Tuesday, September 2, 2025

What is Red Sauce

 



"RED SAUCE"




What is Red Sauce? A question often asked. Well, there is no one sauce that is Red Sauce. When using the term "Red Sauce," you are talking about any one of several different Italian Sauce (Italian-American), made with Tomatoes, and mostly served on and of 100 types of different pastas (Maccheroni), but not only on Maccheroni.
Red Sauce can be a Tomato Sauce, without any meat in it, just tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and fresh basil, and maybe oregano, or not. Then the other Sauce that falls into the category known as "Red Sauce," is what is known as Sunday Sauce, Gravy, "Gravy," or simply SAUCE. These are all Red Sauce's. These Red Sauce's that have meat in them might be made with tomatoes of course that have Sausages, Meatballs, and Braciole, and other meats according to what the person cooking it likes in his Sunday Sauce (Sunday Gravy, Gravy). For instance, my favorite way of making Sunday Sauce, is with Sausages, Meatballs, and Pork Spare Ribs slowly cooked in the sauce. But I don't always make it this way, I with it up according to my mood. Sometimes I make it with Sausages, Meatballs, & Pork Ribs, while other times I might replace the Meatballs with Chicken Thighs and make my "Sauce" with  Sausages, Ribs, & Chicken Thighs. Yes, I said "Chicken thighs which taste great, slowly cooked in the Sauce. All of these sauces mention, are Red Sauces.

When making the a Sunday Sauce, I make enough to last at least 3 days, and we get a number of meals out of the one sauce. You put the time in to make the sauce, you should make it last. It take about the same time to make a small pot of sauce as it does to make one two or three times larger. It doesn't make sense to me to make a small pot of sauce, that I will only get 1 or two meals from. I want to get a minimum of 4 meals or more out of the one pot of sauce. For example, when I make a sauce that has meatballs in it, I always want a good amount of meatballs in the sauce. We eat the Maccheroni with all the meats, the Sausages, Ribs, & Meatballs on Sunday. Monday rolls around, which is what I (Daniel Bellino Zwicke) have coined years ago, "Meatball Parm Mondays" which I wrote about in my book Sunday Sauce, way back in 2013. So, "Meatball Parm Mondays?" We Italian (Italian-American) men love our Meatball Parm Sandwiches. We make the Sunday Sauce on Sunday (sometimes Saturday), and we eat it with Maccheroni (short pasta) on Sunday. When Monday rolls around, we take the leftover Meatballs from the previous days Sunday Sauce, and we make Meatball Sandwiches for Monday's lunch or dinner, and we are happy campers. On Tuesday, whatever is left of the Sunday Sauce, we'll cook up some Maccheroni, and eat it with whatever is leftover from the sauce made on Sunday. Maybe it's just tomato sauce which is left, which we dress the Maccheroni with. Maybe there's a little meat left which is thrown on as well. Sometimes I'll put quite a good amount of Sausages in the Sauce when I make it on Sunday, and if any sausages are left in the sauce come Tuesday, I might make a Sausage Sandwich. You see, you want to get a lot out of that one Sauce that you make on Sunday. Take my advice, and do it.
 
Red Sauce (Tomato Sauce) is the backbone of Italian-American cooking, which many dishes are made with tomato sauce. You use Red Sauce to make dishes like: Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Parm, Lasagna, Baked Maccheroni, Eggplant Rolatini, baked Ziti, and more.

Oh, by the way. Some Italians use the term Red Sauce, but it is more of a non Italian-American thing than an Italian-American thing. Americans who are not of Italian heritage, are the people who use this term (Red Sauce) most. Some Italian-Americans use the term, but when talking about a sauce, Italian-Americans are more prone to using the actual name of the sauce, saying, Marinara or Marinara Sauce, Tomato Sauce, Sunday Sauce, "Gravy," or Sunday Sauce, than using the term "Red Sauce," which is used more by non-Italian.

The there is the great debate, on Sunday Sauce, Sauce, Gravy, and Sunday Sauce, which are all sauces made with various meats that are slowly cooked with tomatoes. Many call it Sunday Sauce, and some call it Gravy. It all depends on what your family comes from where your origins are in Italy, and what Italian Enclave you live in in America, whether in Brooklyn, Jersey, Boston, Baltimore, or New York. What do you call it? Don't get in a tiff over it. The most important thing to remember, is the taste of your Sunday Sauce, and the people you share it with. The Sauce must be tasty. That goes without saying. Enjoy!



Daniel Bellino Zwicke











SUNDAY SAUCE 

LEARN HOW to MAKE "RED SAUCE"

All DIFFERENT KINDS !!!







Friday, August 29, 2025

Venetian Artichokes Recipes - Venice

 



MIRELLA'S ARTCICHOKES'

"CARCIOFI"







MIRELLA Makes ARTICHOKES

Four DIFFERENT RECIPES











POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK






Shrimp Asparagus Risotto Recipe - Venice

 



ADA

Serving The RISOTTO

VENICE, ITALY







RISOTTO con GAMBERI e ASPARAGI

VENICE







ADA Makes RISOTTO

Of SHRIMP & ASPARAGUS

VENICE, ITALY





SHOPPING For The RISOTTO

The RIALTO MARKET - VENICE



ADA Picks Up Some SHRIMP

(GAMBERI)





ASPARAGUS for the RISOTTO

RIALTO MARKET

VENICE







The FEAST of The 7 FISH

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS








HOTELS VENICE  & WORLDWIDE




FLIGHTS & HOTELS WORLDWIDE

FLY With EXPEDIA










Venetian Bigoli con Salsa - Venice

 




OSANA Makes BIGOLI con SALSA

VENICE, ITALY








BIGOLI con SALSA

Thick VENETIAN SPAGHETTI

With ONION & ANCHOVY SAUCE

Bigoli con Salsa was originally made in Venice for Christmas
and the Catholic Lenten Season, of not Eating Meat

It became so popular that it is now made Year Round











POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

With 100 REGIONAL RECIPES

Of NAPLES CAPRI & The AMALFI COAST 











CHEF ANGELO

BIGOLI con SALSA






GOING to VENICE ?



FLIGHTS & HOTELS WORLDWIDE

VENICE - ITALY - EUROPE - WORLDWIDE










Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Sunday Sauce by Daniel Bellino

 




SUNDAY SAUCE

Daniel Bellino Zwicke





SUNDAY SAUCE


by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke


Daniel Bellino-Zwicke is the author of Sunday Sauce"When Italian-Americans Cook"

AMAZON.com

Here are some key details about the book:

  • Focus: The book explores the tradition of Sunday Sauce (also called "gravy") in Italian-American culture, highlighting its importance as a symbol of family togetherness.

  • Content: It includes recipes for classic dishes like Clemenza's Sunday Sauce from The Godfather, meatballs, pasta fazool, and more.

  • Beyond recipes: The book is interspersed with stories and factual information about Italian-American food, people, and culture, aiming to create an engaging experience for the reader.

  • Author's background: Daniel Bellino-Zwicke has over 25 years of experience in the culinary and wine industry, including working as a chef, wine director, and managing partner at various restaurants in New York City.

  • Reception: The book has garnered positive reviews, being described as authentic, enjoyable, and filled with great recipes and stories that resonate with readers, according to Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble reviews.

  • Availability: "Sunday Sauce" is available in both paperback and Kindle editions, and has been a #1 bestseller on Amazon Kindle in the Italian Cookbook category for a period of over three years. 


  • Focus on authentic Italian-American recipes: Like many Italian-American cookbook authors, Zwicke emphasizes traditional recipes and the flavors associated with this culinary tradition. He's praised for the authenticity of his dishes, with one reviewer noting their similarity to those made by their Sicilian grandmother.

  • Emphasis on family and nostalgia: Italian-American cooking is deeply tied to family and tradition, and this is a common theme explored by authors in the genre. Zwicke's cookbooks, such as "Sunday Sauce", incorporate stories and anecdotes that connect the food to its cultural and personal significance. Similarly, Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli's "Italian American" emphasizes the importance of family history in their approach to the cuisine.

  • Accessible recipes for home cooks: Many authors aim to make Italian-American cooking approachable for home cooks, and Zwicke is no exception. Reviews of "Sunday Sauce" highlight the ease of following the recipes. Authors like Lidia Bastianich also focus on making Italian-American cuisine accessible to a wide audience.

  • Incorporation of regional influences: While rooted in Italian-American traditions, some authors explore regional variations within Italian cuisine that have influenced this cooking style. Zwicke's work mentions recipes from areas like Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Gianluca Conte's "Italian/American" also explores both his Ischian heritage and American roots.

Bellino Zwicke shares in the book

In "Sunday Sauce: When Italian-Americans Cook," Daniel Bellino Zwicke shares numerous stories interwoven with recipes, reflecting on the cultural significance of the dishes and their connections to family and traditions.

One example is found in the excerpt available on his website. In this excerpt, Bellino Zwicke sets the scene for a traditional Italian-American Sunday meal, describing the antipasto that usually precedes the Sunday Sauce, a.k.a. "Gravy". He then elaborates on the "Main Event" of Maccheroni and Sunday Sauce, painting a vivid picture of the sensory experience associated with this dish and its cultural importance within the Italian-American community. He even humorously suggests that the male of the Italian-American species holds a particular fondness for Sunday Sauce, Meatballs, and other related dishes, further highlighting the role of food in shaping cultural identity



SUNDAY SAUCE




More on SUNDAYS SAUCE

Daniel Bellino Zwicke's

 book Sunday Sauce: When Italian-Americans Cook is more than just a collection of recipes—it is a tribute to Italian-American heritage and the role of food in bringing families together. It combines traditional, authentic recipes with stories about Italian-American life, making it a cultural experience as much as a cookbook. 

Key themes and content

  • A "Sunday Sauce" primer: The book explores the tradition of a slow-simmered, meaty tomato sauce, which many Italian-Americans call "gravy." It explains the long cooking process on a weekend and why it was the supreme dish of Italian-American families.

  • Recipes with a side of culture: Sunday Sauce features recipes for classic Italian-American comfort foods beyond the titular dish, such as meatballs, pasta fazool, and Italian wedding soup.

  • Pop culture references: The book is noted for its fun inclusion of famous, food-related movie scenes. For instance, it features the recipe for the "gravy" that Pete Clemenza makes in The Godfather.

  • Recipes inspired by icons: Zwicke also includes recipes and stories related to famous Italian-Americans, such as Frank Sinatra and Joe DiMaggio.

  • Personal and cultural stories: Interspersed with the recipes are anecdotes and commentary that provide context for the food, giving readers a deeper understanding of the Italian-American kitchen. Reviews mention Zwicke's passion and enthusiasm shining through his writing.

  • Accessible and authentic recipes: Readers praise the recipes for being authentic yet accessible, using real ingredients that are "actually doable" for home cooks. 

  • Critical Reception

The book has received largely positive reviews for its heartfelt and enthusiastic celebration of Italian-American cuisine. However, some readers have noted that the self-published book could benefit from tighter editing. Despite this, the quality of the recipes and the charm of the cultural stories are consistently highlighted. Zwicke's passion for his heritage makes the book a meaningful read for those who want to connect with Italian-American cooking on a deeper, more personal level. 



BELLINO' STYLE 

  • Humor and engaging storytelling: Reviews suggest that Bellino stands out for his ability to inject humor and engaging narratives into his cookbooks, making them a fun and enjoyable read in addition to providing recipes.

  • "Pre-eminent writer" on Italian-American culture: Some consider Zwicke to be a leading voice on Italian-American food, cooking, and culture, indicating a deeper focus on the broader cultural context surrounding the food.

  • "World's number one proponent of Italian-American Food and Cuisine": This strong claim suggests Zwicke's active advocacy for Italian-American cuisine as a legitimate world cuisine, potentially setting him apart from authors who focus solely on recipes or culinary instruction.







Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

NEW YORK CITY











Maritati Pasta Rapini Pugliese

 



FRANCESCA & HER PASTA

con CIME d RAPA






FRANCESCA Makes MARITATI PASTA PUGLIESE

CIME di RAPA

BROCCOLI RABES









FRANCESCA

In PUGLIA








NONNA BELLINO'S COOKBOOK











MARITATA PASTA

In ITALIAN - MARITATI Means "MARRIED"

They PASTA was Often SERVED at WEDDINGS

To YOU SEE The TWO DIFFERENT PASTA

The CAVATELLI Represent the MAN

And The ORECCHIETTE Represent the WOMAN

"CAN YOU SEE IT" ?








GOING to ITALY ?



FLIGHTS & HOTELS ITALY

And WORLDWIDE

"FLY with EXPEDIA"




Thursday, August 21, 2025

Pugliese Pasta Nonna Pork Rib Ragu

 



ANINNA Makes PASTA

"SAGNE" 









PORK RIB RAGU







ANNINA Makes HOMEMADE PASTA

With PORK RAGU










FAVORITE ITALIAN DISHES

And SECRET RECIPES

PORK RIB RAGU 

SALSA SEGRETO & MORE ...










Homemade "SAGNE PASTA PUGLIESE"

With PORK RIB RAGU

"Yumm" !!!






GOING to ITALY ?



FLIGHTS & HOTELS WORLDWIDE






















Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Sicilian Pasta with Cabbage - Recipe

 



BELLA SARA MARIA

SICILY







PASTA with CABBAGE

alla BELLA SARA








SARA MARIA Makes PASTA with CABBAGE

In SICILY - Near MOUNT ETNA


If you make this Pasta, buy 2 Kohlrabi bulbs.

They usually don't sell Kohlrabi with the leaves in America,
but if you can find them with the leaves, buy them.

If you can't get the Kohlrabi with the leaves, buy 2 bulbs,
and buy Swiss Chard, or Spinach, or Escarole to substitute 
for the Kohlrabi leaves.

Substitute, Caciocavallo for the Tuma Cheese, which can usually find
in good Italian Specialty shops or cheese shop.

If you can't find Caciocavallo, use a combination of a bit of Mozzarella (cubed)
and grated Pecorino Romano Cheese.

As Sara says in the video, you can use any shot Pasta that you like.
We suggest Rigatoni or Cavatappi.

Enjoy !








NONNA SARA & SONS

ENJOYING the PASTA









NONNA BELLINO'S ITALIAN COOKBOOK

"RECIPES From MY SICILIAN NONNA"