Cooking with Love

with Gianna Conte    (Jan)

April Showers bring May Flowers

April brings so many memories as a small child.  The first thing that comes to mind is my new Easter outfit.  Mom made sure that we each had a brand new dress or suit, hat, and new shoes and pocket book (purse).  She either made us new things or shopped for them. 

Easter was celebrated by going to mass in your new Easter outfit, so it was more of a fashion show involving the whole community.  A special meal was prepared for the feast.  Mom would always make the traditional lamb.  She would purchase it fresh from her butcher.  He would cut up lamb chops, roasts and the bones were saved for her sauce.

Before Easter, mom would bake traditional cookies that were called Gamelle. I have never attempted to make them, as we did not have a recipe. I did find a recipe online, so if you're interested, I will put it on my blog.  She would also make her ricotta pie (pizza dolce).

Easter was celebrated with friends and family. When it was my mom's turn to host, the kitchen was filled with aromas from cooking a feast. Lasagna was prepared and served after the antipasto.  The lamb was served with salad. After dinner, fresh fruit, fennel, fresh roasted nuts were cracked open, and there were never enough nut crackers to go around.  When I set up my home, I bought so many nut crackers...there was no room in my drawer.

After I was married and started celebrating Easter at my home, I baked and made chocolate bunnies. I made chocolate flowers and enjoyed making my mother and mother in law's traditions so that my children got to learn about their grandparents.

My father in law would prepare rabbit for Easter. Not everyone ate the rabbit. My mother in law made "minestra" which was an escarole soup made with pepperoni and mini meatballs. Another dish that was made was boiled escarole leaves stuffed with raisins, pignoli, salt and pepper and anchovies, which were tied with kitchen cord. They were then sauteed in garlic and olive oil till crusted and tender.

This Easter bread became my traditional cake. It was a recipe from my neighbor.

This Easter bread became my traditional cake. It was a recipe from my neighbor.

Flowery hats were the craze.

Flowery hats were the craze.

Moist, delicious ricotta pie.

Moist, delicious ricotta pie.

Gemelle, mom only made these for Easter. They were a lot of work.

Gemelle, mom only made these for Easter. They were a lot of work.

Here is my mother in law's easter cake called Casadella. Looks a lot like my easter cake, but this one has yeast in it.

Here is my mother in law's easter cake called Casadella. Looks a lot like my easter cake, but this one has yeast in it.

Happy Anniversary in Heaven Mom and Dad Conte

Happy Anniversary in Heaven Mom and Dad Conte

Comments

29.03.2021 12:16

Kathie Meyers

Hi Jan, Thank you for these delightful memories from your past! You sure brought back thoughts of my Easter Sunday's at mass, also in new dress, white shoes, gloves & hat. Miss you! Kathie

29.03.2021 16:24

Jan Conte

So glad you enjoyed my Easter memories. My blog has been a comfort to me in counting my blessings. Happy Easter.🐰🐰🐰

27.03.2021 18:31

Daisy

Everything sounds so delicious !!
Those were wonderful days with such excitement and celebration!!

27.03.2021 19:35

Jan Conte

I'm glad you enjoyed going back in time. I wanted to share my memories. Happy Easter 🐥🐥🐥🐰🐰



Let's get baking!


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees


 1 whole thin skinned orange, remove the stem and cut in quarters. Keep the skin on the oranges.

In a clean large food processor, add the orange quarters, 1 1/4 cups of sugar, three large eggs, 1 tsp of vanilla, 1 tsp of orange extract, 1 tbsp of Triple Sec liqueur, optional, 2/3 cup vegetable oil. 


Pulse all ingredients in the processor and then puree until mixture becomes a batter with specs of orange peel.


Add to the processor:


2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt


Process all dry ingredients until they are entirely incorporated into the batter.


Bake in a greased and floured spring pan, using a parchment paper circle on top of the greased bottom.*


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place in the center rack of the oven.  Bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven.


Remove from your oven and let it cool down completely. Dust with powdered sugar or make a drizzle of 1/4 cup powdered sugar and fresh squeezed orange until thick and smooth.  Pour onto the cooled fresh orange cake.


*if you don't have a large processor, you can use a blender.


Enjoy with some espresso and close your eyes and it will feel like you're in Sicily.