Italian Fest at the Reading Terminal Market

Anna of La Cucina divulged the secrets to making traditional filled cannolis

This Saturday the Reading Terminal Market was transformed into a Italian "mercato"...

Center Court was packed with vendors selling speciality products such as porchetta, fresh pasta, cheeses, wines, gelato (from Cappogiro of course), and much more!   Market stalwarts such as Molly Malloys, By George and Beck's touted traditional Italian foods such as paninis, pizza and strombolis while the Munier Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra serenaded shoppers and visitors for much of the afternoon.

"Sounds like the soundtrack for The Godfather," quipped one passerby.

A highlight of the Italian Fest was the action-packed Italian cooking demonstration which took place in La Cucina.  Chef and owner Anna Florio, who is herself of Italian origin, took this opportunity to share favorite recipes with the next generation of potential chefs and market shoppers.

Helping with the salad takes on a new meaning as these two volunteers vigorously shred Romaine lettuce.

Another volunteer rather more gingerly helps prep the citrus for the salad.

Photo opportunity anyone?

One of the most charming aspect of this Italian Fest is that many children and teens threw themselves into the festivities.  These cut out boards for example provided a photo opportunity for family members and were much enjoyed.

Aside from being a foodie heaven, the Reading Terminal Market is a great destination for visiting families, tourists to the City and locals.  Events like the Italian Fest help put the Market on the map, combining food, fun and educational opportunities.

Ever wondered what's on the inside of a muffaletta, for instance?

We found out, thanks to Chef Bill Beck...

Ever thought you should try a wheatgrass shot from the Market's juice bar??? 

I was talked into it by my teen son on Saturday.  Hmmmm. 

Wish I hadn't.

Chocolates Galore - Don't you Just Love the Market?



Freshly made turtles



Where do we start? 

The Reading Terminal Market is a temple to chocolate and all things sweet.  Sure, there's plenty of gorgeous fresh produce, first class fresh fish and meat, but what really sets our hearts racing are the sweet treats to be found in the Market.

Wondering what to get your honey for Valentine's Day?  Fresh flowers and chocolate in some shape or form is probably your safest bet.

We had fun scouting around the Market for all things chocolate.  These are just a few of our favorite things!

Any guesses where these are from? 

Chocolate nonpareils. We may not be able to pronounce the word but are happy to consume - any time.

How decadent!  Chocolate coated chocolate chip cookies from Famous of course...



Termini Red Velvet minis - cocoa gives the cake that special something



Whoopie Pies in the making - molten chocolate gloriousness.



What are you planning to stock up on this Valentine's Day?

Prefer something less calorific?  Why not buy a pair of tickets to the Valentine to the Market Gala on February 25th?  This Gala is a fun-filled out of hours fundraiser which includes live music, entertainment and a dazzling array of food catered by your favorite merchants at the Market.  Expect to see amuse-bouche versions of all your favorite Market classics such as mini-cheesesteaks from By George, mini roast pork sandwiches from DiNic's, fried oysters and chicken salad from Beck's Cajun Cafe.

Show your love for the Market and impress your date by buying your tickets now!  See http://www.partyticketsonline.com/

See you there.

Superbowl Sunday Snacks

Get this: Twenty-five per cent more carrots are consumed on Superbowl Sunday than on any other Sunday of the year. So says Thursday's Wall Street Journal.

Other bite-sized factoids shared in the same report by research firm, NPD Group: include:

• 32% of us will be happily snacking away on salsa and dips - the most popular food by far.  An upsurge in yoghurt sales suggests, however, that the dips are becoming a little healthier...
• Chicken wings will be the food of choice for 23% of Superbowl viewers. (We know this to be true because Giuntas in the Reading Terminal Market confirmed this week that their chicken wings are quite literally flying out the door...)
• 14% of us prefer to grab a slice of plain old pizza and
• the same percentage are happy to munch on anything that's laden with salt.

Armed with this intelligence, we asked our friends at the Market: What will they be putting out on the table this Superbowl Sunday?

Stormy Lundy, head of the Merchants' Catering Division at the Market is not a Superbowl junkie, but she knows how to throw a good party. 

Her favorite party snack is deviled eggs, which are enjoying a vogue at the moment.  Stormy likes to grandify (is that a real word?) her eggs with the addition of smoked paprika, and crispy bacon.  She's clearly on topic.  

Last month's Bon Appetit ran a whole feature on how to transform the humble deviled egg. Their suggestions were pretty wild so we've included the recipes here.

General Manager of the Market, Paul Steinke, will probably be investing in an oversized tub of Bassett's Maple Walnut ice cream - his favorite flavor since childhood.

So what are our plans this Superbowl Sunday? Pressed for time, we're planning to run to the market and buy some epic sandwiches from By George.

This cheesesteak/pepperoni-topped stromboli will certainly be a conversation starter!

How are you planning to feed the five thousand this Sunday?

Italian Food at the Reading Terminal Market

The lush colors of Italian salads at By George

To wrap up our homage to all food Italian, we embarked on a whistlestop tour of the Reading Terminal Market merchants who specialize in Italian fare.

The Market offers everything from pre-pepped deli-style Italian food to the raw ingredients required to make an authentic Italian meal.  You can find everything from the wholesome and rustic to the Italian-American interpretation of La Cucina Italiana. 

For those of you with an interest in learning more about cooking the Italian way, then why not check out Anna Florio's classes at La Cucina, which run regularly at the Market?

Stop by the following merchants when you're next in!




Putting together a plate of anti-pasti, head to La Salumeria...



Fancy an Italian-inspired hoagie?   By George is the place for you!



Top off your lunch with a slice of Pumpkin Coffee Cake from arguably one of the best bakeries in the whole of Philadelphia --- Termini Bros. of course!!!



Cooking at home? 
Try By George's prepared pasta sauces and the freshest of pasta...

 Or...if you are feeling more adventurous still, then reprise http://www.phillyfoodlovers.com's/ favorite Italian recipes, including: Chicken Bruschetta or Zucchini with Garlic and Mint





Mad-as-a-hatter Emperor Nero...



The mad Roman Emperor Nero is best known for allegedly playing the fiddle while Rome burnt down in The Great Fire of Rome - which, like the Great Fire of London, probably started in a kitchen somewhere...

Perhaps they should have stayed out of the kitchen, and tried a take-out from the Market instead?

A Tribute to the Phillies

Phillies madness is once again sweeping through the City.  Everywhere you look, citizens are proudly sporting their team's baseball caps, sweatshirts and, as the weather improves, tees.

While lunching at the Market today, we went in search of all things Red + White and stumbled upon these five...

A bliss-inducing treat from Termini's.  How do they manage to make food which is so darned delicious and photogenic..?










The Tricolore Salad, featuring Mozzarella Cheese, Italian Tomatoes from By George!

Lunchtime Shoppers Crave the Pizza, Pasta & Salads from By George!



In the mood for a fix-it-quick baseball supper?  Why not stop by the Fair Food Farmstand and pick up a fresh batch of wholegrain pizza dough and make your own? 

Combine with fresh tomatoes, tomato puree, herbs and your fave cheese and you've got a winner.

Catering for many?  Then grab the ribs to go from the Down Home Diner. 

Quite possibly staffed by some of the most loyal Phillies Fans in the Market...

And we spotted this in the Market's Management Office.  We guess this is to hand out to the fans of rival teams - to dry their tears when they get crushed by the Phillies starting lineup!