Reads like a memoir

In Revere, in Those Days by Roland Merullo was recommended to me by a patron at the library.  Even though I barely knew the man, I got the feeling that he was recommending a good book.  I loved it.  It is Empire Falls (Russo) crossed with The Sopranos with a little John Irving mixed in (part of the book takes place at Phillips Exeter Academy, a mainstay in many Irving books). 

Tonio grows up in a big-extended Italian family in Revere, MA.  Merulo poignantly writes about the heartbreak and loss that Tonio experiences in his early years.  It is hard to believe that this is not a memoir.

Tonight I created a dish, and it came out wonderfully.  I recently visited Federal Hill (the Italian section of Providence, for you non-Rhode Islanders) and bought several pounds of fresh pasta, which I put in ziploc and into the freezer.  I pulled out a bag tonite, and used what I had in the house..feel free to improvise!

Red Pepper Rigatoni with Sausage in a Pink Sauce

1 lb. fresh red pepper rigatoni

1 lb. hot italian sausage (boiled in water for 15 min., then sliced)

1/2 onion chopped

1/2 red pepper, diced

1/2 cup of assorted wild mushrooms, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 fresh tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

s+p

1. Sautee onions and peppers in olive oil, cook 5 minutes.

2. Add mushrooms, garlic, and sliced sausage, cook 3 minutes.

3. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper, cook 3 minutes.

4. Add cream and turn heat to low, cood for 10 min.

5. Cook pasta, drain and mix everything together in a large bowl, sprinkle with parmesen cheese.