RECIPES
Sinatra Pasta – Tomato Sauce Recipe – Salsa Pomodoro
“SPAGHETTI POMODORO”
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb Spaghetti
- 1 (28 oz) can Whole Peeled Tomatoes (preferably San Marzano), crushed by hand
- 1/4 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 4–6 cloves Garlic, peeled and lightly smashed
- Handful of Fresh Basil Leaves, torn
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Instructions:
- Infuse the Oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the smashed garlic cloves and sauté for 2–3 minutes until golden brown. Sinatra’s Rule: Remove the garlic once it’s golden to leave only a subtle infusion.
- Start the Sauce: Carefully add the hand-crushed tomatoes and their juices to the oil. Add red pepper flakes if using. Simmer on medium-low for about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens but remains bright red.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water until al dente (firm to the bite).
- Finish & Emulsify: Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti. Add the pasta directly into the sauce skillet.
- Toss: Add the torn basil and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously over medium heat for 1 minute until the sauce coats every strand. Serve immediately.
- Fettuccine à la Sinatra
- This is a decadent, Alfredo-style preparation that Sinatra often requested. It is defined by its simplicity—no flour or thickeners, just high-quality dairy and cheese.
- Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 15 mins | Servings: 4
- 1 lb Fettuccine (fresh is best if available)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, very finely grated
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Instructions:
- Boil Pasta: Cook fettuccine in salted water until just al dente.
- Melt & Blend: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Be careful not to let it brown.
- Create the Base: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened, but do not let it reach a rolling boil.
- Add Cheese: Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and velvety. Season with salt and a generous amount of black pepper.
- Combine: Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Toss gently to coat.
- Rest & Serve: Remove from heat and let the pasta sit, covered, for 2 minutes—this allows the noodles to absorb the sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve on warm plates.
Dinner at Babbo with Bellino – Cookbook author DANIEL BELLINO Z
Bestselling Italian Cookbook Author DANIEL BELLINO Zwicke Bio – New York based Food & Travel Writer
DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE
DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE
- Maitre’d Experience: He served as the maitre’d at the renowned celebrity hotspot Da Silvano in New York, where he catered to high-profile clients including Keith Richards, David Bowie, Bozz Scaggs, Quentin Tarantino, Uma Thurman, Ethan Hawke, Nick Tosches, Graydon Carter, Robert De Niro, and others.
- Wine Expert: Over a 35-year career, he has served as a wine director at prestigious establishments such as Barbetta in NYC.
- Maitre d’ & Wine Director: He served as the Maitre d’ at the celebrity hotspot Da Silvano and was the Wine Director at the renowned restaurant Barbetta in New York City.
- CELEBRITY CONNECTION : During his tenure at Da Silvano, he managed high-profile clientele including Keith Richards, David Bowie, Richard Gere, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul McCartney, and Robert De Niro.
-
Notable Literary WorksZwicke has authored numerous books that blend recipes with personal stories and cultural history:SUNDAY SAUCE. : When Italian-Americans Cook: His most famous work, which spent over two years as a #1 Best Seller in Italian cookbooks on Amazon.
- Grandma Bellino’s Italian Cookbook: A collection of recipes passed down from his Sicilian grandmother.
- The Feast of the 7 Fish: A guide to the traditional Italian-American Christmas Eve seafood feast.
- Sinatra Sauce: A tribute to Frank Sinatra, featuring the singer’s favorite Italian foods and stories.
- La Tavola: Tales of Italian-American life and adventures in New York.
- Got Any Kahlua?: A unique cookbook inspired by the film The Big Lebowski, aka
- The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK …
- Positano The Amalfi Coast: A combination of a travel guide and cookbook for the southern Italian region.
- BOOKS by Daniel are Available on Amazon @ AMAZON.com
- Current Projects
- As of late 2025, Zwicke continues to write from his home in New York, with ongoing projects including a new book focused on the Chianti region of Italy, its food, and its wine.
- Daniel owns and operates the very popular Italian Instagram page
- NewYork.Italian – with more than a half Million Followers.
- Are you looking for a specific recipe from one of his cookbooks, or would you like a list of his recommended restaurants in New York?
Daniel & Vincenzo ManzoAt VILLA MARIA LEMON FARM AGRITURISMOMINORI, ITALYBESTSELLING ITALIAN COOKBOOKS.
Me – Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke
Daniel Bellino-Zwicke, often known as Daniel Bellino, is a New York-based cookbook author, particularly known for his Italian cookbooks. He is also recognized as a prominent figure in New York’s Italian wine scene.
Bellino has authored several best-selling cookbooks, including La Tavola, The Feast of the Seven Fishes, Got Any Kahlua?, Sunday Sauce, and Segreto Italiano/Secret Italian Recipes & Favorite Dishes. He is currently working on books about Chianti and other Italian and American cookbooks.
My New Book is Out – Italian Food & Travels – Travel Guide / Cookbook
ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL Has ARRIVED !!!
Who is Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Jersey Crab Sauce Recipe
JERSEY SHORE CRAB SAUCE
There are plenty of Maryland Blue Crabs down on the Jersey Shore, as well as plenty of Italian-Americans. The two go together, and this Crab Sauce for pasta is a specialty of Jersey Italians who love seafood, along with their Brooklyn and New York neighbors. They all love it! So will you.
12 tablespoons Olive Oil
12 Cloves Garlic
1 Small Onion, peeled and chopped fine
1 – 28 oz. can Crushed Tomatoes
Bellino Makes New Yorks Best Burger – Cheeseburger Burgers NYC
Amalfi Coast Italian Lemon Cookies Recipes

COOKIE RECIPE
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 tablespoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ cup sugar
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¼ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
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1 egg
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¼ teaspoon vanilla
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2 tablespoons lemon juice (1 to 2 lemons)
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1 tablespoon lemon zest (1 lemon)
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â…“ cup milk
GLAZE
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1 ½ cups powdered sugar
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
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1 ½ tablespoons milk
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1 tablespoon lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
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½ tablespoon lemon zest (1/2 lemon)
INSTRUCTIONS
COOKIES
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Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
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Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar for 1 minute or until pale and fluffy.
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Add the egg and vanilla to the butter mixture. Beat until combined and smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest and mix to combine.
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Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just incorporated. Add the milk and mix to combine. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until completely incorporated. The dough should be the consistency of a very thick, sticky cake batter.
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Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to portion the cookie dough onto parchment paper or silicone mat lined cookie sheets.
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Bake for 11-13 minute, or until the bottom edges are golden brown.
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Carefully remove from the oven. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
GLAZE
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In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, butter, milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
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Place the wire racks (with the cookies one them) over some foil or over a baking sheet.
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Use a spoon to top each cookie with a heaping teaspoon of frosting. Use the back of your spoon to spread the glaze all over the cookie. Return the cookie to the wire rack and let the frosting finish coating the cookies. Let set until the glaze firms up a little, about 15-20 minutes. (The glaze will not set up completely, but will stop dripping down the cookie.)
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Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
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NOTES
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If you glaze looks too thin, you can add more powdered sugar a tablespoon or two at a time. If it looks too thick, add milk a teaspoon or two at a time until your desired consistency is reached. This is a glaze, not a frosting, it should be on the runny side.
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You can add more lemon juice and zest to the glaze if you prefer a stronger lemon flavor.
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If you like, you can drizzle or spoon the glaze over the cookies while they’re sitting on a wire rack. I usually dip the tops and put them back on the baking sheet to set up.
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