Broccoli Rabe, make it like a Native Italian

As a cookbook author, I am fortunate to travel and to meet wonderful people from all around the globe. Back in July of 2017, I was invited to the Jersey Shore, Ocean City to be exact. We had a traditional Italian Sunday Dinner of Pasta and Meatballs at Cynthia's Place. I'm not giving the dinner justice, we had perfect Italian wine, wonderful bread, yummy salad, fresh fruit, some of my Anise Gluten-Free Biscottis, and even Lemoncello Almonds (I didn't even know those existed!).

Even though I am a Native Californian, and Broccoli Rabe grows here, I never learned to cook it properly. Finding it is difficult at best, but that's for another blog post. UNTIL Now.

Broccoli Rabe

Directions: Fill a 3rd of a pot with water, not half, a 3rd, add brocolli Rabe and cook till tender with a fork to check. Once cooled, cut and toss out any of the thicker parts of the brocolli stem/stalk. Next, in a sauce pan, saute in extra virgin olive oil the brocolli rabe, add pinenuts and garlic. (in a separate pan, saute the pinenuts with nothing, just sort of roast them paying attention not to burn). Add more as a final step to the dish.

For these and other Italian Inspired dishes, Gina Ferrari Recipes. Check out How To Cook Like A Hot Italian Mama, by, Gina Ferrari Buy Today!

Capo's Italian Speakeasy Restaurant, Knock Three Times and they just might let you in

Capo's Italian Speakeasy Restaurant, Knock Three Times and they just might let you in
By, Gina Meyers

Deep in the heart of Texas, I mean off of Sahara in Las Vegas, there is a joint so nostalgic you just cannot believe it. Knock three times and maybe they'll let you in. If you know the right people of course. I'm talking about a very unique dining experience, Capo's (translated, Mob Boss) Speakeasy. On our recent family vacation, I'm a cookbook author with discriminating tastes, afterall, I used all my resources to their full disposal and purchased a Travelzoo restaurant voucher. An amazing value for the price. I paid $19.00 for $30.00 worth of food, plus tip (tip should be off of the full value of the meal).

Dark, mysterious, with Frank Sinatra playing in the background, we were shown our table, a plush red booth with black and white photos of Mob bosses and chandeliers. The staff wears 1930's beatnik clothing from the era and they speak in a sort of Godfather English/Italian tome. Being of Italian decent, I didn't find it demeaning in the least, it was fun and the food was fabulous.

The staff were incredibly nice. We ordered the Capo's salad, a Meatball Sandwich, and a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich. The travelzoo special also came with drinks of which we ordered ice tea. The staff was so friendly, they kept filling up our ice tea and even sent us on our way to Hoover Dam with more iced tea to go.

A fun experience and overall pleasant dining and eating experience. Don't forget to tell them Gina sent you! Cookbook Author Gina Meyers