Christmas Cooking
'Tis the season for bright lights, holiday cheer, and lots of food! But not just any food, a holiday feast. "Extra" paid a visit to the popular restaurant, Fresco by Scotto, in New York to get a sneak peek at their truly traditional Christmas menu.
This is the night of 7 fishes. Co-owner Marion Scotto says a genuine night before Christmas dinner is all about fish. The Italians would start with fish on Christmas Eve to cleanse their bodies so that on Christmas Day, they could over eat.
The night of seven fishes starts with a hearty seafood salad consisting of shrimp calamari, crabmeat, and scallops. It’s the easiest dish to make on Christmas Eve.
Next on the menu, home made crab cakes. Executive chef Stefano Battistini whipped up a quick batch. The key to a good crab cake is to have jumbo lump big pieces of crabmeat. He uses some zucchini, which really gives it Italian twist.
Anthony Scotto grew up in Brooklyn; he's the co-owner of Fresco. But it's truly a family affair. Mom Marion along with sisters Elena and Rosanna help run the restaurant.
Rosanna says, “My mother claims its a very light meal cause its only fish but no, we have to add a little pasta to the meal to put a little substance in that stomach."
That’s where the spaghetti with lobster ragu comes in. And what’s a night of seven fishes without the herb grilled tuna Venetian style.
Then Elaina helped out with a sweet fried treat. It’s called struffoli, and its actually fried dough topped with honey, just an intermezzo until you eat desert!
From the seafood salad to the struffoli, a glorious array of holiday cheer, Fresco style. That'll put a smile on any ones face! |
