Dishin with Denise… Mother’s Day… The GIft…

Denise Gianatasio is a Northport 
Village resident and freelance writer. 
She is a licensed agent at Signature 
Premier Properties, 172 Main Street, Northport 631-754-3600. Denise 
enjoys cooking and sharing her recipes and family stories, as she wants to
inspire a warm sense of home with 
her readers. Please feel free to contact her for any advice you may need at  
dishinwithdenise@yahoo.com.

    The story was always the same…I’d ask my Mother “what she would like as a gift for Mother’s Day?
Her answer was always the same “You”  she just relished in spending time with her children.  She would come over to my house with glee and anticipation hoping we would eat outdoors and talk the day away. Although she lived only 5 minutes away, she arrived as though she had reached her favorite vacation destination. Those memories of my mother and the endless days spent talking, laughing, and sharing meals were precious hours that set the foundation for my life in many ways.
    I now too want the same gift…first and foremost love of my family and the absolute joy that comes with time spent together, lessons learned from my Mother about the “gift”.
    She was thrilled if I made her favorite Sicilian dish.  “Pasta con allecchi” a long honored, cultural family favorite.
    Tossed together from staples, this dish pays homage to tasty and thrifty Sicilian cuisine ~ just divine with that glass of wine. 
    We would start out with some schnicky~schnacks (as my Mother would refer to the picking, i.e.: cheese, olives, dried sausage). The great part about Mother’s Day, it’s the beginning of our beautiful warm weather. Her eyes sparkled and her face glowed as she looked around and felt truly content to just be together. Celebrate the sunshine, with your Mom or any special Mom, and watch her embrace “the gift”.  
    Focus on the meaningful essentials,  and you’ll never go wrong. When the day was done she carried her gifts, cards, and flowers to the car and then hugged me so tight. Her belly was full and her heart content.  The Gift! Happy Mother’s Day Mom! I miss you and the gift we shared!

Serving 3~4
1LB Perciatelli Pasta (long fatter strands of straight pasta with a hollow center running lengthwise to capture all the flavors)
1 Can San Marzano tomato blended
1 Small can tomato paste (to thicken)
1 Large Vidalia onion chopped
2 Cloves garlic (diced fine)
½ Cup of extra virgin olive oil plus extra
for drizzling when plated­
1 Can of Anchovies
2/3 Cup of toasted bread crumbs
1 T or less of red pepper flakes
Fresh ground black pepper
Sea salt to taste
½ Cup toasted pignolis (optional)
½ Cup chopped fresh parsley
½ Cup fresh chopped basil
1 T butter 

     In a saucepan add chopped onions to olive oil and sauté until soft and caramelized, add diced garlic, red pepper flakes, and anchovies until melted. (2 minutes) Add blended tomatoes and small can of paste. Cook on low for 30 minutes. Put on pot with salted water for boiling to aldente. Drain when done, reserve some pasta water. In fry pan add a drop of oil, butter, pignoli nuts and breadcrumbs over low flame toast to golden (careful not to burn.) Set aside. Mix pasta and sauce together on a low flame, mix breadcrumbs (reserve some for top. Add fresh basil and parsley, salt and pepper. Drizzle with extra olive oil. Done! Now Enjoy!