2 lbs fresh ground beef 1 Spanish onion (fine dice) 1 Red bell pepper (fine dice) 1 Green bell pepper (fine dice) 2 cloves garlic (minced) 1 large beefsteak tomato diced fine (remove seeds) 2 extra large fresh eggs 2/3 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs ¼ cup chopped parsley 2/3 cup of tomato puree 1/2 tablespoon of salt and pepper
1). In a large sauce pan slowly cook peppers, onion, garlic and tomato until the onions turn translucent and let cool.
2). In a large mixing bowl add ground beef, cooked cool vegetables, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt and pepper and mix well.
3). Remove the mixture from bowl and place in a 14”x 9” x 2” ceramic baking dish and form into a loaf.
4). Top loaf with tomato puree and bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-55 minutes or until brown and firm.
5). Let the loaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with mushroom gravy and Mashed Potatoes.
1 Chicken, cut up, the breast pieces cut in half for more even frying
Canola oil
1) Mix the flour in a bowl with all the herbs and spices; set aside.
2) Mix the buttermilk and egg together in a separate bowl until combined. Soak the chicken in the buttermilk mixture at room temperature, 20-30 minutes.
3) Remove chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dip the chicken pieces in the herb-spice-flour mixture to coat all sides, shaking off excess. Allow to sit on a rack over a baking sheet, 20 minutes.
4) Meanwhile, heat about 3 inches of the oil in a large Dutch oven (or similar heavy pot with high sides) over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. (Use a deep-frying thermometer to check the temperature.) When temperature is reached, lower the heat to medium to maintain it at 350. Fry 3 or 4 pieces at a time, being careful not to crowd the pot. Fry until medium golden brown, turning once, 15-18 minutes. Transfer chicken pieces to a baking sheet covered with paper towels. Allow the oil to return to temperature before adding more chicken. Repeat with remaining chicken.
On Sunday December 5, CNN broadcast a stunning Rome episode of Parts Unknown in which Anthony Bourdain and Asia Argento go to a trattoria, which they do not name. It’s Settimio. Sorry for the spoiler but I don’t believe in depriving Mario and Teresa of business through exclusion Watch the episode it is brilliant.
I vividly remember my first visit to Settimio al Pellegrino. It was in 2007 and my friend Jess and I had gotten a hot tip from a regular that a short walk from Campo de’ Fiori sat an uber-authentic trattoria serving simply dressed fresh pastas, meaty mains, and seasonal vegetables. We made a booking but when we showed up for dinner the door was locked. We were already off to a rough start. One of us noticed a button next to the door and after a sustained buzz, chef and owner Teresa opened the door a crack and said something to the effect of “chi siete”, who are you?
If that doesn’t sound like a warm greeting, it wasn’t. But at Settimio, warmth isn’t doled out frivolously. Warmth is earned. If you turn up without a reservation, there’s a real chance you will be sent away, whether they are booked up or not. It’s the kind of place where the possibility of a regular rolling in late leads Teresa and her husband Mario to set aside tables for such an occurrence. And even calling to reserve well in advance doesn’t guarantee a table. On that note, if you don’t speak Italian, have your hotel ring for you. And if all this sounds too fussy, don’t read on. Settimio isn’t for you.
TONY'S SECRET ROMAN TRATTORIA - ROME
ANTHONY has LUNCH with ASIA ARGENTO
"The SECRET TRATTORIA"
TONY says, “Rome is a place where you find the most extraordinary pleasures, in the most ordinary places. Like this place. Which I’m not ever going to tell you the name of. Asia has been coming here forever. She brings her kids here. So I’m not going to screw it up for her.
The trattoria is SETTINIO PELLIGRINO. I'm not letting Tony's secret out of the bag. That happened years ago, Just passing on the information for anyone who wants to go there, and need the name of the restaurant and address (Via del Pelligrino 17 -Roma .. tel 06 6880 1978).
ANTHONY BOURDAIN
PARTS UNKOWN - ROME
PARTS UNKNOWN - ROME
With ABEL FERRARA & ASIA ARGENTO
I have to be honest: arbitrary seating policies give me agita. I grew up in restaurants and treasure hospitality. I want to connect with the people who make and serve my food, not be rejected or dismissed. Yet I was determined to win over Teresa and Mario. That night, Jess and I ordered every course, including my current go-to, polpette, scorched yet delicious meat patties. We cleaned our plates, admired the eclectic decor (framed posters and paintings gifted by Settimio’s clients, which include plenty of artists and film makers) and watched as Mario worked the room, taking orders and doting on regulars. Teresa emerged from the kitchen occasionally to clear plates and pinch cheeks. Man, did it feel bad being an outsider at Settimio that night.
Jess and I apparently didn’t make much of an impression because I went back on my own a few days later for lunch and was given the same suspicious treatment. After a few more visits, however, I was totally in, cheek caresses and all. This is good news if you live in Rome or visit often. You, too, can become a doted-on regular. Otherwise, visit knowing you won’t be pampered by the service but you’ll definitely walk away having witnessed a Roman relic.
SETTIMIO PELLIGRINO
ROMA
That is to say, a lot of what’s appealing about Settimio is the attitude and atmosphere. Some regulars have been going since the place opened in the 1930s, others a decidedly shorter length, but all are given special attention. In that way, the place is not unique. The attraction to countless other local joints is the experience and the relationship with the owners, even more so than the food.
I don’t think anyone with Roman dining experience would say the food is flawless. Like many places in town, it makes sense to stick to certain things like those meatballs or the onion-rich vitello alla genovese. At Settimio, comfort food reigns: fettucine with meat sauce, gnocchi with tomato sauce (Thursdays only), trippa alla romana, and involtini (meat rolls). The handmade pastas pass muster, but you won’t write home about them. The pillowy, super sweet, candied chestnut-studded Montblanc, which they do not make in house, is another story. I dream about it sometimes. Usually right before I go to the dentist. I am also very into the mela cotta (baked apple). I’m a sucker for overcooked fruit.
Second only to the struggle of winning the owners’ affection is the wines, which range from undrinkable to painfully undrinkable. While it’s charming that regulars leave unfinished bottles in the fridge for their next visit, I can honestly say that the only wine worse than the wine at Settimio is day-old wine at Settimio. It’s not what you’ve come for anyway.
Daniel Bellino-Zwicke is a culinary author and creator of food concepts like "Meatball Parm Mondays" and "Sunday Sauce Recipe alla Clemenza alla Bellino alla Pacino"
His culinary work is inspired by New York-Italian cuisine, including dishes referenced in movies like "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas". Bellino-Zwicke's blog features a spaghetti recipe he claims is enjoyed by Al Pacino. He has published cookbooks, including a New York Italian cookbook and "Sunday Sauce" The Godfather.
Italian-American Sunday Sauce tradition
The Sunday Sauce or Sunday Gravy is a deeply ingrained custom in many Italian-American families.
It evokes images of large family gatherings and delicious, slow-simmered dishes prepared with various meats like Italian sausages, meatballs, beef braciola, pork ribs, and sometimes even chicken thighs or veal shank.
Bellino-Zwicke's "Sunday Sauce: When Italian-Americans Cook" includes his personal adaptation of this cherished tradition, according to greenwichvillageitalian.com.
Inspiration from "The Godfather"
The name "alla Clemenza" directly references the character of Peter Clemenza from The Godfather, who is famously shown teaching Michael Corleone (Al Pacino's character) how to make Sunday sauce.
The recipe also pays tribute to Al Pacino's enduring legacy and association with the film, further linking Bellino-Zwicke's recipe to the iconic movie.