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Private Notes
Debi and Gabriele have been living in their Brooklyn neighborhood for a couple of years now and they have really grown to love it. Their neighbors have welcomed them with open arms and they feel a very strong connection to all of the local shops and restaurants. Now they want to give back the only way they know how -- by cooking for them. In this episode, they'll take over one of the neighborhood's restaurants for the day, cook a variety of Tuscan recipes and serve their neighborhood friends a meal. And of course, since they're cooking for the neighborhood, they'll be shopping in all of their favorite local shops for ingredients for the big feast.
recipes in this episode
Besciamella
Eggplant Bruschetta with Shaved Pecorino
Lasagne Vegetariane
Red Sauce
Seared Flat-Iron Steak with Almond-Sage Pesto
Gabriele has his motorcycle passion, but Debi has always had a thing for fashion. In this episode, Debi takes Giulia (who inherited her mom's love of fashion) to her friend, fashion designer Zac Posen's studio for a behind the scenes tour and a dress fitting. Meanwhile, Gabriele has gone to the Fulton Fish Market to get fresh seafood for dinner. Later that day, Zac comes over to help cook a seafood-inspired Tuscan dinner.
recipes in this episode
Apricot, Coconut and Almond Granola
Fresh Peach Bellini
Linguine with Red Snapper
Smoked Trout Salad with Caper and Horseradish Vinaigrette
Gabriele and Debi have been asked to cook at the James Beard house in New York. The James Beard foundation is well known throughout the culinary community for its educational programs, industry awards and scholarships. The James Beard house hosts frequent meals, usually headlined by important figures from the culinary community. In this episode, Gabriele and Debi will have an opportunity to add their names to the prestigious list of guest cooks. It's a huge honor and they're going to create the best possible culinary experience that they can for an intimate group of friends that will get to share the evening with them.
recipes in this episode
Braised Red Kale
Cucumber, Beet and Bottarga Salad
Lemon Panna Cotta with Red Wine Blackberry Sauce
Red Wine Blackberry Sauce
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Seared Scallops with Fava Bean Puree
Sea Bass alla Vernaccia with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Braised Red Kale
Today, Gabriele and Debi have decided to take a day to prepare the family for the possibility of another major disaster, like Hurricane Sandy, in what they're calling "The Drill." Can the family go the whole day without electricity or any modern conveniences? Can Gabriele and Debi cook dinner for the family without electricity or gas? Can Debi and the girls go a day without the internet? And finally ... what will Robert think of all of this?
For Evelina and Giulia, the best time of year is finally here -- the last day of school. While the girls take it in, Debi and Gabriele have one more afternoon to themselves and they've decided to use the time to explore the Brooklyn neighborhood Red Hook. They'll stop by the Red Hook Winery for some wine tasting and then they'll hit Cacao Prieto to sample and pick up fresh chocolate to use for dessert. Then they'll pick up the girls at school and head home to cook a special meal to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer.
recipes in this episode
Crepes
Evelina's Favorite Pasta Bake
Chocolate Budino
Fresh Whipped Cream
Deb has a few close friends that always talk about getting together for dinner but it seldom happens. In this episode, Deb finally gets together with three of her best friends, all of whom happen to be of Italian American heritage, Drena De Niro, Kathrine Narducci and Aida Turturro. Today, they're all meeting up at Debi's house and hitting the neighborhood for a little shopping. Meanwhile, Gabriele will be hitting a local distillery and a neighborhood honey producer to pick up ingredients for a special cocktail for the girls. Then for dinner, it's all hands on deck as everyone takes turns helping Gabriele cook up some delicious Italian recipes.
recipes in this episode
Brooklyn Bahia
Beef Pizzaiola
Potato and Spinach Gnocchi in Cheese Sauce
Red Sauce with Anchovy and Capers
Semolina Rosemary Pinoli Cookies
When they lived in L.A., Gabriele and Debi built a pizza oven in their backyard. The oven gave them many great memories and even more delicious meals! They promised themselves they'd build another pizza oven someday, and while the backyard in Brooklyn is pretty tight, their property in Italy is just begging for a pizza oven. In this episode, the family has just arrived back in Tuscany and Gabriele is eager to get started. While their oven is being constructed, Debi and Gabriele head to Tuscany's historic central market to pick up ingredients for their first pizzas. And of course, to christen the oven, they'll have a big party with family and friends to enjoy some homemade pizzas.
recipes in this episode
Zucchini Flower Pizza
Pizza Bianco Alla Romano
Marinated Artichoke, Prosciutto, Radicchio, Fresh Herb and Burrata Panini
Pizza Sauce
Pizza Dough
Rosemary Olive Oil Covaccino
Fire-Roasted Caprese Salad
It's pretty well established at this point that Gabriele dreams of a life on the farm. While she's more of a city girl at heart, Debi has always supported and encouraged him to pursue his dream. On their property in Italy they have the patch of country land, all they need are the animals. In this episode, Debi and Gabriele will get their farm started by restoring the old chicken coop and going to a local farm to buy some chickens. Then they'll cook up a big farm-inspired feast to celebrate.
There is a bocce ball court on Gabriele's property that nonna Lola used to play all the time, but since Gabriele moved to the states the court has fallen apart. Now, he wants to repair it and bring it back to its former glory. When it's ready, he'll get the whole family out there, including nonna Lola, for a big feast and inaugural bocce ball tournament to officially open the court again. Of course, all of the food for the feast will be favorite recipes of nonna Lola. And for an added treat, Gabriele will take the whole family to the medieval town of Colle di Val d'Elsa to learn how to make Lola's favorite cookies, Ricciarelli's, and bring a bunch back for the party.
It's July in Tuscany and it's hot. Debi, Gabriele and the girls need a break from the heat so Gabriele decides to take them to the Mediterranean coastal town of Livorno for some fun in the breezy sea air and some fresh, light seafood. They'll stop at a local restaurant for some traditional cuisine, take in the boardwalk scene and then they'll hit the big fish market to buy some fresh seafood to take home and cook tomorrow. For dinner, they'll make a Livorno-inspired meal with Gabriele's signature Tuscan twist.
One of Debi's favorite places to go in Florence is the 400-year-old Pharmacy at the Santa Maria Novella. Part museum, part store selling traditional and modern elixirs, oils, soaps and perfumes, Debi has been going here for years. She and Gabriele decide to spend the day showing the girls all of the different ways that the herbs from their land can be used to make fun beauty treatments and delicious food. Debi will give Robert and the girls a "spa day" in their kitchen, then Gabriele will cook a dinner using recipes that highlight the same local Tuscan herbs.
Tuscany is full of wild game; deer, rabbit, pheasant and, of course, boar. The animals have had a major influence on the traditional food of the region and it's a constant topic of conversation. One of Gabriele's friends runs a Tuscan safari -- a trip through the wilderness that gives visitors an up close look at some of that Tuscan wildlife -- so today, he's taking Debi and the girls on safari. Then for dinner, they'll cook some delicious recipes that feature the most celebrated local wild game, the mighty boar.
Every good chef needs a good set of tools. When Debi and Gabriele are in Tuscany, they try to cook with unique Tuscan tools whenever possible. And, like any chef, they're always looking to add to their arsenal. In this episode, they'll take the kids and Robert to a flea market go on the hunt for traditional cooking utensils. But first they take them for a picnic at the local zip line adventure park. Back home, after the zip lines and flea market, they'll cook a delicious dinner using the day's finds.
