Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Are just trying to stir up some “American food is terrible” talk? Just ask your husband what she likes. What does she cook for you? Surely you can figure this out.

She always cooks what her husband likes, who is from Ohio. She rarely gets to do things she likes.
She is visiting us by herself and I know in general that she loves Italian American food. DH wasn’t helpful.

shrimp scampi, chicken parm, chicken Marsala, veal osso buco, good lasagna (I don’t think beginners are good at lasagna),

Anonymous wrote: Are just trying to stir up some “American food is terrible” talk? Just ask your husband what she likes. What does she cook for you? Surely you can figure this out.

She always cooks what her husband likes, who is from Ohio. She rarely gets to do things she likes.
She is visiting us by herself and I know in general that she loves Italian American food. DH wasn’t helpful.

This is close to my family’s recipe:
https://www.cucinabyelena.com/classic-italian-wedding-soup-recipe/

Or do platter instead of skewers:
https://www.marthastewart.com/312437/antipasto

Go to an Italian market for best cheeses and meats.

^ and desserts:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018684-classic-tiramisu

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015672-tall-and-creamy-cheesecake

Anonymous wrote: Are just trying to stir up some “American food is terrible” talk? Just ask your husband what she likes. What does she cook for you? Surely you can figure this out.

+1 never had issues with relatives visiting from Italy or American ones going to Italy not liking the food.

Meal 1:
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a48544/antipasto-bites-recipe/

https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/10/my-old-school-baked-ziti/

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/garlic-bread-recipe-1917276.amp

Meal 2:
https://www.foodandwine.com/bruschetta-7500210%0A

https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-chicken-parmesan/

https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/big-italian-salad%0A

If you want to show off, try Braciole. There is a large overlap between Italian American and Southern Italian cooking, especially the techniques. The ingredients are different because traditional southern Italian cooking is poverty cooking and Italian American cooking doesn't have the same restraint on available ingredients.

Homemade chicken parm, home made meatballs. Anything with a homemade red sauce

Look at any Italian American restaurant’s menu. That’s what she likes. Baked ziti, lasagna, manicotti, ravioli, chicken parm, eggplant parm, etc. Not hard, all simple, don’t complicate it.

If you don’t mind the work, “Sopranos” Sunday Gravy with pasta, or even better, turn the Sunday Gravy into a big lasagna with top quality ricotta and serve it with a salad and red wine vinagrette with garlic and Italian herbs. Ruffino Chianti Classico. Homemade tira misu.

Are just trying to stir up some “American food is terrible” talk? Just ask your husband what she likes. What does she cook for you? Surely you can figure this out.

Thin linguini, broccoli rabe garlic/evo— add in Trader Joe’s langostino tails (they’re bite size and my absolute favorite item) but they’re not always available so check your local stores. Italian antipasto appetizer. Vino!

Spaghetti with Rao’s sauce.

I’m not originally American. I lived in Italy a long time and know how to cook many Italian dishes.
My mother in law is proudly Italian American and over the years I’ve realized that there is very little overlap between Italian and Italian American food.
She’s visiting soon and food is always a big struggle when she is here.

Please give me your favorite Italian American meals!