This is the exclusive blog of Mela Farfellini, formerly Linguini. 

I am the chef of the amazing restaurant- Moscato Grotto. See photos below.

 This is the official place to get clues and updates for the

murder mystery - Death by Cannoli

at the Marion Public Library. 

February 15, 7-9 pm.                         Updates in bold text

    January 5 - Happy 2020!

Sorry it has been been so long since you have heard from me.  Things have been so busy for me with the blog, of course our restaurant- the Moscato Grotto and the news! Marion is hosting is first Dessert Competition.  Of course, yours truly will be there with my can't-be-beaten recipe for cannoli.  I dare the Verde family is considering entering their cannoli from WisePies.  We all know who will be the "Biggest Losers".  Eat that- Pepe, Anisetta, Manzo and Amaretti Verde!  We Farfellini (Dindo, Lesso, Farina and myself) have a tradition to uphold.  We can not lose with my cannoli!  Well, maybe not.  I just heard Enzo Linguini is judging the competition.  I think his taste buds are off because he has been questioning my cooking abilities lately.  I will not take that!  We Farfellini stick together, if you know what I mean!

If you plan on attending the competition at the Marion Public Library on February 15, from 7- 9 pm, get your tickets now.  It will be a very popular event!  I encourage you to bring some extra cash, maybe a dollar or two.  You never know when the Verde and Linguini are around if you might not need some "protection".  Gallo Linguini runs a protection racket you might need to pay for and Manzo has been know to kidnap a person.  Just watching out for you, my loyal followers.  Hope you will be there to cheer me on!


    January 12    A Dessert to Help Survive These Cold Winter Days- Italian Tiramisu

I can't share with you the famous Moscato Grotto recipe.  It is a secret recipe that has been passed down from my great grandmother Elena Farfellini.  But this authentic Italian Tiramisu recipe is super easy to make. It's fully translated from Italian into English. Just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time. 

Ingredients

3 large egg yolks, cold
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted 
2 1/4 cups mascarpone, cold 
27-36 ladyfingers (hard ones)
1/2 cup espresso or strong coffee, cold 
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

    Instructions

    In a large mixing bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed until white and creamy and sugar is completely dissolved, for about 2-3 minutes. Add mascarpone and mix until smooth and creamy, for about 2-3 minutes.
    Dip ladyfingers on both sides quickly into coffee and arrange about 9-12 ladyfingers on the bottom of a 9x7x3 or 8x8x3 inches casserole. 
    Spread about 1/3 of the mascarpone cream on top. Repeat two more times, ending up with a layer of mascarpone cream on top. 
    Wrap casserole with plastic wrap tightly that no air or smell from the fridge can go inside the Tiramisu. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or preferably overnight. Dust with cocoa on top just before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days.

    Hope you are all attending the Great Dessert Competition February 15!  Don't forget to wear your red to show you are a Farfellini Fanatic!  I don't want to see any Verde green in the crowd!


         January 19       Click Below to See How Meringue Should Look

    Mine always comes out perfect! Click on this link below to see how shiny and lovely it is . Can't say that for WisePies.  Right Amaretti Verde?  But then you are too busy at martial arts class. 

    By the way Enzo Linguini, I did not steal the Linguini tiramisu recipe!  Mine, served at the Moscato Grotto is much better!

    I again encourage all my loyal readers to be prepared if you attend the competition and bring "protection money".  A dollar or two should work.  You can never trust the Verdes or the Linguini families not to try to fleece you.  Thank God I'm a Farfellini, from my mother's side.  

                                                                                   Meringue (1).mp4                       

     

    January 25      Happy Hour at the Grotto!

    Come to the Grotto and try my new limoncello spritzer or bloody orange martini.  Happy hours are  Monday- Friday, 4- 6 pm.  

    You might ask why we are doing happy hour at the Grotto.  Well, business hasn't been so good since Enzo Linguini started writing his weekly restaurant reviews.  He thinks he is Marion's #1 food critic.  The man is warthog-faced buffoon if he thinks he can insult the Grotto and get away with it!  I know Dindo and Farina will back me up!

    And it isn't just the Grotto he is insulting.  WisePies has been slammed with nasty reviews of their lastest menu that includes some strange pizza recipes like Beet Pesto Pizza with Goat Cheese.  Really Amaretti, what are you thinking?  I know everyone is on a heath kick but this is ridiculous!  Can't believe Anisette and Pepe Verde are allowing you to play around with the menu!

    Just a warning if you are attending the competition.  I heard that Manzo Verde is planning to be there.  He is known for his affection for kidnapping people.  Please bring "protection money" to ransom your loved ones, if you care for them.  If not, well, we understand.  Everyone has family members you wish would disappear.  A dollar or two should work.  



    February 2 It Is All In The Swirl!

    So I have a little story to share with you about “the boys” and why they hate each other. I;m talking about my cousin Dindo Farfellini and that nasty Pepe Verde. I call them ”the boys” because sometime they act so juvenile.  

    They have known each other since grade school. Back in 4th grade Pepe and some of his bully friends ganged up on poor Dindo and gave him a swirly. My dear readers, if you don’t know what that is, please look it up as I won’t demean my blog by explaining it on these pages.

    Well, we always knew that my cousin Dindo wouldn’t let that action go without retaliation. But he took his time getting back at Pepe. Finally, in 5th grade, Dindo pulled off the coup de grace with what is called to this day the “toilet incident”. He put super glue on the seat before Pepe sat down. Yes, Pepe was stuck to the toilet. The EMTs had to remove the seat and take Pepe, butt up on a stretcher, to the hospital, in front of the whole school.

    Farina took it a step further when she predicted Pepe would die because he was again stuck to a toilet and there was a bomb in the room. That might be why we make ticking noises whenever we see Pepe. We Farfellini always come out on top.

    You might wonder why I bring this up on my lovely food blog. The memory just came back to me as I was creating the perfect swirl on top of my morning cappuccino. At the Grotto we all appreciate a great cappuccino but we only drink this at breakfast or maybe a brunch. So you haven’t got to taste our wonderful cappuccino because until this week we haven’t been open before noon. But starting this week we will offer breakfast Tuesday- Saturday/  We will have delicious cappuccino and amazing pastries, like bombolone, cornetto, and biscotti and so much more.

    Vieni e mangia!                                                                                                                     


    February 9  Foods of Love

    Although there is no proof that foods can have an aphrodisiac affect to one's sex drive, we all know that some foods cause changes in heart rate, and blood flow. They can cause you to feel “warmer” towards the person you are sharing their meal.  Here are just a number of foods that are considered to be aphrodisiacs that I use in my cooking.  Come to the Grotto with your sweetheart on Valentine's Day and you can decide. They are garlic, endive, fennel, tomatoes, figs, saffron, truffles, rosemary, chocolate, grapes, nuts (of course the signature Farfellini pistachios), shrimp, oysters and coffee.

    Speaking of love, I can't believe what I am hearing!  The Verdes are thinking about matching Pepe up with my little sister Bella.  It is always Bella.  Bella, Bella, Bella!  Everyone has always said she was the pretty one, when we were growing up.  But who knows what she looks like now.  She still in that convent the family put her in after my parents died.  For all we know Bella may not be so bellissima any more.  I haven't seen her for years. Never did get along with her. But Pepe and Anisetta have been asking me about her for weeks and then I find out why.  What a joke!  But I do wonder what they are up to?

    Meanwhile I'm thrilled to find out I that I tied for the top score in the Forensics class final I have been auditing.  It is all about poisons.  It has been such fun.  Wish I could try out a few of them, maybe on the Verdes,  Just kidding!  But I can't believe Amaretti Verde was the other high scorer.  Bet she took the class because she is still trying to the Verde enforcer.  That will never happen!  Or maybe she is planning to murder one of us.  Or maybe a Linguini.  Never trust Amaretti!  Good reason not to eat at WisePies.  

    By the way, if you are dining with us on Valentines Day, ignore my aunt Farina.  She has decided that she will warding off evil spirits that may be troubling you and your date.  She will be cleansing auras or removing evil eye curses for a small fee, especially if you spill the salt.  She is sure you are doomed.  Don't trust her!  She is crazy and evil.  

    Oh well, I have to go and get ready for the Valentine Day's crowds!

    The Moscato Grotto

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