Finding Heaven in the City of Sin: Ferraro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar, Las Vegas

Moments shared over an astounding meal seem to provide memories that can last a lifetime. First dates much like a perfectly prepared meal should be savored, flowing smoothly from start to finish without any distractions. A first date or an important business meeting can quickly turn sour, should some unscrupulous food make its way into the mix. Be honest with yourself, not too many things can compare to sitting in an intimate location, looking into the eyes of someone you find yourself hopelessly falling for, eating bite after delicious bite of handmade old-world gourmet faire.

World renowned for its never ending, over the top excesses in all categories of life, the Las Vegas Strip draws foodies, thrill seekers, gamblers and lovers in by the millions annually.  And what better way to keep your guests stuck at the gambling tables than by stuffing them with delicacies created by big name celebrity Chefs? The problem with many of the new eateries helmed by these über Chefs becomes not only getting a reservation but, eating creations that resemble outer space creatures instead of delicious food. Not to say pushing the culinary envelope isn’t needed in this day and age, we strongly believe that taking things to the next level will help elevate everyone’s palates. But what about those nights when you want a dish that was created a few hundred years ago and can only be found in select regions further away than you’re willing to travel? In steps a place like Ferraro’s, an Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar that hands down has everyone beat on the strip when it comes to dishing out authentic Italian cuisine.

ROTD: Tortellini & Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

Its cold. And when it is as cold as it has been, there is nothing better than coming home to a warm house, filled with good food and great conversation. If you can’t find a bit of good conversation, don’t worry well help you at least supply the great meal to keep you from going stir crazy in that prison you call home.

Today is National Tortellini Day and we scooped up a recipe and gave it a bit of reworking to make it suitable for our readers who just don’t have all day to spend in the kitchen making an entire meal from scratch.

This recipe for Tortellini & Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce is quick, easy and delicious three things we really love around these parts.

Enjoy!

(click Read More for the Entire Recipe) 

Recipe Of The Day: Pasta / Ravioli Dough

Getting in the kitchen and making a meal that people enjoy is a feeling that everyone should be able to experience frequently. This being especially true if you have children or someone in your life that means something exceptional to you. It’s similar to planting a garden, fixing your own car or hanging a painting, its just another notch in your belt of accomplishments that we oftentimes don’t give ourselves enough credit for.

Today is National Ravioli Day. If you have never made your own pasta dough, today is the day that you should give it a try. This Ravioli / Pasta Dough really is simple a recipe that can be used as the base to create thousands of dishes, literally.

You can fill this dough with whatever your heart desires, so long as it is cod / cool to the touch. Anything hot will begin to cook the dough and result in a mushy product.

For a recipe such as this, you should have a pasta machine to achieve a uniformed thickness on the dough.

Master this Dough recipe, make it your own and hand it down to the next generation. You wont be mad that you did.

Enjoy!!!

Recipe Of The Day: Antipasto Salad Sandwiches

Stepping into a new restaurant for the first time for many people can be overwhelming. Every now and then new terms are used in place of what an item traditionally called thus completely turning off the patron without even knowing what the dish is. 

With a recent trip to a neighborhood Italian Restaurant behind us, a conversation came up about the term Antipasto and what should it include. Traditionally Antipasto (Plural Antipasti) means “before the meal” in Italian, and is often the first formal course in an Italian meal. 

It should include various cured meats, olives, pepperoncini, mushrooms, roasted garlic, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses and peperone (marinated small green bell peppers, which should not be confused with pepperoni.) 

Typically topped off with olive oil, this dish can take the place of any salad in a heartbeat. Although Antipasto is often compared to hors d’oeuvre’s, it should be noted that they are not the same, as Antipasto is served at the table and signifies the official beginning of a meal, whereas hors d’oeuvre’s are served as a snack before a meal begins.

We put together a recipe for an Antipasto sandwich that is truly amazing and will help introduce you to this staple in the Italian culture. Of course substitutions can be made to your liking, we are simply showing you a traditional version that we have taken a liking too.

National Spaghetti Day - Pasta Bolognese Made Easy

Today is National Spaghetti Day. Now we here in The Supreme Plate are lovers of carbs especially when they come in the form of great pastas drenched in sauces that truly need no help from the starch other than to help sop it all up. If you know how to make a good sauce from scratch, your already a few steps ahead in the game of life.

Bolognese is a meaty sauce that has a tremendous amount of Earthy flavors that once cooked down is a meal all unto itself. Add a quality piece of bread or some pasta and your set to go. You can change the falvors around however you like by adding more of one meat and less of another just make sure that you don’t get too lean of a cut, you want a little fat to help break down the proteins and give the dish that much more flavor.

The recipe for the pasta is a simple pasta recipe that can be applied to numerous dishes and cooks up rather quickly so make sure you don’t overcook your pasta.

Enjoy.

(click read more for the entire recipe)

Recipe Of The Day: Fried Ravioli

During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving many people avoid eating anything heavy simply to save room for the massive amount of goodies they will surely be eating during the numerous feasts most of us have to attend.

Simple dishes during these times are things we should all turn too, such as Fried Ravioli, which will fill you up, keep you warm and still feeling light on your feet.

When the weather makes such a drastic change towards the colder temperatures, people tend to forget to take things to keep themselves warm oftentimes resulting in their getting sick. This dish right here is a sure fire hit because it hits the right spot, keeps you warm and tastes delicious. Nothing warms up the soul better than something perfectly fried that didn’t require to much work to put together.

It should take you no longer than 20 or 30 mins to make to make this entire dish so enjoy it this evening with a cold glass of Moscato.

National Food Holiday: Lasagna

National Food Holidays, seem to be getting more and more attention on our site, strictly because of what they are bringing to the publics attention; Classic Recipes that often get overlooked because of their complexity.

Well leave it to us to detangle all of the myths and lies that surround both loved and loathed recipes, such as  today's "National Food Holiday" for instance, Lasagna.

Lasagna is a hearty dish that leaves everyone stuffed to the gills, unbuttoning pants and searching for a quiet place to nap after it has been consumed. The problem with Lasagna is that not everyone knows how to whip up a pan worth its weight, and because of that fact people are scared to approach it.

This recipe is a classic in our kitchen, tried and true numerous times and even has been requested to be used at a few local mom and pop Italian spots around town. 

Enjoy this recipe with your family, make it and take it to your Grandparents house and enjoy some stories about their youthful days or impress a crowd of your friends who thought you didn't have it in you to pull off such an old world staple.

This recipe is sure to evoke classic memories of long gone childhoods and times passed as well as to help bring to life some new found great moments with your loved ones.

Recipe Of The Day: Vanilla Panna Cotta

After our lovely review of the Raya at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel we were hit up by a number of readers interested in getting their hands on some lovely Panna Cotta, only not everyone was sure what it was or how to make it.

Have no fear ladies and gents, we have a delicious and amazingly easy recipe that will knock your guests out of their shoes and socks and have you looking life “Chef Supreme” in your kitchen. 

Panna Cotta for those that don’t know is, Italian for Cooked Cream, is a dessert that is made by simmering together cream, milk, sugar and gelatin then allowing it cool until it is set.

After years of evolving into the delicious desert that it has become to be known today, Panna Cotta is typically flavored with Vanilla and topped with fruit or spices, and is served chilled.

Enjoy your Vanilla Panna Cotta this evening while listening to the sounds of Dean Martin’s “Mambo Italiano.”

Recipe Of The Day: Champagne Risotto

Risotto is a tradition rice dish served in Italy. Usually cooked in a rich broth and containing great ingredients such as parmesan cheese, meats, fish or vegetables this dish is a sure fire hit that will steal the show from whatever main entree your serving it alongside. The name literally translates to little rice and is the most common way of cooking rice in Italy.
This version we have kicked it up a little with the help of some good champagne which only helps to add to final creamy texture you should hopefully be awarded with. Be careful as over cooking, over stirring and not adding the broth when needed will ruin this dishes flavors and textures.