Friday, December 17, 2010

This Week & the Holiday Season at Casa Dante

www.casadante.com       See us on    FACEBOOK


Dear Friends:
Happy Holidays!
If you haven't made plans for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, Now is the time! We will be offering many Christmas treats ( see Desserts ) and New Years Eve surprises. We will both be guests ( if that's possible ) at both occasions and hope to see you there. New Years Eve will be a blast!  

See you soon!

Dom & Toni Marino
Proprietors
Casa Dante

Christmas Eve December 24th, Dinner   come in for a quiet and traditional Fish Dinner or just order off our regular menu. Bring your loved ones and feast yourselves on a Casa Dante Christmas Eve meal.
New Years Eve Bash celebration is booking now. Please reserve your places. Last years party was grand, even in the throes of this "great recession" and all indications are that  this year's  will be a blast. Julian and Dominique will be entertaining us all night long.
There will be all day dining for lunch and early "regular" dinner, then the party starts at 8:30 with additional seating in the front-room. Closed circuit TVs will carry the sights and sounds of our entertainment as well as Times Square ball drop.
Call in now at 201-795-2750 and get on the reservation list
 See our website or  Call for details or  reservations, please
Casa Dante's
40th New Years Eve Bash!
Live Entertainment, Fabulous Dinner Menu, Dancing, Champagne Toast, Hor's Doeuvres, NYE Party Favors,  Cocktails, Closed Circuit TV's front and back rooms, and lots of fun! 


3.5 stars Star Ledger, 2010 Wine Spectator Award, 2009 & 2010 Wine Enthusiast Award 2009, Best Italian in NJ by AOL, Top three Italian inNJ, Inside Jersey Magazine
Check out the specials and discounts below and join our  FACEBOOK

fan page.
Entertainment this week!
  
   Friday December 17, 2010
    Danny Bacher smooth jazz & vocals of one of our favorites
   
  

Saturday, December 18, 2010  
  Vintage with Ron & Mike
  Pop & Standards singer, keyboardist
 

   
See the entire live entertainment schedule on www.casadante.com/entertainment  for November & the New Years Eve Bash and scroll down here
for recipes, tid-bits and other"happenings" at Casa Dante!

  







Healthy Italian

Pesto Sauce Recipe
What is pesto? Pesto comes from the verb �pestare� that means pound on, referred to the pounder where ingredients were put inside and then pounded with a pestle

This basil pesto recipe originates from Liguria (Italian region).
This homemade pesto doesn't need a specific shape of pasta, even if it's easier to mix short shapes.
In Liguria they usually make pesto using troffie, but you can use penne or similars. Otherwise you never make a mistake choosing spaghetti.
Ingredients (4 people):
� 4 cups of pasta
� a hand of fresh basil leaves
� about 3 table spoons of grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
� extra virgin olive oil
� 2 tablespoons of pine nuts
� a clove of garlic
� salt
Difficulty: very easy
Time: the necessary for boiling the water and cooking the pasta (about half an hour or less)
How to prepare:
Put the water to boil and begin to put the basil leaves into your mixer, add the garlic, the pine nuts and the grated parmesan. As it mixes, add extra virgin olive oil until it becomes a cream.
When the water boils, add salt and the pasta and set your timer for the time needed for the kind of pasta you�re cooking (usually it�s written on the package). About 2 or 3 minutes before your pasta is done, take 2 or 3 spoons of the boiling water and add to your pesto. It helps it to become more creamer and easier to mix.
When the pasta is done, mix your sauce with pasta. It�s done! This pesto sauce recipe is also a heart healthy recipe (you have only raw and unsaturated fat), other than easy and tasty! Buon appetito!




Did you know? 

Here are some interesting food facts about items we use often at Casa Dante

Chicken

The chicken is a descendant of the Southeast Asian red jungle fowl, first domesticated in India around 2000 B.C.   Chickens and turkeys are known to cross-breed, these breeds are known as "Turkins".  There are more chickens than people in the world.  Chicken meat is a good source of the mineral selenium that is an infection-fighting anti oxidant.  Chicken contains lysene which is an anti viral amino acid. It also contains good amounts of vitamin B3, B6 and potassium.  Chicken is a useful source of protein if the skin is removed.
 

Chickpeas

Chickpeas are also known as Garbanzo Beans. They have a nutty flavour.  They need lengthy cooking and are used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. They are high in fibre and  flavonoids, keeping the digestive system healthy and lowering cholesterol. They are rich in Vitamin E and zinc so they help fight infection and they promote healthy cell growth.

Chicory

Chicory is a perennial herb that is grown for its leaves and its roots. The roots are roasted and ground into a coffee like substitute.  There is a salad version of chicory  which is often called endive.  It has a slightly bitter taste so it is best mixed with other salad greens.  In natural medicine it is sometimes used to treat gout and rheumatism. It is also used as a digestive stimulant.

Chilies

Chilies contain more vitamin C than an orange.  They stimulate the production of endorphins, which are chemicals that make us feel good.  Chilies are also great decongestants that help open blocked sinuses.

Chives

Chives are the smallest members of the onion family but they have a much milder flavour.  They are spoken about in the plural term because they grow and are used in clumps or bunches. Chives are popular household herbs and can be chopped finely and used as a flavour or as a garnish. Because they belong to the onion family they are naturally antiseptic and they are said to aid the digestion.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of a small evergreen tree. As the bark dries out it curls into long quills.  The quills are then cut into cinnamon sticks or ground into cinnamon powder.  It is a very old spice and is suspected of being used back in 3000 BC in Egypt.  Cinnamon is a symbol of good luck in the Far East. Cinnamon implants a warm rich flavour to both desserts and to savoury recipes. 

Cloves

Cloves are the dried un-opened flower buds of the evergreen clove tree.  Cloves are native to Indonesia.  They are frequently used in baked recipes and in particular in Christmas cooking.  They are also used in pickles and preserved foods.  Oil of cloves is both antiseptic and anaesthetic and is used to treat toothache.

Coconut

Early Spanish explorers called them coco, which means "monkey face" because the three indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut resembles the head and face of a monkeyNearly one third of the world's population depends on coconut to some degree for their food and their economyCoconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content.  If you are really interested in further information on the medicinal aspects of coconut this site is well worth checking out - Coconut Research Centre

Coriander

Ground coriander is a spice made from the seed of the Cilantro plant which is an annual herb.  The seeds can be dry roasted and ground.  Coriander is one of the main ingredients in Indian curry powder.  Fresh coriander leaves can also be eaten but they have a very different taste to the seeds.  Both coriander seeds and leaves were used in medieval times to disguise the taste and smell of rotten food.

Corn - Sweet

Corn is also known as maize and it belongs to the grass family of plants.  We are mainly accustomed to the yellow variety but corn can also be blue, red, black and multi coloured.  Humans have cultivated corn for over 10,000 years. Corn can not only be eaten as corn on the cob but it can be processed into cornflour, corn syrup, grits and popcorn. It is also used in the manufacturing industry for products that are not edible such as for cardboard and for bio degradable containers.  It is also needed for the manufacture of alcohol and ethanol.

Couscous

Couscous is made from semolina, flour, salt and water.  It is a form of pasta.  It is a staple food in north African countries and is popular in the Middle East.  Couscous is now widely available in shops in a pre-steamed (and then dried) version. This means it takes virtually no time to cook.  Boiling water is poured onto it and in less than five minutes this pasta is ready to eat - a very fast and healthy food.  It is seasoned with various items depending on where in the world it is being eaten.  Couscous takes on the flavours of whatever food it is cooked with.  It is generally eaten hot but is equally delicious when served in salads.  It can also be used in desserts.  It is a low fat complex carbohydrate.

Cucumbers

It is thought that cucumbers were cultivated as far back as 10,000 BC.  Cucumbers contain vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium.  If cucumbers are pickled most of their nutrients are removed.

Cumin

Cumin is a flowering plant that produces a compact, tiny fruit that holds one seed.  the ground seed is mainly used in Indian and Mexican cuisine but also is used in the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Asia.  It has a slightly bitter-sweet taste.  Cumin aids digestive problems so it is good to eat at the same time as beans. 





quote of the week
 
 
If you want to contribute a quote send it to me at info@casadante.com    Please write "quote" in the subject line.
If you want to contribute an original article or thought ( relative to our industry please) write me and I will approve and post. 
 


Casa Dante first opened its doors in 1971. We are in our 40th Anniversary year  and our celebration is under way.
New Menu items, Bigger Wine Dinners, Unique Wine Tastings, Great Holiday deals, a Fantastic New Years Celebration! Stay tuned for more news........


Extra Specials for email group only
...we want you to take advantage of us! 
We are offering a 10% discount on parties up to eight on Monday through Wednesdays for the month of January 2011. This is only for email  or Blogger customers! Just print this and bring it along. You must be in our database, so make sure you are included by calling or emailing your request. 


Mondays in  January 2011...half price on bottles of wine up to $200 in our award(s) winning wine list.  Just come in and order dinner.  ( This one is really catching on....Monday evenings are becoming a big wine night here.)
The above deals are for email customers only and may not be combined with any other offer. 

Heres a tip.....Google " Casa Dante" and check out web coupons and deals we have out there! Im trying to help you have a great meal, and save money too!

Remember that we deliver larger office orders on weekdays throughout Jersey City and closer vicinities. Call 201-795-2750 for details!

If you are a fan of  Casa Dante, the best way to get the word out is on the internet!
You can help us improve Casa Dante's online visibility on the youth dominated internet. Please review us on on any of the following sites and keep tried and true institutions like ours in play. Thanks for your help!
See this broadcast anytime on Blogger.com

 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

New Years Eve Bash and Christmas Eve Dinner at Casa Dante

www.casadante.com       See us on    FACEBOOK 
Dear Friends:
Happy Holidays!
If you've attended our past New Years Eve parties, or if you are an email recipient, I have allotted 40 spaces in our New Years Eve Bash, through next week, just for you! 
There will be all day dining for lunch and early "regular" dinner, then the party starts at 8:30 with additional seating in the front-room. Closed circuit TVs will carry the sights and sounds of our entertainment as well as Times Square ball drop.
Call in now at 201-795-2750 and get on the reservation list. This years party will be "Grand" and you get to see me in a tux!
 
In the meantime, check out our entertainment schedule for this weekend and other goodies below!
Stay Well
Dom & Toni Marino
Proprietors
Casa Dante

Christmas Eve December 24th, Dinner will consist of the traditional fish offerings as well as many regular menu choices. A quiet, comfortable evening for those celebrating this holiday.
New Years Eve Bash celebration is booking now. Please reserve your places. Last years party was grand, even in the throes of this "great recession" and all indications are that  this year's  will be a blast. Julian and Dominique will be entertaining us all night long. See our website or  Call for details or  reservations, please
Casa Dante's
40th New Years Eve Bash!
Live Entertainment, Fabulous Dinner Menu, Dancing, Champagne Toast, Hor's Doeuvres, NYE Party Favors,  Cocktails, Closed Circuit TV's front and back rooms, and lots of fun! 
!  
And, of course, we will be available for large or small parties all season long. Call for information or reservations. We will do our best to make your holiday season memorable and fun!


3.5 stars Star Ledger, 2010 Wine Spectator Award, 2009 & 2010 Wine Enthusiast Award 2009, Best Italian in NJ by AOL, Top three Italian inNJ, Inside Jersey Magazine
Check out the specials and discounts below and join our  FACEBOOK  fan page.

Entertainment this week!
  
   Friday December 10, 2010
    Bryan Benninghove smooth jazz & sax stylings
   
  


Saturday, December 11, 2010  
Danny Heise  Pop & Standards singer, keyboardist,
 

   
See the entire live entertainment schedule on www.casadante.com/entertainment  for November & the New Years Eve Bash and scroll down here
for recipes, tid-bits and other"happenings" at Casa Dante!

  

James Beard Award

We are currently campaigning to get our Chef, Gregg Freda, nominated for a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award to honor his passion for food and this industry. Gregg has been heading the direction of the cuisine in Casa Dante for five years. Prior to our establishment Gregg was the Executive Chef at Panico�s Italian Restaurant in New Brunswick. His culinary accomplishments have been numerous and noted. We would like to have his extensive experience and excellence recognized by the James Beard Foundation. As such, I implore you to kindly take the time to write in his name along with Casa Dante�s in this easy form at the JBF website. Just register and vote. There are only a few weeks left for nominations.

You will be honoring an individual who truly deserves the recognition of his peers and patrons!





 
 
Healthy Italian
 
Holiday Maple Walnut Cake   ( Delicious!)

Reminiscent of a British sticky toffee pudding, this cake gets its moisture from dates; toasted nuts and maple give it an intoxicating fragrance.
12 servings
Active Time:
Total Time:
Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 cup chopped pitted dates, (6 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts, (see Tip), divided
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup pure maple syrup, preferably dark amber (Grade B)
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Glaze

  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup gently packed confectioners' sugar
  • 1-2 teaspoons water, if needed
  1. Place dates in a small bowl. Pour boiling water over them to soak. Let cool to room temperature.
  2. Process whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup walnuts, baking soda and salt in a food processor until the walnuts are completely ground and the mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer to a medium bowl; make a well in the center.
  3. Puree the dates and soaking water in the food processor until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add egg, 3/4 cup syrup, oil, butter, 2 teaspoons vinegar and vanilla and process until smooth and creamy. Scrape the date mixture into the well in the dry ingredients and stir together gently until just combined. Transfer to the prepared pan.
  4. Bake the cake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cake, if necessary, and remove the sides of the pan.
  5. To glaze cake: Carefully lift the cake from the pan bottom and place on a cake stand or serving plate. Whisk maple syrup, vinegar and confectioners' sugar in a small bowl. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if necessary to make a spreadable consistency. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the cake, then decorate with the remaining 1/3 cup walnuts.

Tips & Notes

  • Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 5 up to 8 hours ahead. Glaze and decorate the cake (Step 6) when ready to serve. |Equipment: 10-inch springform pan
  • Tip: To toast chopped walnuts: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving: 342 calories; 16 g fat (4 g sat, 4 g mono); 28 mg cholesterol; 48 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 136 mg sodium; 201 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: High omega-3s.


Did you know? 
 
 The Word "Salary" Comes From "Salt!"
Salt, our oldest preservative, was extremely rare in the past. So rare, in fact, that it was often used as pay. Imagine...earning a couple of tablespoons of salt for a hard-days work. Today, salt is so common that restaurants give it away for free, and packaged food contains so much that it's far too easy to eat too much salt (salt is also known as "sodium"). 
 


quote of the week
 
"Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two but can't remember what they are."Matt Lauer (on NBC's Today Show).
 
If you want to contribute a quote send it to me at info@casadante.com    Please write "quote" in the subject line.
If you want to contribute an original article or thought ( relative to our industry please) write me and I will approve and post. 
 


If you haven't voted for your top restaurant in New Jersey  you can do so at
Zagat . Sign up for free and give your best restaurants a click ( I hope we're among them ). Voting ends soon, so please take a moment to support us!

For those of you just getting around to thinking of the Holidays...they're here!  Call if you need reservations for a great meal on Thursday.


Casa Dante first opened its doors in 1971. We are in our 40th Anniversary year  and our celebration is under way.
New Menu items, Bigger Wine Dinners, Unique Wine Tastings, Great Holiday deals, a Fantastic New Years Celebration! Stay tuned for more news........


Extra Specials for email group only
...we want you to take advantage of us! 
We are offering a 10% discount on parties up to eight on Monday through Wednesdays for the month of December 2010. This is only for email  or Blogger customers! Just print this and bring it along. You must be in our database, so make sure you are included by calling or emailing your request. 


Mondays through  December 2010...half price on bottles of wine up to $200 in our award(s) winning wine list.  Just come in and order dinner.  ( This one is really catching on....Monday evenings are becoming a big wine night here.)
The above deals are for email customers only and may not be combined with any other offer. 

Heres a tip.....Google " Casa Dante" and check out web coupons and deals we have out there! Im trying to help you have a great meal, and save money too!

Remember that we deliver larger office orders on weekdays throughout Jersey City and closer vicinities. Call 201-795-2750 for details!

If you are a fan of  Casa Dante, the best way to get the word out is on the internet!
You can help us improve Casa Dante's online visibility on the youth dominated internet. Please review us on on any of the following sites and keep tried and true institutions like ours in play. Thanks for your help!
See this broadcast anytime on Blogger.com