New York City-based author known for his cookbooks focused on Italian and Italian-American cuisine. He is recognized as a best-selling Italian cookbook author on Amazon Kindle, even surpassing the popularity of celebrity chefs like Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich.
Key highlights about Daniel Bellino Zwicke:
Cookbooks: He has written numerous cookbooks including "Sunday Sauce", "La TAVOLA", "The Feast of The 7 Fish", "Segreto Italiano (Secret Italian Recipes)", "Grandma Bellino's Italian Cookbook", "The Ragu Bolognese Cookbook", "Got Any Kahlua? The Collected Recipes of The Dude (The Big Lebowski Cookbook)", and "Sinatra Sauce: Music Meatballs & Merriment",.
Expertise: He is considered a leading authority on Italian Wine. His cooking reflects a blend of Italian and Italian-American traditions.
Influences: Zwicke's work is influenced by his experiences in Italy, particularly the Amalfi Coast, and Italian-American New York culture, including references to films like "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas".
Career: He has worked in the restaurant industry for over 25 years and created Bar Cichetti, known as "America's First Venetian Wine Bar".
Writing style: His cookbooks combine recipes with anecdotes and stories, providing a cultural context for the dishes. He also writes essays, articles, and short stories.
In essence, Daniel Bellino Zwicke is a prolific author who shares his passion for Italian food, wine, and culture through his popular cookbooks and engaging writing style.
2 lbs fresh ground beef 1 Spanish onion (fine dice) 1 Red bell pepper (fine dice) 1 Green bell pepper (fine dice) 2 cloves garlic (minced) 1 large beefsteak tomato diced fine (remove seeds) 2 extra large fresh eggs 2/3 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs ¼ cup chopped parsley 2/3 cup of tomato puree 1/2 tablespoon of salt and pepper
1). In a large sauce pan slowly cook peppers, onion, garlic and tomato until the onions turn translucent and let cool.
2). In a large mixing bowl add ground beef, cooked cool vegetables, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt and pepper and mix well.
3). Remove the mixture from bowl and place in a 14”x 9” x 2” ceramic baking dish and form into a loaf.
4). Top loaf with tomato puree and bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-55 minutes or until brown and firm.
5). Let the loaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with mushroom gravy and Mashed Potatoes.
1 Chicken, cut up, the breast pieces cut in half for more even frying
Canola oil
1) Mix the flour in a bowl with all the herbs and spices; set aside.
2) Mix the buttermilk and egg together in a separate bowl until combined. Soak the chicken in the buttermilk mixture at room temperature, 20-30 minutes.
3) Remove chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dip the chicken pieces in the herb-spice-flour mixture to coat all sides, shaking off excess. Allow to sit on a rack over a baking sheet, 20 minutes.
4) Meanwhile, heat about 3 inches of the oil in a large Dutch oven (or similar heavy pot with high sides) over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. (Use a deep-frying thermometer to check the temperature.) When temperature is reached, lower the heat to medium to maintain it at 350. Fry 3 or 4 pieces at a time, being careful not to crowd the pot. Fry until medium golden brown, turning once, 15-18 minutes. Transfer chicken pieces to a baking sheet covered with paper towels. Allow the oil to return to temperature before adding more chicken. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Daniel Bellino-Zwicke is a culinary author and creator of food concepts like "Meatball Parm Mondays" and "Sunday Sauce Recipe alla Clemenza alla Bellino alla Pacino"
His culinary work is inspired by New York-Italian cuisine, including dishes referenced in movies like "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas". Bellino-Zwicke's blog features a spaghetti recipe he claims is enjoyed by Al Pacino. He has published cookbooks, including a New York Italian cookbook and "Sunday Sauce" The Godfather.
Italian-American Sunday Sauce tradition
The Sunday Sauce or Sunday Gravy is a deeply ingrained custom in many Italian-American families.
It evokes images of large family gatherings and delicious, slow-simmered dishes prepared with various meats like Italian sausages, meatballs, beef braciola, pork ribs, and sometimes even chicken thighs or veal shank.
Bellino-Zwicke's "Sunday Sauce: When Italian-Americans Cook" includes his personal adaptation of this cherished tradition, according to greenwichvillageitalian.com.
Inspiration from "The Godfather"
The name "alla Clemenza" directly references the character of Peter Clemenza from The Godfather, who is famously shown teaching Michael Corleone (Al Pacino's character) how to make Sunday sauce.
The recipe also pays tribute to Al Pacino's enduring legacy and association with the film, further linking Bellino-Zwicke's recipe to the iconic movie.
