Happy Spring! Enjoy Maria's Tuscan Salad!

Hi Everybody,

I had a blast with Bob Cowan at  my CHCH TV Morning Live segment to welcome Spring!  Bob helped toss my easy Tuscan Bread Salad.  My table display also compliments the vibrant Spring colors and wanted to kick start with fun on a cold, snowy day!  In Italian, “Marzo Pazzo” means mad March!  One day, it sunny and mild and the next, snow and cold.  My easy Mediterranean recipes will always bring sunshine in your cucina!

CHCH TV 11 Spring 007

Tuscan Bread Salad (with Maria’s Rule Breaking Suggestions)!

5 cups of day old bread (use crusty bread or your favorite)
2 cups diced tomatoes (Greenhouse)
1 medium red onion (finely chopped)
1 cup (green/black olives)
1/2 cup capers
1/2 cup roasted garlic
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
salt/pepper to taste

Toss everything in the bowl and drizzle with your favorite extra virgin olive oil.  I featured one of my favorites (premium and fresh) available at www.oliveoilemporium.com.

You can have so much fun by making this as a main meal or a side.  Be creative, have fun and enjoy these Spring ideas with friends and family.

Here’s the link to the segment from CHCHTV 11. http://www.chch.com/morning-live-blog/item/12075-maria-filice

a presto,

Maria

Amaretti, Biscotti, Pizzelli….Oh my!

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Hi Everybody,

As a rule breaker…..I decided to create my version of the Gingerbread House with my delicous cookies from Breaking Bread in L’Aquila. I baked the cookies and with the help of my sister in law Maria, a brilliant and creative baker put the house together. I presented the Pizelli Palazzo on my monthly TV appearances on CHCH TV 11, Hamilton Canada.

Maria created the Pizzelli Palazzo, with the cookies and added a few more touches with chocolate torrone for the walkway. We added almond confetti (silver and white) for stones around the house. As Maria worked on the house, my gorgeous nephew Stefano and beautiful niece Amelia and I bonded over kareoke disco tunes “Funky Town” and “YMCA” ….wearing our funky hats, sunglasses and costumes. ps – I think Auntie Mary was having too much fun!

Maria and Gianni Bardini

I also brought the Pizzelli Palazzo during my book signing at the Italian Canadian Chamber of Commerce (ICCO) XMAS Party. Gianni Bardini, Console Generale D’Italia was very impressed with the design and I’m honored to have a copy of my book at the Consolate Office in Toronto!

Before I forget…..I want to acknowledge Stefano’s suggestion to seal some of the holes with the icing sugar glue – thank you Stefano! Of course, Amelia helped with the snowmen designs……forgive me for not mentioning on TV !

This house can be made with your favorite cookies! Have fun and be creative!

a presto,

Maria

Breaking Bread with Bob on CHCH TV

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Better late than never….

Here are a shot from my last segment on CHCH TV 11 “Monthly Mondays with Maria”. I made Bob a tasty caprese sandwich with Prosciutto/prescutto (dry cured ham) …..

Breaking Bread with CHCH TV 11, Hamilton, Canada

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Hi Everybody,

Once again, it was a great welcoming at CHCH TV 11. Had a blast with Bob Cowan as we broke bread and talked to our viewers about grilled vegetables or oven roasted vegetables and my savory Pasta alla Caprese!

I’m looking forward to joining CHCH on Monthly Monday’s with Maria. It’s home!

talk soon,

maria!