Parents 30th Anniversary Dinner

The whole family celebrated our parents 30th anniversary at Filippos.  Its an Italian restaurant (shocker huh?) on 69th and Lincoln in Milwaukee. The restaurant was very old school.  Our waitress was excellent, especially considering she managed our table of 8 alone.  I very much enjoyed myself, but whether that was due to the food or the company I'm not sure.  If I'm being honest I enjoyed the pizza but have no doubt had better, my husband got an italian salad which he didn't enjoy much.  The rest of my family seemed to really enjoy their food, an array of Parmesan Chicken, Spiedini (looked AMAZING) and Veal Cordon Bleu.  No complaints from anyone else.  They don't serve your baisc Pepsi or Coke, they serve Black Bear products.  No big deal to me, I'm not a soda drinker (Its against my oath as a dedicated Dental Hygienist) but it could bother some folks.  All in all, I would go back.  It would have to be without my husband I think but that can always be arranged.

If you've been to this restaurant before let me know what you thought!

One of my Favorites

I am quite proud to be Italian and love cooking Italian food so I think I will start by posting one of my favorite Italian recipes.  It is a commonly shared recipe that even my husband enjoys without any tweaks to the original (major shocker!).  It can be used as a side dish or a main course! 

Agli Olio
(pronounced Egg-Lee Oh-Lee-Oh in my family)

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Garlic (I like to use minced)
1/4 cup Parsley (dried)
1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (I often add more, we like a little spice in my house)
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 lb. bow tie Noodles
1/2 packaged sliced Hard Salami cut into strips

Begin by combining all the ingredients except the noodles and salami in a large bowl and set aside for at least 30 minutes, the longer it mingles the more flavorful (and spicy) the oil.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the instructions on the box and cut the salami up.  I usually cut it into strips about 1/2" x 2".  Once the noodles are done, add them in the large bowl and add the salami.  Stir until everything is well coated.  I top mine with fresh Parmesan and I serve immediately.  It is also delicious the next day warmed up or cold!!

Enjoy :)

Trust Me, I'm No Expert

I think it will be most important to understand that I am not a professional writer or a professional chef or a professional critic. I am simply a woman who loves to cook and eat who is married to a man who loves to eat (but not cook). 

One thing you will quickly learn about me is that I am a little pickier than your average eater. I try to be open minded but some things, like mushrooms, will never appeal to me.  On the brighter side, my husband, Aaron hates mushrooms as much as I do! Our favorite thing to do as newlyweds is spoil ourselves with wonderful food.  I intend for this blog to be about our food adventures in our kitchen, a friends kitchen or a chefs kitchen… Gustare