Weekly Ad 12/31/09 - 1/6/10

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Weekly Ad 12/24/09 - 12/30/09

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Pizzelle Irons Just About Sold Out!

Oh no! There are no more pizzelle irons! Nearly all locations are sold out of pizzelle makers. Please call before you go to check what is in stock.
Don't forget about the espresso! We still have plenty of Bialetti & Musa Espresso pots available. From 2 cups to 12 cup pots are available and replacement gaskets are also available for your pots.
We still have pasta makers available and some other kitchenware items including pizza stones. Hurry in before there is nothing left and do not forget to place your holiday orders!

Quick Checklist:

• Pizzelle Irons
• Pasta Makers
• Espresso Pots
• Pizzelle Mix
• Pizza Stone
• Panettones
• Torrone
• Cookie Trays
• Anise
• Ricotta
• Anise
• Good Cheer
• Your Seven Fishes
• Chestnuts
• Plenty of VINO!

Merry Christmas!

Buon Natale!

Doris Italian Market & Bakery 2010 Calendars

Our calendars are in! Be sure to come shopping soon and get your 2010 calendar filled with recipes and reminder stickers to help you remember future events. Quantities are limited so don't delay. Once the calendars are gone, they are gone. Be sure to become a follower to our blog. We plan to have even more to share with you in 2010. Plan on seeing more recipes, more anecdotes, exclusive coupons only found on the blog, videos, music, contests, giveaways, and much more. There is much for us to do and we want as many people as possible to share in them. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Doris Italian Market & Bakery. May the holidays bring much to fill memories and stomachs. Be safe! We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Weekly Ad 12/17/09 - 12/23/09

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Give to the March of Dimes

For the past year, Doris Italian Market & Bakery has partnered with the March of Dimes raising thousands of dollars. Now, for those who wish to donate, Doris Italian Markets are accepting $1 donations at each location for the March of Dimes "March for Babies". For more information, check out www.marchforbabies.org, or simply tell your cashier at check out that you would like to donate. We at Doris Italian Market & Bakery are proud to be a part of such fine organization and knowing that we are part of a mission that strives to improve baby health.



About the March of Dimes:

March of Dimes is the leading non profit organization for pregnancy and baby health.

Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.

The first great polio epidemic in the U.S. was in 1916. The disease infected mostly children, killing thousands and leaving many more paralyzed. On a summer day in 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt became one of its victims and the March of Dimes was born.Through life saving research we beat polio, but we continue our efforts to help children today by working to save babies from the silent crisis of premature birth.

A History of Success:

President Franklin Roosevelt established the March of Dimes in 1938 to save America's youth from polio. His premise was that people can solve any problem if they work together. He created a partnership of volunteers and researchers, and within 17 years, the Salk vaccine had been developed and polio was on the run.That dynamic partnership has endured and it's what makes the March of Dimes work. With the help and support of the American people, the March of Dimes has saved the lives of millions of babies over the past 64 years. And we won't stop until we reach the day when every baby is born healthy

Here is how we participated:
Last April we sponsored the March for Babies. This past October we sponsored the Signature Chefs Auction. And we continue to grow with the march of dimes in the future. One way is the march of dimes promo we have going on in the stores now.

Scopa - a timeless card game

Scopa is an Italian card game played with a standard Italian 40-card deck. It is most commonly played between two players or two teams of two players each, but can also be played with 3, 4, or 6 individual players. Scopa is a trick-taking game. The name is the Italian verb meaning "to sweep" since taking a "scopa" means you have "swept" all the cards from the pool. Watching a game of scopa can be highly entertaining an activity since true connoisseurs of the game maintain that lively and colorful banter in between hands is a vital part of the game.
Basic rules for the game can be found at these websites:

• 
  http://a_pollett.tripod.com/scopa.htm#scopa
• http://www.scopacards.com/

A simple internet search can come up with other sites that can provide instructions and other versions of the game as well as other games that can be played using the Italian playing cards. But for those of you who want a basic introduction, we have provided this short instructional video.

If you have a family member that wants to get back into the game or you simply want to try something new, you can get these playing cards at any of our locations or simply buy them online at our online store. Simply click HERE to get to the Doris Online Store. There are two types of playing cards available. There is the Sicilian Style and Napoletano Style Cards. Both sets are essentially the same with a variance in the images. Once again, we at Doris Italian Market hope this helps in your holiday shopping ideas and we wish you much cheer. Buon Natale!

Check our Online Store for more gift ideas. Just click HERE to go to the novelty section.

Today is Santa Lucia Day

In addition to Italy and Sicily, Santa Lucia Day is also celebrated in Scandinavia and France. One of the biggest celebrations is in Sicily where the city of Siracusa holds a huge parade carrying the saint on a golden coffin to the Church of Santa Lucia. On December 20 there is another parade to return her to the crypt. There are celebrations all week and thousands of pilgrims come to Siracusa. The festivities end with a big fireworks display over the harbor.

One of the reasons for the large scale celebration in Siracusa is because that is where the holiday's origin is traced back to around 304 AD. According to the Sicilian legend, Lucia's mother, a wealthy lady, had been miraculously cured of an illness at the sepulcher of Saint Agatha in Catania. Lucia, a Christian, persuaded her mother in thankfulness to distribute her wealth to the poor. So, by candlelight, the mother and daughter went about the city secretly ministering to the poor of Siracusa.
Unfortunately, this was during the last great persecution of Christians in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. The pagan young man, to whom Lucia was engaged, took a dim view of this distributing of her dowry, and denounced her to the prefect, Pascasius, who ordered that she be seized and tortured. Miraculously, when neither boiling oil nor burning pitch had the power to hurt her, she was blinded and slain with a sword. Her martyrdom is recorded in ancient sources and in an inscription found in Syracuse. (newsweden.org)

To help those observe the holiday, we have included a Santa Lucia braided bread recipe and a basic wheat pie (pastiera di grano). For those that need to purchase the wheat, check your local gourmet food store, and if you live in South Florida, you can get the wheat without skin or the precooked wheat at any Doris Italian Market location.
Known for her hospitality, this festive bread is inspired by the candle covered crown she is said to have worn to light her way as she brought food to the poor.

INGREDIENTS

DOUGH

1 1/2 cups milk

2 1/4-ounce packages active dry yeast

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

2 large eggs

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind

1 teaspoon salt

5 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

GLAZE AND GARNISH

2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

2 1/2 to 3 1/2 tablespoons orange juice

1/3 cup dried cranberries

Candles (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Warm the milk in a small saucepan, then pour 1/2 cup of it into a large bowl.

Add the yeast and 1 tablespoon of the sugar and let it set for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in the remaining milk.

Add the butter and milk mixture to the yeast mixture. Whisk in the eggs, juice, 1/4 cup of sugar, orange rind, and salt.

Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough can be gathered into a ball. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes, adding more flour until the dough is smooth and elastic and does not stick to your hands.

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning it once to coat it. Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in size, about 11/2 hours.

Punch down the dough and divide it into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into a 30-inch rope and braid the ropes together.

Transfer the braid to a greased baking sheet, pinch together the ends to form a circle, and let it rise until it has again doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375_. Bake the bread for 25 minutes or until golden brown, then let it cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes.

For the glaze, stir together the confectioners sugar and orange juice in a medium bowl until smooth.

Drizzle the glaze mix over the bread, then garnish with the cranberries. Finally, add candles, if you'd like. Serves 12.

And for those who like a good wheat pie (pastiera di grano). These pies are very popular during the Month of December and also for Easter. If you enjoy them but do not wish to make them, Doris Italian Markets will have them for sale in time for Christmas. But for those who wish to take the culinary challenge, here you go...The recipe provided makes 2 pies serving 8 people per pie. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

CREAM

• 18 ounces whole milk
  
• 3 large egg yolks
  
• 2 tablespoons sugar
  
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon rinds
  
• 1/2 cup finely minced candied citron peel (well rinsed and drained before mincing) (optional)
  

WHEAT

• 2 cups cooked wheat (about 1/2-3/4 pound of dry wheat should = 2 cups cooked) or 1 1/2-2 cups cooked drained arborio rice
  
• 1/2 cup whole milk
  
• 4 tablespoons butter
  

RICOTTA FILLING

• 8 large eggs
  
• 2 1/2 cups sugar (cut sugar by 1/2 cup if using the citron)
  
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon rinds
  
• 1 lb whole milk ricotta cheese (drained if very wet)
  

CRUST

• 1/2-3/4 cup butter
  
• 3 eggs or 2 extra large egg yolks
  
• 2 1/2-3 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1/2-1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon rinds

DIRECTIONS

1. ***PreparingThe Wheat: If"soaked" or"precooked" wheat is not available, dry wheat may be used.
   
2. Cover the dry wheat with cold water (water should be about 2 inches over the wheat) and boil it for 15 minutes or until the wheat berries crack open.
   
3. Remove pan from heat and allow wheat to soak for a full 24 hours.
   
4. After soaking, drain well before using in steps#17-19.
   
5. If"soaked"/"precooked" wheat is used, add the wheat to a pan of boiling water and cook it for about 5-10 minutes (most of the wheat berries should be open and they should be chewy but tender).
   
6. Drain well, let cool and use for steps#17-19.
   
7. Crust: Mix flour, sugar and lemon peel together in a bowl.
   
8. Work butter into flour using your fingers (until it is the size of peas).
   
9. Add eggs one at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon.
   
10. Knead the dough lightly until it holds together well and clears the bowl.
    
11. Form dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and chill it for about 1/2- 1 hour before using.
12. Cream: Fill the bottom of a double boiler with enough water so that its insert doesn't quite touch the water; bring the water to a boil.
    
13. Mix the whole milk, egg yolks, sugar, flour, lemon peel and citron together in the insert of the double boiler which has been set in to the bottom pan.
    
14. Cook the"cream," stirring constantly until it has thickened and is the consistency of a thick pudding (about 20-30 minutes).
    
15. Remove the insert from the boiling water and set aside to allow the"cream" to cool, stir occasionally to keep a skin from forming.
    
16. Note: I sometimes put the insert pan with the"cream" mixture into a bowl of very cold water, to help it cool down faster, don't forget to stir it.
    
17. Wheat: Add the (cooked, soaked, well drained) wheat to a saucepan with the milk and butter.
    
18. Cook the wheat mixture, stirring occasionally until the butter melts, and mixture starts to boil; boil for 1 minute.
    
19. Remove from heat and let cool.
    
20. Prepare Pans: On a lightly floured board, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thick and line the bottom and sides of two lightly buttered 9-inch glass cake pans.
    
21. Leave a 1/2 inch overhang of dough if you are going to use the lattice top.
    
22. If not using the lattice, trim the overhang to 1/4 inch.
    
23. Re-roll scraps and cut into 1/2 inch wide strips to use as a lattice top for the pie.
    
24. (If you prefer, the lattice can be omitted.) Preheat oven to 350°F.
    
25. Ricotta Filling: Mix ricotta, eggs, sugar and lemon peel together in a large bowl.
    
26. Beat mixture by hand, with a wooden spoon, until smooth and creamy.
    
27. Add the"cream" mixture and the wheat mixture to the ricotta filling, stirring until all is well blended.
    
28. Pour or ladle the filling into prepared pans (to within 1/4 inch of the top of the pan).
    
29. For The Lattice: place the strips of dough across the filling, spaced about 1 inch apart (at right angles) forming a lattice top.
    
30. Fold the 1/2 inch overhang over the edges of the lattice and flute well.
    
31. If not making the lattice top, fold the 1/4 inch overhang on to itself, and lightly flute.
    
32. Bake pies in a preheated 350°F oven for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the bottom of the crust is light brown, the center is set, and the top of the pies are golden.
    
33. Turn off oven and let the pies cool for an hour in the oven with the oven door slightly (about 2 inches) ajar.
    
34. Remove pies from oven and place on a wire rack.
    
35. When completely cooled, cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill until serving.
    
36. If you like, you can give the pie tops a light sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving.
    
37. Note: Its best to served this pie directly from the pan, as trying to plate the whole pie is more trouble than its worth, and causes breakage.

And to top it all off for Santa Lucia Day, I present to you, Mario Lanza. Ciao Tutti!

Doris Gift Cards

What better way to wish someone a Happy Holidays than with a Doris Gift Card.

Available at any Doris Market location, activate the gift card with the denomination you desire, and Give the Gift of Doris. Let your family and friends rejoice in the guilty pleasures Doris Italian Market has to offer. Not sure which items to share? With Doris gift cards your family and friends can pick out their favorites from Doris Market. They are available by the register, pick up yours today! Available in 3 different designs... these gift cards are also rechargeable!!

Wish your family and friends a Happy Holidays with Doris Italian Market.

Don't forget that Doris Gift Cards are also a great gift for any occasion... not just the holiday!

Custom Gift Baskets

The holidays are here and year after year it gets harder to find gifts that shows how special your family and friends are. Doris Market offers a unique way to say Happy Holidays, Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary, even Get Well or Congratulations. Doris' custom gift baskets will wow your family and friends. Not one basket is alike. They are made according to your specifications. You can not get more personalized than this.

The combinations to fill the basket are endless... choose from Doris' many specialty items such as dry sausages, imported cheeses, pasta, wine, various open & eat appetizers, biscotti and gourmet chocolates. You can even throw a Doris Gift Card in there so the recipient of the basket can come back and shop for more goodies once they have finished their basket. If you are not sure what to include our professional staff offers suggestions and is more than accommodating with putting together this masterpiece of gourmet food. Now we say masterpiece of gourmet food because it is not just a basket with products throw in and sealed with plastic. Each basket is made with love and there is an art of putting together the products so the basket has an aesthetic appeal. This is a gift that is always pleasing to the heart and the stomach. The baskets are wrapped in an occasion appropriate paper with ribbon. Fruit baskets are also available, made with Doris fresh fruit of the day.

Don't wait to the last minute... call and order your gift basket today! Satisfaction guaranteed, you will not be disappointed. It is the perfect way to say Happy Holidays.

Inquire at your local Doris Market or call 954-572-5269 ext. 302 for more information. Also inquire on our delivery services!

Weekly Ad 12/10/09 - 12/16/09

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International Cheeses: Make them a part of your holiday game-plan

There are so many types of cheese on this planet that it is staggering. Whether you have them with wine and crackers or they are part of your culinary creations, they add to the flavor of your meal and event culminating in satisfaction for all. We have provided a video to get your creative juices flowing this holiday season. For more inspiration check out our post about cheese pairing or simply check out http://www.wisdairy.com/. Enjoy!

Fresh Mozzarella

Cheese always plays an integral part of Italian events, holidays, and get-togethers. Getting fresh mozzarella for these occaisions takes you to a new level of enjoyment. This Christmas holiday, if you haven't experienced it already, come to any Doris Market location and purchase our fresh made mozzarella. We have provided this video for you to see how we make fresh mozzarella. Enjoy! We look forward to seeing you in our stores!

Lou Monte: What did Washington Say?

While we all get ready for Christmas and celebrate. There are many historic things that happened in December. For one, Washington crossed the Delaware on December 25th, 1776. For us Americans, that is an important moment in history. And for us Italian-Americans, we have Lou Monte's song...

Weekly Ad 12/3/09 - 12/9/09

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Vino Nobile - A Perfect Holiday Wine for Christmas

A wine commonly found on our Christmas Dinner Table is a Vino Nobile. Vino Nobiles come from Montepulciano. Not to be mistaken with Montepulciano D'Abruzzo wines, Vino Nobiles are a special blend of grapes that does not include Montepulciano grapes. For a wine to be called a Vino Nobile, it must be at least 70% Sangiovese grapes and then blended with other grapes such as Cannaiolo and Mammolo. While the tannins of the Sangiovese grapes are still evident, they are tamed a bit giving the wine a rich full yet smooth flavor with hints of spice and berry.

History

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has enjoyed its renowned reputation and high esteem ever since the year 790. This excellent wine was soon discovered and sold outside the Montepulciano region. In 1549, Sante Lancerio, Pope Paul III's maître de chaîne called the Nobile the "Vino perfettissimo da Signori". It was, however, the doctor and poet, Francesco Redi, who in the 17th century established the reputation of the Nobile as "The King of all Wine". The name "Nobile" dates from the era when higher quality wines were exclusively reserved for noble families. Even today it is still recognized as something very "special". As one of the first top wines to come out of Italy, since 1980 the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has had the distinction of being classified as a DOCG wine. The Vino Nobile is matured in wooden casks for at least two years, starting from 1st January following the harvest. After maturing for three years the Vino Nobile is then granted the title "Riserva". In spite of its long tradition, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is, nevertheless, a modern wine. In recent years, hardly any other Italian wine has enjoyed such a noticeable improvement in quality and has thus gained an international reputation. (canneto.com)

As of this posting, Vino Nobile wines can be found at the Coral Springs Doris Market. Check your local Doris Market locations for other suggestions or simply check your local liquor store and check their selections. If you enjoy high quality Italian wines such as Brunellos and Amarones, Vino Nobile wines are fantastic alternatives. They are more affordable, make a perfect gift, and they really bring something special to the table at Christmas. Salut!

These two Vino Nobiles are available at Doris Italian Market & Bakery of Coral Springs. Visit your local Doris Market and view their impressive wine selection.

Dominick the Donkey : Buon Natale!

Well it's almost Christmas, and here to help us all get in the festive sprit is Dominick the Donkey.