In the cottage kitchen - Italian fare

[kevin313]

Ralph and I put the old GE stove through its paces this past weekend as we whipped up a couple of our favorite Italian dishes: risotto and gnocchi

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Cottage Kitchen - Making Risotto and Gnocchi

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've posted on Cavalcade, but it's been a long, cold winter here in Michigan and so other than some rou...

cavalcadeoffood.blogspot.com

 

[kevin313]

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Cottage Kitchen - Making Risotto and Gnocchi

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've posted on Cavalcade, but it's been a long, cold winter here in Michigan and so other than some rou...

cavalcadeoffood.blogspot.com

 

[mixfinder]

Move Over Food Network

Thank you for taking the time to record and edit these Italian classics.  Your directions and demonstration are clear, concise and should remove any questions about how to make risotto, why its stirred and how hot stock makes it come together more quickly.  And the gnocchi!  Why we waited so long in America to embrace this wonderful product.  Gourmet is never about Whole Foods, Fresh Markets or expensive food, but taking time, care and love to manipulate the most humble ingredients into an art form. Good bye presto bottled sauces and hello to depth and marriage of flavors.  Thank you both so much!

 

[petek]

Kevin & Ralph, that was a great video. All that work when you're supposed to be relaxing. I'm going to give the gnocci a try. Last week for the first time I made pierogi, some cheese & potato and some sauerkraut (which were the best by far and easier to make) only I was missing dried mushrooms..if you know of a store that sells them around Detroit lemme know.

 

[kevin313]

Petek - you can find the mushrooms at Polish Market - locations in Hamtramck and Troy. Link to their site is below. Lots of wonderful things there!

http://www.thepolishmarketinc.com/contact.htm

 

[petek]

Thanks.. there's one even closer in Macomb I see. Why I tried making them was because my friend Ted (he's Polish) gets them occasionally from a lady who was his late moms friend so he placed an order for me as well. They were so good and didn't last too long around here so I figured I'd have to try making them myself. Ted never learned to cook and hasn't a clue although he did mention the dried mushrooms his mom used to get so I knew I was missing something. Mine turned out pretty good, certainly better than store bought. I just need a little more practice. The worst part for me is rolling dough. I've never mastered it LOL

 

[tlee618]

Kevin and Ralph, thanks so much for inviting us into your kitchen!!  What a wonderful demonstration you guys did.  Both dishes look delicious!!!!!  What a great way for friends to spend time together.   

 

Terry

 

[mattl]

Wow! Sure made me hungry!

 

[xraytech]

Great videos guys, I just love that you were listening to the great Perry Como during the Risotto video, I instantly picked up the tue of Round and Round.

 

[thor]

Great videos!

Kevin, congratulations for your two great videos! I cook gnocchi, which I learnt how to cook watching Biba's show on TLC. Some years ago while visting California with my wife and children we were in Sacramento, where I actually bought one of her cookbooks. My wife then remembered that Biba's restaurant was in Sacramento, it was lunch time, so we actually decided to eat there. We actually had the chance to meet her personally, we talked with her for more than half an hour, she couldn't believe I was from Argentina and had watched most (if not all!) of her shows in TLC. She signed the book for me! We took some photographs with her and the we had then most delicious lunch of our lifetime!

I'll give you some advice she gave me: after baking the potatoes in the oven just cut them in two "equal" pieces, and with skin and all put them cut side down into the riser, push the handle and out goes the mashed potatoes, potato skin remains inside the riser! Very easy.

Other advice, place the fork the other way round, and push in the center of the dough with your thumb while making them roll down over the fork. You'll get a much larger indention, which will hold much more sauce!

I hope you try this out the next time you make gnocchi,
Emilio

 

[kevin313]

Emilio - how wonderful that you had the chance to meet Biba in person! What a thrill it must have been - and to eat the food from her restaurant! My mom thought she was a great cook, and trusted her recipies.

Thanks also for the tips - direct from Biba! I will try putting both of those in action the next time I make gnocchi. I'm sure she made enough gnocchi in her life to have learned a few tricks!

Thanks again for sharing your experience with Biba!

 

[petek]

Now why wouldn't K-Tel or Ronco come up with a handy gnocci shaper? Perfect for Christmas don't you think LOL

 

[thor]

You're most welcome, Kevin!

Kevin, I am so glad you´ll try both tips! Yes, meeting Biba in person was a real joy, she's so nice and kind you couldn't believe such a person walks on Earth. When we got into the restaurant we had no reservation, of course, and the restaurant was packed full. Right before the area where all the tables were there was like a foyer where there were two small tables, most probably for people to "sit down" while waiting to be seated in the main restaurant. I told the lady we were from Argentina and that I'd learned to cook watching Biba's program on TLC, which I received via cable. The lady left and two minutes later she came back with Biba herself, she wanted to greet us personally! Like I said, we must have talked with Biba for more than half an hour, she is charming! Then two waiters appeared from nowhere and set one of the small tables for us. Biba herself chose our meals from the menu! Needles to say Kevin, it was by far the highlight moment of the whole trip to California!

Best wishes,
Emilio

http://Biba's book cover

 

[thor]

Biba's Dedication for me and my wife...

Kevin, just read Biba's dedication to my wife and myself and you'll understand what kind of person she rally is!

 

[thor]

"Caro Emilio and Margherita...

... of course in Italian means "Dear Emilio and Margherita (my wife's name).

 

[thor]

Picture with Biba, January 2000

Kevin, it took me a while to find the picture album where these two pictures were. See how happy we all look!

Emilio

http://biba

 

[kevin313]

That is so awesome! What a thrill that must have been and great that you have the photos to remember the occasion! I would love nothing more than to dine at her place someday - I hope it is still open. She seems like a very gracious person...that wonderful Italian hospitality! Thanks again for sharing!

 

[miele_ge]

you served gnocci and risotto together???

How could you?  Didn't you see "Big Night"?  just kidding - risotto and gnocci are among my favorite food groups.

 

Also I am a huge fan of Biba.  The "Italy al Dente" is her best book I think.  We have a saying in our house.... "You can't make a boo-boo with Biba!"

 

 

 

[kevin313]

Alan, even I couldn't over-carb that much in one sitting!

We actually made the risotto for Friday dinner and the gnocchi on Saturday night. It was an Italian weekend at the table, for sure ... our own "Big Night" of eating!