Dinner with Maria/ Nonna, Year 5,Part 1

This post will be in two parts since it's quite long.  It's quite a nice read and I think enjoyable for those who like to read about friends and traditional events.

I'm hoping you look forward to hearing about our yearly tradition of going to Maria Mercante's lovely establishment where she has created the most homey Italian surroundings to make you feel like you are in Italy. She has an Italian store in Bloomfield, Pa

Which is Very close to the city of Pittsburgh.  The first floor is all beautiful Italian keepsakes as well as a section Maria and her friends and family bake.  Cookies, Biscotti of all different kinds and everything you could ever imagine an authentic Italian store would have in it.  Maria is a GEM.  I really don't know how she does it?  Her sidekick helping her continually is a spunky Italian young woman named Linda.  She is the sweetest and most hard working young lady I have ever met.  Just watching them together is a treat in itself.

We've known Maria who most call Nonna for over five years.  A lovely woman from Southern Italy that has been doing this lovely meal for us and well as others for years. Along with all she does she also manages to take about 8 to 10 people to Italy (different areas) and explore the culture of food, fun and family.  It's something we haven't done with her as of yet but intend on sooner than later.

This particular Sunday(we always have it on a Sunday around 1 p.m.) Maria managed to out do herself once again.  Of course Linda was there always one step ahead making the salad and setting up our appetizers and dishes as well as the clean up.  She is fast and efficient.  Praise to her!

We are a group of 4 couples who moved here from various areas and just clicked. Family loving, kind and fun people who people who enjoy socializing from time to time. We live in a quiet, beautiful, condo twenty miles north of the city of Pittsburgh.  We met two of the three couples when we moved here 8 1/2 years ago and have managed to keep in contact on a regular basis.  They have become cherished friends.

Now it's time to get on to the delicious dinner.  I don't remember the names of a lot of the appetizers but pretty much know the meal entrees and dessert.  Enjoy! 
12/15/15

To be Continued

Our Valley visit! My visit with Mom!

Life is made of memories...
My Mom's is now with my Dad and brother in heaven looking down smiling.  They are together and I am so grateful for that. She passed away peacefully on February 13th of this year. (2017)

Five years ago today I was visiting her and brought some of her famous kolache.

 She looked wonderful and sure was happy :) to see us..(hubby included).  I brought her some of her favorite little meals and desserts..I was sure to bring her several pieces of kolache since it was her recipe I made for Easter and up until last week I had never been tempted to make it.

I have wanted to bring some of my families recipes to print and by doing a blog it has encouraged me to try all of the recipes Mom had hand written and hoped to get some clarity on several while she was still able to give me a few family hints.. One being she always adds a bit of sugar to her Cole slaw and salad.  Just a pinch she says.:)

Mom

 I also bought her some items she had suggested that she might like.. I have wanted to take her out shopping (I'd use her wheelchair) but she is very vain and didn't want to be seen so I must shop for her and bring all to her when I visit..It is quite a chore picking and choosing and hoping she'll like what I select.

I bought her shirts and slacks and socks as well as 2 purses.  One brown and one black..The straps must be long enough to wrap around her walker and has to have just the right amount of storage!!!!!!!!! Yes she is quite fussy but it seems this visit all was to her liking.  Yay!!!

We did get to get out with friends for an evening meal which was quite enjoyable.  NEPA (Northeast Pa as it is called) has many wonderful pizza and Italian restaurants and cafes..When we visit we alternate between pizza (we love most there) especially Revello's, Colarusso's and Salerno's just to name a few. 

This time we ate at Cafe Italia on the back road in Plains.(Port Blanchard).  You have to be from that area to understand the lingo and those who are from that area probably know exactly what I mean.  Our meal was very good and our friends brought homemade vino and lemonciello for us to taste.  Very talented guy!  There are many people from from the area who  like to venture into wine making..

My Mom and her family made Dandelion wine!  A very tedious job.  I remember how proud they would be perfecting it..Lots of fond memories!

Here is one of our entrees that we enjoyed while visiting!   Happy Baking and Cooking!

Parmesean coated veal and fried potatoes

4/11/12 original

Our annual dinner with Maria (Nonna) # 3

Our yearly traditional Christmas get together (Italian dinner)  is spent at Maria's.  You ask who Maria is?  She is a wonderful, happy ,friendly, Italian woman who is a phenomenal cook and host to this wonderful feast.  She has become our friend and not only do we plan ahead for this feast yearly (Christmas especially) but visit her store when we are in the area.  It is so amazing!  It's a must see if you happen to be in Pittsburgh, PA and travel to a little primary Italian neighborhood called Bloomfield.  A must see!

Me and the lovely Maria

  Every October there is an Italian Festival and Columbus Day parade that knocks your socks off with food, music, games and authentic Italian people from all regions of Italy.  We don't miss it!!

One of the many gifts to purchase at Maria's.

I like to bake and cook as you all are aware of by now but I can say Maria is one of the best in her field and I am pleased to be a fan of hers. (She even has cooking classes)  I honestly don't know where this woman gets her energy?   Confident, super knowledgeable in many Italian regions and their culinary customs you can ask her any question and she answers with ease.

 She also has an Italian store in the same building as where she prepares every dish and every Italian pastry you can ever imagine.  Also her store is packed with every item from Italy. No made in China items at her store!   From tablecloths to pasta bowls and so much more.  I want to give you her web address so you can check out this fabulous woman Maria and her Italian gift store.

Link to Maria's:Mercante Gifts

  She also makes a variety of Italian cookies which you can buy everyday.... Biscotti are at your fingertips whenever you want some as well as Italian knots too! 

It has been a yearly treat. We, meaning my hubby and I and 6 of our closest friends go to Maria's and she cooks dinner for us.  A gracious person who loves to cook delights in this tradition.  Her kitchen is modest, well equipped and immaculate.   She runs it in a way with ease.  One lovely woman (Linda) is her helper.  A sweet young woman who helps Maria in all the preparation and she also helps serves the meal.. 

Please enjoy a few of our delicious, mouth watering or so perfect dishes we enjoyed that day.  Bon Appettite!

Butternut Squash with red grapes and pecans is a lightly sweetened glaze.

Tenderloin with mushrooms.

Apple, walnut crustada

Cleveland's West Side Market! Food, Fun & Lots to see

We (referring to my hubby and I) had heard so many wonderful things about Cleveland decided to invite our good friends and explore the city.  I have to say I am so happy we did.  Not only is it a beautiful city so spacious and bright but the market and little quaint shops made the day even better.  I love quaint unique shops.  You must put Cleveland on your list of must see!! 

 Cleveland Rocks! 


I'll  be sharing the day with you through some pictures I was able to take. The day was a bit cloudy and windy and I was hoping for a few nicer shots but I think you'll get the gist of what a wonderful time we had but first I'd like to share a little history of the West Side Market.

The West Side Market, at the edge of Ohio City in Cleveland, is a cultural and culinary gem. Opened in 1912, the market combines graceful Neo-Classical/Byzantine architecture with a vibrant produce and meat, poultry, and dairy market. Not only is the West Side Market an interesting and fun place to visit, it's a great place to find quality groceries at affordable prices.

History and Architecture:

The ninety-five year old West Side Market consists of an indoor market with its distinctive clock tower and an adjacent semi-enclosed "outdoor" market, filled with produce, grain, and fresh flower vendors.The West Side Market, originally created as a neighborhood ethnic market still fulfills that function as well as a fascinating day trip destination for suburbanites and those visiting the city

 Inside the market, make sure to note the original quarry tile flooring as well as the decorative corbels, depicting animals and vegetables, on the market's columns. Also distinctive is the 44-foot high vaulted ceiling with its rich terracotta tile, placed in a herringbone design.

 The indoor market features meat and poultry vendors as well as those selling cheeses, dairy products, and bakery items. It is here that the ethnic character of the market really shines. Items for sale here include Amish chickens, fresh Hungarian sausage, freshly cut steaks and pork chops, strudels, and hard and soft cheeses. Ohio City Pasta sells their homemade pasta here; the Cheese Shop offers more than 140 different kinds of cheese; and there's an adjacent fish market with all varieties of fresh fish and seafood. Prices here are generally attractive.

What a day!!!! Even had the pleasure of hearing some Mandolin music while we had some coffee and dessert!

We were treated to some great Mandolin music!

The sweetest and most helpful young woman!  with great culinary products.  Check out her small but unique shop in the Market! www.The OliveAndTheGrape.biz

Walleyes are at all fish markets..

Something Different Gallery!  Isn't this COOL!Check them out at WWW.SOMETHINGDIFFERENTGALLERY.COM

Something Different WWW.SOMETHINGDIFFERENTGALLERY.COM

Koula , the owner, we had the pleasure of chatting with . Gracious and so helpful.  The gallery is a must see!

The best pastries! They're the "I miss home pastries"pastries everyone wishes they had in their town.

Yes we brought some home :)

This restaurant is called the Crop.  We  opted to go to Little Italy but took a quick look inside.

You talkin to me!

or me?

Need I say more!!!! One of the best!  I liked it as much as NYC's Little Italy!!

Where we dined and it was delicious, homemade and reasonable in price.  We would definitely go back and Huge portions too!

Homemade potato gnocchi..Definitely homemade!!! You could taste the  potato..Yummy

 

A view of some of the beautiful displays in the Something Different Gallery!     WWW.SOMETHINGDIFFERENTGALLERY.COM

WWW.SOMETHINGDIFFERENTGALLERY.COM

Unique an durable!  I love them and can't wait to use them....

Just a small example of the many delicious desserts..

I must get one of these.  Every year I say it .  It's a must!

10/20/12