Author(s): Frank Criniti

FOOD

Every night at dinner, which lasted around an hour and a half, our table was set beautifully and regally as though it were being set for visitors. Meticulous attention was given to the placement of every plate, every knife, and every dish would marry the next and so the table came alive with an array of colours and textures: there be the staple Calabrese dishes of Pepperonati and Broscelli di Riso, bread that wed soak into a Calabrese tomato salad until it absorbed all the oils and juices, and a Melanzani Parmiagiana. We have a saying when you eat with us you are family. "Southern Italian Home Cooking" is a celebration of family and the tradition of great fresh Calabrian food. Frank Criniti, the son of an Italian immigrant family, has preserved generations of hand-me-down recipes which form the foundation of his familys well-known restaurants. Unique southern regional dishes are brought to life with lots of tomato and olive oil Arancino, Calabrese tomato salad, Stuffed Mushroom, Calzone, Bruschetta and Carpaccio. Frank also includes the recipe for his mothers Bolognese, fresh pasta, and the Linguine with broccoli his father Francesco would often call for.