July 19, 2009
“You may have the universe if I may have Italy”
~ Giuseppe Verdi
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Benvenuti Amici
In Napoli
Welcome to the 23rd issue of "Shut Up and Mangia!". This issue will focus on Naples and Neapolitan cuisine.
Naples is known for it’s rich history, art, culture and cuisine. Sitting between Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Field on the beautiful Bay of Naples, this ancient city has seen many civilizations come and go. The Greek, French, Spanish and Roman civilizations left their mark on the way food is currently prepared in Naples.
Naples is know for it’s pizza, which originated in the city. Pizza is the most popular food that came out of this city. The creation of Pizza Margherita, which must be cooked in a wood-fire oven, is a perfect example of Neapolitan cuisine. Of course there a many other pasta, seafood, poultry, vegetable and meat dishes that helped establish Naples as a world class city.
This newsletter will feature five of my favorite Recipes from Naples, recommended books on Neapolitan Cuisine, a couple of great websites on Naples and a few restaurant in Chicago specializing in Neapolitan cuisine.
Site News
I recently sent out around twenty-five emails to Italian-American Organizations all over the country to help build the "Italian American Heritage Preservation" page. Hopefully I will be getting a response soon and we can get the ball rolling in the right direction. Again, if anybody has some family stories to share, now would be a perfect time to share them.
Also,"Mangia Italiano Summer 2009 Italian Recipe Contest". is off to a slow start. You can tell it’s Summertime. Just remember you have until September 30th to enter.
Here You will be able to submit your favorite Italian recipe and get a chance to win one of four great prizes.
So carefully read the rules and instructions and most of all have fun.
Best of Luck To All!
I’m still working on the an ebook featuring my recipes. The book entitled “Not Another Italian Cookbook” “A Fictitious and Humorous Look at Italian-American Cooking Featuring Authentic Family Recipes”. will feature all my recipes in a humorously entertaining sort of way unlike any recipe book you’ve ever read. I definitely went off schedule with this project. I hope to be finished by September.
Great Chicago Italian Recipes is dedicated to adding new and traditional Italian recipes for your enjoyment. The site is getting bigger and better with the addition of “The Italian Grocer“ and the“The Great Italian Music Store“. Thank You for supporting this site.
Great Neapolitan Cookbooks
Here are two books featuring some of the best recipes from Naples. The first book is My Love for Naples: The Food, the History, the Life (Hippocrene Cookbook Library)
The second book is Naples at Table : Cooking in Campania
Great Travel Sites
If your planning a trip to Naples, I wouldn’t leave without visiting these two sites. Everything you need to know about this beautiful city in Campania can be found at Travel Plan.it and Just Italy.org. Between these two terrific sites you should be able to plan the best family vacation or just a romantic vacation for two.
Chicago Neapolitan Restaurants
Classic Neapolitan Recipes
Here are five great Neapolitan recipes for you and your family to enjoy. The first recipe is a simple Neapolitan Cauliflower Salad followed by a classic Pasta with Neapolitan Ragu. Then we have a Neapolitan Meatloaf with a delicious Neapolitan Mashed Potatoes (Gato) to accompany the meatloaf. And for dessert a traditional Neapolitan Rum Baba. Enjoy!
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy my site please feel free to email this newsletter to a friend so they can Subscribe to "Shut Up and Mangia!" and begin to enjoy the many Italian recipes we have to offer.
Mangia Italiano!
Take Care,
Phillip J. Speciale
Great Chicago Italian Recipes.com