THE  “BIONIC” CHEF

By:  Paula Macri, owner of Gattuso’s Italian Market, 900 S.W. Martin Downs Boulevard, Palm City, Florida 34990  772-781-3004. You can also e-mail me at: gattusositalianmarket@yahoo.comfor any questions you might have.

Most of you know about me and my handicap and the challenges that I go through each and every day. You may or may not know about how I got the name “Bionic”. Several years ago, I had a BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) implanted in my skull, which makes me think I have an ear when in fact my right ear is deaf!  I continue to say to everyone, life is too short, live every day to the fullest no matter what the challenges are.

I would like to continue to share my recipes with you, and, as I keep telling you, some of it will be Italian and some will be … well, something else! This month, how about some comforting casseroles?

We have had an extremely cold winter in Florida while parts of the Northeast were actually warmer than we were, and then came all the snow up north.   Now I know why I moved to Florida!

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE WITH BLUEBERRIES

12 slices of dry Italian Bread (you can order this at the market), cut into ½” cubes (to dry bread, place on a wire rack in a single layer and cover loosely overnight).

2 pkgs. cream cheese (8 oz. pkgs.), cut into ¾” cubes

1 cup of fresh blueberries

12 eggs

2 cups of half and half

½ cup pure maple syrup

Place half of the bread cubes in the bottom of 3 quart baking dish, buttered well. Sprinkle the cream cheese cubes and blueberries over the bread cubes.  Place remaining bread cubes over the blueberries.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, add the half and half and ½ cup of maple syrup.  Gently beat all together.  Pour the egg mixture over the bread layers.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hrs. Or you can prepare  it the day before and put it in the refrigerator for the next morning.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Remove plastic wrap and cover with aluminum foil.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove foil and bake an additional 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean and the topping is golden brown.  Serve with warm maple syrup.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

2 lbs. fresh Italian sausage (I have this at the market)

2 cups of cooked rice (use instant rice you cook in the bag)

2 cans of cream of celery soup

¼ cup milk

4 cups of Rice Krispies

4 large eggs

8 oz. of sharp cheddar cheese

1 medium onion, chopped

In a frying pan, cook the sausage and onion together and drain the fat.  In a mixing bowl, mix together the eggs, soup and milk.  Layer the sausage, rice, Rice Krispies and cheese in a baking dish.  Pour the soup mixture over the top.  Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes.

MEATBALL CASSEROLE – CREAMY STYLE

1 can of condensed cream of onion soup

1 can of cream of potato soup

1 cup milk

½ cup fresh ricotta cheese (I have hand made fresh at the market)

1 package of red-skin potato wedges (in the refrigerated section)

1 16 oz. package of frozen cooked meatballs, approximately 32

1 16 oz. package of leaf spinach

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix the soup, milk, ricotta, salt & pepper.  Mix in the potatoes, meatballs and spinach.

Place the mixture in an ungreased 3 qt. baking dish.  Bake covered, approximately 1 hour or until heated through.

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE WITH LADY FINGERS

3 pkgs. of lady fingers (I have these at the market)

2 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese

1 pint of whipping cream

¾ cup sugar

1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

1 can of blueberry pie filling

In a large bowl, blend the sugar, cream cheese and vanilla together and beat the whipping cream until stiff.  Mix all together. Line a 10” spring pan with lade fingers on the bottom and on the sides.  Put half the mixture into the pan, place the remaining lady fingers on top with the remaining cream mixture.  Top with blueberry pie filling.  Place in refrigerator until well chilled.  Remove the sides of the pan to take the cheesecake out.  Enjoy!

I keep adding so many more specialty products which makes my market a real “gem” when you finally discover us. The Boston Clam Chowda and Lobster Bisque are shipped direct every week from Boston.

If you have not tried my new line of Hand Made Russian dumplings or fresh Pierogies you are missing some really great food.

Remember, if you don’t cook or don’t have time to cook, try one of my cooked Italian Meals to go. We can also cater your party or special event.

A dessert lovers delight, my Key Lime Pie has won #1 at the Fancy Food Show every year. Customers keep coming back for more. Another new addition is my Key Lime Pie dipped in chocolate on a stick. I also have Napoleons from Brooklyn, Italian Cookies from Brooklyn, Italian Rum Cake from Brooklyn, the best Cannoli in Florida, and a new Triple Berry Crème Brulee. I also have the most wonderful cheese cakes from New York which you can buy by the slice. Once you buy a slice you will want the whole cake!

We are known for our famous Brooklyn Bread and 9 varieties of Pierogies from New Jersey. At the end of last year we brought in a new line of pasta from Italy, tastes like homemade. We also have a whole new line of groceries.

If you have not tried our Brick Oven Bread from Brooklyn, you must try it.  

Don’t forget your weekend parties. We can customize an antipasta, meat, cheese platters or dessert platters for you. If you need any event or party catered we can do it. Every weekend event can use an extra pan of homemade lasagna or meatballs. 

Many customers can’t get enough of my Refill and Save Program which is one of a kind. We met a family which has owned farms in Greece and Italy for over 400 years. We receive 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 12 year old Balsamic Vinegar, in bulk, directly from their farms in Greece and Italy. “Nobody messes with it” unlike most commercially imported products. You can come into my store and sample both with our fresh sweet Italian Bread. My customers tell me they are putting both on just about everything and they love bringing the bottles back to the store to refill it from our Rustic European Fusti. It is an experience and savings you will enjoy time and time again. It is a fabulous taste explosion you won’t forget.

Gattuso’s Italian Specialty Market, 900 SW Martin Downs Blvd., Palm City, FL 34990 – Phone: 772-781-3004;