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Shut Up and Mangia!, Issue #015 = Easter
March 22, 2008

"Shut Up and Mangia!"

‘Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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HAPPY EASTER

Welcome to the Easter issue of "Shut Up and Mangia!". Easter week is celebrated in many diverse ways across Italy. Each region specializes in specific dishes to celebrate the Holy Day. Like here, Easter Sunday begins with mass and then the rest of the day is spent feasting with family and friends.

Over twenty-five years ago my family celebrated Easter with a special dish my Grandmother brought back from her home town of Aragona, Sicily. Taganu D’Aragona, as it’s called, is a complicated and time consuming dish made with pasta, cheese, eggs, meat and gravy.

This year I attempted this dish for the first time and it turned out very well. The taste brought back memories of a lifetime. So to celebrate Easter this year I would like to share this traditional family favorite with everyone else. Cousins and other family members have been asking for this recipe for sometime. Also included in this newsletter is a link to my Easter bread recipe which is a special treat for the whole family.

Enjoy!

Have a great Easter!

Site News

Great Chicago Italian Recipes is dedicated to adding new and traditional Italian recipes for your enjoyment. The site is getting bigger and better with the “The Italian Grocer“ and “The Great Italian Music Store“ for your convenience.

Don’t forget to add your personal family recipes by contacting me through my “Share Recipes“ section. Just send me one of your favorite recipes and I’ll post it immediately for all the world to see.

The Best Restaurants for Easter brunch

  • La Notte Cafe
    • located at 6822 Windsor Ave. in Berwyn, Illinois is a great spot for Easter brunch. This new restaurant opened last May. Their pastas and desserts are all handmade and their entrees feature old family recipes. La Notte Cafe is . For reservations call 708-749-1800.

  • Il Mulino
    • is always a favorite among dinners. They are serving a three course menu for Easter Sunday for $55.00 per person from noon to 6p.m.. Their menus feature excellent Italian dishes ranging from pasta to seafood. Il Mulino is located at 1150 North Dearborn. For reservations call 312-440-8888.

  • Spiaggia
    • is one of Chicago’s finest Italian restaurants with a magnificently elegant dining room. It is also one of the most expensive dining experiences in the city but you can’t beat the wonderful dishes created by Executive Chef Tony Montuano. The restaurant is featuring a 3 course menu for Easter for $95.00 per person. Spiaggia is located at 980 North Michigan Avenue. For reservations call 312-280-2750.

  • Osteria di Tramonto
    • is a great spot located at 631 North Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling, Illinois. In addition to traditional brunch items other stations will be available, including antipasti, salad, pasta and pizza, entrées, Desserts for $34.95/adult, and $12.95/child 12 and under; and includes a special surprise-filled Easter Egg Hunt for both kids and their parents. Osteria di Tramonto is located at 215 West North Avenue. For reservations call 847-777-6570.

    These restaurants are definitely four great places for Easter Sunday.

    The Best Easter Cookbooks

    If my recipes aren’t enough you may what to check out a few of these cookbooks for a great Easter dinner.

    Easter Cooking (Children's Cooking)

    Easter Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family

    Great Easter Sites

    Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about Easter can be found at Kids Turn Central.com and Holidays.net. These two sites have everything you need to create a great holiday.

    Great Easter Recipes

    Here are the two recipes for the Taganu D'Aragona and the Easter Bread. The Tagano recipe also contains recipes for a simple gravy and meatballs. Both are needed to complete the dish. I hope you and your family enjoy these dishes as much as we do.

    Final Thoughts

    Feel free to email this newsletter to a friend so they can Subscribe to "Shut Up and Mangia!" and begin to enjoy the many Italian recipes we have to offer.

    Take Care and have a Great Easter,

    Phillip J. Speciale

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