Christmas Fig Cookies della Mamma (Recipe courtesy of Nick Cascino)

Cookie Dough
8 Cups of all purpose flour
7 eggs
1 lbs  Crisco Shortening
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp Vanilla extract
Filling
I pack of dried figs may vary from 12oz to 16oz.
1 cup of Roasted Almonds
1/8 tsp of Cloves
1 cup dried Raisins
To make your cookie dough, mix in a bowl flour  baking powder and  shortening until your shortening looks like little peas.
Using a mixer, add all 7 eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract.   Beat until smooth. Add milk and beat.
Slowly add dry ingredients until it comes together.   Wrap in plastic wrap and set aside.
Filling - In a food processor, add figs, almonds, and a pinch of cloves,  spice and dry raisins chop until it becomes coarse in texture.
Spread dough in a flat rectangular shape.  Add filling and roll dough over  to form a long log approximately 1 1/2 in. wide.
Cut log in 3 inch pieces and bake them at 350  degrees until light  golden brown.  Bake for approximately 18 minutes  (may vary with ovens)
Icing - 1 cup Powdered sugar and and 3 tbs heavy cream  with vanilla extract mix until thick.
When cookies are baked while warm, dip cookies  in icing and add sprinkles to your liking.

GRAZIE NICOLA!

Jane’s Smart Art Guides™ Modern Italian Network 20% Member-Discount Offer

The first time she visited Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome, Jane McIntosh had no trouble finding its two famous Caravaggio paintings; she just followed the crowd. But the church is virtually bursting with noteworthy architecture and art ranging from a 700-year-old icon and two Bernini sculptures, to the first dome of the Roman Renaissance and the last Baroque tomb. Jane’s art history studies -- molti  anni fa -- fueled her interest, and made her crave information.

That’s when the idea for Jane’s Smart Art Guides™ was born. Jane knew she couldn’t be the only one longing for context and in-depth information about all this art and history. Since then she has produced audio guides for seven Italian art sites!

Jane’s Smart Art Guides are for you if you’re interested in art and history, and you like to know what you’re looking at when you travel. To help you give them a try, Jane is offering a Modern Italian Network member-discount of 25% off the normal price of her audio guides (downloadable or on CD). They make great gifts, too! For product information and to order, go to www.JanesSmartArt.com. Use Coupon Code MIN0111.  Offer expires January 31^st, 2011.

Italy's Treasures - Can They be Re-created?

Ahhhh l’Italia.  If there is one thing most of us could agree on, it would be that there is nothing like it.  And when I say “it”, I mean everything about Italy.  The people, the smells, the scenery, and last but not least, the unparalleled food!

When you go to Italy, you feel this undeniable attachment and definite depression to leave even before you catch your plane on the way out.  If you have not been there, it is usually one place you keep on your bucket list to see before you die.  

Italy.  We try and recreate its offerings wherever we may live even though deep down, we know it is just not possible to recreate perfection that is found in the boot-shaped peninsula which is home to 60 million people and sees 44 million tourists a year. 

Say it isn’t so!  Why can’t we have Italy’s small treasures at home too?  Okay – the truth is that we will never find the same authentic food we find in Italy because it all comes down to Italy’s fresh home-grown ingredients.  Let’s ponder one thing.  What about the activities in Italy?  What about the Italian way of life?  Italians are known for having that certain zest for life, which many may not even realize they have.  The truth is that Italy has a secretly hypnotizing effect on its admirers.  It may be downright impossible to put a finger on what it is that makes Italy so darn intoxicating.  Whatever it is, I have listed 5 stand-out characteristics of Italy that make it so unique.  These are suggestions to do what you can in order to inject the Italian style into your life to continually remind yourself on how to live “all’Italiana”.    Live life to the fullest because “La vita e’ bella!”

1)      Buy an espresso machine (Please beware of the commercialized  versions of the “cappuccino” which have evolved into a flat-out dessert).

2)      Convene frequently with your friends and family.  Even if you don’t have the Italian piazza to visit, make the time and make the place.

3)      Parla in italiano!  Also – listen to Italian music and watch Italian film.  You’ll be amazed at how much of the language you can pick up.

4)      Cook Italian as frequently as you can!  The real stuff, nothing unauthentic.

5)      Visit Italy!  Of course this depends on your own means.  If visiting Italy is a dream for you that has yet to be achieved, do not put that dream off – you will understand once you get there!

-Gina Andracchio

"Ti Lascio Una Canzone"...Young Talent of Italy comes to the States!

“Ti Lascio una Canzone” (which literally translates to “I leave you a song”) is a variety show airing in Italy featuring the most popular Italian songs of yesterday performed by young talent. The audience votes for their favorite song each week instead of the singers. Some of the great original performers of these songs including Massimo Ranieri, Gianni Morandi, and Orietta Berti frequently participate in the episodes to sing along with the youngsters.
The young cast of “Ti Lascio una Canzone” will be in Atlantic City at the Taj Mahal on September 19th to perform. Get a taste of this talented cast with this video below of Gabriele Tufi singing Massimo Ranieri’s classic “Perdere l’Amore”. This song had won the competition “Sanremo” in 1988.
Click here for ticket information!

Buon Ferragosto - the Italian Holiday August 15

Ferragosto (deriving from the Latin Feriae Augusti) is the national Italian holiday and occurs on August 15th. There are various stories explaining its origin. One myth explains that the holiday is tied into the Consualia (in honor of the god Consus) celebrating the closing of the more strenuous part of the harvest period giving much-needed rest to the workers and animals. In fact, horses, mules, and donkeys were paraded around in flowers. Roman Catholics view this holiday as the Assumption Day on which the Virgin Mary was accepted into heaven. The traditions around this holiday have been maintained differently according to the Italian regions. In Siena for example, the extravagant festival known as the Palio di Siena is held on July 2nd and August 16th in which there is a horse race around the Piazza del Campo.
Today Ferragosto is a holiday in which Italians take the day off.  Throughout the entire month, however, many businesses are closed.  Italians take this period to flee to whichever vacation spot they see fit! The shores, camp sites, mountains, rivers, lakes, and resorts are full.  It's a time for no work and all play!  Buon Ferragosto!