Mia Familigia Recipes from Rapini Mama

The first encounter of the Italian Kind this young Caker had was the meeting of the inlaws to be 1981.  The meeting was to take place at my husband’s home on a Tuesday night at 6:00 pm.  Well when I arrived, I was taken into the living room, and there sat Antonio (the Don) of the family.  He was sitting in his wingback chair.  My mother-in-law was in the kitchen cooking (the way of the pecking order in an italian typical family).  She came into the living room and sat on the arm of the chair where (DON  D’Agostino) was seated.  

They began the interview with “So what religion are you” 

 


OMG, I thought Wow should I actually answer or question their religion??? – So here goes  - “what religion are you”?  They were a bit taken aback however I think this set the pace and broke the Ice.  I laughed and told them that I was Catholic and they looked very relieved.  I was going to tell them I was from my mother and father's love however didn't think that would go over too well  (since Ukrainian and Hungarian was too European). 

We proceeded to the kitchen where I was served (and totally shocked and grossed out) Fish Stew or Zuppa DePesce.  There was a fish head and they eyes were staring me down.  (apparently this is quite an honor to be served a fish head) unlike and no mistaking with sleeping with the fishes or having a horses head in your bed). 

Well unfortunately I made the mistake advising that I couldn’t eat this.  MY mother-in-law was very offended (who knew) and said “well maybe I no lika the food you cook too).  I responded by saying “you may be correct”.  This was the first encounter (however believe me Not the Last).

(Segway to Zuppa de Pesce)

Ingredients 4 people
1 piece of monkfish
1 piece of skate
2 cuttlefish
2 squid1
2 shrimp
4 scallops
12 clams
12 mussels
Parsley
Garlic
Onion
Puree tomatoes
Olive oil

Clean fish – remove skins, bones any excess skin on fish and rinse
Saute onions and garlic in olive oil.  Place cuttlefish  and squid into pot, cook until opaque.  Pour in sauce and salt and pepper to taste.   Cook about 10 minutes and then lay remaining fish gently into sauce.  5 minutes later, add shrimps, clams and mussels.  Meanwhile, cook linguini aldente – when past is cooked drain and return to pot.  Laddle sauce into pasta and stir.  Pour into serving bowl and place fish gently on top.  Serve by dribbling with oil olive and Homemade peppers – 

 

Hot mini red chili peppers chopped into tiny pieces
Veg Oil.
In a clean canning jar chop up peppers and place peppers in jar and cover with veg oil                 
Once open make sure to refrigerate.  When oil starts to depleat from  jar, refill so peppers are always covered.
Serve with Garlic bread

 and of course Ensalada

Ensalada          

Frise lettuce
Radiccio
Red Onion
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Sea salt, pepper (toss)

Garlic Bread

Chiabata bread
Olive oil, garlic clove
Toast bread, smooch with garlic and add a bit of olive oil, toast a bit to make sure garlic toasted and if you want to add additional flavour – sprinkle with parmesan or romano and toast.