‘That’s Amore’ From Ricardo Scebba’s Mediterranean Kitchen

Ricardo Scebba and his wife Sue Miller, owners of Kelowna’s Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen, have given in to over a decade of customer requests for a cookbook. In just two months, “That’s Amore” has become an Okanagan bestseller and is well on its way to becoming a national best selling cookbook.

Dedicated to his mother, Maria, “That’s Amore” is divided into two main sections. Part One includes beautifully photographed recipes for antipasto/appetizers, minestre/soups, pasta, insalate/salads, principale/main courses, sugo e contorni/ sauces & sides and dolci/desserts. Part Two is a short autobiography chronicling growing up with his mother’s cooking, his dreams of being a professional baseball player, a few years following The Grateful Dead cooking “intense grilled cheese sandwiches and twelve bean burritos for hungry Deadheads” followed by a love story with his wife, family, and his restaurant. Also included for the home chef are restaurant secrets and the essentials for stocking an Italian kitchen.

With every recipe, Ricardo provides personal insights, tips, and encouragement: Clams in White Wine –“my teenage son with his 50% attention span can make this dish”, Stracciatella Soup-“also known as egg drop soup…. this soup never disappoints”, Pistachio Halibut- “crushed pistachios… a little added oomph”, Roast Chicken Thighs “I traded my Tiramisu recipe…for this Greek chicken recipe”, the Mother Sauce-“my holy grail”, two-for-one Alfredo & Blush Rose Sauce- “Do not use anything but heavy cream to make this sauce” and heavenly desserts including Biscotti where the first ingredient listed is “patience”and Granita Lemon Sorbet, “the simplest dessert on the planet”.

Both the novice and seasoned home chef will find straightforward, uncomplicated recipes with minimal and easy to find ingredients.  “That’s Amore” will have you cooking like an Italian mother with recipes such as Pasta Fagioli, Linguine Vongole, Lasagna, Gnocchi, Spaghetti & Meatballs and “the classic Italian dessert” Tiramisu, as well as enjoying Ricardo’s award winning signature dishes including Coconut Curry Mussels, Pernod Prawns, Lobster Pasta, Jambalaya Pasta, Blackened Prime Rib, and Chocolate Mousse. Many of Ricardo’s recipes will surely become family favourites.

If you are in the Okanagan, Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen is located at 415 Commonwealth Road, Kelowna.  Dinner is served 7 days a week from 5pm. Reservations are highly recommended. Jazz lovers don’t miss live jazz on Thursday evenings, a Ricardo and Sue tradition since 2003.

‘That’s Amore‘ From Ricardo Scebba’s Mediterranean Kitchen

Paperback. Price: $24.95

2011, Okanagan Institute.

184 pages.