67, 109, 135
Joe’s Chicken and Broccoli Rabe Dinner, 128–129
Joe’s Juicy Applesauce, 190
K
Kale and Pancetta Bruschetta, 37–39
kebabs. See spiedini
kitchen use, 33, 36, 113, 153
knives, 93
L
lamb
Leg of Lamb Mediterranean Salad, 110–111
Mama’s Smothered Lamb and Potato Casserole, 112–113
Lasagna, Grilled Vegetable, 155–157
leak testing, 25
leftovers, 89, 140, 153–154, 174
lemon
Caper Butter, 145
Herb Marinade, 101
Wine Sauce, 138, 140
linguine (Jersey Shore Seafood Pasta), 166–167
liqueur, 186, 191
M
Macaroni Salad with Pepperoncini, 70
mallets, 82
Mama’s Frutti di Mare Seafood Salad, 72–73
Mama’s Smothered Lamb and Potato Casserole, 112–113
Mare e Monti (Surf & Turf), 95–96
marinade
Apple and Herb, 104
Apple-Rosemary, 122
Basil-Rosemary, 124
Italian, 106
Lemon-Herb, 101
Red Wine, 65, 92, 97, 110, 111
scapece-style, 181
sticking and, 25, 30
as tenderizer, 82, 84
vinegar types for, 64–65
Marinated Chicken Breasts with Grilled Apple Rings, 122–123
Marinated Portobello Mushrooms, Grilled, 48
Marinated Short Ribs with Red Wine Sauce, 97–98
Marsala
about, 109
Mushrooms, 108
meat. See also marinade; specific meats
buying, 83, 97, 103