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If you like Authentic Classic Traditional Italian Cooking this is the site for you. A unique site where you will find step-by-step illustrated traditional Italian cuisine recipes for Tiramisu’, pasta, lasagna, gnocchi, risotto, pizza, and much more, articles on history of food, nutrition, and a food newsletter.

INDEX
• What’s new in our Web site
• New Menu: Northern Italy Recipes
• Fast Dishes
• New Articles by Anna Maria
• New Articles from our Contributors
• Cooking Classes Schedule
• Every day is a Holiday: August is...

NEXT ISSUE: New step-by-step illustrated recipes: FLAVORS OF SICILY

In this issue we will continue to add menus by regional style to our Italian map. This month we will enrich our recipe collection with the step-by-step recipes for a menu in the NORTHERN ITALY cooking style: Truly Mediterranean, rich in piquant food, tomatoes, vegetables, and fish.

BASIC POLENTA

POLENTA PASTICCIATA
Polenta with Tomato Sauce

POLENTA FRITTA
Fried Polenta

OSSOBUCO ALLA MILANESE
Stewed Beef Shanks

Beef shanks are a dish typical of northern Italy. The meat is cut transversely from the leg and the bone that comes with it contains the marrow.

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Publication or use of pictures, recipes, articles, or any other material form my Web site, on or off-line without written permission from the author is prohibited. If you would like to use my articles on your Web site or in your publication, contact me for details.
Avoid infringing copyright law and its consequences:
read the article 7 Online Copyright Myths by Judith Kallos.

American Artist Appreciation Month - Cataract Awareness Month - Catfish Month (National, US) - Eye Exam Month (National, US) - Immunization Awareness Month (National, US) - Inventors Month (National, US) - Peach Month - Romance Awareness Month - Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month - Water Quality Month (National, US)

First Week: Breastfeeding Week, Clown Week - Second Week: Smile Week - Third Week: Children's Book Week - Friendship Week


Aug. 1: Respect for Parents Day - Sport's Day
Aug. 2: Ice Cream Sandwich Day - Ice Cream Soda Day - National Night Out (1)
Aug. 3: Watermelon Day
Aug. 4: Champagne Day - Chocolate Chip Day (National) - Coast Guard Day
Aug. 6: Mustard Day - Peace Day - Root Beer Float Day
Aug. 7: American Family Day- Forgiveness Day - Friendship Day - Kids Day (2) - Sister's Day
Aug. 8: Bonza Bottler Day (3)
Aug.13:  Left-Handers Day
Aug. 14: Marshmallow Toasting Day
Aug. 16: Elvis Memorial Day (4) - Roller Coaster Day (5)
Aug. 19: Aviation Day (6) - Potato Day
Aug. 20: Homeless Animal Day - Radio Day
Aug.21:  Statehood Day - Hawaii (7)
Aug. 26: Women's Equality Day (8)
Aug. 27: Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (Texas State Holiday) - Rock & Roll Day
Aug. 28: Dream Day (9)

Is Coffee The Most Popular Drink In History?   
by Mary Chambers
As far back as 850 A.D it is said that a lonely sheep herder and his charge stumbled across a strange and mysterious berry growing on a secluded and forgotten hillside... A short, interesting, surprising history of the most popular drink in the world.
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Introduction to Italian Wine
by Tynan Szvetecz
Italy not only has more local grape varieties than any other country, but it also has some of the most distinctive wines on Earth. The author gives an explanation of Italy's unique wine style and the wide range of diverse grapes that exist throughout its twenty wine regions.
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A Background to Dietary Fiber  
by Brian D. Johnston
What are fibers, what is their role in our diet and what foods are rich in fibers. These and many more questions are answered in this very interesting article.

SUDOKU, Did you get the fever? No, is not an Asian flu: It is a placement puzzle. Originated in the US initially became popular in Japan and now is taking the world by storm. Get the fever, play our Sudoku game!

Do you want to be the next Guest Cook on Anna Maria’s Web-site?
Click here to learn how....

Aug. 1st, 2005  - W&S South Coast Plaza
Fresh Italian Summer Menu

Aug. 8, 2005 – W&S South Coast Plaza
Green Fresh Pasta

Aug. 10, 2005 – Beverly Hills
Green Fresh Pasta

Aug. 11, 2005 – Beverly Hills
Ravioli with Pumpkin

Aug. 18, 2005 – Beverly Hills
Traditional Tortellini from Bologna

Aug. 22, 2005 – W&S South Coast Plaza
Ravioli with Pumpkin

Aug. 23, 2005, 6:30 pm - CHEFS INC.
The rustic flavor of Tuscany countryside

Aug. 29, 2005 – W&S South Coast Plaza
Traditional Tortellini from Bologna

Aug.31, 2005 – W&S Sherman Oaks
Flavors of Sicily

PANNACOTTA
Milk and Caramel Pudding

Panna Cotta is a delicious pudding of cream and gelatin. Dress it with berries or fresh fruit for additional color and flavor.

Some of you may have noticed a new category in our index page: Fast dishes. To help our busy readers we have assembled here all the preparations that can be easily made in 10 to 15 minute. At the same time we have published in the last month few new quick and simple Italian recipes. Here are some of them.

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MACEDONIA
DI FRUTTA
Seasonal Fruit Salad

Pesche col vino Chianti
Peaches in Chianti Wine

Petto di pollo ai Ferri
Grilled Chicken Breasts

NORTHERN ITALIAN COOKING. Every region and every city of Northern Italy developed particular qualities depending on the history and geographical location. Find here New menu, New recipes, New articles!

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The Cuisine of
Northern Italy

POLENTA,
A Northern Italian Staple

The origins of polenta can be traced back to the Etruscans. Polenta is corn pudding and together with Risotto is one of the North Italian staples.

Every region and every town of Northern Italy developed particular qualities depending on the history and geographical location.

Polenta is generally used in Northern Italy as a substitute for bread. It is un-molded from the pot directly onto a wooden board then, when cold, it is sliced.

Leftover polenta are never wasted. “Pasticcio” of polenta resembles the lasagna technique and is a wonderful way to serve a tasty polenta recipe.

Leftover polenta can be fried simply in a skillet with olive or vegetable oil, but polenta fried with a cover of breadcrumbs becomes pleasantly crunchy and tasty.

Anna Maria’s Open Kitchen will become your portal to the Internet. We are bringing into our site many new features to make your experience with us as complete as possible. We added already Daily HOROSCOPE, NEWS, MAPS AND DIRECTIONS by mapquest, and a Nationwide WEATHER REPORT. We hope you enjoy our new pages. More will come soon.

1. Classic Tiramisu’
2. Basic Pizza Dough
3. Gnocchi
4. Pasta Alfredo
5. Tiramisu w/berries

1. Tiramisu’ History
2. Italian Cooking
3.How to eat spaghetti
4. All Tiramisu’
5. Pasta History

Our Lucky
Giveaway
WINNERS

Past Newsletters
25 june 2005
26 July 2005

(1) (NNO), a crime /drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials. In all, over 34 million people participated in NNO 2004 in a variety of events and activities such as: block parties, cookouts, visits from local police and sheriff departments
parades, exhibits, flashlight walks, contests, and youth programs. See National Association of Town Watch website.

(2) The first Sunday every August it's a day to celebrate children engaging them in important, enjoyable, and meaningful time.

(3) An excuse to celebrate. This happens every month when the day and the date are the same number. (May 5, June 6, July 7, etc.)

(4)  Elvis Presley died in 1977. He was 42.

(5) Roller coaster patented this day in 1898.

(6) In celebration of Orville Wright's birthday.

(7) On August 21, 1959 then president Eisenhower signed a proclamation declaring Hawaii to be the 50th state. Hawaii celebrates each year a state holiday on the third Friday in August  as the anniversary of Hawaii's statehood.

(8) Celebrates the anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote.

(9) In 1963 this day, in Washington, D.C., at the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during a civil rights rally.