Memorial Day Weekend is usually considered the start of summer. When we think of summer we think of being outdoors and plenty of barbecues! While the mains are so important, the sides are equally as important to every BBQ!
If you’re looking for a light and flavorful side, then you have to try our Italian Potato Salad recipe!
This recipe uses fresh herbs, potatoes, green beans, and onions all tossed in a simple vinaigrette. It is a great alternative to a mayo based potato salad because of how light it is and it is especially refreshing on a warm summer’s day. This salad truly has it all– crispy, bright, colorful, flavorful, and fresh! Plus it comes together super quickly with very minimal work!
Another reason we love this salad is because you can add your own flare to it! You can add cherry tomatoes if you like them, olives for a little extra salt, parmesan into the vinaigrette for some more flavor, and the list goes on!
2-3 pounds small potatoes, halved (or quartered if large)
We used a 3lb bag of yellow potatoes, red potatoes work too!
1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup red onion (chopped or sliced)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Get the full recipe and watch Chef Gene and Robertino Jr shop for and make this salad here!
We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day Weekend. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are currently serving or have served our country, as well as their families. We especially remember the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect us.
Summer is coming quickly which means there are a lot of events coming up– from graduations to holidays to summer get-togethers. If you want to learn about some ideas to craft the perfect charcuterie boards or antipasto options, our wine and cheese event is for you!
We will be hosting a Wine and Cheese event at our South Elgin location on May 18th. At this event, we will be honoring women cheesemakers!
Here’s what you can expect from this event:
Each attendee will get 5 plated rounds, each round consists of multiple cheeses with accompaniments and wines.
The items in each round pair well together and we will have experts there to speak on the items themselves. You’ll hear from wine experts and cheese experts while you enjoy the delicious bites in front of you! You’ll learn about the taste, flavors, processes, and more while you taste everything first hand!
Some of the items we’ll be tasting are sartori infused cheese and spreads, deer creek rattlesnake, Lambrusco, malbec, maple bourbon goat cheese, and more!
Then each attendee leaves with a gift bag filled with lots of goodies.
On top of the gift basket you leave with, you’ll have a full (and happy) belly and tons of knowledge about wine, cheese, and pairings that you can use to impress your loved ones.
This event is a great date idea, mother-daughter day, or even a fun solo outing to test out what might become your new favorite foods!
Tickets are on sale now and space is limited, so reserve your spot today! Buy your tickets here
Mother’s Day is this Sunday. It is the day to honor your mom and all those who you have maternal bonds with.
I am incredibly grateful to have many strong, beautiful women to celebrate, two of which hold a very special place in my heart, Romana Caputo and Antonella Caputo Presta.
Our matriarch and my grandmother, Romana Caputo, was one of the best women there was. Any person who has crossed her path is sure to tell you a memory centered around her cooking skills, generosity, or classiness. A self taught cook, she spent hours in the kitchen preparing for various occasions and meals. No one who encountered my Nonna was left hungry. It was her mission to make sure all of her loved ones were happy and she did everything she could to lift others up. She was always there for her husband as his biggest support and made countless sacrifices that helped him achieve his dreams. She had the biggest heart and the kindest soul. Anyone who encountered her can share a story about her remarkable cooking, warm heart and spirit, and the humbleness and class she extruded. Although gone too soon, she has left a beautiful legacy and we continue to honor her in every way that we can. Her spirit and her mission lives on through her daughter, Antonella.
Another foundational pillar of our family and business is my mother, Antonella Caputo Presta. She is the perfect example of a mother, daughter, grandmother, business owner, woman of faith– really of just a woman in general. Her selflessness, humbleness, and hard work are inspiring. She is the heart and soul of our family– a devoted mother and the best nonna, she does everything she can for her family. The true picture of selfless, she puts the needs of everyone else before her own no matter what and never looks for credit. She has taught us what it means to be a family and is always there whenever we need her for whatever we need. She always leads by example and is a rock for so many. She is a woman of faith and lets her trust in God guide her and encourages all of us to do the same.
I am so blessed to have my grandmother and mother as role models in my life. They are everything I hope to be one day.
Happy Mother’s Day, Nonna and Mommy, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful mothers and motherly figures ❤️
The beginning of May is the start of many festivities– from graduations to Mother’s Day, there is plenty to celebrate. One important celebration that occurs at the beginning of each May is Cinco de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo is often mixed up with Mexican Independence Day, but it is actually the celebration of a Mexican Army’s victory over the French at Battle of the Puebla on May 5th, 1862. This victory boosted morale and helped the nation come together and bond over patriotism. Cinco de Mayo has become widely popular in America as a way to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage. People nationwide celebrate with traditional Mexican meals and drinks, and we are here to help with your celebrations!
One way to celebrate is with tacos! Our Addison location is home to a stainless steel tortilla machine imported from Mexico. This allows us to make fresh tortillas in-house daily! We even fry our tortillas to make our own chips! Like all of our other prepared foods, our tortillas are all natural and have no preservatives. Yellow or white corn, crispy or soft, we’ve got it all! Our tortillas and chips also pair wonderfully with items from different departments!
Our chips are delicious with our homemade guacamole and salsas, and you can try our tortillas with our pre-marinated fajita mix from the meat department. The fajita meat and taco meat are already marinated, so all you have to do is cook the meat!
No time to cook, but still want to celebrate? No problem! We also have taco kits in our prepared foods. These taco kits feature pre-marinated meat already seasoned to perfection, our homemade tortillas, and toppings! They are a perfect solution to a taco night on the go because it is easy to prepare.
Every party needs some drinks! From Mexican beer to Margarita mixes, we’ve got plenty to choose from. Don’t forget about Jarritos– a Mexican soda drink that come in many different flavors. These sodas are great alone or can be the perfect mixer!
Throwing your own celebration? We have plenty of traditional Mexican food items on sale this week. Want to cook up your own dish? Chef Gene and Robertino Jr are making tacos and elotes using items from our weekly ad!
No celebration is complete without the perfect dessert. If you’re looking to take your celebration– no matter how big or small– to the next level, order a custom cake from our bakery! The best thing is that the cake will be beautiful and still taste delicious!
Busy season is upon us– communions, confirmations, weddings, wedding showers, graduations, birthdays, and more! Our bakery is happy to work with you to make your event perfect. We have custom, specialty cakes for every occasion and any theme. Just tell our talented bakery what you want and they will help bring your cake dreams to life.
Our cakes aren’t just pretty to look at, but they’re delicious too! The filling makes all the difference in a cake. We have a variety of fillings that you can mix and match to create what’s best for your event! Some of our fillings include french cream, custard, cannoli, fudge, peanut butter, nutella mousse, preserves, cookies and cream, chocolate french cream, and more.
Some of our favorite cake combinations are
a yellow sponge cake with a layer of cannoli filling and a layer of fudge
a chocolate or yellow cake with cookies and cream filling
a chocolate cake with cannoli filling
a chocolate sponge with peanut butter filling
…there are so many options that it’s hard to pick just one!
You can never go wrong with the classics like a cream puff cake, tiramisu, carrot cake, or cannoli cake either!
We have done simple cakes, wedding cakes, themed cakes, number cakes, cupcake cakes, and more. We are more than happy to work with you and share our offerings. Take a look at some of the cakes and events we have done in the past.
We can also help with your whole sweets table. Our bakery offers cake pops, custom cookies, Italian pastries, rice crispies, chocolate covered strawberries or pretzels, and more! Check out some of our offerings here
Follow us on social media where every Sunday we post a new, custom cake for some inspiration for your next event and to see the work of our talented bakery.
Get a cake that tastes even better than it looks. Order your next cake from our La Bella Romana bakery.
Have you ever heard of amaretto? Amaretto is an Italian liqueur that tastes like sweet almonds. It is traditionally made from things like almonds or stone-fruit pits. This gives amaretto its subtly sweet taste and delicious aroma. It is typically served as a digestivo. In Italy, this means you drink it after dinner to settle your stomach.
April 19th is National Amaretto Day so it is the perfect time to enjoy this delicious liqueur.
The sweet, nutty flavor makes it easy to sip on by itself, but there are many other ways to use amaretto! In dessert or different drinks– here are 5 other ways to use amaretto!
An Amaretto Sour
One of the most famous cocktails that use amaretto is an amaretto sour. This can be made either with amaretto and sour mix or, our family favorite, amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup. The lemon and the sweetness from the simple syrup bring out the delicious nutty notes from the drink itself.
In Tiramisu
Tiramisu typically consists of a coffee flavored liqueur, but you can add a little extra flavor by swapping the coffee liqueur for amaretto or mixing them together! The result is a next level tiramisu!
In an espresso martini
Just like the amaretto can take your tiramisu to the next level, it can do the same for your espresso martini! The rich espresso and sweet almond flavors blend perfectly together to add a little extra flavor to this dessert cocktail.
With Ice Cream
There is nothing better than a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream or gelato, sometimes it is just good for the soul! Now take the comfort of your favorite flavor of ice cream and pour a little amaretto over it! It will elevate the taste of the simple ice cream, but not in an overwhelming way! Another idea? Make it an affogato! So gelato, a shot of espresso, and a shot of amaretto all in one dish!
In cookies
Amaretto is known to be used in baking too for almond flavored desserts in addition to almond extract. It doesn’t take much and the cookies are incredible. Have you ever tried our homemade amaretti cookies? These almond cookies are made in our bakery daily– the old fashioned way! Adapted from our matriarch’s very own recipe, you’re going to want to try these out!
I think we can all agree that sometimes we need a meal that tastes like a hug feels. Most of the time, a grilled cheese sandwich can do the trick! It’s the ultimate comfort food for many reasons! Maybe it reminds you of being a kid, maybe it’s the melted cheese (because who doesn’t love melted cheese), maybe it’s the special way you make it. No matter the reason, grilled cheese is classic.
April is National Grilled Cheese Month and we know that for adults and kids alike, you can’t go wrong with grilled cheese come mealtime!
When you think about grilled cheese, you probably automatically picture two pieces of sandwich bread and a slice of american cheese, but there is so much more that you can do to make your grilled cheese burst with flavor!
Want to take your grilled cheese to the next level? Here are 4 ways to make your grilled cheese even better than normal!
1. Add cheese to the outside of bread
Why not make your grilled cheese extra cheesy? Coat the bread in olive oil or butter and add shredded cheese on the outside of the bread for great taste and a delicious crunch. This forms a crispy cheese crust as you grill each side of the bread and serves as an added layer of flavor. You can even use a different type of cheese to complement the inside.
2. Use a special jam or jelly on the inside
A unique way to add some flavor is by spreading a gourmet jelly or jam on the inside of the bread! If you like a little bit of spice, coating the bread with pepper jelly adds a delicious kick of heat. If you prefer sweet, add a fig spread! We have a variety of fig spreads with different flavor profiles so there are plenty to choose from. This simple action completely changes your grilled cheese and makes it even more delicious !
3. Add Mac & Cheese
Mac and cheese and grilled cheese both make perfect comfort foods, so why not combine them? If you have leftover mac and cheese, there’s more you can do then just warm it up and eat it the same way. The addition of a creamy mac and cheese to your sandwich will give make for an extra cheesy taste! You can even add bacon for a crunch and great flavor! You can even grab some of our already prepared mac and cheese from our prepared foods section so you don’t have to go through the hassle of making it yourself! The result is a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich in just a few extra, easy steps.
4. Caramelized Onions
French onion soup grilled cheese? Yes please! All the elements of a French onion soup bring a sense of comfort, so why not transform this iconic soup into a grilled cheese… especially because we all know the best part of this soup is the melted cheese on top! That cheese is Gruyere cheese and it makes for a great type of cheese to make the star of your sandwich. Gruyere is known to be great for melting and has a rich, creamy taste! The addition of caramelized onions add a great flavor for an easy and customized grilled cheese!
These are just a few! You can use a specific bread, a mix of cheeses, specialty cheese, or maybe you add extras to your sandwich that take it to the next level! You can add things like
mac and cheese
bacon
pulled pork
avocado
tomatoes
flavored olive oil
Grilled cheese is a perfect way to play around and just have fun in the kitchen! So start cooking and just have some fun with it.
Want to hear something even better? We have everything you need for your basic and gourmet grilled cheeses on sale this week!
Spring has sprung! Spring means so many things– warmer weather, more sunshine, colorful flowers, and great seasonal foods– especially produce!
Springtime brings some great seasonal produce. Everything is fresh and full– bright colors, bountiful greens, and food that is good for you.
At Caputo’s, we buy fresh produce daily. We follow the same process that our founder, Angelo, did when we started in 1958. Our produce buyers are up early every morning in order to get the freshest products at the best possible prices in our stores that same day.
Here are 4 of our favorite spring foods, some ideas of what to do with them, and how to pick them!
Pineapple
Now is the time for the juiciest pineapple! Pineapple is a great anti-inflammatory, can aid in reducing sinus issues, is good for digestion, and more.
Pineapples are great on their own, but with their juicy taste, they are also very versatile. Try making a pineapple salsa for your chips or tacos, make a pineapple upside down cake, blend it for your favorite smoothies, top it with tajin for a spicy snack, or grill it!
How to pick: Pineapple should be gold in color with strong, green leaves on the crown. There shouldn’t be many soft spots and it should be on the heavier side. If you can smell the sweetness coming through the bottom of the pineapple, then you know you have a good one! Pineapple can be time consuming to clean and cut. If you want to enjoy, but don’t want to take the time to clean a pineapple, stop by our cut fruit section and pick up some pre-cleaned and cut ones for you!
Asparagus
Spring is when asparagus reaches its peak! Asparagus is rich in folic acid, protects against cell damage, is good for your health, and low in calories. Asparagus makes for a great, creamy soup, can compliment most pasta and risotto dishes, is yummy with prosciutto, bacon, or pancetta, can be a side to any dish, and is great in a frittata!
How to pick: Asparagus should be a deep green color with some purple undertones that fades to white as it reaches the bottom of the stalk. The stalk should be firm and straight. The tip should be relatively closed.
Blueberries
Blueberries reach their peak starting right about now in April and will continue to be in season through the summer. Blueberries are known for their high antioxidants which means they help fight oxidative stress, fight disease, and more. They are high in vitamins and low in sugar which makes it great for regulating blood sugar. They are actually often considered a super fruit!
Blueberries are great in salads, in yogurt or oatmeal, make blueberry scones or muffins, or make a pie or a crumble!
How to pick: Blueberries should be pretty even in size and have a plump, firm skin. The color should be a deep color.
Arugula
Arugula is a green that is harvested young, so it is great in early spring through fall! Arugula is nutritionally strong and known for its high levels of vitamins and minerals, like calcium, folate, vitamin c, vitamin k, and vitamin A– just to name a few. Arugula can be used in so much. You can use it in a salad– try it with some fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and salt for a light salad or a heartier salad with fresh fruits and nuts! It is great on a pizza, in a sandwich, or in a homemade pesto.
How to pick: You want a bright green color with strong leaves. The arugula should look dry. At home, you can store your arugula in an airtight container with paper towels to extend its shelf life.
Easter is only a few days away, so that means the prep has begun. Easter, as with many holidays, has many special traditions and so many revolve around food. You may make certain breads or desserts, maybe a certain meal. One food item that we look forward to each year is Calzone!
Calzone is sometimes referred to as Easter Pie, though it’s not sweet. It is a crust stuffed with different, savory ingredients. There are many different versions and different names for this– each unique to different regions, towns, and even families.
In our kitchen commissary, we make two different versions of this Easter Calzone from scratch– a traditional version and a sausage version.
Traditional Calzone
The Traditional Calzone is made with eggs, black olives, onions, and mozzarella cheese. All the ingredients are put into our homemade crust.
This meatless option is great for Good Friday. On Fridays during lent, those partaking are supposed to fast from meat. On Good Friday which is the Friday before Easter, you are supposed to fast.
Fasting in Christianity calls for people to eat one full meal and two smaller meals, but the two smaller meals cannot equal a full meal when put together.
Sausage Calzone
The other version of calzone we offer is a sausage one. This one is our homemade sausage, eggs, black olives, onions, and mozzarella cheese. This calzone is typically enjoyed on Easter day. The addition of meat makes it a heartier calzone. Heartier foods were typically used at feasts. Since Easter is a celebration and everyone is rejoicing, the more ingredients, the better for the calzone with meat!
We will have both the traditional and the sausage calzone in stores!
Romana’s Calzone
On Good Friday, Romana and Angelo would have the calzone as their only meal of the day. Romana would make hers a the Barese way– a homemade crust with a filling consisting of onions, tomatoes, olives, and anchovies… we all know that every Barese recipe has anchovies in it somewhere! We refer to this as Scalcione, another name for the calzone or an onion pie! This calzone was their only meal of the day to respect fasting. Want to see how this is made? Check out her daughter keeping traditions alive in our family and making this delicious Good Friday meal here
It’s National Sauce month! The sauce you use can change a whole meal. We have a whole line of La Bella Romana sauces that can be your sous chef and truly enhance a meal without you having to sacrifice quality or taste.
As a family owned and operated company, we know how important what you feed your family is and we take pride in offering our extended family of customers great meal options. We go to great lengths to prepare high quality foods using the freshest and healthiest ingredients.
Did you know that in our warehouse, located in Carol Stream, we have a kitchen where we prepare the foods that you see in-store? We make everything from scratch, exactly how you would at home… just without all the mess! We use fresh food and produce straight from our shelves to prepare these meals and dishes so you can trust what you’re getting.
We also have state of the art technology which aids in our cooking process. Because of this equipment, we are able to extend the shelf life of our products without adding any preservatives or additives. All of the items in our prepared foods section are all natural and made from scratch using only high quality ingredients.
A look into our kitchen
So this National Sauce Month, stop by and give our sauces a try. Here are 4 of our homemade sauces and ways to enjoy them
Supreme Sauce
Our very own supreme sauce is a creamy sauce, bursting with flavor. It tastes like a pink tomato sauce.
A breaded chicken and melted bocconcini or mozzarella sandwich (think chicken parm, but with with supreme sauce)
Your favorite pasta with crumbled sausage
As a pizza sauce
Marinara sauce
Made with real ingredients, our homemade marinara sauce is an easy way to get your homemade Sunday sauce in, but without the time or the work!
Your favorite pasta
Over chicken for an easy chicken parm
Over our homemade breaded eggplant or breaded zucchini with mozzarella for a veggie alternative to chicken parmesan
A shortcut to your homemade lasagna
With stuffed peppers
Vesuvio Sauce
A Chicago classic, vesuvio sauce is a white wine sauce with notes of fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon. It is light, flavorful, and can go with almost anything! While the classic dish is a juicy chicken and potatoes with peas, there are tons of other ways to enjoy it too
Over fish
Grilled steak and carmelized onions sandwich with vesuvio sauce
A breaded chicken sandwich with vesuvio sauce
Add some pepperoncini for a spicy twist
Limone Sauce
A light and tangy sauce that is versatile so it can go well with so much! It really is an all purpose, bright sauce!
