The Grapevine

The Lenten Season has begun. Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter recognized in the Christian calendar. Those who partake in Lent may follow a number of different rules. One big occurrence during the season is the fasting from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday until Easter. Although this sounds simple, sometimes you don’t realize how difficult it may be and how easy it is to forget. We’ve got all the perfect meatless options to make Friday meals easy, delicious, and something to look forward to!

Pizza

While some people cut meat out for a little during these 40 days, there are many delicious meals you can enjoy! One go to is pizza and our Pizza Fridays are perfect for this! You can have a grab and go 16” thin crust, cheese pizza for only $6! You can turn a meatless Friday night into a make your own pizza night by picking up dough, sauce, cheese, veggies, and everything you need to make your perfect pizza! Maybe even some Nutella for a dessert pizza??

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Recipe to Try: Shaved Asparagus Pizza

Pasta and Soup

Another option is pasta or soup. Soup can warm you up on a cold day and we have a variety of different prepared soup without meat that make mealtime easier for you! Pasta is great because it can be prepared in a variety of different ways. There are a number of different cuts of pasta as well as different sauces that can make each pasta different than the next. A personal favorite is our Supreme Sauce. This is a unique, creamy sauce that is unlike anything you’ve tasted before. It is great for any pasta! We even have a number of different pasta dishes ready in our prepared foods section. Full pans to individual meals can make cooking easy for you! Our prepared foods are made all natural with no preservatives– just like you would at home, but with less of a mess! 

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Recipe to Try: Parsley Shrimp Pasta

Veggies

Veggies! Veggies are a great option because they are good for you and fun to cook with. You can throw them in a stir fry or a pasta. You can make veggie tacos or even an omelets. 

Recipe to try: Sweet Potato and Spinach Quesadillas or Veggie Pad Thai

Seafood

Seafood is also a great option for meatless days! We offer a great assortment of fresh & frozen seafood, imported & domestic. Different fish are filled with omega 3 and vitamins that are great for you. Our extensive fish department will help you find just what you’re looking for. We even have pre-marinated fish which are delicious and hassle free! Fish can be eaten as meals or can be added to different dishes for great flavors– seafood risotto, pasta with clams, or just a simply grilled salmon are all great dishes with lots of flavor! Try our fresh ceviche and marinated octopus salad!

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Recipe to Try: Spiced Salmon with Brown Rice and Spinach

Some meatless recipes to try:

• Green Chili Enchiladas
• Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Roasted Butternut Squash
• Baked Polenta with Mushrooms
• Chili Tofu
• Cauliflower Picatta
• Shrimp and Avocado Tostadas
• Lime Grilled Salmon Wraps

Stop in for all the perfect meal solutions for those meatless days!

From Our Family To Yours

Are you looking for creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s day this year? Or maybe you’re looking to have a night with your girlfriends and don’t know what to do? Maybe you’re snowed in and looking for something to do. An easy and fun idea is a wine and cheese night!

Spend time with loved ones sampling cheese, sipping on wine, and enjoying extras to bring out all the flavors!

Not sure where to start? Here are some items for your at-home pairing event!

Soft Cheese

Cheese: Délice de Bourgogne, Champignon Mushroom Brie, or Delice De Camembert, soft ripened goat 

Wine: Prosecco/champagne, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio 

Chocolate: Semi Sweet chocolate

Fruit: Strawberries or Raspberries

Why: The creamy and buttery texture of the cheese pairs wonderfully with the bubbly, sharp champagne or the light and slightly sweet notes of white wine. The bitter notes of semi sweet chocolate and the sweetness of the fruit all come together for a delicious tasting!

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Blue Cheese

Cheese: Mild Gorgonzola dolce,  medium Danish Blue, or Big English Stilton

Wine: Cabernet, Shiraz, Zinfandel, Port Wine

Chocolate: Dark chocolate

Fruit: cherries or honey

Why: Blue cheese is known for its big and tangy flavor which is why it is great to pair a blue cheese with a full body, dark, and warm wine that can hold its own to the cheese! The chocolate and fruit brings a sweet and slightly bitter taste to round out the tasting!

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Semi Hard Cheese

Cheese: 12 month Manchego or Emmi Le Gruyere 

Wine: Cabernet, Sangiovese, Chardonnay 

Chocolate: Assorted truffles

Fruit: Apples or pears

Why: The semi-hard, nutty, fruity, and almost earthy cheese pairs wonderfully with a fruity yet rich wine. The truffles and fruit bring around a sweet, crisp, and grainy flavor to the whole pairing. 

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Hard Cheese

Cheese:  Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Castello Aged Havarti 

Wine: Chianti, Barolo, Pinot Grigio

Chocolate: Dark Chocolate or White Chocolate

Fruit: Grapes, berries, or pineapple

Why: the salty, granular, nutty, and fruity notes of these hard cheeses pair well with dry and slightly fruity wines. The dark or white chocolate and fruits embody bitter, sweet, tangy, and juice flavors that bring out the range of flavors in the cheese

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Fresh and Soft Cheese 

Cheese: Burrata, Fresh Goat, Fontina Fontal, 

Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir

Chocolate: Milk chocolate

Fruit: Balsamic glaze,  strawberries,  or apricots

Why: The soft and fresh cheese brings a creamy, buttery, and rich flavor which tastes wonderfully with a light, crisp, and semi-sweet wine! The sweetness of milk chocolate and tangy and sweet notes of the balsamic, strawberries, and apricots create a well rounded tasting!

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Happy tasting and Happy Valentine’s Day!

From Our Family To Yours

Football’s main event is just days away. In our opinion, the food is just as important as the game itself… the fans have to fuel up too, right?

There are a lot of foods that are tradition while watching– wings, pizza, sub sandwiches, beer, and more! Sometimes it’s fun to put a little spin on tradition.

Maybe for this year’s watch party, you want to show off your cooking skills and make something extra! Not sure what to make? We have some ideas for you! 

Sheet Pan Nachos 

Impress your football-watching crew with super-simple Sheet Pan Nachos. piled high with seasoned ground beef, gooey cheese, and all the fixin’s. Feel free to tweak your toppings.

https://www.shopcaputos.com/recipe-rack?dishId=40a5882b-b269-4e8b-9dcd-9dbf1c445081

Spicy Baked Chicken Wings with Orange Glaze

These crisp-baked, sweet-&-spicy wings are bursting with flavor and a delicious take on the classic wing.

https://www.shopcaputos.com/recipe-rack?dishId=dddcb2d6-83f2-4e64-b991-2f0426f2dfa1

Pulled Buffalo Sliders

Shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and some slaw… a dish that will impress anyone!

https://www.shopcaputos.com/recipe-rack?dishId=872f44e0-7bce-4348-b50d-c34087d7648e

Here are a few more ideas:

• Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower
• Basic Mac and Cheese
• White Bean Hummus
• Chipotle Sweet Potato Wedges

 Love is in the air and that’s because Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Valentine’s Day has always been a day to show your loved ones that you care… whether it’s sharing a special meal, going out of your way to send a text or call, or getting a little something– there is plenty you can do to make the one you love feel extra special  February 14th. 

Need some inspiration? Here are a 3 things you can do or give as a token of your love.

Sweets

Does your loved one have a sweet tooth? Chocolates, cookies, pastries, chocolate covered strawberries, candies.. So many opportunities! Our bakery has a variety of Valentine’s Day sweets! We have special cookies and butter cookies decorated with pink sprinkles. We have chocolate covered strawberries. We also have special, heart shaped cannoli cake or a cookie cake. Nothing quite says “I love you” like a sweet from our La Bella Romana Bakery! 

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Flowers

An easy reminder of your feelings is flowers! With all the different bouquets and arrangements, it is easy to find the one that fits your loved one perfectly. Whether you want to order an arrangement or just pick up a bouquet, we have just what you need! 

Flowers are proven to release happy chemicals into the brain because the vibrant colors, the fragrance, and the overall look can bring about a sense of  joy. Flowers are a great way to spread love. We have a wide selection of flowers at each store. You can also call Naperville, South Elgin, or Carol Stream to place a custom order!

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Love flowers, but want to do something a little different that will last longer? Check out our rose globes! In a variety of different colors, round or heart shaped glass, these are awesome! They last for a long time, so this happy reminder will be around for a while.

Cook a meal

Cooking a meal together and sharing laughs, conversations, and maybe some wine is a great way to make memories and spend time with your valentine. You can stop by our seafood department or meat department to pick up some main course items… surf and turf anyone? 
If you want to cook together, but need some ideas on what to make, here is a few that we are looking forward to testing out  

• Baked Bocconcini and Gnocchi in a Rich Tomato Sauce
• Chicken Breasts With Orange-Balsamic Glaze
• Crispy Baked Salmon with Avocado Remoulade

Head to The Recipe Rack for some more ideas

From Our Family To Yours

In the winter and especially right now, it is important that we take care of our bodies and strengthen our immune system. You can take supplements and vitamins, but what you consume also has a big effect on your body function. There are many foods that will naturally help your body stay strong and boost your immunity. 

Your immune system protects your body from viruses, bacteria, and other harmful substances and toxins that may enter your body. Your immune system has the ability to  distinguish between good blood cells and bad blood cells, and a healthy immune system helps to fight off the invaders. 

There are tons of foods that you can incorporate into your diet that are full of vitamins and nutrients you need. So if you’re looking for some easy foods to add into your diet to help your body, we can help you! 

Here are 6 of our favorite immune boosting foods… and some recipes to make them!

Citrus

Citruses like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, clementines, and more! These are high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C aids in increasing the production of white blood cells– the blood cells that help your body fight infections! A good way to get your vitamin c boost is to drink our fresh squeezed orange juice! Squeezed fresh daily, we put the oranges in our juicer, and transfer to the bottles… that’s it! No additives, just fruit! It tastes delicious too

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Recipe to try: Orange Superfoods Bowl

protein packed, fiber-filled, and immune boosting

Ginger

Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Anti-inflammatories are important because inflammation can have a negative effect on your immune system. Ginger also is a rich source of antioxidants. 

Recipe to try: Ginger Garlic Veggie Stir-Fry

Broccoli 

Broccoli is filled with vitamins and minerals. There are vitamins A, C, E, fiber, antioxidants, and more! The properties in broccoli boost the antioxidant and enzymes which help combat free radicals! 

Recipe to try: Ginger, Almond, and Garlic Broccoli

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate and cocoa have an important antioxidant called theobromine in it. This can help to boost the immune system and protect your body. 

Recipe to Try: Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Berries

Berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are high in antioxidants. Eating a bowl of mixed berries will do great things for your immune system! 

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Recipe to try: Berry Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust

Fish

Fish is high in Omega 3 Fatty acids which are vital to increasing the activity and strength of white blood cells. They are also a great source of vitamins, known to contain vitamin A and B, and are a good anti-inflammatory.

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Recipe to try: Lemon Baked Salmon with Asparagus

We hope everyone stays healthy! 

From Our Family To Yours

The weather is getting colder and we’re getting cozier. In the winter months (and especially now), there are nights when all you look forward to is staying in with a fire going, a blanket, some good music, and comfort food! What’s the ultimate comfort food? A warm bowl of soup! 

January is also National Soup Month, so it’s the perfect time to explore the varieties of La Bella Romana soup we offer! We have a full line of soups– vegan, vegetarian, broth, cream, hearty, and nostalgic– we have it all! Some of our recipes are original recipes going back over 20 years. You can get the same soup your mom or nonna would make with flavors that will transport you right back to their kitchen. 

Our soups are made in-house. We use all natural ingredients, no preservatives, and no additives so you can feel good about what you’re eating! We use real cream, fresh vegetables, our homemade sausage, and meat prepared by our meat department. 

Here are just a few of some soups we offer

• Chili (awarding winning and will make your taste buds do a happy dance)
• Cream of Chicken
• Minestrone
• Vegan Butternut Squash
• Chicken and Dumpling
• Clam Chowder
• Cream of Broccoli
• Lentil
• Beef Barley

and so much more! Check out all of our offerings in store in our prepared foods section!

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A customer recently made a vegan meal using our new vegan butternut squash soup! This customer used the soup as a sauce and added protein+ penne pasta, spinach, and topped with salt and pepper for a delicious looking meal!

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Let us know what soup you’re trying first in honor of National Soup Month!

From Our Family To Yours

2020 is coming to a close and we are thrilled to enter this new year! 2020 was a trying year and with hope we look to 2021 for a new beginning. What better way to start this new year than celebrating the birth of our founder and my grandfather, Angelo Caputo! 

89 years ago on January 1, 1932 in the little town of Mola di Bari, Angelo was born. I want to take this opportunity to share some words.

My grandfather is one of the strongest men I know. I am fortunate enough to hear the stories of his early years- in Italy, coming to America, working, and everything in between. He did not always have it easy. His life was full of obstacles and his ability to overcome them is a true testament to his character. He made great sacrifices in order to give his wife and children the best life possible. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and never complained because that is the kind of man he is. 

He will face any challenge, big or small, head on and he will persevere because of his dedication and strong work ethic.

Most everything he does, he does with his family in mind. His family has since grown to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing makes him happier than being surrounded by his loved ones and seeing the smiles on his family’s faces.

I am so blessed to have him as my Nonno, may God bless him always!

We hope you and your family have a safe, happy, and happy New Year!

From Our Family To Yours 

We want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We know that celebrations may not be normal and traditions may look different this year, but it is still important to make the most of what you can!

We hope that you all have a safe, healthy, and happy Christmas!

Here is a special holiday message from Angelo Caputo

From Our Family To Yours

We are very excited to announce that we have revamped our catering menu. We have spent a lot of time reorganizing and re-creating our menu to give you an easier way to plan a special meal, an office party, or even a wedding! No event is too big or too small. 

The inspiration for our catering department comes from my grandmother and our matriarch, Romana Caputo. 

Romana was Angelo’s guiding force and his pillar of strength. In 1984, Angelo began his quest to start a private label. He used this new private label as an opportunity to honor his wife and named it, La Bella Romana, which translates to “The Beautiful Romana.” La Bella Romana products are sold exclusively at Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets and the La Bella Romana brand includes our Cucina and Catering department.

Romana was known for her passion for cooking. Nobody could prepare a feast or host a party quite like her. Every person left her house feeling full and like a member of the family! Her love and incredible talent for cooking inspired many of our featured recipes. In upholding Romana’s legacy, we take pride in creating delicious meals with the best ingredients. Family is who we are, and we want you to make the most of all the time you can spend with your family.

Choosing La Bella Romana Catering is an easy way to make any event or gathering a success!

Remember, our La Bella Romana Cucina is just as prepared to serve a simple, grab-and-go meal as feed a family of eight or cater a party of 1,800. Every day of the week we offer a wide selection of entrees, sides, soups, and salads. When planning a larger event, simply call your local store — or get in touch with our catering department at (630) 620-4444 ext 1040.

We have items for every meal– trays, buffets, meal combos, full meals, and more! We’d love to work with you to make your next event a success!

Check out our new menu here!

From Our Family To Yours

Thanksgiving has passed and the holiday season has begun which means it’s time to start thinking about gift giving! Sometimes it’s time to give a gift and you’re just in a slump! It is hard to think of gifts, but we have some great ideas for you!

Here is a gift giving guide for you… Caputo’s style

Panettone

A classic and easy gift to give is a panettone! Wrap it in cellophane, add a bow, or add an ornament. It’s a little something to show someone you care and it’s delicious!

Torrone 

Much like panettone, torrone is a typical holiday food. Only available during the holiday season, it is a fluffy almond bark that will bring about many memories of enjoying it around the Christmas season

Moka Espresso Maker

This espresso maker is a great gift for the coffee lover in your life! In different colors and sizes, you can make your own espresso right at home and instantly be transported to Italy! Include some espresso beans and maybe some espresso cups and you have the ultimate gift!

Cookies

Who doesn’t love sweets? Especially our homemade La Bella Romana cookies! You could even take it the extra mile and arrange the cookies on a pretty tray or plate, then gift them. These are easy and delicious. 

Gift baskets

Did you know we have gift baskets available? In different sizes, with different products! There will be plenty of options to choose from. Whether the person you’re buying for likes fruit, cheese, pasta, candies, coffee, or is a La Bella Romana fan, we have gift baskets that will suit their needs! 

Caputo’s Merch

For the Caputo’s fan in your life. An “I Love Shopping at Caputo’s” apron, a Caputo’s mug, a gift card, or a combo of all! These simple items go a long way!

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From Our Family To Yours