Authentic family recipes and nostalgic stories from an Italian-American Foodie. Peter was born and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, NY and is a second generation Italian-American. After 3 short years attending Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic School, Peter went to PS 204, Dyker Heights Junior High School and New Utrecht High School. He has a degree in Journalism from Long Island University and is an avid photographer, gardener and pet owner. When Peter is not out selling, he is relaxing at his Rockland County home and cooking for his sons, Michael and Joseph, family and friends. Peter’s passion for food was inspired by his Mother’s and Grandmother’s cooking, and the neighborhood he grew up in, but at the age of 10 Peter felt he could do it better himself, so he did.
Me and my girl Bella
I just got sent to your site …………………..and I feel like I’m living a dream.
Momma mia……………… Bensonhurst. I grew up on Bay 8th Street…. and all those aromas are drifting back to me.
That was the home of all the good cooks…………………………. Thank God for good cooks. I was fortunate to eat good….and learn some of what they made. Wish I knew more.
Thanks for taking the time to share all your recipes…. family stories. It’s a hug in the heart.
Louise
Louise,
We were the few, the proud, growing up in Bensonhurst. We were living the dream! Glad you enjoy my blog.
The band years sound like you had a lot of fun… growing up…. and marching you into cooking… to the words and music (memories) your grandmother taught you.
STOPPA DA BOOM-DIDDI-BOOM-DIDDI-BOOM! Now this one you should have put to music.
I loved hearing your memories…………..especially the laundry/bleach memories too. Food went with laundry in lots of families, it’s where the lady of the house spent most of her time…. until the basement got them. Then for exercise…. the up and down dance…. cleaning, laundry machines walking downstairs……… back up to catch the 1:30 As the World Turns……then back to put in the rinse….. and eventually dinner got started.
Would you believe I can’t buy escarole up here in Maine… northern Maine. Have to try planting some next spring.
Loved escarole in chicken soup………………… and raw in our salad.
Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze Louise, I’m so glad I found your site.
See ya………………
Louise, I’m glad you found my site as well. Thanks so much for your comments, they mean a lot to me.
Peter, I found your blog today by accident and I am so happy! I’m originally from Passaic, NJ and your recipes remind me of my childhood. My mother was sicilian and so many of your recipes remind me of some of the food she made. I was looking for the eggplant patties (which I did not appreciate as a child) and that is how I found you. My mom passed away 4 years ago so thank God for the internet and you! Your stories are as delicious as your recipies. I can’t wait to make the pork chops with the potatoes! Today I live in California so you have provided a trip down memory lane for me. Many thanks!
Thank you for your comments. I’m glad you enjoy my little blog. I know Passaic well. I work near there. California is a long way from Passaic. Just returned from a vacation in Northern California. Beautiful State!
Hi Peter,
I am delighted to find this site. I just tried the crab sauce recipe and I think I might be in love… Do you ever offer cooking classes?
Melody, I’m delighted you found my site as well. Glad you like the crab sauce recipe. Every time I post a recipe I’m teaching someone to cook.
I’m trying to subscribe to your newsletter. However, I tried twice and never received an email confirmation.
Wendy, you can subscribe to my blog and get an email notification each time I post a new one. I do not have a newsletter you can subscribe to. I checked and your subscription was received. Thank you!
All I can say is what a great site! We are in the bahamas for a few months and I had some small fresh spiney lobsters and needed to do something with pasta..i used your fettucini with pink lobster sauce..using the spiney lobsters and it was fabulous…thank you so much!
Tich, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for saying so.
Hey Pete, I did have this in my favorites already as I mentioned. Great blog. Let me know when there’s too many leftovers.
Thanks Steve. Good food should always be shared.
Great site! My dad is from Brooklyn and my mom from New Jersey and all these recipes bring back so many great memories of my mom, aunts and grandmas cooking!! My parents live in Charlotte, NC now and I live in Greenville, SC with my husband and two girls. I try hard to cook like my mom and grandma and show my girls their Italian heritage!! Thanks for the great recipes and bringing back so many memories. My moms family all lives in Pt. Pleasant NJ and I have spent many summers crabbing in the bay which then turns into my aunts delicious crab sauce!!
Jaime, I’m glad you enjoy the site. I’ve spent many summers in Pt. Pleasant and crabbing at the Jersey Shore.
SEEING YOUR REPSONSE TO JAMIE ….. BROUGHT SUCH A SMILE TO MY FACE….NOT TO MENTION THE SONG MY HEART STARTED TO SING. Where have you been ????????
Louise
MISS YOU !!!!!!!
Too long to wait between each new blog entry. Hope you Mom is good…. and all in your life is A-OKAY
Louise, we are all doing well. Sorry for the time between blogs. I was posting consistently 3-4 times a week for almost two and a half years. I’m building up my resources and working on my book. I’ll keep you posted.
Momma mia…. 3-4 times a week…. where…. please send me to what I’ve been missing
Glad all is good with your family. Louise