Specialist of the Month

Dad worked A LOT and suppertime was the most important time of the day, everyday. Money was tight but my mom was a great scratch cook and dinner was amazing every night.

Mom insisted we all learn to cook for ourselves. She would say: “If you think a woman is going to take care of you someday, you got another thing coming!” When I moved away from home I was always broke, so I always cooked for myself and kept the suppertime tradition alive. It was also the most cost effective way to date!

I’m a big fan of wrapping things with prosciutto and throwing them in a sauté pan or on a grill – almost everything from fruits and vegetables to fish and meats are better in a packet of Prosciutto di Parma.

When I was a kid, we used to go to the Italian Deli after church each week for meats, cheeses and breads for antipasto.  I remember the smell of Romano when we walked in the door. We used to call it “stinky feet cheese!” In a Sicilian family, loving prosciutto is second nature.

Don’t accept substitutes, spend a little extra for the best. Make sure to slice it thin and do not cut off the fat, unless you plan to use it for a special treat!