AV wrote:

Hi Rocco,

Would you please explain the traditional Italian "Feast of the seven fishes" or in my Italian husband's family known as the "Fish Fest"? My husband's grandparents were Italians but their children wanted to be more "American" so the family has lost the meaning behind the Christmas Eve "Fish Fest".

The family has the huge fish meal on Christmas Eve. We thought perhaps this tradition goes back to being Catholic & not eating fish before the Feast Day of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas).

Can you shed some light of the origin of the huge fish dinner and the meaning behind it and why many Italian families carry on this tradition.

Thanks in advance!

Merry Christmas!

AV

posted on December 20, 2007 at 9:20 PM

katnap wrote:

Thanks for the recipes, Rocco. I'm hoping to get my parents to try the stuffed artichokes. I grew up in a household with no spices except salt and pepper, so Mom & Dad are usually pretty suspicious of anything "fancy" but they love new things once they get over the initial fear.

posted on December 21, 2007 at 11:43 AM

JennyH wrote:

Thanks for sharing some recipes. I'm looking forward to making the Holiday Duck.

posted on December 23, 2007 at 9:17 AM

Gary Yunker wrote:

Rocco, it was so nice meeting you at Rincon and seeing you in action. You are the best! So is your cookbook which I am having fun with. Thanks again and my best for the holidays.

posted on December 23, 2007 at 10:26 PM

Christine wrote:

Hey, Rocco! I was married to an Italian man for twenty five years and I most enjoyed the holidays and all the cooking and baking. I think the celebration is all about family and cooking as it seems to bring all together with familiarity.

I was reminiscing today about Christmas time approximately seventeen years ago. My ex husband's parents and their siblings and families all lived in the same neighborhood. They all decided to build a recreation center where they could rent it out for different occasions. The neighborhood decided on a cookbook to help raise monies for this project. I, being a journalist, was nominated the most likely to create their cookbook. During the meeting, there was this group of Italian women who were excited about the project. One catch though.....none of them wanted to give up their recipes! I was standing there wondering what they were thinking! Were they thinking that I, a non Italian, could magically come up with the recipes. Of course I had my mother in law's recipes but to save my very life I could not divulge such information.

I was stern in my approach to convey the importance of their recipes for the book.

They did meet me only half way and the cook book had to go from being an Italian medley to an all culture medley.

My creativity in planting little thoughts and household hints gave the book an edge in making it's mark in a small town. It actually raised some pretty good funds.

My greatest challenge was figuring out their interpretaions of a 'pinch', a 'palmful', and the best one yet which was the homemade noodles for the marinara sauce. Their length had to be 'elbow to edge of palm' size!

My decision to introduce humor in the whole project got me through it and I found out that in certain recipes there is no need for any kind of kitchen gadgets for measuring. You just need your ingredients and a set of hands that can include a pinch, dash, or palmful.

posted on December 24, 2007 at 10:09 PM

Artgrl wrote:

Saw you on the today show this morning - The food looked fantastic - can't wait to attempt the duck and the cocktail - one more thing - remember to look at the camera, Honey - that's why you're there..............

posted on December 25, 2007 at 3:41 PM

kristy wrote:

Thanks for sharing the recipes! Happy Holidays!!!

posted on December 26, 2007 at 5:48 AM

Josie G. wrote:

Rocco -
Your new cookbook is fantastic!! I love to cook and create meals on purpose and by accident...if it is not too terrible, you can eat the mistake!

Cooking is my escape, the way I show people I care about them and quality time with my daughter. She wants to be a graphic artist and become the next "Duff" from Ace of Cakes.

As a single, working mom, this cookbook offers the best of ingredients for us with our short time togther and healthy food choices instead of take out.

Take care and hope to see you soon again on TV or if you ever head to Houston for a book tour!

God Bless!

posted on December 26, 2007 at 4:23 PM

ppalm wrote:

Oh, thank you! I was eagerly awaiting your next post and hoped you would have a holiday one with recipes! very nice.

Not being of italian descent, I am very intrigued by the seven fish feast. It sounds like too much food (can I really be saying that?). I would love a blog on that if you have a chance.

thanks for not forgetting about us.

posted on December 27, 2007 at 10:20 AM

Joan Sheldon wrote:

Rocco,
Thank you for your recipes on the Today show on 12/25/07!! We are English and since the early 1950's I have had prime rib and Yorkshire pudding for Christmas Eve dinner. I cook mine in the pan drippings the last 40 minutes of the roasts cooking time.....You did it differently and put gravy inside the one that Al Rokker tasted. We serve ours with a little bit of strawberry jelly. I tried to find your Yorkshire recipe...would you please share...I am always open to new recipes!!

Have an awesome 2008!!!
Joanie

posted on December 27, 2007 at 8:47 PM

Sandy wrote:

Happy 2008 Rocco!!

This German girl smiled at the cabbage and spritz recipes. I must especially thank you for the cookies. Our family has been looking for a decent spritzen recipe since our grandma passed so many years ago.

About your brother's newfound passion for affordable wines -- you have some of the best wineries right there in upstate New York!! Send that man on the wine tour before the rest of the country catches on and they raise the prices! ;)

TC Chicago isn't far away now. I'm still hoping for the DiSpirito/Bourdain throwdown.

All blessings til next time!

posted on January 1, 2008 at 5:14 PM

Danny Legatos wrote:

Dear Rocco
My name is Danny and I live in chicago.First,let me start off by saying that i have so much respect for you.Watching your show made me realize how much love I have for this business.I am not a chef but I have worked as a General Manager for over ten years.I have been in this profession for over 20 years.I have currently left the restaurant where I was the General Manager for two years. The name of the restaurant is Portofino.Please look on line and read the reviews. Your passion is what is so powerful and that I admire.Thank you...Danny L.

posted on January 5, 2008 at 10:24 PM

Will wrote:

I saw the restaurant show just recently and enjoyed it. The problem was for the 5 or so hours it was on it was painful to see that nobody would be honest with you because of who you now are. You need to be a chef first and a celebrity last. When you open a restaurant, it's like a baby. If your baby dies, how do you become father of the year? You don't. So be a chef more then the celeb, after all it was you being a chef that made you a celeb.

posted on January 6, 2008 at 7:53 AM

mrs miller wrote:

Rocco,

Thank you for the recipes! Sorry I never got to your place in the city -- looked cool. Hope you, momma, and the rest of your family had a wonderful Christmas & New Years! Good luck in '08!

posted on January 6, 2008 at 11:23 PM

Jacquie wrote:

Rocco,

Jeffrey's barstools sucked.

Happy New Year!

posted on January 15, 2008 at 1:23 PM

barbara t. wrote:

hey rocco!!! i hope you had a great holiday, I forgot about the bravo site for awhile!!! I played scopa and tombola this season!!hahah!!! what I didn't do was make grain pies or pizza rustica this year!! does your family do that? any "traditional" pies from the hometowns?!

posted on January 16, 2008 at 10:17 PM

chrissy wrote:

Rocco, I watched the restaurant the other day on for the first time. The show ends with you being offered by Jeffery to either join him in running the restaurant, or he would buy you out. That was it. So which did you choose?
I really want to know. I'm a really big fan. Thankyou.

posted on February 1, 2008 at 11:14 PM

Doug wrote:

Hey Rocco,
I seen the other day in "People Mag." that you have lost weight. Is it because you are eating healthier? If so what is your favorite dish. Do you think that creating healthier dishes is one of the big challenges facing chefs and restaurants today.

posted on February 6, 2008 at 11:59 PM

enid wrote:

just a note to say hello to u and mama ,my sister and i miss ur restaurant in nyc we had a lot of fun then...will u ever open another one ....i miss mamas meatballs give her a hug from us she is a wounderful lady 4every pot there
is a lid
enid

posted on April 13, 2008 at 11:56 PM

Denise Manos wrote:

Rocco, Thank you soooooo much for the great receipes. Ive tested a few out on my husband and he was very pleased! Especially since I am cullinarily challanged. hehe =)Your passion is inspirational! Thank you...Denise

posted on June 27, 2008 at 1:22 PM

Julie Bruno wrote:

Are u single? Good luck on dancing with the stars.
Julie

posted on August 29, 2008 at 2:50 PM

Tina August wrote:

Hello Rocco. My daughter and I were spending some time in front of the tv this morning (which is very rare thing to do lately) and were watching your new show! I have a bachlorette party next weekend and am going to try some of the recipes! Thanks! And you can cook in my kitchen anyday! :) Any chance you can come to Winnipeg Canada? Happy Holidays!

posted on December 6, 2008 at 11:16 AM