LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERCIA - ON VACATION!

For those of you who've been following our "Made In America" recipe series, we'll be on vacation until September. Until then, keep on cookin'!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERCIA - COLE SLAW

I ate cole slaw long before I ever ate any type of cooked cabbage, and even today, I'm picky about how my cabbage is prepared. Cooked in a stir-fry is okay, but sauerkraut? Never! So much for my German heritage!

I was surprised that our Italian friends really liked this mayonnaise based cole slaw, and I guess the next step is to make my vinaigrette cole slaw to see if it's a hit too. Here's the recipe, although I'm not sure that celery seed is available here in Italy...I've never seen it in Umbria.


Cole Slaw

1/3 cup mayonnaise
I Tbsp vinegar
2 tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp celery seed


Mix all ingredients and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add to 3 cups shredded cabbage mixed with one shredded carrot.


La vera cucina americana......
Salata Cavolo

circa 85 gr mayonaisse
una cucchiaio grande (da minestra) aceto di mele (o aceto di vino bianco)
2 cucchiaini (di caffe) di zucchero
1/2 cucchiaini (di caffe) di sale
1/2 cucchiaini (di caffe) di semi di sedano

Mescolar tutto fina a lo zucchero si dissolva. Quindi aggiungere 300 gr di cavolo tagliuzzato misto con una carota grattugiata.

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - MACARONI AND CHEESE

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe. Today Michelle shares a recipe for MACARONI AND CHEESE. Because we don't have cheddar cheese in Italy, if you're here you'll have to settle for using Kraft singles. If you're where you can get good cheddar, then of course you'll want to use that...or some colby for a little extra creaminess. So far I've been lucky to have a stash of cheddar in my freezer...some brought by us from the states, some brought by English friends!

If you've been following along, you'll know that Judith over at THINK ON IT first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera Cucina Americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - QUESADILLAS

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe. Today Cherrye shares a recipe for QUESADILLAS!. Tex/Mex is definitely one of the tastes we crave, and although some ingredients are available here….like flour tortillas and salsa (even though it’s not very good!) many ingredients are elusive. Cheddar cheese is impossible to find in our area, although others in larger cities (and cities with more foreigners) can find it at a price. Cilantro is also missing, so we’ve brought seeds back with us, and some packets of mix to blend with tomatoes and onions for a really good salsa. I’m loking forward to trying Cherrye’s recipe and hope you’ll try it too!

If you've been following along, you'll know that Judith over at THINK ON IT first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera cucina americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERCIA - PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe. Today Sara shares her recipe for PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES, definitely a part of most American's childhood memories. We've never had any trouble finding peanut butter at our local Coop grocery store, but not everyone in Italy is as lucky as us...but things do seem to be changing. Click on the link in red to check out Sara's take on this tradtional American cookie.

If you've been following along, you'll know that Judith over at THINK ON IT first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera cucina americana

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - CHICKEN WINGS!

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe, this time, Judy, aka Divina Cucina, over at OVER A TUSCAN STOVE shares one of her favorite American recipes. Clicking on the link above will take you to Judy's recipe for that bar favorite, chicken wings. I remember my Mom and Dad (who was from Buffalo NY), talking about going to the bar in Buffalo where those wings were invented. NOW you know why they're called Buffalo wings!

If you've been following along, you'll know that Judith over at THINK ON IT first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera Cucina Americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - DOUGHNUTS

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe, this time, Judith shares her recipe for doughnuts. CLICK HERE to read her recipe and why it's special. We're still in the states where a warm Krispy Kreme doughnut comes awfully close to heaven. Imagine making them at home!

If you've been following along, you'll know that JUDITH first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera Cucina Americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - CRABCAKES

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe, this time, Mary, over at THE FLAVORS OF ABRUZZO , shares one of her favorite American-style recipes. Clicking on the link will take you to Mary's recipe for crabcakes.

If you've been following along, you'll know that Judith over at THINK ON IT first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera Cucina Americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - PICKLES

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe, this time, Judy, aka Divina Cucina, over at OVER A TUSCAN STOVE. Clicking on the link will take you to Judy's recipe for bread and butter pickles. I like all kinds of pickles, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would be bread and butter pickles, cut thick and chunky, served crisp and cold.

For whatever reason, there aren't many pickles in Italy, and most of the ones I've found are rather sour and not to my liking. As for sweet pickles or bread and butter pickles, or even pickle relish, I've never seen them.

If you've been following along, you'll know that Judith over at THINK ON IT first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera Cucina Americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe, this time buttermilk biscuits over at MY BELLA VITA. Clicking on the link will take you to Cherrye's recipe for her version of this southern staple.

I have to admit that I've never made buttermilk biscuits...I make baking powder biscuits...but now I guess I have to give these a try since they look so decadently wonderful!

If you've been following along, you'll know that Judith over at THINK ON IT first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...although we certainly do seem to have a lock on that market!

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera Cucina Americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - DRESSING/STUFFING

It's Friday, so it's time for another American recipe, this time courtesy of Michelle over at BLEEDING ESPRESSO. Clicking on the link will take you to Michelle's recipe for stuffing...or dressing, depending on what you call that wonderful concoction of bread, celery, onions and whatever else your family adds in. Just as in Italy, every cook has her own special blend of ingredients, and of course every family has their traditional favorites.

If you've been following along, you'll know that Judith over at THINK ON IT first came up with the idea of sharing some really good, really American recipes, mostly to show our Italian friends that we can do more than make delicious sweets...although we certainly do seem to have a lock on that market!

Judith also has a LIST OF ALL THE RECIPES HERE, just in case you'd like to see if one of our favorites might become one of yours! La vera Cucina Americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - BAKED BEANS WITH BACON

It's Friday, so once again it's Made in American Day....a chance for expats living in Italy to share good ole American cookin' with you! Of course we've all had to made some changes to our favorite recipes along the way, but Made in America, the brainchild of Judith, over at THINK ON IT, is our attempt to prove to our Italian friends that there IS good food in America, and that not every meal gets ordered at the drive-thru window! Today Sara makes one of here American favorites, baked beans with bacon. No matter where in the world you live, check it out "La vera Cucina Americana"!

BAKED BEANS WITH BACON

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - SCALLOPED POTATOES

Recreating the dishes that remind us of home, or of a different time in our lives can be difficult, even under the best of circumstances. There are some dishes that I make that will NEVER taste as good as my mom’s. Even though I use the same recipes and follow her instructions and techniques, some dishes just taste better when someone else makes them.

Here in Italy recreating special recipes from the states can be even more challenging. Sometimes the ingredients for our favorite recipes can’t be found here; no cheddar cheese for macaroni and cheese, no cream of mushroom soup for a quick and easy broccoli casserole (yes, I could make the soup from scratch, and have, but adding that step requires either advance preparation or a lot of extra time). Biscuits or pie crusts can be made with lard, which is easily found in Italy, but I’m used to using vegetable shortening, which is not. I haven’t yet found an acceptable substitute for the American bacon I use to make German potato salad, but I can make meatloaf with mashed potatoes.

Scalloped potatoes are a wonderful way to dress up potatoes and warm up the kitchen. Here’s the basic recipe, but you can make it into a main dish with the addition of ham, or you can add some cheese to sauce and topping. Cheddar, parmesan, or asiago would all work well.

Scalloped Potatoes

1 yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 ¼ cups milk
Salt and pepper
3 potatoes (about 1 lb)

Preheat the oven to 350º.

Grease a 1 ½ qt casserole dish with butter and set aside.

In a small saucepan cook the onion and garlic in butter til soft. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Add milk all at once and cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened and bubbly.


Thinly slice the potatoes and put half into the casserole dish. Pour half the sauce over the potatoes, then add the rest of the potoates and top with the remaining sauce.

Cover the casserole and bake for 40 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes.

Serves 4


La vera Cucina Americana....
ITALIAN VERSION….IN ITALIANO…

Sformato Americano di Patate


1 cipolla gialla, tagliata
1 spicchio aglio, tagliata
60 g burro
2 cucchiai Farina 00
300 ml Latte
circa un cuchiaino raso di sale
pepe qb
3 patate (circa 500 gr)

Scaldate il forno a 175º C

Imburrate una casseruola coperta di 1.5 litri.
In una piccola padella, saltate la cipolla e l'aglio

in burro finchè sono morbidi e trasparenti.
Incorporate la farina, il sale ed il pepe. Aggiungate
tutto il latte e cucinatelo su un fuoco medio,
mescolandolo fino a è consistente e pieno di bolle.

Affettate le patate sottili e mettete la metà nella
casseruola. Versate la metà della salsa sopra le
patate, quindi aggiunga il resto delle patate e
copritele con il resto della salsa.

Coprite la casseruola e infornatela per 40 minuti.
Scopritela e lasciatela cuocere per 30 minuti in più.

Servitela calda. Per 4 persone

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERICA - CHICKEN POT PIE

Today is Friday, so that means it's time for another addition of "Made in America". Today’s recipe is supplied by JUDITH, and it’s CHICKEN POT PIE! Since winter just doesn’t seem to want to let go, this sounds like a great idea to warm the house and warm the soul. Give it a try…even if you’re Italian. La vera Cucina Americana!

LA BUONA CUCINA AMERICANA - MADE IN AMERCIA - COOKING AMERICAN STYLE IN ITALY

Beginning today my good friend Judith who writes the entertaining blog THINK ON IT is kicking off a new series, "Made In America". After years of having her Italian friends eye her American food with more suspicion than eagerness, and after hearing Italian chefs criticize American food with such sweeping terms it was obvious they had no idea what they were talking about, Judith has decided to strike back!

Today, and for the next several Fridays, Judith will feature American recipes from her kitchen and from the kitchens of other Americans now living in Italy. Sure, sometimes it’s tough to recreate that special comfort food from our childhood. Sometimes the ingredients aren’t so easily found, like cheddar cheese or sweet potatoes. Other times the typical American dishes aren’t as appreciated by our new Italian friends as we might like. Hey! We all love Italian food, what makes you so afraid to try something American? La vera Cucina Americana!

Today Mary, who writes THE FLAVORS OF ABRUZZO, kicks this series off with her recipe for SHEPHERD’S PIE.

Please join us each Friday as we celebrate our favorite American recipes! I’ll post a link each Friday, as will JUDITH, MARY and other surprise guest bloggers. All the recipes will be available in both English AND Italian, just in case we inspire our Italian friends to take a chance!