Soup Lady, "Cooking from the Heart": Featured Recipe

An event like this literally takes days to plan and prepare. From grocery shopping, menu planning, calling family for their secret recipes (and then secretly adding my own touch, cuz that's the way I roll) to determining the timing for everthing is essential to the success of your party. Even with all this attention to detail, invariably, something will not work out just the way you planned. That's ok. People who love you will still love you any way. So enjoy. Cook with freedom and wreckless abandon.

GETTING READY

The meatball assembly line...

La Pasta Italia (www.lapastaitalia.com)

Quality ingredients are the key to a successful meal. If there is something you cannot make yourself or do not have the time to make then you have to find the right resource. When that happens I go to a quality Italian market to get what I need . La Pasta Italia in Grand Terrace is my "go to place" for home made ravioli and the best cannolis I've ever had on the west Coast. Walt Stanckiewitz and his family own this deli/market and they serve top quality food items at their lovely eatery. Their place is beautifully decorated with hand-painted murals and they have everything you'll need to cook the "Italian way".

La Pasta Italia began as a pasta factory located in an industrial center on Michigan Street in Grand Terrace. Owners and operators, Walt and Monique Stanckiewitz made fresh pasta products and ravioli for some of the finest restaurants in the Inland Empire of Southern California. Some of their customers include Mario's Place, The Mission Inn, Rosa's Fine Italian Dining, New York Grille, Ciao Bella, Lake Arrowhead Resort, The Cafe Allegro's and Spaggi's. At the end of the production day any extra pasta left over was sold to the public as overruns out of the front office. Demand for the overruns far exceeded output and soon Monique was making extra pasta. It wasn't long before the front office became a little store. It was only a few years later that the Deli was born to accommodate demand for additional Italian products.

After 13 years in the industrial district, La Pasta Italia relocated to a larger building in a retail center. Not only did shopping space expand, but so did their menu. The market still sells ravioli (over 15 types), lasagna, and other fresh pasta products, as well as the very best grinders around! Now you can stop by for the items you need for lunch and dinner or you can eat with us. Our expanded market menu includes Italian products and specialty items. Our philosophy ... "If you don't see it, ask us to get it. We are excited to be able to provide the items you need for that perfect meal". While we were there Walt personally took the time to show me exactly how to prepare his delicious "canoli's" for our family dinner. I love his motto, "To live good is to eat good, Bon Appetito!"

Go to Walt's website for more info and directions on how to get to his Deli/Market. (www.lapastaitalia.com)

Plus, you are welcomed by Walt (who also doubles as the real Mayor of Grand Terrace) and his lovely familia.

Jamie and Walt...

Deb, and the girls...

Walt showing us how to make the cannoli...

Speciality food items I remember as a kid...I loved Brioschi. Kidna like Pop Rocks, but with no flavor!

Lupini Beans (How about a little Chianti and Fava Bean any one???)

La Familia...

Back Seat Driver...shut up guy!!!!

The eggplant begins to take shape...

Growing up we were poor. When I was in high school and my mom and dad were both working (around 1974ish) my parents only made $80 a week each. Can you imagine! There was not a lot of money left over for extras. But, my mom always had a wholesome meal for us and it was always delish. Simple ingredients, but when put together with her expert hands, well it was a master piece. Chicken Caccitore was one of her dishes. Here is my spin on her traditional rustic chicken dish with potatoes...

Sausage Bread. Always a hit at parties and so simple to make...

Who made the salad???

Shhhhh....The Secret Sauce! The secret is I don't even know the secret. I make it different every time...

Sfingi is an Italian style donut. I remember my Aunt Emma making these at family holidays...

Dessert anyone???

La Familia...My family...

I love the laughter between my Aunt Millie and Lynda. When Lynda was leaving she reminisced about how she had forgotten how funny Aunt Millie is. Here is the evidence...

Aunt Millie in her cool cap...