Seasonal Spice and Happiness

photo credit: newyork.seriouseats.com 

Gelato is for lovers.  Fall lovers, that is.  There is no seasonality placed on gelato in Italy, and avid gelato consumers do not think twice about eating the rich flavors throughout the year. In America the fall and winter bring a general lull to the appeal and enjoyment of frozen desserts, but gelato boasts seasonal flavors that reel in discerning customers to the unconventional.  Pumpkin spice, apple pie, and coffee cake gelato flavors engage the pumpkin spice craze with decadence.

photo credit: countrycleaver.com

Uncover milkshakes that stand out from the hoi polloi of frozen beverages with seasonal flavors of gelato.  The gelato milkshakes make for a transportable, more acceptable option for dabbling in the misconstrued “summer treat” anytime. Afterall, gelato and pizza are breakfast staples in Italian cafes. Pumpkin spice milkshakes will be the envy of the diehard seasonal latte fan that sits across the office sipping, savoring their victory… dare the one-up?   

photo credit: livinthepielife.com

Fall brings recipes that integrate spices and produce to portray the upcoming need for warmth the season commands.  Dessert sees no misfortune to the various interpretations of food during fall months. Pies served warm with a scoop of gelato are namely increasing in trend to elevate the traditional.  Advantageous combinations such as salted caramel pie with butter pecan gelato, apple pie with two scoops: tahitian vanilla and apple pie gelato, and pumpkin pie with chocolate gelato, ensure dessert will never be boring. 

Seasonal flavored gelato is the ticket to receiving culinary accolades and pleasing guests when entertaining. Mulled wine, an aromatic hot beverage combining wine with seasonal spices, creates added charm to an atmosphere set for eating all things representative of fall. Gelato is steadfast and delicious, scoop happiness to this season.

A superior Mulled Wine recipe by Ina Garten , the perfect ensemble to gelato and all of this fall glory.

photo credit: bbc.co.uk 




WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FALL GELATO FLAVOR?

Feeling like the 4th of July!

Red, white, and blue is having a stupendous run this week.  America is teeming with extra Patriotism first rallying for a Team USA win in the World Cup and the headliner event tomorrow on the 4th of July.  Dessert is the ideal means to keep the spirit flush right into the celebration of our nation’s independence.  

Sweet treats are a necessity for any style 4th of July party.  Frozen treats are even better, the supreme choice to beat the heat with added happiness. Serve up sorbetto smoothies for a refreshing and simple crowd pleaser.  Made with premium whole fruits sorbetto, gelato without milk, is dairy-free, gluten-free and fat-free!Sorbetto smoothies are delicious, healthy, and transportable. Serve each flavor (see recipes below) in clear cups with blue straws for an added bonus of having red, white, and blue covered.  

Pino Gelato smoothies

RED:

3 scoops strawberry, watermelon, and/or raspberry sorbetto

seltzer water

optional (sweetener):

½ cup San Pellegrino Sparkling Aranciata Rosso (blood orange)

photo credit: drinks.seriouseats.com 

WHITE:

3 scoops lemon sorbetto

seltzer water

optional (sweetener):

½ cup San Pellegrino Sparkling Limonata (lemon) or Pompelmo (grapefruit)

BLUE:

etsy.com

Fruit pies or fruit crumbs are a hit acting as a summertime staple at gatherings. For a perfectly simple method, written in steps in a ‘create-your-own-crumb’ style, follow the basic crumb instructions at Food52… but for everyone’s added benefit be certain to top servings of the crumb creation with a scoop of gelato!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Spring Break 2014, Go!

Break out the sunscreen, bikinis and limes, it is time to gear up for a sea of neon- this is Spring Break 2014. After a rough Winter season for much of the US, travelers find it more reasonable than ever to justify a desired break from school, work, and shoveling the snow. Time to find the ideal place to relax and touch feet to the sand. The party stigma is forever linked to traditional spring break, but there are endless ways to enjoy the time off to actually explore a city and refine the experience.

Cuisinart Resort on Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla 

c/o cocktails&gelato

Often, Spring Break marks the first trip taken apart from family and is planned by students across universities in the country. Tens of thousands will travel during the Spring weeks to validate certain hollow expectations of college life.  While the beach, booze, and boats are all suitable categories to adhere to the practice of a legit Spring Break, there are recommendations to elevate the time spent on vacation above a blurred week of partying.  The message to student Spring breakers: no matter the destination selected find the actual sights of the city... and tour them.  Obvious as this may sound, too often the large group of friends will travel to and from without taking in all a place has to offer.  Try the local fare by way of the many websites used to filter places to dine categorized with such labels as ‘best cheap grub’, best ice-cream/gelato, and best for group dining. Plan properly to get a true taste of the city all while keeping to a budget.  Skip the daily hangover and encapsulate the well versed traveler within to discover all there is to the destination.

Alternative Spring Break trips are sponsored by nonprofit organizations and other charity or specialty groups to give students the option to spend the week volunteering for a cause with a magnitude of reward. To further explore this route and get involved read over this article about Missouri University in The Columbia Daily Tribune about the Mizzou Alternative Break trips (service trips) program and students arranging to benefit people through Habitat For Humanity, United Way and many other causes.  2014 it is more popular than ever that students are devoid of the standard expectations set by peers in order to give back.  

Time.com has created a list of the top ten popular places students are going for spring break this year, for reference to those that would like to fly with or steer clear of this crowd.  If traveling to a fancy beach town is not on the agenda this year, then Spring Break at home it is.  Easy to find local community charity programs to enable time spent to give back, explore the sites unseen that draw others to the closest large hometown location (day trip), and create atypical dining with awesome combo dessert drink recipes from Food52. Regardless of where or how to spend the break, let there be focus on enjoying family and friends, fantastic food and beverage, and giving back.  Relaxation and mini umbrellas to top drinks do not cost much: to the party people or not, spend time to revivify over the sundry Spring Break 2014.

Mini umbrellas

How are you spending your Spring Break this year?  If you are planning an alternative trip, we would especially like to hear about it!

Father's Day BBQ, Family Style

Cue the family, grill, and sun this Father’s Day.  Bring on the most discerning foodies of the group, it is about to get tasty on Sunday.  While the staples remain bourbon, beer, and BBQ, homemade accompaniments add detail privy to the men being honored.  This year’s family barbecue will spread original condiments worthy of bottling, as well as a big fat smile on Dad’s face.

Family is daily; honoring Dad comes once a year.  Include the youngsters in preparing for a barbecue to ease prep time for the cook while bringing joy and accomplishment from the kid’s involvement in planning the day.  Bring kids to the store to choose napkins and various outdoor serving items in Dad’s favorite colors, have them set the table and fill bowls up with favorite snacks.  If Dad has a favorite hobby or team, try to incorporate in the serving.  Is he an avid golfer? Rally up golf tees (new, preferably) and use them in place of toothpicks for serving various appetizers. (Also, check out the golf ball gelato golf ball cake mentioned here.) 

                               photo credit, Food Network

Marinate cubed pieces of salmon and/or shrimp in a simple combination of bourbon and brown sugar.  Chop assorted veggies and allow the children to pre-assemble skewers.  The seafood skewers can be done by an adult prior to grilling.  These little chef touches will show Dad the amount of appreciation he is deserved.

With several days left until Father’s Day there is time to make the barbecue perfectly hand crafted by making the condiments from scratch.    Several homemade ketchup recipes found here will properly act as a base for the customizing of Dad’s preference, have the kids help make and jar the ketchup complete with a personalized label.  The same works for barbecue sauce, mustard, and hot sauce. Last minute? Slap the crafty labels on to store-bought favorites for the day.  

                                  photo credit, PureWow

Try making pickles, the simple task will be worth the reward come Sunday when guests are blown away with the fact they are eating homemade “He’s our bread and butter” labeled pickles.  Scour the market for lesser known craft beers that have names or flavors that tie into favorite vacations and memories.  The menu’s can vary, beer braised chicken, steaks, burgers, but each item served will be more enjoyable with these accouterments in place to celebrate. 

Famous Dad, David Beckham
goes for gelato with his son.

No party big or small, is complete without dessert.  Serve gelato and sorbetto to cool off after rounds of bocce ball, horse shoes, and dancing.  Not planning a large gathering? Make the full works BBQ above for dinner then have the kids take Dad out for a scoop!

Adoration for Dad will be depicted through the amount of effort and thought put into the family BBQ, all to honor their main man. Happy Father’s Day, have some authentic fun! 

Holiday Weekend, Picnic Plans!

Soak up some sun while reveling in friends, family, and a taste of the outdoors. This holiday weekend should include a picnic. Regardless of the social agenda, attending or hosting gatherings or a clear schedule, the picnic will always fit the bill. From simple to over-the-top, the ways to incorporate a picnic this Memorial Day Weekend are countless.

The Italian style picnic can be customized as rustic and simple for two, or as a bountiful, yet manageable option for large crowds. The Italian staples consist of bread, olives, a pasta dish that can be enjoyed at room temperature, and various roasted vegetables. This style picnic is great for anytime of the day and can be spread out in any location, even on a blanket in the backyard.

Sample Italian Picnic Menu:

Fresh Italian Bread, such as Semolina, Bastone, or Ciabatta
Assorted olives
Pappardelle with olive oil, fresh lemon, fresh basil, fresh mint
Roasted zucchini, red, yellow, and orange peppers, tomatoes

Use the more traditional picnic fare but, opt for a theme. Whether it be seafood, sandwiches, or a grill menu. Hosting a backyard party with a food theme keeps the essence of simplicity a picnic boasts in tact. Cover outdoor tables with kitschy plaid tablecloths and newspaper for a lobster, crawfish, and crab boil complete with shell crackers for guests. Arrange dishes of drawn butter, fresh lemon halves, and various spices throughout the table. The boiled seafood, corn, and potatoes can be served straight from the table. The same family-style set up can be implemented for a "make-your-own" sandwich bar or with the necessities for grilling out. All options adhere to a relaxed crowd (and host/hostess) present simply to enjoy being outside, eating, and mingling with other guests.


Photo courtesy of potterybarn.com

Sample Traditional Picnic Menus:

Shellfish Boil
Various shellfish (lobster, crab, crawfish, shrimp, mussels)
Corn on the cob
Red skin potatoes

Sandwich Bar
Variety of each:
Rolls, lettuce, pickles, roasted vegetables, cheese, deli meat, mustard, mayo, hot peppers
Homemade potato chips w/crumbled blue cheese

Grill Menu
Marinated chicken (choose 2 favorite styles, such as Caribbean Jerk and Teriyaki)
Grilled fresh fruit, watermelon, pineapple, peaches
Asparagus
Portobella mushrooms
Assorted salads

The picnic will travel with whatever the weekend may bring. Prep an actual picnic basket (or buy a pre-arranged set with price points from $15-$350 on Google shopping search engine, surely one will be suitable) to have ready for impromptu invitations. Neighbors said come over? The basket is an exceptional means to transport food to contribute to the pooled meal. A more thoughtful approach, such as for a host/hostess gift, would be to fill the picnic basket with favorite food items (barbecue sauce, gourmet spreads, honey, jam) for their enjoyment in the future. Pack a favorite cheese and fruit pairing to share that day if asked to bring a dish.


A National Geographic Favorite Picnic Spot: Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome, Italy Photograph by Hemis/Alamy

Grab a Frisbee and the picnic basket and go. Host a sensational party, with ease. Share food favorites with great company. In any style, the picnic should be a priority and the pinnacle of enjoyment during the long weekend. Happy Memorial Day!


What are some of your favorite picnic foods?

Share pictures to our Facebook page of your Memorial Day picnics... we'd love to see Pino Gelato quarts/pints Scooping Some Happiness during celebrations this holiday weekend!

Party Time at Italian Festivals.

Italians love to throw a party. Festivals are a component to life in Italy's many regions with celebrations marked by just about anything from a lemon to the world's largest frying pan. The Spring and Summer months bring some of the top festivals of the year with those rounding up as noteworthy mandate the revolving praise of bona-fide food.



Lemon Tree in Monterosso

Sagra del Limone, in Liguria attracts people to dabble in all things lemon, the region's specialty. The 3rd weekend in May the village of Monterosso hosts The Lemon Festival where revelers can expect samplings of the finest limoncino, lemon fragrant soaps and candles, and lemon desserts (gelato, of course), of the prestigious produce. A window decorating competition starring the yellow gem as well as an acclamation for the largest lemon in town are two components of the festival. The restaurants typically have festival menus as their tables spill into the live music and dancing on the walkways throughout the village leading to the large party in the main square.


Dancing in the main square

Italy has a resounding fame for the original food it has brought to the world, and the significant items are justly honored with festivals of their own. Primavera del Prosecco celebrates the Prosecco wine production region from March-June with a slew of villa getaway vacation packages inclusive of tours. Travelers to Italy can plan their trip to incorporate numerous possibilities of the events with a Risotto Festival in Sessame, a Polenta Festival in Avigliana, and a Chianti Wine Festival in Tuscany. The Sagra del Pesce, in Liguria is a classical festival honoring the patron saint of fishermen, San Fortunato. The port village fish is prepared in the largest frying pan in the world after a night of a religious ceremony with bonfires.


Sagra del Pesce, Largest Frying Pan

There are even meat filled deep fried olives (known as olive ascolane) currently being celebrated at the fried food festival, Fritto Misto. Pick me.


Art in Italy will never go unnoticed. Major festivals to pay homage are Festival dei Due Mondi, Festival of Two World's, a famous performing arts festival featuring opera, ballet, film and The Tuscan Sun Festival celebrating spectacular live music. Tomorrow, May 1, is Labor Day in Italy and is recognized as a public holiday, though tourists can expect large street festivals to celebrate, of course.



Summer in Cinque Terre

Spring has sprung, and the glory of Summer is quickly approaching, with the outdoor season officially here much celebration will ensue. Wrap up the Spring cleaning and get outside to party as the Italian's do!

Are there any local upcoming festivals you are looking forward to?

Pino Gelato's lemon gelato!

 

Happy Mardi Gras!

Today is Mardi Gras!

The party of the year, the largest free show on earth, and a day we are all reminded to eat cake.

Mardi Gras is much more than bead clad crowds, parade floats, or masked parties, though those staples provide for a swell time. Mardi Gras, which translates to "Fat Tuesday" is a Christian holiday that dates back thousands of years in order to celebrate the days leading up to the religious season of Lent. Also known as Carnival, the party of the year is a worldwide cultural phenomenon-especially those with large Roman Catholic populations- and is host to famous festivities inclusive of parade floats, beads, and symbolic foods.


King's Cake photo courtesy of LA Times

Mardi Gras allows for the perfect themed party. If it is entirely too last minute (it is today after all, but the sponteneity could be well worth it) to make it to New Orleans, rally your masses and host a party right at home. For basic decor start with the three colors Purple (representing Justice), Green (representing Faith) and Gold (representing Power), that mark the Carnival season. A very popular custom is the King's Cake which holds a tiny plastic baby for one lucky attendee to find in their slice of cinnamon filled dough with glazed topping sprinkled with sugar in the aforementioned colors. For the brave, try this authentic King's Cake Recipe, or for the savvy create a personal rendition of the dessert by using single portion cinnamon buns or alternate type of cake served in a sundae glass topped with gelato in carnival colors or King's Cake flavors. Go ahead and wrap those sundae glasses with beaded necklaces (perfect for favors) and use this version as a kid-friendly opportunity to hide a tiny plastic baby for each to find in their single serving. Incorporate a little jazz music, a decorate-your-own mask station, and serve up some cajun for a full blown Carnival soiree.  

Serve this

in something like this!

New Orleans hosts one of the largest gatherings for Mardi Gras, a popular place in the US to travel the last few weeks. Recent attention to the city allowed for many renditions of signature NOLA drinks, particularly this sweetened up version of The Hurricane. Bring a bit of New Orleans to the neighborhood and host a Mardi Gras affair to remember. 

Today is an opportunity to celebrate life with a bunch of glorious food/drink, music, and color required to create an authentic representation of The Cresent City's famous entertainment.

Gelato Cocktails

Ladies and gentlemen, let us celebrate in spirit with spirits of the sweetest variety this year.  One of the top elements to a holiday gathering is the beverage options, in order to create the most spectacular offerings serve a couple of signature cocktails that incorporate gelato.  Truly brighten the crowd and atmosphere with a gelato addition to a traditional Bellini or a dark stout beer.  

Giuseppe Cipriani the founder of Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy created the most famous champagne cocktail in the world, The Bellini, although it is made with prosecco.  A traditional Bellini is made with one part white peach puree to three parts prosecco. All items should be as cold as possible.  To create a memorable twist to the traditional Bellini serve all ingredients with a small scoop of peach sorbetto, blood orange sorbetto, or vanilla gelato right in the champagne flute.  The cold, sweetened, and colorful beverage will be a party favorite with the gelato and sorbetto adding an exceptional component to a delightful drink. Beyond the delectable taste, the color in the flute looks fabulous.



At Harry's Bar, photo courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Options are encouraged when entertaining, so in addition to having a full bar of spirits and wine (or a selection of personal favorites) have another featured gelato cocktail, such as a dark stout beer float.  Offer chilled beer glasses filled with dark stout beer and in a make-your-own fashion present three flavors of gelato next to the poured beer. Hazelnut, caramel, or vanilla gelato is a flavor that complements the notes present in the dark beer.  If there is a full bar display then use the gelato in combination with after-dinner drinks such as Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur from Northern Italy, or Sambuca, an Italian anise-flavored liqueur. Serve alongside or within an espresso, of course. 

Signature beverages display an extra effort for the host, a seemingly flawless plan to use the simple gelato drink preparations above to wow a crowd. Creating special cocktails with gelato will rally enthused guests and spike creativity, who knows, gelato margaritas could be on the menu at a friend’s Cinco-de-Mayo party, trendsetter!  Enjoying the festivities this season sweeter than ever before will keep a crowd smiling, saying “I’ll have another”, with  these glorious gelato cocktails.  Salute!

The Italian Way

“There are 2 kinds of people in the world, those who are Italian, and those who wish they were Italian,” Mario Batali, a famous Italian-American chef spoke these words at a food and wine festival conveying the passion for Italian food. 

 

Entertaining with Italian food is as easy as it is delicious!

Anti-pasti, served as a first course at formal Italian meals, consists of meats, cheeses, olives, roasted vegetables, and is served with crusty bread.  The pure joy of anti-pasti is that it can be prepared in various spreads customized to taste of the crowd.  Typical meats used are prosciutto, capicola, sopressata, and aged cheeses such as parmesan, asiago, and provolone.  

The upcoming holiday season brings out of town guests and a busier social calendar, having the staples for anti-pasti on hand is the first step to hospitality and reduces the inconvenience with time consuming preparations of other choices. Success in an Italian’s kitchen has a visual presence with hanging prosciutto and a giant wedge of parmesan cheese. Anti-pasti creates an instant atmosphere of conviviality amongst groups of friends and family and can be enough to entertain for hours.  

  

Sauce simmering on the stove on Sunday morning through mid-afternoon is a staple for many Italian-American families.  Traditionally the sauce, or “gravy”, is prepared with meats and served with pasta. The Sunday sauce has even been transported to stadiums for tailgating feasts, using a large pot on top of a grill to boil the pasta, thus never skipping a week.  For a Sunday sauce/gravy recipe, ask friends who are Italian or a local Italian chef, they will share tips from a handed down version that is perfected. The serious commitment to food and the simplicity behind it create the unparalleled joy of sharing present in these Italian preparations at family tables.  The absolute comfort of a homemade sauce/gravy translates the taste to a feeling of being part of an Italian family for guests. 

Rich tradition along with vibrant entertainment is easily achieved through the Italian way of food.  Regardless of if the family hosting and their guests are Italian or not, the collective anti-pasti, the palliative Sunday sauce, both give credence to Batali’s statement come the following Sunday.  

Molto bene!