Fabulicious!: On the Grill Read online

Page 15


  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

  Shrimp Skewers with Salsa Verde, 148–149

  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