Caprese Chicken

As we head into some of the warmest days of summer, your meal selections may reflect the hotter temperatures. If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, but still full of flavor, we have just the thing for you! Caprese chicken!

This dish is a wonderfully light, flavorful chicken dish that’s great for backyard cookouts. It is truly the ultimate go-to: easy to make and beautiful enough for company. The beautiful colors and the delicious taste make it a great summer dish.

Here is what you need: 

  • fresh mozzarella
  • salt
  • balsamic vinegar
  • olive oil
  • basil leaves
  • garlic
  • pint cherry or grape tomatoes
  • boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • pepper

Get the full recipe here!

From Our Family To Yours

Happy Father’s Day!

This Sunday is not just any Sunday, it’s Father’s Day! The day dedicated to appreciating all the father figures in a person’s life. It is a day to acknowledge all the valuable lessons, laughs, and guidance they have given over the years. With Father’s Day this Sunday, I can’t help but think of two very important men in my life and in our company. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize my father, Robertino Presta, and grandfather, Angelo Caputo.

My father started working at Caputo’s at a very young age. My grandfather appreciated him because of his strength, especially his ability to throw and catch watermelon when unloading a truck. His efficiency in unloading the trucks as a teenager is a testament to his work ethic. He never hesitates to step in during any task. My father embraces all challenges, coming up with unique and efficient ways to get past them. 

He has helped us and the business grow. He has taught us the importance of hard work and dedication, always leading by example. His lessons span from how to properly display produce to how to clean tables the right way. 

One of the things I feel most fortunate for is that my father believes in us, sometimes more than we believe in ourselves. He doesn’t make us feel like we cannot handle a situation. He helps to give us the tools we need to succeed and guides us towards the path of success. I have learned so much from not only my father, but my grandfather too. 

My grandfather and our patriarch, Angelo Caputo, has always been one of my biggest inspirations. He overcame so much and always persevered. When he was just 18 years old, he left his home in Italy and enlisted in the US Army so that he could create a better life for himself and his family. He took risks I could never imagine and I am always in awe of his strength. 

He has been faced with so many challenges in his life, but never let that stop him. He never shies away from hard work and faces adversity head on. His passion for work is still apparent from him asking about work to visiting each store to see how things are running. Hard work is in his blood.

He has always taken the time to teach us and work with us. He has passed along important tools and wisdom– things that we can carry with us. From teaching us how to eat a prickly pear or telling us stories from his childhood, he is always there for us. Nothing makes him happier than watching and being a part of the successes of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

I am very lucky to have two strong men who believe in me. My father and grandfather are incredible people whose sacrifices and hard work have led to many great achievements. I have the utmost respect for these two men and strive to make them proud. 

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures ❤️

From Our Family To Yours

Olive Salads

Sometimes when you’re planning a party or get together, you can skim over sides or antipasti because the main course requires the most attention. It is easy to leave these additions for last minute and you may find yourself scrambling to find something to put on to munch on. 

Don’t worry because we got you covered! Our deli has the solution for you– olive salads!

We have a variety of prepared olive salads that are delicious and easy to serve. Whether you want a snack to keep in your fridge for yourself or you want something to serve a crowd, these olive salads are perfect. All the work is done for you. If you love olives, you’ll love these salads.

Here are 3 of our favorite pre-marinated olive salads that go great with any meal:

Sicilian Olive Salad

This is Sicilian olives, red onions, and a special blend of spices and peppers!

Artichoke and Olive Salad

This salad is sliced artichokes and green Sicilian pitted olives in a blend of oil and spices

Greek Olive Salad

This Greek olive salad contains 3 different types of Calamata olives and bite size pieces of feta cheese, all tossed in a special marinade. 

We have even more olive salads available in store for you to choose from! What’s your favorite?

From Our Family To Yours

Barbecue Leftovers

A holiday weekend usually means leftovers! Your fridge may be loaded with extra food that didn’t get eaten at the other day’s barbecue. If you have some leftover sausage, we have an idea for you!

There are tons of things you can do with leftover sausage for every meal! Incorporate it into a breakfast skillet, make a sausage sandwich, or roast it in the over with some potatoes, olive oil, and rosemary. 

Here is one of our favorite recipes to use with sausage that can be customized in so many ways… pasta!

Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli

This is one of our favorite dishes to use up leftover sausage. 

Here’s what you need:

-Italian sausage

-Orecchiette pasta

-Olive oil

-Broccoli

-Marinara sauce

-Salt

-Black pepper

-Parmesan cheese

-Basil for garnish

We love this recipe because it’s easy to change up. You can change the type of pasta, the sauce, or even the vegetable! It is easy to make and you’ll love the results!

For the full recipe, click here!

To get some more ideas for other leftovers that you have, browse The Recipe Rack for tons of options to practice and show off your cooking skills! 

From Our Family To Yours

Memorial Day Grilling

Memorial Day Weekend is usually considered the start of summer. When we think of summer we think of being outdoors and grilling! Some of the best summer memories come from enjoying the sunny weather and eating some food straight from the barbecue. We have all the grilling essentials you need for a great barbecue this summer!

Every barbecue needs some sides or appetizers and we go straight to the deli for this! Our fresh deli salads are a great addition to any barbecue. Potato salad, macaroni salad, antipasto salads, and more! These are great options to put out and snack on before or even during your meal!

There are so many things that taste better when they are out on the grill. One of those things is corn. You can either  put the corn on there with the husks and everything or peel the husks, remove the silk, add your seasonings, and let the corn sit on the grill. This gives the corn a delicious and fresh flavor. The grill leaves the corn warmed and with an unmatched and distinct taste. 

Then for the main course! Our meat department offers a variety of the freshest products perfect for your barbecue. Our unique items will give your party or dinner a delicious and flavorful twist! Some of our favorites to throw on the grill are steak, burgers, chicken, and more. Here are a few additional items we love at a barbecue! 

One is our kabobs. Our chicken and steak kabobs come on skewers with peppers and onions. We also offer some pre-marinated kabobs for a different flavor. You can even throw different veggies on and make veggie kabobs! 

Shrimp! An exciting and different item to grill is shrimp! It is a fun way to mix up some of the entrees being served!  

Can’t forget the sausage– our homemade sausage! Our sausage is made in house daily. Our recipe has been tweaked and perfected over the years. It is made th old-world way, by hand using lean pork and private seasoning blend. There is nothing quite like our homemade sausage. Hot or mild, links or rope, traditional or barese– we have it and we have dedicated a lot of time and effort to making it perfect.

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.

From Our Family To Yours

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

There has been a lot of time spent in the kitchen these past few months. People are discovering new talents and passions for cooking and baking. Maybe you’ve made a banana bread or two?

Take a break from the banana bread and switch it up! Zucchini is another great vegetable you can bake with. Because zucchini has a high water content, it creates a lot of moisture in your baked goods. It also adds a bit of nutrition too! Pair it with chocolate for a delicious taste! 

One of our favorite recipes is Chocolate Zucchini Muffins!

With only about 10 minute prep time and only 11 ingredients, you get these delicious treats!

Here’s what you need:

-foil baking cups

-flour

-unsweetened cocoa powder

-baking soda

-banana

-eggs

-shredded zucchini

-unsweetened almond milk

-honey

-coconut oil

-dark chocolate chips

Get the full recipe and shop for all your ingredients here!

From Our Family To Yours

Happy Mother’s Day

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.

My grandmother and our matriarch, Romana Caputo, was one of the best women there was. Although gone too soon, her memory remains. I love to hear the stories people have of encounters with my grandmother. Friends and family remember her as one of the kindest and most generous souls you have ever met. She had the unique ability to make anyone feel like a welcomed part of the family, mostly through her cooking. Anyone who has had a meal by my Nonna Romana knows that nothing can compare. Her self-taught skills in the kitchen remain a huge part of the legacy she left behind. Her beauty inspired the creation of our private label, La Bella Romana. She was and still is a driving force behind our family and our business. 

Another integral part of the foundation of our family and business is my mother, Antonella Caputo Presta. Her selflessness, humbleness, and hard work are inspiring. She started working at a very young age and she often shares memories, like driving to Michigan at 3 in the morning with my grandfather to get produce or what those freezing winter days working at our original location on Harlem and Wrightwood were like. She takes every opportunity to thank my grandparents for their sacrifices and dedication, but will never look for credit or draw attention to all she did for us as a business and a family. We would not be where we are today if it weren’t for her. My mom will go above and beyond to make sure everyone feels special and appreciated. She has taken the time to teach us vital skills and life lessons. One of the most important lessons she has taught is the value of family. I am lucky enough to say that my siblings are also my best friends and we owe that to our mother. 

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 ❤️

From Our Family To Yours

Garden Center Treasures

These past few days have been rainy, but as the saying says “April showers bring May flowers!” and our garden centers are open for business! 

Flowers have the ability to brighten a persona’s day or put them in a better mood. The beautiful colors, the enticing smells, and more make flowers a wonderful addition to your home. 

For decades now, our family has been buying from the same family run greenhouse. They grow many staple Italian garden items special for us– melrose peppers, swissh chard, cicorie, and other classics! Despite many new greenhouses using automation, this greenhouse still grows their plants the old fashion way. This means that each plant is hand plugged– meaning they are grown in one pot and then hand moved into a bigger pot to continue growing. 

If you’re looking to add some color to your house, we have a variety of different plants. From hanging baskets to potted plants, even the tiniest flower can make things better. We can’t help but appreciate the beauty a flower can create. 

If you want your garden to be full of fruits and veggies just like your Nonno’s garden, we’re here to help! We have tons of different vegetables, plants, and herbs for you to plant. There is nothing like the smell of fresh mint from your garden. From the infamous Melrose Pepper to different varieties of tomatoes– come pick out all the veggies you want to grow from home!

We also have some really cool and exciting things for kids this year! We are featuring some of Chef Jeff’s plants which are plants for children. The individual plants are a great way to teach responsibility and watch things grow! These include things like corn, pumpkins, and strawberries!

From Our Family To Yours

Our Pantry Staples

You may find yourself looking in your pantry or fridge a little more often these days. The countless trips to the kitchen for another snack throughout the day have become a given. We usually have our go-to items that we know we love. Here are some of our pantry staples that we need to have on hand at all times. 

Taralli

Our La Bella Romana Taralli are imported from Italy and an addictive snack! They are small, breadstick-like snacks that are formed into little circles. This Italian cracker comes in many different flavors– olive oil, red pepper, rosemary, and more! There is a variety for any craving you may have. We love to keep a package of taralli (or two) ready for a salty snack!

Granola

With health in mind, granola is something we love to have on hand! Our favorites are the La Bella Romana vanilla granola or La Bella Romana honey n nut granola in our bulk section. It is great to snack on when you’re looking for something crunchy. Whether you’re eating it on it’s own, mixing it into yogurt, or something else, granola is a pantry essential! 

Castelvetrano Olives

Our favorite snacking olives, castelvetranos are great to have on hand! These olives are buttery and smooth. They pair well with almost every meal, or to even sneak one from the deli container each time you look in the fridge. These olives are imported from Italy 

Giardiniera 

Giardiniera is a very important item to have in your house at all times. You never know when it might take your meal to the next level! We love to keep giardiniera on hand for things like sandwiches, pizza, and more. It has the unique ability to elevate the flavors of whatever you put it on!

What do you need to have in your house all the time? Let us know in the comments!

From Our Family To Yours

St. Patrick’s Day

This weekend is when the Irish comes out in everybody, even if you aren’t Irish. It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day and in Chicago, that’s a big deal! You might kick off the celebrations this weekend and what you eat can be a big part of that!

Here are some foods to bring out the Irish in you. 

Soda Bread

Soda bread is a scone like bread. This bread is made with simple ingredients and enjoyed by people all over the world!

Corned Beef

Corned beef was used as a bacon substitute for many Irish- American immigrants looking for some comfort foods from their homeland. Corned beef had a similar taste to boiled bacon that was usually enjoyed on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, which is why it is mainly eaten by Americans to celebrate this holiday. 

Irish Cream Cannoli 

We can’t completely stray from our Italian roots, and our Irish Cream Cannoli are an ode to this. Our March Cannoli flavor of the month is Irish Cream in honor of St. Patrick’s Day! Come pick some up in our bakery for your upcoming festivities! They will be available now through the end of March.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day!

From Our Family To Yours