Sista’s Helpful Tips

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 “Wild Italian Origano”…a must in every pantry!

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One hasn’t truly tasted “Oregano,” until they have tasted “Wild Italian Origano!” The flavor, of “Wild Italian Origano”, has a more pungent oregano flavor then any other dried oregano on the market, that I have tasted.  Trust me on this one… without fail this oregano brings the flavors in my recopies to a higher level  every time I use it. After testing the difference between “regular Oregano” and this aromatic “Wild Italian Origano” I immediately became hooked.  I only use fresh or dried “Wild Italian Origano” when preparing dishes in my kitchen!

Use up your supply of  average tasting oregano…

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…and  making a special trip Joe Pace & Sons in Saugus Ma. to purchase this flavorful dried herb. The “Wild Italian Origano” is sold in bunches,  for $4.99.

For Step-by-Step Directions and photos to store dried “Wild Italian Origano” click see more Continue reading “Sista’s Helpful Tips”

Shout Out To All GMG Peeps!

 

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Years ago Marshmallow Peeps were only sold during the springtime months surrounding the Easter holiday. Today they are manufactured into dozens of  holiday shapes and marketed in retail stores year round. Even though they are now regularly available, I think many would agree that spring time, and Easter wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a brightly colored sugary traditional bunny or chick shaped marshmallow Peeps!   With thousands of people across the country annually  flocking to the store  to buy a package, I thought It would be fun to give GMG FOB’s  an opportunity to share their favorite way to incorporate a marshmallow Peep into an Easter/Spring Time sweet treat! …Send us your creative ideas including a photo and I will personally post them for all to see here on Sista’s Dish!

Artichoke Salad

 

 

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You know warmer weather days are around the corner when the Easter candy has taken over the shelves nearing the cash registers at every store and the Spring crop of artichokes have hit the supermarkets!

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Click see more for recipe and photo details Continue reading “Artichoke Salad”

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

 

 

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This weeks “GMG Cooks” list continues to grow! Chris Reed, Mary Beth Stanton, Brenda Davis are this weeks GMG COOKS!

Chris Reed writes~Recipe From Felicia via Good Morning GloucesterYes! They are so good. It was like a cookie factory in here today.

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Sista Felicia~ Great Job Chris…your cookies look Perfecto! Thank You for sharing your photo<3

Mary Beth Stanton Writes~Yummo! Followed your recipe for pasta with the broccoli …. Billy is on his second bowl! Perfect on this damp, rainy Sunday.

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Sista Felicia~ Glad to hear Bill enjoyed one of my favorite dishes! Yesterday was a perfect day for Pasta Broccoli! Thank you for sharing your photo<3

 

Brenda Davis Writes~Made these tonight..easy, delicious and not too sweet..perfect for dipping into tea …Thank you, Felicia for the recipe…

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Sista Felicia~  I agree, this cookie is not overly sweet, and perfect for dipping!  Thank you for sharing your photo ❤

Join the GMG Cooks Club by sending us your photos of a Sista Felicia Recipe !

Live from Light Up The Night Gala For Autism

Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes & Drums Band playing live at Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund InterContinental Hotel Boston Massachusetts Sent from Xfinity Mobile App

Sista’s Helpful Tip…Live From Gloucester Marshalls

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Great Sale on Espresso Makers today!

Impressive supply of espresso makers on sale for $9.99-$29.99 at Marshall’s Today! 

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It’s Espresso time in Sista’s Kitchen! Click see more Continue reading “Sista’s Helpful Tip…Live From Gloucester Marshalls”

The Gift That Keeps on Giving!

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Abbey Mathews is this weeks GMG Cook!

Abbey Mathews writes~ “I made Sista Felicia’s apple spice cake and it tastes amazing! It was a hit!”

Sista Felicia~ Your cake looks delicious Abbey.  Great job!  I’m happy to hear it was a big hit!

Click see more for recipe details Continue reading “The Gift That Keeps on Giving!”

Chifeletti Italian Cookies

 

 

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This morning I treated my morning tea friends with a freshly baked batch of  my favorite Italian Chifeletti Almond Cookies.  Chifeletti are perfect to serve with a hot cup of tea, coffee or espresso any time of day or night…they are simply heavenly delicious!

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For recipe details click see more…. Continue reading “Chifeletti Italian Cookies”

Sista’s Helpful Tips

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Over the past several months family and guest dinning at our home commonly ask the same question… “what is the secret ingredient that makes my salads and sauces taste so incredibly delicious? My reply is always the same “use a high quality olive oil.” Yesterday while shopping at Virgilio’s Bakery I noticed my “Favorite” brand of Partanna Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil for sale.  If you want to bring a recipe including the use of olive oil to a new level, stop by Virgilio’s Bakery on Main Street in Gloucester and pick up a can of Partanna olive oil today.  Stock your pantry and begin incorporating this flavorful oil into your families favorite dishes.  I promise your family and friends taste buds will savor every last bite!

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Preparing for Todays Interview with Cape Ann TV

 

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Busy morning preparing for Cape Ann TV Interview…Coconut is not very interested in todays agenda!

Taking Down The St. Joseph Altar

 

PrintTaking down the altar is just as much a tradition as assembling it.  My mother Pat, daughter Amanda, neighbor Deanna, and my “Tea Friends” Dee Noble Andrea Butler, Christie Guarrasi DaSilva, deconstructed this years altar in record time. I can not be more grateful for all they do each year after the crowds are gone, the celebration is over, and the dust has officially settled. The festivities may be over but the to do list of putting the house back together is far from over!  Without ever having to ask, they take it upon themselves to coordinate a time to meet at my house to break down the altar, table settings, and serving stations. Deconstructing the altar is a not an easy task.  Rearranging my year round mini altar, restocking dozens of statues back into the vitrine cabinet, and carefully covering borrowed statues in  bubble wrap for safe transport back to  Mr. Philip Perry’s home is a daunting task.   Every item in, on and around the altar is packed away safely for next year.  Prayer book, candle holders, rosary beads, prayer cards, and music Each must be stored properly  and systemically so that next years assembly runs smoothly.  I’m so incredibly lucky to have an amazing group of women put my house back together by leading their helping hands.

Thank you all<3

Now that the hard work is over, this morning I took a much needed break and enjoyed a slice of Ricotta Pie I made yesterday and  cup of  espresso while writing some  personal thank you notes to friends and family.

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For my Ricotta Pie Recipe see page #222 in  “Gifts of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia; Harvest” Cookbook!

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Temple Ahavat Achim honor Mark and Amy Farber

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Sunday March 23rd, “Pharaoh’s Daughter”, the acclaimed World Music ensemble, played at 4 pm at the breathtaking Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport. This benefit concert for Gloucester’s Temple Ahavat Achim honored Mark and Amy Farber. After the performance guest enjoyed a meal catered by  Passports restaurant.  Debbie Coltin and Ruth Budelmann, Co-Chairs Eve and Phil Cutter, Honorary Co-Chairs of last nights event.

Thank You From The Bottom Of Our Hearts

PrintThe past few weeks have been filled with dozens of blessings 

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A priceless moment, my cousin Nicole captured during our last novena of the season. Friends and family gathered one last time to sing my Uncle Mike Militello’s favorite St. Joseph song Dell’Aurora.  I can only imagine how proud he must have been looking down on us that night as Ella sat on my lap to follow along and sing his song.

From Left: My daughter Amanda Mohan, Mother Pat Ciaramitaro, Sista Felicia with Ella Tucker, Great Granddaughter of my Uncle Mike & Aunt Vancie Militello

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In an earlier post this month I stated hosting a St. Joseph altar in your home is a huge responsibility, commitment and undertaken. The devotion to honor St. Joseph with nightly novenas and several open house family feasts in a 9 day period takes precise planning and lots of help. This year my husband Barry and I were successfully able to pull off all of the above because of the help and generosity of our amazing family and friends. Barry and I were overwhelmed by the love and support surrounding our home this past month. Words simply cannot express how truly grateful we are for the blessings we have received during this year’s Feast of St. Joseph. This year friends, family and many new comers found their way over to our home to honor St. Joseph in prayer night after night. Each person, young and old that stepped through our doors, pitched in to help in some way.  Some set up nightly coffee time, cleaned cooked, baked, arranged flowers, shopped for supplies, donated produce, food, and supplies needed to keep our deep rooted tradition alive, thriving, and running smoothly. Last year we brought back this family tradition my Uncle Mike and Aunt Vincie Militello began and hosted for over 55 years.  After a 20 year absence of this annual tradition taken place in our personal family, we are honored to be the ones chosen to light the candles on the altar once again and follow in their footsteps, for many years to come.

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 We would like to thank the following people for their endless acts of kindness that deeply touched our hearts and made our second year as a host family to the Feast Of St. Joseph one to remember.

Our children BJ & Amanda Mohan, my mother Pat Ciaramitaro, my brother Joey Ciaramitaro and our nieces Eloise & Madeline Ciaramitaro.  Aunts, Gina Ciaramitaro, Eleanor Curcuru, and Leanne Ciaramitaro, Cousins, Joey Marcantonio,  Marissa Marcantonio, Eleanor Militello Tucker, Christine Militello Curcuru, Nicole Tucker, Ella Tucker Lucille Militello. Friends Steve & Dee Noble and their 3 children Zachary, Lainie, Skyler, Andrea Randazza Carlson, Rosalie Orlando-Foti, Bianca Foti, Mo Klop, Andrea Butler, Christie Guarrasi DaSilva, Nicole Curcuru, Grace Pallazola, Sefatia Giambanco Romeo Thaken, Maria Cannavo, Patrina LoContro, Giovanna Margiotta, Bridgette Mathews, Abby Mathews, Maryjane Sanfilippo Carollo, Alicia Cox , Eric Lorden,  Philip Perry, Rick Moore, Donna Ardizzoni, Rosemarie Calomo Vizena, Cape Ann Fruit Company, Sheree Zizik Cruiseport Gloucester, Frank Ciolino and family, Grace Giambanco Numerosi, Rosaria Giambanco-Floyd, Graig & Hannah Kimberley, James Eves,Jennifer Scala, Connie Russo Orlando, Mrs. Mary Russo

Ricotta Cookies

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Ricotta Cookies and a glass of ice cold milk is by far one of my twins most favorite after school snacks. Every time I make a trip to Joe Pace to purchase fresh ricotta they make sure I buy enough to make a batch of their favorite cookies!  Today I noticed a small container of ricotta in the refrigerator left over from our St. Joseph feast last week. I decided to surprise the kids this morning and whipped up a batch for them to enjoy for breakfast. This moist cake like textured cookie is perfect to serve with a glass of milk or cup of Cappuccino, any time of day or night…They are simply heavenly, and I can guarantee they won’t last long!

If you never tasted a Ricotta Cookie…Your Missing Out on something Big!!!!

Click see more for recipe details

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Continue reading “Ricotta Cookies”

GMG FOB Catherine N. Gunn Shares St. Joseph Feast Photos!

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One of the most beautiful traditions of  hosting a St. Joseph Altar, is the act of welcoming in others,  “who we refer to as Orphans” to join our families to celebrate the feast and all it’s festivities.  Several years ago Catherine N. Gunn was invited to join Crocetta Gropp’s  family and friends during their annual 9 day Feast Of San Giuseppe. They welcomed her into their families celebration and all it’s preparation’s with open arms, and she quickly became part of Crocetta’s core team. Catherine is one of many who help cook, clean, and entertain the hundreds of guests that visit the Groppo Families’ Altar each year.  I happen to know Catherine personally and she has shared her wonderful experiences of being at the Groppo family home over the past several years.  She has expressed how much she looks forward to this celebratory time with  her “adoptive Sicilian Family” each year!  As the  hostess of our families altar and this wonderful deep rooted tradition of welcoming people, I know exactly how  both Crocetta and Catherine’s heart feels sharing their devotion to St. Joseph together … Family, Friendship,  Food and Faith is a beautiful thing… Viva !