Best Italian Dinners and Free Recipes

Early in the 1900's several Italians migrated to the United States from Italy. My great grandfather was one of those individuals. With him he brought some of the best Italian dinners and free recipes for us to use for generations. Long used Italian Sauces were included in those recipes. Mama and Papa's Italian cooking history would eventually be the source of income to support four generations and counting.

It wasn't immediately but it was soon after arriving in the United States that Mama and Papa's Italian cooking began generating money for them after opening a small food establishment. Now, almost eighty years later it is a popular Italian restaurant in The small town of Westfield, NY serving all sorts of homemade pasta dishes, pizza, and several other Italian Dinner's as well as traditional dinners.

After having grown up eating several of the types of Italian foods that are now served in the restaurant. I would have to say the the most popular Italian dinners on the Calarco's Italian menu are:

Spaghetti and Meatballs - a delicious, thick, sweet tasting spaghetti sauce served over spaghetti and served with warm rolls and salad.

Lasagna - A delicious homemade lasagna with loads of cheese, sausage, special spices and the unique spaghetti sauce so many have come to love.

Ravioli - Ricotta Cheese filled, served with the famous Italian sauce.

Other pasta dishes served with the sauce include:

Rigatoni and Meatballs or Sausage

Gnocci

Eggplant Parmesan

Spaghetti and grilled mushrooms

Spaghetti Parmesan

Pizza - with sauce and your choice of toppings

The menu also consists of an excellent array of :

Fish dishes

Steak dishes

The cooks nightly Italian Specials

Sandwiches and burgers

Pasta Alfredo dishes

and much more...

Below is a free recipe for chicken parmesan...

What could be better than smell of an Italian cuisine? That may be the one thing that made my great grandfather feel like he was closer to his home back in Italy was the smell that came from the kitchen. From the hands of my great grandfather, to his son, to his daughter, the family restaurant has stayed in the family for over 75 years. It is a true gem. One that you must visit if passing through. Calarco's Italian Restaurant in Westfield, NY.

Bread is and always has been an excellent compliment to a delightful Italian Dinner. Rolls or italian bread is brushed with melted butter, then warmed for about 3 minutes in a hot oven. A delicious, soft, tasty warm addition to the meal. Some decide they would like garlic and/or cheese added in which case it becomes garlic bread or garlic bread au gratin, another favorite.

A delicious salad with all homemade dressings is a great treat as well.

Don't forget a glass of wine.

And for dessert, Homemade desserts are superb. Most popular are:

Peanutbutter Pie

Pecan Pie

Apple Pie

Brownine Sundaes

Eggplant Parmesan Ingredients:

• one large eggplant
• two eggs,
• parmesan cheese
• breadcrumbs
• mozzarella cheese
• flour
• tomato sauce
• vegetable oil

First you will want to slice the eggplant into fairly thin slices, set them on some wax paper or in a colander and salt them with kosher salt on both sides. Let them sit this way for about 30 minutes. This takes the bitterness of the eggplant away so you're ready to cook them. When done, set them on a paper towel and pat both sides.

You will need 1/2 cup or more of

Parmesan cheese

Mozzarella cheese

Set aside separately

You will also need two separate containers for:

eggs and

breadcrumbs

You will need a plastic bag for flour

Now to bread the eggplant - put all or most of the sliced eggplant in the bag

now individually coat with flour, then with breadcrumbs.

Heat vegetable oil or olive oil in a frying pan until hot

Put in breaded eggplant. You may need to cook 6 or 8 at a time. When all eggplant slices are cooked, put into a baking dish with your favorite tomato or spaghetti sauce on the bottom. Sprinkle Mozzerella and parmesan cheese over first layer of eggplant. Put more sauce slices of eggplant and cheese into dish the same way overlapping. Do not overcrowd pan. Bake eggplant at preheated 425 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.