SLICE OF LIFE (part 1)

"Bonasera ... Bonasera ... What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? Your dough, it is an insult. Your sauce, it is something that reminds of Campbell's Tomato Soup with a little oregano added. But let's be frank here: You have tried your best, I'm sure, but this is my daughter's wedding day and I cannot tolerate bad pizza at a Corleone celebration." ...



Mama's Pizza Sauce 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 yellow onion, finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, smashed and finely chopped 28 ounces canned plum tomatoes 1 tablespoon dried basil 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese Salt Fresh ground black pepper



In a saucepan, warm the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat, about 5 minutes. Do not brown them. As soon as the onion and garlic are soft add the canned tomato with the juice and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the herbs, taste and season with salt and pepper. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Use immediately may be frozen.



Do your Don a favor, and use these recipes that have been handed down in "the Family" for generations. Often at our table we top our pies with pepperoni, mortadella or even bacon. You can add onion, green pepper, black olives, and even a little pineapple. We use fresh mozzarella cheese and we sprinkle a little Romano cheese on top with parsley before we bake the pie for 15 to 20 minutes at 475 degrees.



... "Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do this service for me again. But uh, until that day, accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day."



As Luca Brazi drove the car back to the Family's compound I thought back to a simpler time in my native Sicily and the Pizza Rustica Courgette I was treated to as a boy. ...



Pizza Rustica Courgette 1 round of basic pizza dough 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped 1 zucchini, thinly sliced Salt Fresh ground black pepper 4 thin slices mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 475 degrees. In a medium pan, sauté garlic and zucchini slices in olive oil until soft, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Top with zucchini slices and mozzarella. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and bake in oven for 15 minutes.



... In front of the door I could see the guests on the patio drinking wine and dancing to the music of Al Martino who had flown in from the coast to sing at my daughter's wedding. Sinatra was too expensive to use in this movie. I stood and breathed in the fresh air, giving thanks for my Family. It was then I noticed Luca Brazi whisper something into Clemenza's ear as they both looked in the back set of the car. Clemenza stood tall, and hiked up his pants as he adjusted his belt. I could faintly hear him reply to Brazi.



"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."



© The News Herald