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From: Gordon
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2018 9:25 AM
To: phaedrus@hungrybrowser.com
Subject: Looking for long lost Italian Potato Pie recipe.
Hi. I stumbled onto your site while researching recipes, and thought I'd try you with a family mystery.
My family came to Chicago from Camporgiano, Lucca in northern Italy sometime around 1910. One of the
brothers that came here with my great grandparents, was my Grandfather's Uncle Nello, who was famous
for his "Potato pie." Everyone in the family remembers Uncle Nello's potato pie, but when questioned
they can't quite put specifics to what was in it, or what made it so good or so memorable. It was
definitely a savory dish, and I think they all agree it had some kind of cheese in it. It seems like
it might be a popular regional dish... My dad, my aunt, and my grandmother would be thrilled if I
just happened to come up with the recipe the next time we're all together!
I don't know if this is the sort of thing you are interested in, but if so, thanks for looking into it!
And thanks for your site. It's a really interesting browse!
Gordon
Hello Gordon,
Yes, I am very Interested in Italian regional dishes. I have some references on the subject that I
have been waiting for an opportunity to use. However, this dish was not in them.
So... going to the Internet, I found a lot of Italian potato pie recipes. There are two names for
dishes that are referred to as potato pie in Italy: “Pasticchio di patate” and “gattò di patate”.
“gatto” actually means “cake and is derived from the French “gateau”. Some people refer to this
dish as “potato cake”, but it is also called “potato pie.”
I did not find any potato pie dishes from Camporgiano, which is in the Province of Lucca, in the
Italian region of Tuscany. However, I did find two potato pie recipes from Lucca. They are here:
Lucca Potato Pie
Lucchese Potato Pie
I hope one of those is what you seek. However, it is difficult to be certain of Italian recipes
because recipes with the same name can vary greatly from town to town and from family to family.
These links are to other recipes that do not specify a town or province or region, or that are from
other provinces than Lucca:
Italian Potato Pie
Gatto di Patate
Mashed Potato Pie
White Potato Pie
Cheese and Potato Pie
Phaed
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2018 8:06 PM
To: phaedrus@hungrybrowser.com
Subject: German soup?
About 30 years ago my family had a memorable meal in Germany. The main
dish was a soup. We were told it was a special soup served for special
occasions. I remember a few things and was wondering if you can help me
figure out a recipe. The main thing I remember is prunes. I had never
eaten them before and they were in the soup. We each got a small side dish
for the pits. There some kind of greens in the soup. I have no idea what
they were. The meat was small meatballs that were off white/light color.
The broth was very light, almost clear. No tomatoes, no heavy spices, just
a wonderful well rounded soup. I know it isn’t much to go on, but I hope
you can help.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
I'm not having much success with this. A type of prune soup is very popular
in Germany, but it does not have any meatballs. German prune soups generally
have meat (but not meatballs), or bacon, or beans, and often dumplings.
Can you recall anything else about it?
Also, where did you have it? What city? Did you have it in someone's home
or in a restaurant? If in a restaurant, do you know the name of the
restaurant?
Phaed
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2018 4:17 PM
To: Phaedrus
Subject: Re: German soup?
We were outside of a village in the Hamburg area but out in the country at a
bar that served food for special occasions. Don’t know the name. It might
not have been meatballs, but I do remember the meat was light colored, not
beef and I don’t think it was chicken. No beans or bacon, I just remember
greens, prunes, meat and a light almost clear colored broth.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Sorry, Jennifer. I cannot find a soup recipe that fits your description.
I'll post this for reader input.
Phaed
From: Miriam
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2018 5:59 PM
To: phaedrus@hungrybrowser.com
Subject: McCormick and Schmick's Chocolate Silk Pie
Good evening. My grandson is absolutely crazy about the aforementioned pie and I would like
to prepare one for him. I've tried to find a "copycat" recipe on the internet but have failed.
I am hoping you might be able to help.
Thank you,
Miriam
Hello Miriam,
Sorry, I had no success finding a recipe or a copycat for this. I will post it for reader input.
Phaed
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