Gelato, A Culinary Art Trend

                                         Credit: Helen Rosner

Basil, Parmesan, and scrambled egg… far from typical gelato flavors, these wacky creations are appearing on menus across the world.  The pioneers of the exotic gelato trend are forerunners to note during July’s National Culinary Arts Month celebrations.  Veering from the course of traditional and pushing culinary limits are highlighted features of honoring Culinary Arts Month, and there certainly is a bundle of it out there to explore in the gelato industry.  Gelato has lent acquiescence to five star dining, breakfast, and hangover cures in the limelight of sweeping food trends. 

For the sophisticated palate the fine dining appearance of gelato is becoming increasingly more common.  The cold treat makes a nice pairing in local produce flavors, such as basil, tomato, and jalapeno when plated with a simple dish, such as a mozzarella salad.  Snap that theory into reverse and the gelato can take on the cheese role with flavors ranging from Parmesan to ricotta and served with roasted vegetables and a balsamic and olive oil drizzle. Steamroll: gelato actually does indeed come in both balsamic and olive oil flavors as well.  Do not hesitate to try these atypical flavors, the result in any which way presented, is a true culinary delight. 

"Heaven"

Bring on the bacon! Salted buttered caramel bacon gelato is described as “Heaven” in the recipe title on Chef Tom’s Blog; he created this dream come true.  A London gelato shop has delved into the breakfast scope of gelato with scrambled egg, Blood Mary (apparently gelato is recommended as a hangover cure), and with adaptations of breakfast cereals and staples such as French toast and pancakes. Some forward thinking bartenders have infused gelato with different spirits and liqueurs to capitalize on the presence of the buzz gelato brings to a (drink) menu.  The fact that gelato has been validated to be eaten first thing of the day or used for a ‘cheers’ by a group of friends, sounds like complete culinary achievement.

Be on the look out for the evolving and limitless trends and celebrations of gelato particularly this month in the realm of culinary achievement.  Be sure to explore local communities, National Culinary Arts Month brings special menus, superior creations, and an advantageous opportunity to explore food trends. Enjoy the traditional but revel in the delectable art of the gelato trends, for breakfast anyone?  

What is the most outlandish gelato flavor you have ever tried?

Sweet Celebration this 4th of July!

Sweeten up the celebration this Independence Day!  The Fourth of July has approached rapidly this year, it is time to slow down and honor our nation with family and friends in a traditional backyard gathering.  Widespread heat waves throughout The USA call on us to cool down guests with frozen treats this Thursday.  Gelato flag cake, yes please.

 Pino Gelato Flag Cake!

Keeping guests cool in a simple atmosphere is a combination perfect for serving up frosty drinks, ice-cold dessert, and a tremendous avenue to showcase the holiday’s symbolic colors red, white, and blue.  Offer guests homemade lemonade and iced tea with a scoop of lemon sorbetto and fresh mint leaves.  To promote the color scheme offer fresh or frozen blue berries and raspberries to up the ante in the frozen drinks.  Another amazing festive option is to incorporate this great fizzy, fruit float drink using a more decadent route by topping with vanilla gelato (the straws are awesome).  Simple, refreshing, and fun, exactly what the 4^th of July exudes.

Photo: Jennifer Davick, Prop Styling: Amy Burke, Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Start the day with a local parade or festival to truly immerse into the honoring of our country.  There is something very American about celebrating with neighbors and members of the community, to be a part of it.  Once gathered in the backyard, keep the menu simple with grilled entrees and classic side dishes.  For dessert a gelato flag cake provides the perfect holiday showcase while satisfying the sweet tooth in all.  Serving quarts of gelato and sorbetto is another fuss-free route to take to beat the heat in a tasty way.  Gelato on stand-by for topping pies (a la mode) is also a huge favorite, as well as an American staple. Cool desserts covered!

Host or partake in a sweet party to celebrate Independence Day, just follow these tips to be sure to keep cool.  Happy Fourth of July!

Awesome compilation of fireworks!

Pizza Cones for the Family!

The kids are out of school for the summer, now it is time to figure out what to do with them.  Long hot summer days, rainy days, or once the crew officially has had too much beach, camp, and kickball, the place to turn is in the kitchen.  Pizza cones are the route to take to entice little chefs to learn to prepare a quick, fresh, and mess-free transformation of the beloved pizza slice. 

Pino Gelato’s pizza cones lead as forerunner of the Crispycones state-side debut a few years ago, stemming from the popularity abroad.  The pizza cones immediately took off after coverage on the Food Network’s television show “Unwrapped”, and have been a lasting hit since. Crispycones, based off of an Italian company’s creations, are made with special flaky dough with a seal on the bottom that is filled with a variety of quality ingredients from cheese to Caesar salad.  The individual cones are prepared fresh daily and baked to perfection on the spot. 

Here comes the fun part for the kids!  Stop into a Pino Gelato location offering pizza cones and allow them watch custom pizza cones be prepared in front of their eyes.  A handful of pizza cone making kits are available for order online to truly delve into the DIY project, and purchase the fresh ingredients at a grocery store or via our store.  Pino Gelato plans to have a pizza cone making class at their Hilton Head, SC flagship location (potentially at others) later this summer.  Stay on our social media radar and website for specific details, and keep the kitchen clean by bringing the kids to ours! 

The pizza cones are best described by Pino Gelato CEO, Ramona Fantini, “This product is a healthy, easy meal for patrons in need of a quick lunch, children who want a fun meal and everyone in between”. Certainly, the entire family benefits from an activity that encourages creativity in the kitchen and enjoying the delicious creations the kids made.  Let the little ones venture out from summer boredom and become pizza cone masters. 

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! 

Happy Republic Day, Italy!

Rome is bustling today.  June 2, 2013 marks Festa della Repubblica, a national holiday with outstanding celebrations to commemorate the founding of The Republic of Italy in 1946. 

The Eternal City attracts visitors ready to revel in an exceptional military parade honoring the anniversary of the declaration of the Italian Republic.  The Carabinieri, military police of Italy, parade through to Piazza Venezia overseen by Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Giorgio Napolitano, The President of Italy.  Prominent political and military officials attend many of the events in Rome.

Notable traditions of Republic Day include a laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the inception to the day's festivities.  Look up in the sky, not for fireworks, but to view Frecce Tricolori, a flyover by the nine Italian Air Force aircraft that leave streaks of green, white, and red colored smoke to denote the Italian Flag.  Listen to various military bands perform live in Palazzo del Quirinale, the gardens of the seat of the president, open to the public. 

Napolitano has broached the typical traditions with a scaled back parade this year in the name of austerity.  "I appreciate the simplicity of the celebrations," said Napolitano who also highlighted reducing the costs to the essential and shifted focus to the pride of the patrons in attendance honoring the theme "Armed Forces in the service of the country."  John Kerry, US Secretary of State, acknowledged in writing the respectful U.S-Italy alliance, goals, and achievements concluding, "It is in the spirit of this enduring partnership and friendship that I extend to all Italians my sincere best wishes on this 67th anniversary of Republic Day."

Throughout Italy there are a host of several other parties and parades to honor the day.  Festa della Repubblica propels the Italians into festival mode for the busy season ahead.  Enjoy Republic Day! 



Italian President Giorgio Napolitano

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!

La Famiglia

 

Mamma Agata, facebook.com

Family is everything.  Beyond raising wholesome, successful, and loving individuals that conduct themselves with regard to society, family life as Mecca is the ultimate goal of many households in our country.  Italy and the USA share many similarities as far as family and celebration are concerned. 

A mecca is a point of recreation, gathering, and center for a particular group.  Italian mothers are known to be the axis on which their family spins, the matriarch is held with the most regard.  Italians are drawn to their homes by mamma to dine on traditional cuisine and share stories from the day (or  at least on a weekly basis, even once grown).  Italian-Americans typically do not move far from each other considering this tradition and the glue the Italian mother has laid doesn't stretch very far. 

In Italy, Mother's Day is celebrated the second Sunday in May, same as ours this year! The day starts with church and focuses on showering the mother with love, gifts, and treats throughout the day, she is not expected to cook or work.  Though certainly most do not hand over their kitchen to just anyone.  Mother's Day is a chance to bring about tradition to the epicenter of love in the family and to dine and to help spread the joy to all that she provides all year.  Families are there for each other, daily, in business, and in a place that draws us back time and again.  Family is home. 

Certainly all families have traditions that bring them together, allow for those to shine bright this Mother's Day. The base of the family, the love that keeps the group together, the mother created core, is what family is all about.   Show appreciation for family-based culture and become proof of that time being worth everything.  Make being together a bit sweeter and a bit more Italian this year and allow us to  Scoop Some Happiness to your family on Mother's Day!



A scoop of Pino Gelato for Mom = smile!