Krazy about Kitchen Boss

What I really like about this show is the lack of commercialism and pomp and circumstance that is prevalent on other television cooking shows.  Buddy Valastro shows humility and humor plus compassion with his guests. He does not hold them up to ridicule or snide remarks. He loves his “Mia Famigila!"

“Kitchen Boss” is a new cooking show on the TLC Network which features the star of the hit series, “Cake Boss”, Buddy Valastros. Buddy brings you right into his kitchen and shares his family’s favorite Italian style meals. He shares his secrets to great flavor with the use of fresh herbs. He stresses family values and togetherness throughout his show.

Buddy is from a very large Italian family therefore most of his recipes will feed large groups. I cut the recipes down to feed four people that way my husband and I can have leftovers the next day.

Buddy's wonderful family history and folklore add interest to the show. I love hearing how his grandmother, who used to cook in the basement of her home, would feed the entire family with simple easy to prepare foods that could be bought at the local market inexpensively. His East coast Hoboken accent is charming.

Buddy shares center stage with members of his immediate family on the show. They help out with the meal preparation and keep him company. Each guest has their own memories to add to the conversation. Mauro, Madeline, Grace, Mary, Sophia, Buddy Jr., Marco and Lisa have been on his shows. His children are adorable and eager to help him prepare their favorite foods: Homemade chocolate milk, waffles with chocolate Hazelnut spread, and Chocolate Chip cookies.

The principal concept in cooking inexpensive meals which taste great is the use of the fresh herbs. These herbs and marinated sauces have made a change in how I cook at home: more “cooking from scratch”. No prepared packaged foods, just really great food prepared with love from scratch.

Buddy's concise instructions and the printed explanation which pops up on the television screen as an aide in cooking make me feel like “I can do that”.

Some of the recipes from his show that I have cooked are:

· Tuscan Chicken Breasts with Tuscan Tomato Sauce

· Mama’s Chicken and Potatoes

· Pasta Fagiole

· Baked Pasta with Ricotta

· Buddy’s “Hoboken Style” Frittata

· Tomato and Bean Bruscetta

The recipe I cooked for this article is Mama’s Chicken and Potatoes.

1. In a roasting pan, spread out the potato pieces, drizzle a little Olive Oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. (This helps the potatoes get a head start on their roasting time.)

2. Remove potatoes from the oven and add the sliced onions and garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the chicken stock over all. Lay the chicken thighs and or legs over the mixture pushing the potatoes around the chicken pieces.

3. Drizzle a little olive oil on each chicken piece, then add salt, pepper and the Italian seasoning.

4. Bake for 30 minutes on 400 degrees. After 30 minutes, remove roasting pan from over, spoon broth over the chicken pieces and push/turn the vegetables.

5. Top with the tomatoes and peas- return to the oven for another 30 minutes.

6. Remove chicken to a platter: stir the vegetables to coat well in the juice.

7. Spoon the vegetables around the chicken on the platter and serve.

8. Serves 6 people.

These are the few changes I made to the basic recipe:

· I added raw carrots and left over green beans to the potato and onions.

· I used a can of stewed tomatoes and canned peas.

This was an outstanding dinner dish. I served it with a tossed green salad with Ranch Dressing, croutons, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries.

My husband’s comment was the Momma’ Chicken and Potatoes was the best recipe he has ever tasted.