Monday, December 14, 2009

Recipe: Saltimbocca alla Romana

"In addition to great contests..., CiaoDC.com always keeps me up to date on what's happening!" -- Matthew Ludlum, Winner of December Family Holiday Giveaway, signed copy of cookbook 'Lidia Cooking From the Heart of Italy' by celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich.

Serving Italian for your holiday gathering? One bite of Chef Carmine's Saltimbocca alla Romana recipe below and guests will be saying, "buonissimo!"




Saltimbocca alla Romana by Chef Carmine Marzano

Serves 4

8 thin veal cutlets (About 1 pound)
8 thin slices Italian prosciutto ham (Parma)
8 fully-grown sage leaves
3 to 4 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

Carefully flatten the slices of meat with the smooth side of a meat mallet. Place 1 leaf of sage on each veal cutlet and spear the leaf onto the slice of meat with a wooden toothpick . Melt 2 tbsp. of butter in a large frying pan. Add cutlets and pan-fry 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Lightly season the meat with salt and pepper, remove the cutlets from the pan, keep warm. Dilute the pan juices with 1/2 cup of white wine and bring to rapid boil. With a heat resistant whisk, dissolve 1 to 2 Tbsp. of butter into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, return the cutlets to the pan, and heat them up quickly. Serve on preheated platter and drizzle with the pan juices. Pair with a dry white wine.

Catering by Carmine: Interested in having Chef Carmine host your holiday gathering or at-home cooking class? Contact ciaodc@gmail.com for more information.
Buon Appetito e Mangia!






























Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Silver Treasure Italian Embassy Exhibition

Discover historic Italian silverware during the exhibition of Silver Treasure now at the Italian Embassy from Dec. 8 - January 7, 2010. Exhibit hours Mon. - Fri., 10:00 a.m. - 12:00; 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Italian Embassy, 3000 Whitehaven Street, Washington, DC 20008. Organized by the Italian Cultural Institute.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Winner of CiaoDC.com Family Holiday Gift Pack

Thank you to all of the participants of CiaoDC.'s December Giveaway. Your referred family members will now be receiving ciaodc.com news just in time for the holidays. Only two winners could be chosen this time -- but please stay tuned to enter to win for next month's giveaway!

Congratulations to Cyndi Zeiman and Matthew Ludlum of Alexandria, VA. They are the lucky winners of CiaoDC.com's Family Holiday Giveaway! Cyndi is the winner of Gift #1: Private Cooking Demonstration by Chef Carmine. Matthew is the lucky winner of Gift #2: Signed copy of celebrity Chef Lidia Bastianich's latest cookbook, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy. Grazie e Congratulazioni!


Read exclusive interview with ciaodc.com and celebrity chef, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich about family, food and the heart of Italy.

Enjoy a special holiday recipe from Lidia's cookbook, Chocolate Bread Parfait. Recipe here.



CiaoDC.com Holiday Blog is being crafted daily to inform subscribers of holiday happenings, Italian traditions, recipes, New Year's Eve events and more! Check in each day for all things Italian holiday.

*Winner will be selected and posted on blog December 10, 2009. Chef demonstration to include preparation only. Food or beverage not included. Demo to be provided at a mutual agreed upon date and time of winner and donor.