Italian Fig Cookies Recipe


                                                         CUCIDADI CUUCCIDADA





Italian Fig Cookies Cucidadi Cuccidada

Ingredients


2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup shortening
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups dried figs
3/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup hot water
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground black pepper



Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, 1/3 cup sugar and baking powder. Cut in shortening and butter until mixture resembles small peas. Stir in the milk and egg until the dough comes together. Divide dough into two pieces, wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours or until easy to handle.

2. In a food processor or blender, grind the figs, raisins and almonds until they are coarsely chopped. In a medium bowl, stir together the 1/4 cup of sugar, hot water, cinnamon and pepper. Stir in the fruit mixture, cover and set aside until the dough is ready.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of the dough out to a 12 inch square. 
Cut each piece into 12 3x4 inch rectangles. Using a heaping tablespoon of filling for each rectangle, spread filling along one of the short sides of the rectangle. Roll up from that side. Place rolls, seam side down, on an ungreased cookie sheet. Curve each roll slightly. Snip outer edge of the curve three times.

5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Glaze with your favorite confectioners' glaze.






La TAVOLA

STORIES & RECIPES
of
ITALIAN-AMERICAN NEW YORK

MANGIA BENE!


SINATRA
CLEMENZA
AL PACINO
MEATBALLS
SUNDAY SAUCE
aka GRAVY
SAUSAGES
ESPRESSO
VINO
AMORE

SUNDAY SAUCE # 1 BEST SELLER Amazon.com






SUNDAY SAUCE  # 1 BEST SELLER ITALIAN COOKBOOKS ... AMAZON KINDLE

SUNDAY SAUCE   -  When Italian-Americans Cook  by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke






                                                     

5 STARS For BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK



GOT ANY KAHLUA?  5 STARS




Review by Carter Paris


ANOTHER BRILLIAN COOKBOOK Form DANIEL ZWICKE


After reading through one of his other cookbooks, I thought that I would give Daniel Zwicke's book Got Any Kahlua a try. In his newest cookbook we learn recipes from The Big Lebowski, The Dude. This bookl has a full array of stories and recipes that are both delicious and tell a great narrative. Daniel does a great job making this a hybrid cHumor / Cookbook for people who love cookbooks, but also love reading stories.

The story side of this book is great and is told with great detail and an laid back, easy tone to understand. The stories are a great addition to the cookbook and adds a layer of comic, something you wouldn't find in an average cookbook. All of the recipes in this book are great, and each one in informative about how to cook. They're are some simple recipes inside of this book, but then they're are a few difficult one's for the common person.

I would highly recommended this book to any fan of The Big Lebowski as you're going to fall in love with the stories and the recipes. Anybody who read any of Daniels other books on other recipes will also fall in love with this one as well. He has a great way with food and writing about it. Bravo Daniel!



Carter Paris

La TAVOLA Amazon Best Seller Italian Cookbooks



Daniel Bellino-Zwicke's La TAVOLA and SUNDAY SAUCE in AMAZON BEST SLLER LIST TOP 100 Italian Cookbooks ... SUNDAY SAUCE # 1 BEST SELLER and La TAVOLA # 56




La TAVOLA

Read About Italian-American New York in Daniel Bellino-Zwicke 's
La TAVOLA -  ITALIAN-AMERICAN NEW YORKERS ADVENTURES
of The TABLE  "La TAVOLA"


Ever Dream of taking a Wonderful Journey? A Journey through Italian-American New York and Italian America., complete with pots of Sunday Sauce, Ethereal Bolognese Sauce, Platters of Antipasto, Perfect Espresso, with trays of Cannoli and Sfogiatelle. Do you Dream of one day Eating the famed Christmas Eve, "Feast of the 7 Fish" or crave a perfect plate of Spaghetti Carbonara? Do you have visions of the Amalfi Coast of Lemoncello, Fiano, and a flawless Plate of Linguine al Vongole. Would you like to know how to throw the perfect Italian Dinner Party, complete with Antipasti, Pasta, Chianti, and Dolce, while the sounds of Frank (Sinatra) and Dino play along? Do you want to know which are the best; Italian Restaurants, Caffes, Pastry Shops, and Pork Stores. Would you like to know how to make the Perfect "Negroni" or pick out the perfect Italian Wine and how to make a textbook Bolognese? Where to go in Italy and what to see? If you'd like to live these things, or just read about them vicariously, then take the journey, the Beautifully Wondrous Journey of La Tavola. Eat as Al Pacino, Jake LaMotta, Sinatra, and Dino had eaten over the years. La Tavola is part Cookbook, Guide-Book. Some have said it's like a Italian-American New York version of a YEAR in PROVENCE, but with Italian Food in New York, and with Italian-Americans instead of French Food, people, and places? LA TAVOLA entertains and Inspires with stories, antidotes, and recipes of Sunday Sauce (Gravy), Sausage & Peppers, Meatball Parms, and the "FEAST of The 7 FISH" Then MANGIA BENE! Italian-American New Yorker's Adventures of the Table. With 30 Wonderful Bellino Family Recipes.



                       

                                                   SUNDAY SAUCE

                                   WHEN ITALIAN-AMERICANS COOK

                                            by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke








THE FEAST of THE 7 FISH

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS





Worlds Best Meatballs?


IT AIN'T SAUCE

IT'S GRAVY !!!


Steve Martorano

Cafe Martorano
Fort Lauderdale Florida

Yo CUZ !!!





The Best Meatballs in The World? Stated on Steve Martorano's book.
IT AIN'T SAUCE, IT'S GRAVY  ...
Are they? Can they be? Maybe. Steve Martorano with 
Cafe Martorano is "The King of Meatballs"
We would not disagree. What do you think?

Check out Steve's book "It Ain't Sauce, It's Gravy"


or 
SUNDAY SAUCE by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke







5 STAR Review GOT ANY KAHLUA




Reviewed by Katelyn Hensel for Readers' Favorite 
Got Any Kahlua? The Collected Recipes of The Dude

aka The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

Reviewed by Katelyn Hensel for Readers' Favorite 


Got Any Kahlua: Collected Recipes of the Dude by Daniel Zwike is the most bromantic cookbook I've ever read. This is not your mom's cookbook, and it certainly isn't your grandma's cookbook. You are more likely to find recipes for saucy meats and cocktails than you are to find some fancy chicken cordon bleu because this book is a DUDE'S cookbook. Never in my life has a cookbook made me laugh until I read this one. I can almost see my hick, bro, burly, manly uncle writing this one. It just SMACKS of masculinity and a lack of culinary skills which is impressive. This is a book for those on a budget, for those who aren't really that picky when it comes to calories and a balanced diet as long as it's tasty and full of meat or alcohol. I enjoyed it so much that I read it in one quick sitting! Daniel Zwike knows his audience...Dudes. Like I said, there are cocktail recipes up the wazoo, most of them variations on "the dude's" favorite varieties of White Russians. I had the opportunity to try these dude-friendly drinks when making them for my fiance's poker night, and let me tell you, they were a smash hit! While this isn't a traditional recipe book, it's got a lot of hidden gold in there and it's spelled out in a way that is easy for guys to understand. There's no complicated, ten thousand step process for each meal and/or recipe. It's all, "take a can of X ingredient, add a chopped cup of Y ingredient, and there you go!" I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and have saved a copy in my recipes folder in case I need more dude-friendly drinks and meals for my hubster-to-be!







The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK 5 STAR REVIEW ... Barnes & Noble Book Sellers

This book is Awesome ! I Love it! And so will anyone who Loves The DUDE, The BIG LEBOWSKI, good Food and Saving Money .. The book is filled with lots of funny stories and The Dudes Recipes, like;Dudes Cowboy Chili,Maude's Metaloaf,DaFino's Meatballs,Tacos,Burritos,Burgers, Gooey Chop Meat and of Course Dudes Perfect Big Lebowski WHITE RUSSIANS .. ABIDE !!! Got aAny Kahlua? THE COLLECTED RECIPES of THE DUDE aka THE BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK .. You Gotta LOVE IT !  I Do !


GOT ANY KAHLUA? by Daniel Zwicke   5 STARS on AMAZON.com


YOU LOVE FOOD? You Love The DUDE? You'll Love This Book  ..... Jordan b.

Dam, I saw this book on line and being a Big Fan of The BIG LEBOWSKI, Loving Food and Loving The DUDE, "I just had to get it." Couldn't wait to get my copy and when I did, I was Happy as can be. Got any Kahlua is filled with great recipes and excellent Duderly advice. Some recipes include; Dudes Cowboy Chili, Maude's Meatloaf, Gooey Chop Meat, Da Dino Meatballs, and of course the "Caucasian" and Dudes perfect White Russian recipe. Besides all the awesome recipes, the book is filled with funny quotes and awesome Dude advice and "Money Saving Tips" that will save you lots a dough, "Sweet." The recipes are well written, easy to follow, easy cook, and "TASTY As Can Be." So all I can say is "I Friggin Love This Book," and you will too if you LOVE The DUDE, Love Food, and The BIG LEBOWSKI, then GOT ANY KAHLUA, is Must Have, "Get It" and ABIDE!




Cadillac Eledorado

1959



LEARN How to Make SUNDAY SAUCE alla CLEMENZA

SUNDAY SAUCE

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke



SUNDAY SAUCE

SAUSAGE & MEATBALLS

BRACIOLE

and 
ALL YOUR ITALIAN FAVORITE DISHES

STORIES & RECIPES

by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke






Benjamin Franklin Sex Life





In this vigorous, straightforward letter, American statesman and scientist Ben jamin Franklin (1706-1790) encourages a friend to marry. Failing that, Franklin says, his friend should favor "old women to young ones."

Advice on the Choice of a Mistress

by Benjamin Franklin
Philadelphia, June 25, 1745


My dear Friend:

I know of no medicine fit to diminish the violent natural inclinations you mention; and if I did, I think I should not communicate it to you. Marriage is the proper remedy. It is the most natural state of man, and therefore the state in which you are most likely to find solid happiness. Your reasons against entering into it at present, appear to me not well founded. The circumstantial advantages you have in View by postponing it, are not only uncertain, but they are small in comparison with that of the thing itself, the being married and settled. It is the man and woman united that make the complete human being. Separate, she wants his force of body and strength of reason; he, her fitness, sensibility, and acute discernment. Together they are more likely to succeed in the world. A single man has not nearly the Value he would have in the state of union. He is an incomplete animal. He resembles the odd half of a pair of scissors. If you get a prudent healthy wife, your industry in your profession, with her good economy, will be a fortune sufficient.

  But if you will not take this counsel and persist in thinking a commerce with the sex inevitable, then I repeat my former advice, that in all your amours you should prefer old women to young ones. You call this a paradox, and demand my reasons. They are these:
  Because as they have more knowledge of the world and their minds are better stored with observations, their conversation is more improving and more lastingly agreeable.
  Because when women cease to be handsome they study to be good. To maintain their influence over men, they supply the diminution of beauty by an augmentation of utility. They learn to do a thousand services small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all friends when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And hence there is hardly such a thing to be found as an old woman who is not a good woman.
Because there is no hazard of children, which irregularly produc'd may be attended with much inconvenience.
Because through more experience they are more prudent and discreet in conducting an intrigue to prevent suspicion. The commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the affair should happen to be known, considerate people might be rather inclin'd to excuse an old woman, who would kindly take care of a young man, form his manners by her good counsels, and prevent his ruining his health and fortune among mercenary prostitutes.
Because in every animal that walks upright, the deficiency of the Fluids that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest Part: The Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the neck; then the breast and arms; the lower parts continuing to the last as plump as ever; so that covering all above with a basket, and regarding only what is below the girdle, it is impossible of two women to know an old from a young one. And as in the dark all cats are gray, the pleasure of corporal enjoyment with an old woman is at least equal, and frequently superior, every knack being by practice capable of improvement.
Because the sin is less. The debauching a virgin may be her ruin, and make her for life unhappy.
Because the compunction is less. The having made a young girl miserable may give you frequent bitter reflection; none of which can attend the making an old woman happy.
    8thly and lastly. They are so grateful!!

Thus much for my paradox. But still I advise you to marry directly;     being sincerely

Your affectionate friend,
                                     B. Franklin

This is a letter written by Benjamin Franklin in to a friend on The Advice of The Choice of a Mistress. Franklin had many.


 While You're at It, Why Not Get Some Duderly Advice from Modern Day Sage "The DUDE" ??? GOT ANY KAHLUA? The COLLECTED RECIPES           of The DUDE .... ABIDE !!!!




HEINZ KETCHP

"Now That's AMERICAN" !!!











SUNDAY SAUCE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED





"SUNDAY SAUCE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

This little book gives a great history on Sunday meals in an Italian household. The recipes are truly authentic and the stories are terrific. Takes me back to my youth in Pennsylvania where we always celebrated Sunday dinners with dishes made with sauce or gravy as my Sicilian dad called it. I bought the book for myself and then ordered a second for my daughter who is married to an Irishman, has 3 kids and is a professional chef. She wants to keep Sunday dinners with family and friends a tradition to pass on to her kids. This book full of great recipes along with those from her grandmother and memories of past family dinners is most helpful to keep the italian sunday dinners alive and thriving.



Review From Anonymous Buyer on BARNES & NOBLE


BEST ITALIAN COOKBOOK EVER !!!

Best ever Italian cookbook. True and authentic. Great stories accompany every recipe. The author shares all the secrets for real Italian masterpieces.

Scottie P.  ....

Made Me Homesick   5 STARS From Lindah on Amazon.com

I loved this book. I grew up in a town that was a little United Nations of nationalities. The majority were Italian and some of my best friends and even married some family. Living in different parts of the country I find the food is just not the same even when they say they are from the same providences. I greatly miss the Pork Stores with its sausages hanging from the ceilings. Cases full of cheese and open barrels sitting all over the stores. You will have to read to find out what a port store is. But you will not get that wonderful aroma as you open the door of cheese, sausage, spices and all the other wonderful ingredients. Need a pick me up, enter a pork store. How could you be down with all that good smell swirling around.Making gravy was an all day event on Sunday. Saturday was for making the pasta. I had a neighbor that would allow me to help her on both days. On Sunday all the family would show up at her house for dinner after Church. It was ironic because she was not Italian, her husband was. She was considered the best cook of the family and Sundays and holidays were at her house. Make some good memories for your family and friends. These are comfort foods for me.