A new dinner with Magic & Pasta in NYC, a new haircut and a new house in Italy....

Ciao a tutti!! Tutto bene?! It’s been too long! Last I posted I was exploring Florence and having the time of my life. What has happened since then? To put it more accurately, what HASN’T happened since then? I’ve gotten a haircut. I know that might not seem like a big deal to you but I have always grown my hair for years at a time, even cutting it for Locks of Love Twice. One day in Florence I looked at my hair, almost down to my shoulders and thought “it’s time for a change.” Thinking on it just one day, I marched into a saloon, translated best I could and ended up with a fabulous short, shaggy chin length bob. I figured with all of the big changes I was making in my life this just part of it. What do you think??

Next up was going back to Guardia Sanframondi. Remember I had mentioned I spent some time in a beautiful village in Campania before getting to Florence? Well, I loved it there so much, I actually cut my time in Florence short and returned to continue my journey. What did I do while I was there? Well, I made a ton of wonderful friends, ate some of the best food I’ve ever had and bought a house. Anyhow…..wait, what? A HOUSE, YOU SAY? That’s right. I BOUGHT MY VERY FIRST HOUSE IN ITALY!!!! As you can clearly see, Italy is very important to me. I am very proud of my Italian roots and have always wanted to be closer to what I feel is really my home. In fact, Guardia is just two hours from where my great-grandfather was born in Naples. I will be posting pictures and I will dedicate a whole post to the beauty of Guardia. I have never been anywhere like Guardia. It really is magical and I can’t wait to share this journey with you. Here is my new view...

 

I then returned to NYC and have been cooking regularly, doing private events with Magic & Pasta. Here are some of the dishes I have made for some dinners. In the order that they are shown are my "Caprese Salad" with parmigiana mousse, pesto gelatin and candied baby tomatoes, Polenta Fritti with Mushroom Onion Tapenade and Garlic Rosemary Chicken with Grilled Scallions over Parsnip Puree….

 





 

I actually am hosting one of my stylized ticketed dinners coming up on March 7^th in NYC that I would love to invite you all too….”Aperitivo Italiano.” The menu will include small bites of Aperitivo Style dishes with my own twist, such as Rosemary Fried Chicken with Semolina Pancakes and Spicy Chestnut Honey and Herbed Parmigiana Polenta Bites with Speck. What to see the full menu for this delicious dinner? Then click here, you will also see ticket information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to comment here or e-mail me at magicandpasta@hotmail.com Here are a few photos from one of my last dinners to give you an idea of the setting...

Until then my friends, I will be spending the day doing some prep in the kitchen and trying to stay warm!!! Ci vediamo!!

What do True Blood, Alice in Wonderland and The Beatles have in common? FOOD!!

Ciao a tutti! I apologize for not posting much, since launching my own business, things have been wonderfully busy and I thought I would fill you in.

Since launching "Magic & Pasta" in March, things have been going beautifully and I am so very grateful. I hosted my first official event, "A Venetian Carnevale Celebration" which was SOLD OUT! You can view pictures of the event here. I also co-hosted a "Saint Joseph's Day Feast" with Bar Eolo in Chelsea and even got some coverage for the event in Our Town!! And if that's not enough, I was the chef last week for a corporate event for DOLE Salads and this week I cooked for a wonderful event inspired by Michelangeo with Feast on Innovation. Needless to say, I am very happy with the way everything is going, which brings me to Magic & Pasta’s upcoming Summer Season in NYC.

From June-August 2014, Magic & Pasta Events is pleased to announce our upcoming Summer Season. Dinners will include "A True Blood Trailer Park Party on Saturday, June 28th",  "A Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Sunday, July 20th" and  "A Meet the Beatles Dinner on Friday, August 15th" (in honor of the 49th anniversary of their historic Shea Stadium Concert.) If you're an early bird, you can already purchase tickets for the True Blood and Mad Hatter's Tea Party (tickets for The Beatles Dinner on sale soon), but I was so excited about these dinners, I couldn't keep it to myself anymore and just had to let you all know! All of these dinners are held in a beautiful space in midtown Manhattan and are limited to 20 guests giving you a very personal and intimate feel.   

You can see the full menu for each event at the above links. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at magicandpasta@hotmail.com or comment on this post. I hope to see some of you soon!! Ciao ciao for now!

"Magic & Pasta" presents "An Italian Spring Soiree" April 12th, 7PM in NYC

Ciao mei amici! We are finally starting to feel the beginning of Spring; next week will have highs in the 60s!!  With lovely spring weather comes all that Spring has to offer, and for me, that means lovely vegetables. With that in mind, my next Magic & Pasta event will be "An Italian Spring Soiree" on April 12th, 7PM at a beautiful apartment in Chelsea, NY (the address is revealed once you purchase tickets.) This dinner is limited to just 9 lucky guests. To purchase tickets via Bookalokal please click here. This meal will be centered around seasonal spring ingredients, featuring beets, asparagus, zucchini and more. Here is the full menu to entice you:   STARTERS Roasted Beet & Ricotta Salad Thin roasted beets layered with homemade ricotta and a drizzle of beet greens pesto   Poached Shrimp in Zucchini Nests Poached Shrimp served in a zucchini nest with a lemon reduction   MAIN COURSE Romanesco Risotto Risotto made with a romanesco puree, shaved asparagus, leeks and peas Fennel Pork Loin Fennel-Garlic Crusted Pork Loin with Homemade Carrot Chips  DESSERT   Ricotta Cupcakes (picture shown is for my ricotta olive oil pound cake, click here for the recipe!) Ricotta Olive Oil Cupcakes with Fluffy Lemon Frosting A selection of wine will be served   $65.00 per person   To purchase tickets via Bookalokal, please click here.

 

The goal with my Magic& Pasta events is to give you an experience. Some people may start out as strangers, but when you have good food, wine and music, by the end of the night, you're all friends. Food brings people together and works in mysterious ways. My Italian Spring Soiree is limited to just 9 guests, so you will be in for a very intimate dinner. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at magicandpasta@hotmail.com. I hope to see you there! 

"Magic & Pasta" and "Bar Eolo" present A St Joseph's Day Event, March 16th in NYC- Ticket information

After the success of my sold out Venetian Carnevale Celebration, I am very excited to announce my next event...

Magic & Pasta is thrilled to be collaborating with Melissa Muller Daka, proprietress of Bar Eolo and Pastai, both in Chelsea, New York City. We will be co-hosting "A Saint Joseph’s Day Celebration" on March 16 at Bar Eolo.

 

The phones at Bar Eolo have been ringing constantly this week for reservation for our event. We want to make sure everyone who wants to come has a spot, so now you can purchase your tickets on eventbrite. Here is the official link to purchase tickets for our St. Joseph's Day Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-sicilian-saint-josephs-day-feast-tickets-10881523931

Experience St. Joseph's Day in the Sicilian Tradition at Bar Eolo: Sicilian Kitchen & Wines

Sunday, March 16th, 2014 3pm to 5:30pm

 

 

$75 per person (all-inclusive of tax and gratuity) includes the following:

~ an elaborate buffet (setup as St. Joseph’s day altar) with multiple cold and hot vegetarian dishes and breads. Items will also be available for our vegan & gluten-intolerant guests. In keeping with St. Joseph’s Day, a three-tier altar, representing the holy trinity, will be decorated with flowers, limes, candles, wine, fava beans, statues, specially prepared cakes, breads, and cookies as well as other meatless dishes (because the feast occurs during Lent). Because St. Joseph was a carpenter, foods will be served containing bread crumbs to symbolize saw dust.

 

~ passed around mini hor d’oeuvres – served when guests first arrive

~ sfinci di ricotta, cookies and other St. Joseph’s day sweets passed towards the end of the event 

~ live musical entertainment

~ 2 1/2 hour open bar with a selection of Stemmari's Feudo Arancio white and red Sicilian wines, as well as soft drinks.
All other beverages are charged by consumption. After open bar period, any drinks will be charged by consumption.

A note from Melissa, Bar Eolo’s founder: 
“This is the first year that my grandmother will not be present to celebrate this feast day with us by preparing her special breads and cookies. While I routinely cook special dishes at Bar Eolo for this holiday, this year, I felt compelled to partake in this unique event, prepared in a traditional Sicilian fashion, to honor my grandmother Francesca's memory.” 

In regards to her collaboration with Caroline Chirichella, Melissa says,
“I’m so impressed with Caroline’s creativity and ingenuity in planning unique food events,  that I’m thrilled to team up with her in what I hope will be the first of many events we organize together.”

Note that in case you cannot make our March 16th feast, Bar Eolo will be running St. Joseph’s specials until the actual holiday on Wednesday, March 19th.  

"A Venetian Carnevale Celebration" in NYC, Saturday March 1st

 

 UPDATE: EVENT SOLD OUT!!

 
It’s almost here, my “Venetian Carnevale Celebration” in NYC on March 1^st! This is my first event since launching “Magic &Pasta” and I can’t wait to share this unique dining experience with all of you. If you are still interested in attending, I have a new link for tickets since the event is sold out on EventBrite, you can now get tickets through Bookalokal:

For tickets, please refer to this link: http://bookalokal.com/meal/52ffcfcbac194ee4477b62e0

If you have any questions about attending the event, please e-mail me at magicandpasta@hotmail.com or lacucinaprimadonna@hotmail.com

Just to tempt you all, here is the menu again:

 

MENU

Polenta Fritti with Miele di Castagno (chestnut honey) and Meile Arancio (orange honey)

Crispy, fried rosemary polenta served with assorted Italian honeys

Radicchio, Artichoke and Fig Salad with a Lemon Balsamic Reduction in a Parmigiano Crisp

Shaved radicchio, artichoke and figs with a drizzle of balsamic reduction served in a parmigiano crisp cup

Cornmeal Crusted Shrimp Lollipops

A little whimsy... fried cornmeal crusted shrimp lollipos

Celery Root Frittelle with Basil Aioli- RECIPE HERE

 

Frittelle are a traditional Carnevale treat, everyone has their own twist...mine are made with celery root and served with a creamy basil aioli

Individual “Le Grande Lasagna di Carnevale” Ramekins

Lasagna di Carnevale is traditionally enjoyed around Carnevale as a last meat splurge before Lent...my version is completely homemade, the pasta, ricotta and my prize winning Bolognese with sausage, beef and pancetta

 

Carnevale Cookies

A traditional festive cookie covered with sprinkles

Prosecco

Celery Root Frittelle with a Basil Sirracha Aioli and A Venetian Carnevale Celebration!

 

Ciao mei amici! Today’s treat is something I will be serving at my upcoming “Venetian Carnevale Celebration.” This is my first official ticketed event in NYC since starting “Magic & Pasta.” Food, drinks, masks and mischief, it’s going to be a really fun and delicious night, I hope some of you can join us. For me ticket information and a full menu for "A Venetian Carnevale Celebration" you can go here and here.

These Celery Root Frittelle are just incredible. I know, I know, you hear celery root and your initial reaction might be “BOOOOORING.” But let me tell you, that is not the case. Celery root is delicious, it sort of reminds me of a taro, which I love. Frittelle are a traditional fried treat served for Carnevale but I didn’t want to go with a traditional recipe, hence the celery root. I serve these with a Basil Sirracha Aioli. You will LOVE them.

Celery Root Frittelle with Basil Sirracha

Aioli

 

 

Basil Sirracha Aoli

 

2 cups basil leaves

3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves of garlic

Salt

2 large egg yolks

3 tbsp. grape seed oil

2 tbsp. sirracha

Set up a bowl with ice and cold water. Put basil in a medium saucepan of salted boiling eater, cook for 20 seconds, then drain and submerge in the ice water for 30 seconds. Drain and squeeze out any excess water. In a pan over medium heat, add your olive oil and garlic and let it gently roast so it gets soft. In a blender, combine basil, egg yolks, salt and 2 ice cubes, puree to combine. With machine running add the garlic and oil in a slow and steady stream. Add the sirracha. Try the sauce and add more seasoning if you like. Keep chilled.

 

 

Celery Root Frittelle

 

 

4 cups of grated celery root

3 tbsp. parsley

¼ cup olive oil

Sea salt

Pepper

½ cup plus 2 tbsp. flour

1/3 to ½ beer

1 ½ quarts canola oil for frying

 

In a large bowl, mix the celery root, parsley, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add flour, stir more and then add the beer. The mix should be a little sticky and hold together when you form it into balls or patties. If you need to, add a little more beer. Heat your oil in a heavy pot over medium high heat. Drop the fritters in and let them fry until they are a beautiful golden color. Each fritter should take around 5 minutes or so. Using a slotted spoon, move the fritters to a plate lined with paper towels. Season with salt. Serve while they are still warm with the aioli for dipping!! Buon Appetito!!

Launch of "Magic & Pasta"....A New Dining Experience

 

"Life is a combination of magic and pasta"- Frederico Fellini

 

I am very excited to announce the launch of "Magic & Pasta"...A New Dining Experience. Browse the site for the story behind "Magic & Pasta", follow on our various social media accounts, subscribe to always stay updated and be sure to take a look for ticket information on my first official pop up on March 1st, "A Venetian Carnevale Celebration." Other upcoming dinners include An Italian Street Food Dinner, A Dinner Inspired by Famous Food Quotes, A Mad Hatter Tea Party and A Meet the Beatles Dinner. You can also book "Magic & Pasta" for cooking classes, private lessons, children's events or to cater your next event in NYC. "Life is a combination of magic and pasta"- Frederico Fellini


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