We Americans love to work hard and play hard. However, we often focus so much on working that we don’t realize we need that rest, relaxation, or downtime until something “breaks.” We have drawn the proverbial bowstring too tightly and it snaps. We are overstressed, snappy, overtired, or cranky. We get indigestion, ulcers, high blood pressure, nervous breakdowns, and in extreme cases heart attacks or strokes.

Even playing too hard leads to breakdowns in the body, e.g. sprained joints, torn ligaments, muscle cramps, tension, and other signs of your body saying “Time to take a break.” Whether we schedule in our time to take a break or what for something to break, we are always looking for ways to destress, to physically and psychologically heal.

We simply need a balance between the two.

Rest and relaxation can come in many forms and often these forms come at a high expense like going on vacation to somewhere tropical or a massage, or come in the form of going out partying or drinking. We have to keep funneling money into trying to maintain that balance.

A hot tub is no longer a “box” with some hot water and a few jets. Those hot tubs are a thing of the past and long gone. There is now a variety among them and they can serve multiple purposes beyond the old-fashioned ones.

People often talk about success coming in the form of owning a home, a car, and making a decent salary, however, what is the point of being successful if you can’t enjoy life, enjoy yourself?

A hot tub is a great, inexpensive way to reward yourself. Best of all is its availability: you can be in your hot tub within a minute’s notice. And since modern tubs usually come with self-cleaning there is no worry or added stress to maintain them – anything else would defeat the purpose!

Earlier this year, we spotlighted a great local business, the family-owned and operated Aaron Pools & Spas. Being local means you are 10 minutes away from seeing, touching, feeling a hot tub in their showroom. You can discuss your options with friendly, experienced staff and if you decide to pull the trigger, in no time at all you will have a hot tub in your very own home.

Here are 5 reasons to buy a hot tub today:

1. Daycation

Had a rough day at work? Experiencing stressful events at home or with family? Just need to get-away but don’t have a week or even a few days to take off? At the drop of a hat, you can uncover your hot tub, hop in and treat yourself to a daycation. Heck, it can be an “hourcation.”

The instant you hop in you can feel the stress begin to slough off. You know that “Ahhhhh…..” moment you have when you hop in a shower after a long day and the hot water is beating down on your neck and shoulder? Imagine that times ten. You get whisked away to another place and even if it’s just for an hour the payoff is massive.

2. Rest, rejuvenation, rehabilition

No need to wait until you feel like you need a daycation, you can just maintain balance between work and rest with a daily visit to the hot tub. Don’t wait until stress is reaching a breaking point – be pro-active and nip it in the bud. Your body will thank you, and best of all a visit to the hot tub after a long day means you will sleep like a baby.

Maintaining that balance will rejuvenate and replenish your mind, body and soul and put you in a good place to tackle the next day. You can even hop in before heading off to work and start the day totally relaxed.

Finally, if you have some sprains, cramps or aches from playing baseball, running, hockey, yoga, rock climbing or any other physical endeavor you can remove gravity from the equation and rehabilitate those sore joints and muscles. Ben-Gay or Icy Hot? Why when you have something a thousand times better?

3. Exercise

Maybe you already play hard and looking to alternate light workouts with hard ones. With swim spas your hot tub’s jet streams create a current that you can swim against. Since they are adjustable in terms of power, you can make it everything between light to challenging – up to 5 miles per hour!

If a swim spa is good enough for competitive swimmers it will good enough for those of us who consider themselves a bonafide athlete.

If you are longer “in the tooth” – in your 50s or older – here’s a fantastic way to get some low impact exercise with all the cardiovascular benefits.

4. Affordable

Hot tubs are much more affordable than you think! Not just in terms of the purchase, but when it comes to maintenance. Once you buy the hot tub you get decades of a renewable experience – unlike things like a vacation or massage, you don’t need to pay every single time.

5. Social Benefits

Have some family over? Some friends stopped by? Unwind with them in the hot tub. Whether summer or winter you can head to the hot tub and entertain company. No need to keep to yourself! Success is no good if there is no one to share it with. A hot tub is a great way to lighten the mood, break the ice, or just have plain old-fashioned fun.

In fact, you’ll find friends and family will want to visit more often and you’ll have to come up with ways to hoard it for yourself!

Ready to make the leap? You can visit Aaron Pool’s and Spa’s hot tub page to see which type of hot tub or swim spa is right for you or your family.

__________________________________________________________________

Aaron Pools & Spas

597 State Rd
Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 996-3320
EMail: pools@aaronpoolsandspas.com

Wednesday-Saturday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Sunday & Tuesday: CLOSED

Facebook: facebook.com/aaronpoolsandspas/
Website: www.aaronpoolsandspas.com

While the Airport Grille is keeping its name, very little of the once very popular eatery will remain once it re-opens on October 22.

When it open about a decade ago the location was popular almost out of the proverbial, um gate. Pardon the pun. Many people will offer reasons why the Airport Grille’s popularity declined and one of the more common ones is that it was too expensive to eat at with any regularity and best reserved for special occasions.

On August 17th, 2019 they closed their doors but End Zone owners Troy and Ryan Demelo partnered up with investors Steve Furtado and David Slutz snatched up the property with a mind to improve and reinvent it.

The “new” Airport Grille will be far more affordable – affordable enough that you can stop in on any old day of the week at a whim and with regularity. A quick look at the new menu shows that most prices are in the $10-16 range with many appetizers under $10. There will alos be an “All items under $9” lunch menu and a loyalty club.

With the revamped logo, months of extensive interior and exterior renovations which includes 10 outdoor tables, a 16ft circular firepit which allows for lounging or even some leisure or tournament cornhole, a 12×20 outdoor stage with built-in 6x8ft drum riser and a musical line-up already booked (Thursdays from 6-8:30pm) it seems the new owners have big plans, hopes, and high expectations.

As you would expect with the restaurant to open soon, for those who are interested in work: The Airport is hiring for “experienced line cooks and kitchen staff for all back of the house operations.” You can apply here

_____________________________________________________________________

The Airport Grille

1569 Airport Road
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Open Every Day: 11:30am–11pm

Facebook: facebook.com/theairportgrille/
Website: theairportgrille.com/
Email: theairportgrille@theairportgrille.com

All photos from The Airport Grille Facebook:

Mix and mingle with local Real Estate professionals who will guide you through the home buying process.

Stop by Moby Dick Brewing Co. on Thursday October 3rd from 6:30 to 9:00pm.

Your attendance will give you access to over $500 in savings in special offers! There will be raffles and prizes for those who attend. Learn about Owning Vs. Renting, the pros and cons. Learn how to buy with NO Money down! Receive tips on how to invest in multi-family homes.

Stop by and have a bite to eat, grab a drink ask one of the experts on hand your real estate questions! This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insight in the current market and prepare yourself if you’re looking to buy or sell a home. Receive a $500 closing costs credit from BayCoast Mortgage for attending.

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2437638832938271/
Moby Dick Brewing Co.
16 S. Water Street
New Bedford MA.

Here’s a spotlight video on the Last Round Bar & Grille in New Bedford at 908 Purchase Street in downtown New Bedford. Get a FREE game-day breakfast this Sunday from 11-1!

Are you a dog owner that wants to learn more about training your best friend’s behavior? Maybe you have a new puppy in the house and want to not only start him as young as possible when it comes to house-training but are interested in how to form a bond or imprint with him or her. Perhaps, you want to understand where a recent bad habit or aggression is stemming from?

Who do you go to for something like this? Is there someone local? Someone professional, knowledgeable, and affordable?

Eric Letendre, owner of Eric Letendre’s Dog Training School has worked professionally with dogs and their owners for nearly 35 years, encountered nearly every issue, and produces fast results. He offers group dog and puppy training classes and private, one-on-one in-home dog training lessons and together with his wife, Rachael, and two dog trainers Claire Pelletier and Alexandria Mauck, they bring world-class dog training to the South Coast, and even beyond.

On any given day they see 6-7 different dogs and owners from New Bedford to Swansea to Fairhaven. From something as simple as a 10-week old puppy learning basic manners and obedience or a middle-aged dog with a barking problem, to more serious matters like a shelter dog with separation anxiety issues or a dog that lunges at guests.

Often, they are called in as a last resort for a dog that is just days or even hours away from being brought to a shelter because the issue is so severe. And, yes – they resolve the issue, saving the dog’s future and alleviating considerable stress for the owners. With confidence, Eric says that there is no one who can solve a reactive or aggressive dog’s behavior better. And his clients’ testimonials can vouch for this declaration.

He feels that the secret to dog training boils down to teaching dogs two important words: “yes” and “no.” Dogs must understand what behaviors they can do, e.g. come, stay, down, etc. and which are not tolerated like jumping on people, digging where they aren’t supposed to, or eating food off counters.

“A very common behavior problem is leash reactivity. Many dog owners have a difficult time controlling their dogs on a leash. I show them how to quickly and easily bring the dog’s behavior under control and you can see the relief come over the person’s face. They can now feel comfortable taking their dogs out in public.” says Eric.

Eric’s love affair with dogs while utilizing behavioral change and training began as a Security K9 Handler in Hartford, CT in 1988. He absolutely was thrilled with the job and interaction, so much so that he enrolled in the Professional Dog Trainers Course at Connecticut K9 in Newington, CT.

Once amidst classes, he found the entire topic so fascinating that he decided to make a career out of it and in the summer of 1995 he officially started his own business in Fall River where he also served as an Animal Control Officer. Eventually relocating to Westport, he opened American Canine of Westport (now under different ownership), before starting his current business where he has been for the past two years.

Through the entire process, he realized that he also enjoyed working directly with the dog owners – something he recognized wasn’t particularly the case in the dog training industry. Many trainers he encountered disliked working with people – in his case, he loved doing both.

Eric has worked for or provided training for every shelter in the area including Humane Society & Shelter SouthCoast in Dartmouth, Placing Paws, Forever Paws, and was the head trainer at Potters League for Animals for three years.

In addition, he is an author of four dog training books, all of which are available on Amazon. His newest book “The Deadly Training Myth” can also be found there, but even better you can follow his Facebook Page and find out where he may be locally doing a book signing!

Eric is so good at what he does, that his YouTube videos have over 12 million views. His entire day is filled with what he loves: dogs. When he’s not working directly with dog’s and clients, he is writing about them, playing with his own, even sharing his knowledge and experience at special locations, like Diamond in the RUFF in Acushnet on Monday nights and Saturday mornings. For him, it’s a dream profession, and one he delights in.

When asked about the training sessions he offers he explained: “We provide a combination of private and group training sessions to get the best results. We get fast results and don’t waste any time. Most of our 100 five-star Google reviews tell how we solved the dog’s problem in just one session. We use the most up to date, science-based training techniques so we can provide dog owners with fast results and help with especially difficult dogs.”

Those results speak for themselves.

Whether you are simply looking out to start your puppy on the right behavioral path or dealing with minor or major issues with your best friend, or in extreme cases at the end of your rope and in the unenviable position where you may not be able to keep your dog because of these bad behavior Eric Letendre’s Dog Training School will be able to assist you.

If you are at the point where you are ready to give up and bring your dog to a shelter or rescue center, don’t. Eric and his staff will shock you with the effectiveness of their program and with how fast they can turn a dog around. They have done it time and time again.

If you need any more incentive, Eric offers a first-time, no-obligation, FREE consultation. Get this: he will drive to you, wherever you are and have that discussion. After that discussion, you can decide whether or not to hire him. However, I’m sure you will be thoroughly amazed at his breadth of knowledge and passion and thrilled about what he can do for you.

Eric Letendre’s Dog Training School recently won SouthCoast Today’s “Best of the Best” Dog Trainer on the South Coast and to thank the area they are having a Customer Appreciation Party on Friday, September 27th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. The event is for not just dog owners, but all dog lovers. There will be a raffle to benefit the Fairhaven Animal Shelter, door prizes, giveaways, photo ops, contests, prizes delicious food, and lots of fun for you and your dog.

_____________________________________________________________________

Testimonials:

“I recommend Eric to everyone I meet. He is incredible. When we got our boxer puppy Mia we quickly became overwhelmed with incessant demand barking and biting, as well as jumping on our guests, stealing items off countertops, and chasing our cat. As promised, Mia no longer barked at us, bit, or jumped after our very first session. The following sessions helped us teach her the skills that she needed to become a well rounded and behaved dog. The fights about the dog have stopped, and there is peace and order in our home again. I feel like I have my life back! We are completely indebted to Eric and will recommend him forever. Thank you!”-Courtney C.

“I was desperate to get help for my Teacup Chihuahua, Badger, that I thought had become aggressive. He would bark, growl and snap at everyone that came anywhere near him or my truck. In looking for a trainer, I came across a U-Tube video of Eric working with a Rottweiler, and as I watched additional videos of Eric, I was thinking this looks like the guy I needed. I called and Eric’s wife Rachel was just so calming and made me feel like there was hope for Badger and myself.

Amazing is the only word that I can use to explain Eric and his skills with dogs. His individual and group training classes are very helpful and informative. Badger was immediately a changed dog the very first lesson we had, I learned he was not aggressive, but scared and it was a coping mechanism to keep people away. Badger now works as a service dog and visits nursing homes and loves attention of children. I definitely have and will continue to recommend Eric if someone needs help with their dog. I honestly carry a supply of his business cards everywhere and have had to re-stock, as I give them out so often. So if you are looking for training for your dog and YOURSELF, Eric is the man for you, any breed or size of dog. THANK YOU ERIC FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” -Carol Nguyen.

“I honestly can not say enough about Eric and how he helped us with our adorable puppy! It sounds corny, but he literally changed our lives! We are the happiest and proudest dog owners now thanks to the terrific training Eric provided. Eric has the nicest way about him and it’s so obvious how much he loves dogs and just wants you and the dog to have the best quality of life. I highly, highly recommend Eric to anyone who loves their dog but doesn’t want their dog to rule their life. Thank you Eric…you made us fall in love with our puppy all over again!” ~Kathleen Breede.

Read dozens more testimonials in the section of his website.

———————————————————————————

Eric Letendre’s Dog Training School

1180 State Road,
Westport MA
Phone: 774-319-6351

Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm

Facebook: facebook.com/EricLetendreDogTraining
Website: ericletendre.com/
Facebook Event Page: facebook.com/events/2114460112192307

Proceeds support at-risk youth & educational based charities along the Southcoast. Beer Sampler tickets will be available. Steins available in limited quantity to the first 200 purchasers only. $15 advance tickets can be purchased here or $20 at the door.

MUSIC:
• “Local Youth Acts” (exact details TBD) 3-5pm
• Chops turner 5:15 to 6:15pm
• Rude Boys 6:30 to 7:30pm
• The Pourmen 7:45 to 9:45pm
• Seven Day weekend 10 to 11:45pm

CURRENT BREWERIES INCLUDE:
• Moby Dick Brewery – featuring an Oktoberfest lager made exclusively for the event
• Buzzards Bay Brewery
• Mayflower Brewery
• Two Roads Brewery
• Shipyard Brewery
• Paulaner Oktoberfest
• Paulaner Wiesn
• Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest
• Castle Island Keeper
• Dog Fish Head Slighty Mighty
• Miller Lite
• Various Ciders
• Spiked Seltzer

FOOD PROVIDED BY:
• Fancheezical
• Flip & Roll
• Mad Good Cookies

MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

This year we also have a collection in conjunction with “Friends of Jack” to collect Teddy Bears as well as a few more family-friendly things going on early in the day. We will have an Arcade Truck during the hours of the Youth musicians. You can get your tickets HERE!

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY (additional costs for these activities)

• Arcade Truck – during our early hours, we have new family-friendly offerings including the arcade truck and youth musicians.
• Mass Axes – that’s right, you can throw Axes!

WHEN:
Sat, Oct 5, 2019, 3:00 PM – Sun, Oct 6, 2019, 12:00 AM EDT

WHERE:
Pier 3
106 MacArthur Drive
New Bedford, MA 02740

Facebook Event Page:facebook.com/events/2175944752703101
Website: southcoastbusinessalliance.org/
Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/scbas-14th-annual-nb-oktoberfest-2019-tickets-66472999531

The Fall River Rod and Gun Club is pleased to announce our annual Field Day for the public on Sunday, September 15th with a rain date the following Sunday, September 22nd.

There will be many introductory events to allow both young and old to try their hand at trap shooting, skeet shooting, sporting clay shooting and archery as well as fishing on site. All ammunition will be provided free of charge. There will be a hunting dog show that young and old have enjoyed in past Field Days. We will also have a reptile show, provided by New England Reptiles, that was a big hit especially with the kids.

The pistol house will be open and available for the kids to have an opportunity to be introduced to our Junior Club, and to try their hand at shooting. There will be 22 caliber rifles as well as pistols available for the public. We will also have an outdoor BB gun range for the kids.

Field Day is open to the public with a focus on safety and introduction to the shooting sports. (All minors must be accompanied by an adult and we will provide all necessary eye and ear protection). We will have NRA Certified Range Safety Officers at all events.

There will be free hot dogs, soda and chips for the kids, (donated by the club) and the kitchen will be open all day for breakfast and lunch.

Various vendors will also be on-site to show off their wares and we encourage all to consider purchasing their products and/or services as appropriate on-site.

Vendors should plan on setting up booths/tables around 7:00AM. There is no charge for vendors who wish to attend Field Day.
There will be membership applications available and if you sign up for membership on field day you will receive the rest of this year’s dues for free and will be paid up for all of 2020.

Come and enjoy the outdoors and see what The Fall River Rod and Gun Club has to offer. You will be amazed.

Fall River Rod & Gun Club Inc.

309 Sanford Rd
Westport, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 673-4535

Facebook: facebook.com/frrgc/
Website: fallriverrgc.com/
Facebook Event Page: facebook.com/events/2338774609774077/

The candy bar is as American as apple pie and baseball. If you ask any red-blooded American what there favorite things to eat were growing up, you’re likely to hear candy bars in their reminiscing.

The candy bar has been around forever and each decade scores of new ones are added to the vast variety. So, it comes as no surprise that the candy business is a $5 billion dollar a year business. Amazing considering that when companies first began to mass market their nougat, caramel, chocolate, peanut creations in the 1950s the average candy bar was a…nickel!

I’m not sure you can even buy anything in America for a nickel anymore. If a penny candy store exists anywhere, maybe a single piece would cost a nickel. I don’t like the sound of a “nickel candy store.”

The candy bar has been around since the 1840s England believe it or not. A man named Joseph Fry put sugar and cocoa and formed it into the common shape we see so often today. A few years later a Quaker businessman who had been selling tea, coffee, and hot cocoa since the 1820s came along and jumped into the candy bar market. You might have heard of this guy…John Cadbury.

Both Cadbury and Fry would soon join forces and mass produce a few types of sweet concoctions, Cadbury launched his business into the stratosphere with the introduction of the Cadbury egg in 1875. By 1905 Cadbury had a production facility, the first of its kind in the burgeoning industry with names like Hershey, Nestle, Necco, Mars and Luden throwing their hats in the ring.

Every since then America’s has had a deep-seated love affair with the candy bar. Who doesn’t like to grab one for a quick snack, at a movie theater, or just to treat yourself?

Here are 5 Candy Bars from the 1970s and 1980s that have come and gone:

1. Marathon Bar

This large candy bar was promoted as “Nobody eats a Marathon fast!” because of its size, which is where it got its name. The candy bar was so large for the time that the wrapper had a ruler on the inside. If the size didn’t grab your attention, the bright red wrapper did.

If only the Mars company knew what was coming for America – super sizes, Double Gulps, and upsizing would become such an American way of life that car manufacturers would have to double their cup holders.

What stood out to me growing up was not just the size of the candy bar, but its “Swiss cheese” look. It was a wavy bar of milk chocolate drizzled in caramel and had lots of holes in it. A sneaky way to save money?

Sadly the bar would lose its popularity and be discontinued in 1981.

2. Reggie! Bar

The Reggie! bar made by Clark was clearly a way to draw in the kids – what boy didn’t play or watch baseball? Slap a popular sports figure like New York Yankees right fielder Reggie Jackson on the wrapper and it wouldn’t take long to have a best seller.

The “bar” would deviate from the traditional candy bat shape in that it was a patty. a patty covered in chocolate and peanuts with a caramel center.

And every kid would unwrap that patty and make poop jokes and we’d all laugh, chomp it down and perhaps actually play some baseball.

While it died out in 1982, Clark would try to revive it in the 90s with a peanut butter center instead of caramel, but it wasn’t enough and it died within a year.

3. PB Max

Another candy bar that strayed from the traditional shape but still called a candy “bar” was the PB Max. This wasn’t a “poop” patty but it was a large square bar. It did deviate from the standard ingredients of chocolate, peanuts, and caramel in that it was made of peanut butter and oats on a cookie base, then covered in milk chocolate.

When the bar first came out Mars company who manufactured them did not state what PB stood for in their commercials, a part of their marketing campaign. Mars company would have fun with that and produced commercials saying it meant various things like portly ballerina, penguin black-belt, plow boy, pure bliss, parachuting buffalo, or pink baboon.

Every kid would have a blast coming up with variations of what PB meant, some were rather crude. But what kid would want more than a delicious candy bar that came with a little fun? At one point the bar would leave its paper wrapper and be sold in a small box.

There are rumors that the company will begin making the discontinued bar again this year (2019).

4.Sky Bar

This was my favorite on the list. First manufactured by Necco in 1938, it was marketed with a brilliant gimmick: you got four sections of caramel, vanilla, peanut and fudge all covered in chocolate. It was brilliant not just because you got such a variety in one bar, but because if you didn’t like one of the sections you could have fun and swap one out with a friend’s Sky Bar.

Unfortunately, Necco would close their doors in 2018 putting an end to one of the longest-running candy bars on the planet. There are also rumors that this candy bar will be revived this year (2019).

5. Seven Up

Trying to outdo Necco’s Sky Bar, in 1951 Pearson’s Candy produced two variants of their Seven Up bar in which had seven pillows or segments. One bar had mint, nougat, butterscotch, fudge, coconut, buttercream, caramel and the other had cherry, coconut, caramel, fudge, jelly, maple, and Brazil nut centers in each of its seven segments. It was like having the candy bar version of a Whitman’s Box of Assorted Chocolates. The bar would die out in 1979.

Which candy bar on this list was your favorite? Which one should have been on the list? Comment below or inbox us at info@newbedfordguide.com.

In the first article of this series, we talked about Chinese cuisine. In this one, we’ll talk about perhaps the most popular cuisine on earth: Italian.

Unless you grew up in an Italian or Sicilian household a typical American’s experience of those cuisines rarely goes past things like pizza, lasagna, spaghetti, ravioli, calzone or bruschetta. Even with dessert, not much is known beyond the big “four” of tiramisu, cannoli, biscotti, and gelato. But there are hundreds of dishes that most Americans haven’t tried and if we go regional,

Think about this: if Americans have made those things a part of their lives and in some cases are very passionate about it, what else in Italian and Sicilian cuisine are they missing out on? If those things are so delicious and mouth-watering and only known through popularity, you would do yourself a disservice to not investigate to discover dishes that are just as delicious if not more so.

Italian and Sicilian food has an astounding regional variety and even among nationals, there is an unawareness of dishes. For example, while we in Massachusetts consider cherrystones, coffee milk, and linguica as common as water, there are swaths of America that haven’t a clue what they are.

Having grown up in a Sicilian household I’ve eaten a large number of dishes that my Portuguese, French-Canadian, African-American, Hispanic friends in the community thought were exotic or even downright strange. This is the case for all ethnicities when it comes to their food – what is ubiquitous, normal and every day for one is brand new for another ethnic group.

I don’t know about you, but as a hardcore foodie, I actually get excited when I have the opportunity to try food I’ve never heard of. I have a bucket list of foods that I have heard of but haven’t tried yet, e.g. durian, balut, shark fin soup, bird’s nest soup, Hákarl, Casu Marzu, et al. and I’d love to check off as many as I can before I die.

Anyhow, blah, blah, blah. Let’s talk food.

Arancini with peas, ground beef, tomato. Photo by Catfisheye.

1. Arancini

For those who are only a little adventurous and need some coaxing to try something beyond the standard Italian dishes Arancini is probably the best to start with. There’s nothing out of the ordinary about it to scare anyone away. Arancini is a Sicilian classic that has been mentioned as far back as the 10-the century.

Simply put they are rice balls rolled in bread crumbs with various centers that alternate with mozzarella, sausage or ground beef and tomato sauce, or even peas and tomato sauce. They are then deep-fried until golden brown – crispy on the outside, piping hot on the inside. Serve with some dipping red sauce and you have a great appetizer or starter.

In Italy, they are popular street food and you can find vendors selling large versions place in a protective cardboard or dense paper envelope so you can walk around enjoying the vistas while chomping on one of Italy’s most delicious foods.

2. Cacio e Pepe

If you take a close look at Italian food it is typically a few main ingredients, using the freshest possible ones, and using perfect portions cooked for an exact length of time. Spaghetti Bolognese is as simple as it gets, but guess what? Ask 10 people to cook it and you taste some awful versions and some mind-blowing versions. The difference? The afore-mentioned freshness of ingredients and cooking it just right.

The problem with this is that if you don’t have a lot of experience making the dish, the tiniest mistake will make the difference between bad and great. That’s a dish with core three ingredients.

With Cacio e Pepe this theme is brought to an extreme level. Often, Cacio e Pepe is a benchmark for a chef demonstrating what can be done with a few ingredients. Mess up one step, one ingredient, cook it a few seconds too long or short and it will be forgettable. Do it all right and your face will light up and your belly will sing with joy.

Ready for the ingredients on this one? Un-sauced spaghetti, parmesan, fresh ground black pepper, and butter or extra virgin olive oil. Are you laughing? I hope so because I want you to scoff at the concept of this dish being incredible. I want you to make fun of me as some rube. Then I want you to order it at a restaurant and when you get it at the right place you will think about this article and thing “That Joe was right! He’s still a stupid rube, but he was right!”

Doubt me? Ask yourself how many bad pizzas you’ve had? How many amazing ones? Even with just cheese pizza, the difference between 2 places on the same street can be night and day, right?

3. Osso Buco

If you are a meat lover, especially when it comes to beef and/or steak this is about as umami or savory a dish you will find in any cuisine. Osso Buco is on any serious foodies’ bucket list of “must try” dishes. Osso Buco is cross-cut veal shanks braised in white wine and natural au jus style broth accompanied with cubed potatoes, carrots, celery, parsley, and garlic. You may find some variations that throw in tomatoes and/or onion.

The key here is the temperature and time the dish spends braising. When done right the meat can be attacked using a fork, no knife is needed. Because it is cooked with bone in the shank the richness that comes from that bone and the marrow raises Ossobuco to another level. A life-changing level. I kid, I kid. Ok, I’m not kidding.

4. Caponata

Meat not your thing or looking to take a break and get some vegetables? another Sicilian classic, Caponata, will right up your alley. Like red sauce, you will find minor variations from town to town, even household to household with each claiming their version to be the best.

Caponata is a slightly sweet, slightly sour eggplant based salad. Married with the fried or grilled eggplant are olives, tomato, onion, capers, celery, raisins, basil and pine nuts. A kiss of honey, perhaps some red pepper flakes and you have a bowl of happy. You can find variations on some menus that have anchovies to add an element of richness. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, just be aware of that.

This insalata is one of that I love so much that I make it at home. Of all the dishes on this list, this is one that you allows some leeway – you can make some minor mistakes and it will still come out good. Give it a go and let us know how you make out in the comments.

5. Gnocchi

Gnocci or “knots on wood” is one that sort of snuck on the list. I have come across a few people, even stubborn ones who prefer that hot dog, pizza, hamburger life, that have heard of gnocchi. Although, trying it is another thing.

Gnocchi is another dish I make at home, both potato and semolina/pasta versions. In essence, they are small love lumps or tiny dumplings made from the aforementioned pasta or potato but can be also made with egg, cheese, cornmeal or even breadcrumbs.

It is incredibly versatile because the gnocchi itself is there to supply texture to the dish and to sponge up the sauce you accompany it with. For that reason substitute soups that call for pasta with gnocchi. The sauce can be simple alfredo, a red sauce, a bolognese, some freshly grated parmesan, or even used to make cacio e pepe.

They are so popular that you can find variants in French, Croatian, Austrian, Polish, Brazilian, Argentinian, even Portuguese cuisines. For the curious, in Portugal they are called nhoque.

6. Saltimbocca

Last but not least is one that even those who are about the hot dog, hamburger, steak and potatoes life may have heard of or tried because it is, in essence, steak. Saltimbocca means “jumps in the mouth” because it is so incredibly life-altering delicious that you will go into auto-pilot when eating it. Have you ever gone out with friends who talk a lot and food comes to the table that is so delicious that suddenly everyone is quiet? Yes, that’s saltimbocca.

Ready for some taste buds to fire up? Saltimbocca is pan-fried, thinly sliced veal lined or wrapped with prosciutto and sage; marinated in dry white wine, olive oil or saltwater. Veal on its own is delicious, prosciutto on its own is delicious, whine on its own is delicious, so hey why not put them all together?

It is not uncommon to come across versions that utilize steak or chicken instead and if you are squeamish about using veal because you can look for this version or even ask a waiter if you can substitute it.

So, head out into the world foodie explorers and the next time you eat at an Italian restaurant and want to try something new or are feeling adventurous try one of these dishes.

If you end up finding something you really like, then let us know in the comments. If you don’t like it at all and you are now mad at me, let me have it in the comments. Let us know where you had and what you took issue with or really enjoyed about the dish.

Share your home and make a difference. HMEA is looking for kind, committed, and compassionate people in Taunton, Attleboro, Fall River and Greater New Bedford.

A Shared Living Provider is someone who opens their home and provides daily support and companionship to an adult with a developmental disability. Share your home and make a difference.
A Provider is a teacher, mentor and friend, helping the person to live a meaningful life at home and in the community.

In exchange for your support and companionship, you will receive a generous tax free stipend, excellent guidance and on-going training.

Qualifications include: a home, with an available bedroom, that is accessible to meet the needs of an individual, and Providers must have a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle.
CPR & First Aid certification are required, and will be provided. Applicants must complete a CORI.

For further information email SharedLivingServices@HMEA.org

Note: this is not for employment with HMEA but an independent subcontractor position supported by HMEA.

Need more information? Contact:
Mariano Gonzalez, Director of Shared Living, at mgonzalez@hmea.org