LaBellaSorella

Italian food, travel & lifestyle

  • Home
  • About
  • Italian Specialty Dishes
  • Italian Travel Memories
  • La Dolce Vita
  • Notable Italian Restaurants
  • Contact La Bella Sorella

Baccala Mantecato – Creamed Codfish

December 22, 2014 By Paula Barbarito-Levitt Leave a Comment

Baccala Mantecato | labellasorella.com

Baccala Mantecato, translated as mashed or worked cod, is a Venetian classic available throughout the year and typically served at intimate neighborhood cantinas called baccari.  At the baccaro, Venetians take time for some small nibbles and a glass of wine wine known as Cicheti & Ombre in the Venito. Cicheti or snacks, are generally displayed on the bar countertop in small plates and include the gambit of specialties the city has to offer.  One may find fried olives, polpette (little meatball) of veal, sardelle in soar (sweet and sour sardines) and other local specialties.  Cicheti is always  accompanied by Ombre or shade, which is a glass of wine enjoyed away from the sun; a moment to set aside the worries of the day…. 

Read More »

Filed Under: Appetizers, Antipasti & Wonderful Things to Nibble On

Thanksgiving Appetizers and Prosecco

November 3, 2014 By Paula Barbarito-Levitt 2 Comments

Thanks giving Appetizers and Prosecco | labellasorella.com

Our Thanksgiving day meal has remained largely unchanged over the years. Whether in Northern California or New Jersey, the progression of courses and recipes have more or less remained constant. There is a pattern, an order to how we do things from reviewing last year’s meal for some minor tweaking to orchestrating the presentation of the feast. After several weeks of ruminating over the details, preparing the to-do lists, marketing, starting the actual cooking  – understandably a well needed  moment to collect oneself before the big event is in order. Beginning our celebration in the living room in front of a toasty fire, with glass of  Prosecco and un bocconcino or nibble, coaxes our guests to relax while offering a peek of the delights to follow. Most civilized, wouldn’t you agree?… 

Read More »

Filed Under: Appetizers, Antipasti & Wonderful Things to Nibble On, Thanksgiving, Wine & Aperitivo Time

Frittelle di Zucchini – Zucchini Fritters

September 22, 2014 By Paula Barbarito-Levitt

Zucchini-Fritters-LaBellaSorella

I so enjoy preparing my summer vegetable garden even though my modest crop is limited to herbs, a variety of tomatoes, and zucchini. Why zucchini you ask, I mean don’t you live in California where this is readily available? Of course I do but two zucchini plants per year provide me with a healthy production of delicate zucchini blossoms. Every so often I seem to miss the precise moment to harvest, and magically zucchini seem to appear in abundance. I beg you, please do not suggest that I begin large scale production of zucchini bread as this, in my humble opinion, is generally a gummy tasteless substance, primarily an unnecessary caloric blunder…. 

Read More »

Filed Under: Appetizers, Antipasti & Wonderful Things to Nibble On

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8

Welcome to La Bella Sorella!

After years of teaching regional Italian cooking classes, planning Italian adventures, and sharing my travel tips about Italy, starting a blog about Italian food, travels and lifestyle was a just natural next step. Learn More…

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Thank you. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.

Recent Posts

  • Crostata di Ricotta & Viscioli – Ricotta & Sour Cherry Tart May 26, 2020
  • Almond Cookies with Cherry Preserves – Biscotti di Ceglie March 25, 2019
  • Gnocchi alla Romana – Roman Style Semolina Gnocchi February 11, 2019
  • Chickpea & Pumpkin Soup – Zuppa di Ceci & Zucca November 26, 2018
  • Chiara’s Pear Torte – La Torta di Pere della Chiara November 4, 2018
  • Gavi Ravioli – Ravioli a Culo Nudo al Gavi October 1, 2018

Archives

  • May 2020
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014

Categories

  • Appetizers, Antipasti & Wonderful Things to Nibble On
  • Basic Techniques
  • Beverages with an Italian Twist
  • Breads & Pizza
  • Comforting Soups, Pasta Dishes & Risottos
  • December Holidays
  • Desserts to Dream Of
  • Egg Dishes for Every Occasion
  • Living La Dolce Vita in California
  • Main Course Dishes or Secondi
  • None
  • Notable Italian Restaurants
  • On the Road in Italy
  • Passover
  • Rosh Hashanah
  • Salads for Every Season
  • Shavuot
  • Side Dishes or Contorini
  • Thanksgiving
  • Wine & Aperitivo Time

Blogroll

  • Parla Food
  • La Tavola Marche
  • Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino
  • Panini Girl
  • smitten kitchen
  • Due Spaghetti
  • Italy on My Mind
  • Ciao Chow Linda
  • Brooklyn Salt
  • Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome
  • Memorie di Angelina
  • Juls' Kitchen
  • Silvia's Cucina
  • Emiko Davies
  • Domenica Cooks
  • Marisa’s Italian Kitchen

Connect

After years of teaching regional Italian cooking classes, planning Italian adventures, and sharing my travel tips about Italy, starting a blog about Italian food, travels and lifestyle was a just natural next step. Learn More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Popular Posts

Copyright © 2025 Paula Barbarito-Levitt