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Italian Cuisine/Questions Answered by Expert Joan

SubjectDate Asked
chicken soup3/4/2011
  Q: Do you have a recipe for chicken soup that uses just a bit of tomato paste?
  A: I do not put tomatoes of any kind in my chicken soup. I guess it wouldn't hurt to put a Tbs or two ...
Garlic Bread.10/26/2010
  Q: It is weird that your profile is identical to Cristina's amoung the experts. lol. Anyway I found a ...
  A: The garlic cloves will become mushy after roasting that is the objective. Expel the cloves and ...
Garlic Bread.10/25/2010
  Q: It is weird that your profile is identical to Cristina's amoung the experts. lol. Anyway I found a ...
  A: James- you would want to leave the skins on to roast the garlic then squeeze the cloves, (which ...
Garlic Bread.10/22/2010
  Q: It is weird that your profile is identical to Cristina's amoung the experts. lol. Anyway I found a ...
  A: James. Add just a bit of salt to the garlic cloves and use the flat end of a butcher knife. Mash the ...
Italian cuisine6/14/2010
  Q: Can you tell me if most Italian dishes have garlic? Is it something that is used a lot in Italian ...
  A: Yes, Alfredo does have garlic but you can omit it if you like. It just won't taste quite the same. ...
Italian cuisine6/14/2010
  Q: Can you tell me if most Italian dishes have garlic? Is it something that is used a lot in Italian ...
  A: The answer is, "yes", garlic is used in most Italian dishes not only to complement the flavor but ...
What are the roots of North Italian cuisine?6/5/2010
  Q: I'm interested in the historical roots of Northern Italian cuisine. North Italian food is my ...
  A: I would suggest that you use an search engine for example, "google" or "bing" and enter the search ...
Hot Chocolate & Bomboloni5/11/2010
  Q: Greetings from Australia! I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a recipe for Italian hot ...
  A: Sounds Yummy! Here you go: HOT COCOA Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/3 cup sugar 1 ...
Italian cooking.4/13/2010
  Q: So, I was wondering what some of the serving customs in Italy would be. I know they eat breakfast, ...
  A: Most meals are eaten "family style" with all family members, friends and extended family seated at ...
Question from the TV show CSI3/10/2010
  Q: Joan. My name is Jon and I'm a researcher for the CBS Television show CSI: Crime Scene ...
  A: Okay~now you are really testing the "Italian Mama"...ha- Fresh parsley is purchased before you roast ...
Question from the TV show CSI3/10/2010
  Q: Joan. My name is Jon and I'm a researcher for the CBS Television show CSI: Crime Scene ...
  A: I must say that your introduction to this question had me reading twice then brought a chuckle to my ...
Comparing and Contrasting Cuisine and Methods Used Nationally in Italy3/4/2010
  Q: .. I have a great passion for food, and and from that passion I look at Italian cuisine and see ...
  A: Some of the spices used in Italian cooking are Oregano, Rosemary, Basil and I use a pinch of thyme ...
Italian cooking2/10/2010
  Q: my name is Cassidy and I am doing a project for my English class. I have been asked to research a ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - we've been a little "snowed in" here. Some of the ...
Mostacioli di Bari1/19/2010
  Q: I am looking for a good recipe for the Mostacioli di Bari. A restraunt out here (Frankie Johnie ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Here is a great simple recipe for Beef in Cream Sauce: ...
pasta1/15/2010
  Q: i'm new to cooking. i have started off cooking asian and american, but now i want to try ...
  A: Here is the recipe - it is tastes just a good if you would like to omit the wine: 1. Red Sauce with ...
Pizza12/17/2009
  Q: Did the Italians really invent pizza? I think they were the ones to bring it over to the United ...
  A: Sorry for the delay in getting to answer your question. As far as I know the Italians introduced the ...
Italian vegetable pizza12/15/2009
  Q: I'm curious how to make a true Italian vegetable pizza. I have been searching a lot of websites and ...
  A: I prefer the vegetable to be cooked along with the pizza. The reaon is that they are to be browned ...
question about meatballs12/8/2009
  Q: Is it true that to make the best meatballs you need a combination of veal,pork and ground chuck? Or, ...
  A: Sirloin is fine although Chuck has a better flavor. Yes, spagetti and meatballs is an "authentic ...
Bechamel12/7/2009
  Q: I'm not sure I'm doing this correctly. My Bechamel seems a bit "gritty". Am I doing something ...
  A: I believe that the key to a smooth Bechamel sauce is to heat the flour and butter thoroughly first. ...
question about meatballs12/7/2009
  Q: Is it true that to make the best meatballs you need a combination of veal,pork and ground chuck? Or, ...
  A: Yes it is true that meatballs are more flavorful with the combination of meats. Because it may ...
Red Wine Sauce12/3/2009
  Q: I have never cooked with red wine yet I would like to start. What are some good and somewhat simple ...
  A: Red Sauce with Mushrooms and Ground Beef Saute 1/4 cup diced onions 1/4 cup diced celery in 5 TBS ...
Keeping Round Look to Manicotti12/3/2009
  Q: Can't seem to find ANY help on the web for this question about canelloni/manicotti? How do you ...
  A: The "trick" is to cook your pasta el dente~meaning until it is still firm, subtract approximatly 5 ...
Entree for Christmas eve12/1/2009
  Q: On Christmas eve we will entertain approx 50-60, buffet style with tenderloin, whole ham, etc. We ...
  A: Have you considered hiring an octopus? With all kidding aside, I would suggest using disposable ...
Calzone/Stromboli11/15/2009
  Q: Even though Calzone and Stromboli look the same on the outside,they're different on the ...
  A: This was best answered in Wikipedia: "Stromboli is a type of turnover filled with various cheeses, ...
calabria11/10/2009
  Q: please could you tell me (if there is any) any famous dishes that come from the region of calabria ...
  A: When I think about puddings from Calabria, 2 come to mind. Blood Pudding and Bread Pudding. I ...
I need help with timing and re-heating11/4/2009
  Q: I am having 6 for dinner Saturday. After drinks and appetizers I am having a lasagna and a salad ...
  A: Wow - dinner sounds great! I wish I could be there :) 1st the Lasagne: Yes you can prepare it ...
Sauce10/31/2009
  Q: When I make homemade spaghetti sauce (with or without meatballs) I drain the pasta at least 5 ...
  A: Its your lucky day. I happen to be online and can answer that one. Do you add a small can of ...
olive oil10/26/2009
  Q: I like you, had grandparents who came here from Northern Italy, I'm second generation..I also grew ...
  A: You are not bothering me at all. I will share My Great Grandmother's Chicken Cacciatore recipe ...
olive oil10/26/2009
  Q: I like you, had grandparents who came here from Northern Italy, I'm second generation..I also grew ...
  A: It is so nice to hear from another 2nd generation Italian from the N.Italy area. You came to the ...
marinara sauce10/8/2009
  Q: what makes a sauce a marinara sauce?
  A: A "marinara" sauce is a simple red sauce that requires tomatoes. I have included a simple recipe. ...
Penne w/ vodka sauce10/1/2009
  Q: I would like to make this dish for my parents anniversary party and would like to know the best way ...
  A: These are disposable chaffing dishes and do not cost more than 10.00. Check it out. Otherwise I the ...
Penne w/ vodka sauce10/1/2009
  Q: I would like to make this dish for my parents anniversary party and would like to know the best way ...
  A: I really would not use as crock pot as the noodles may get mushy. I am not sure where you live but ...
pizza9/19/2009
  Q: What is the Italian name for a pizza shaped like a boat or a ship or a vessel?
  A: Thats a good question! My answer would be, "a very creative pizza". Seriously, I have never seen a ...
recipe9/18/2009
  Q: My Nona made what I would call an Italian coffee cake. I'm not sure of the spelling but it sounds ...
  A: My mom who is 87 said that her mother use to make what is now called " ItalianDepression Era Cake" ...
pizza9/8/2009
  Q: We bought a ball of whole wheat pizza dough at Trader Joe's. We let the dough sit at room ...
  A: This is a great question with a simple answer and best shown how to shape pizza dough in this video. ...
cooking with red wind8/19/2009
  Q: I plan on making a Marinara Sauce which includes 1/2 cup of red wine. Is it OK to serve this sauce ...
  A: Here are my thoughts...My Grandmother and all Italians of the 'Ole Country used wine, then known as ...
Really good baked pasta recipe8/17/2009
  Q: do you have a good recipe for a baked pasta dish for ~200 people? I'd like very flavorful, tomato ...
  A: Wow 200 people? This is my favorite recipe and yes it can be made in pans and reheated in the oven ...
Italian Crepes8/15/2009
  Q: My husband and I are trying to figure out how to spell scrappell??? lol It's some kind of crepe. ...
  A: Does this help ;)? "CRESPELLE" Crespelle or Italian crepes (sometimes called ...
meatballs in spaghetti8/10/2009
  Q: i'm new to cooking. ..well i made spaghetti and meatballs over the weekend.. .i have a couple of ...
  A: Welcome to the world of cooking...I never use bread in my meatballs. I do use 1 cup of Italian ...
Meat to compliment Vodka Sauce7/23/2009
  Q: I am trying to plan a meal for about 10 people. Someone else is bringing a dish with angel hair ...
  A: This recipe was like the one my Grandma use to make. It is especially lean and tasty and I think it ...
Italian Crispelli7/5/2009
  Q: When I was younger(much)my grandmother would make this treat on New Years eve. She called them ...
  A: I have not had the pleasure of consuming "Crispellis". However, I did research and find this ...
Where is the highest-quality restaurant around me?6/17/2009
  Q: I live in the city of Diamond Bar in the state of Southern California. This is in the west coast of ...
  A: (SEE Below) I live on the East Coast however, I have 3 very dear friends that live in So. CA. They ...
Pesto5/31/2009
  Q: How to use it - on which foods. Is it hot?
  A: Pesto is a mild Basil herb flavored sauce. Many folks make use of its abundance during the peek of ...
utensils3/24/2009
  Q: What are the traditional cooking utensils and equipment of Italy? eg. mezzaluna. What are more? Ones ...
  A: In order to be able to answer it specifically, I would need to know what you are cooking. ...
Can you double a risotto?3/13/2009
  Q: I need to feed 6 hungry people and want to make my mushroom risotto. Can I double a recipe? Will ...
  A: Doubling your recipe should not double the actual cook time for the rice. It may increase but ever ...
special plate/item to put pizza3/12/2009
  Q: My name is syarifah. im doing Diploma in Culinary Arts. for my final exam, i have to make a pizza. ...
  A: I have given this much thought. Your picture looks good and you may want to change up the colors of ...
special plate/item to put pizza3/11/2009
  Q: My name is syarifah. im doing Diploma in Culinary Arts. for my final exam, i have to make a pizza. ...
  A: You are lucky today because my mother who was born in 1922 just told me how her mother served pizza ...

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Joan

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Expertise

Anything related to authentic northern Italian recipes.

Experience

I am have been cooking family recipes from scratch since I was a little girl. My Grandparents came over on the "boat" from Italy almost 150 years ago. I cooked side by side with my grandmother, 8 aunts and uncles as well as my mother.

Publications
http://www.netcooks.com/recipes/Pork/Pork.Neck.Bones.Italian.Style.html

Education/Credentials
Bachelors of Science

Awards and Honors
Who is Who of National Business Women of 1996

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