I was recently hired at a fantastic new job! I've waited tables for years, at a variety of places-- from a Perkins Pancake House to a small, family owned French restaurant in a haunted Victorian house (...don't ask) to white-tablecloth fine dining in our nation's capital. I've certainly seen my share of kitchens. But right now, I may be working at my favorite restaurant to date. It's an incredibly authentic Italian restaurant-- and when I say authentic, I mean it. The pasta, all the sauces, even the mozzarella cheese is made IN HOUSE. It's unbelievable and reminds me so much of the food I ate growing up. My big Italian family used to jar our own pasta sauce, and make our own wine, and I have a true appreciation for Italian cuisine. My family is from Abruzzi, and the family that owns this new restaurant is also from southern Italy, so the cuisine really feels familiar to me. Though I think my personal recipe for caponata will beat theirs, their menu is the most authentic Italian food I've had since I left home.
In honor of my new job and heritage, I want to share one of my FAVORITE recipes of all time. My family emigrated from Abruzzi and settled in South Jersey/South Philadelphia, and some of the best Italian-American recipes have come from immigrants that settled in that region. I found this recipe in a cookbook compiled by Celeste A. Morello, called "The Philadelphia Italian Market Cookbook". This dessert is the quintessential summer dessert: light, easy to make, delicious! I love it because any Italian worth her weight in salt will have these ingredients in her kitchen at all times, making it absurdly convenient.
"Bennedetta Gandolfo Donato's Railroad Cake"
(or simply, Railroad Cake)
1 cup sugar
4 tbs melted butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
Mix all ingredients; beat together for about 5 minutes. Grease and flour a loaf-shaped pan (hence railroad cake: it looks like a small, golden-brown railroad car!). Bake for 25 minutes at 325 degrees. Top it off with your favorite topping! Dark chocolate shavings, powdered sugar, or a homemade raspberry coulis and you have a perfect little dessert!
xoxo,
C
(image courtesy Wikipedia)
