A Fashion Felon in Rome (10 page)

Selecting a crepe dress with scalloped edges, I rushed to the bathroom for a makeshift “sink shower.”  Soaping myself up, I
felt all thoughts of Richard and his betrayal evaporate like bubbles.  Feeling sufficiently clean, I stepped into the dress and a pair of sandals, pushing a hairbrush through my tresses and hurrying to meet Massimo at the door. 

There was no time to apply even a drop of make-up.  I had no choice but to be my naked self that morning, unprotected by beauty products or
designer threads.  I didn’t know in that moment whether I was meant to be a fashion maven or a homicide sleuth.  I didn’t know if I wanted my breakfast with Massimo to be just a “thank you meal” or the beginning of something far more intimate.  All I knew was that the old adage,
one door closes and another one opens
, was beautifully weaving its way into my life.  

Epilogue

1 Year
Later

Home Sweet Home

Soothingly, the sewing machine stitched my shell camisole together at the seams.  I removed the needle and paused to admire the silk creation that was nearly complete.  All I needed to do was add a sweep of detail at the edges of the neckline.  Then I could slip into the camisole, pairing it with a sharp business jacket to wear to my meeting with a team of stylists later in the week.

Since Sophia Pucci had
flaunted my mermaid gown at the Cannes Film Festival, I had been inundated with requests from other European celebrities.  To date, I had designed and sewn more than 30 dresses and half a dozen custom tuxedoes.  My tailor shop was long gone, as was my cracked relationship with Richard.  New York was no longer home sweet home.

“
Ciao, bella
,” Massimo swept into the dayroom, planting a kiss on my forehead.

“Hello handsome,” I beamed.  “I have some linguine and clam sauce simmering on
the stove downstairs.”

“Sounds wonderful.” He smacked his lips.  “I need to talk to you about something over dinner.” His light tone became grave.

“Another case?” I guessed.  Since helping to catch Tomaso’s murderer, I had joined forces with Massimo in several other high profile cases.

“I know you’re busy with your design business, but I could really use your skills on this
new case I’m working on.” Massimo massaged my shoulders as he spoke.

I grinned and gave in.  “Sure, let’s go have dinner and you can tell me all about it.
  And then you can go have your cigar.” I recalled that day in Massimo’s car when my father’s presence had felt so near. At the time, I hadn’t understood, but now I knew that the feeling was serendipitous of my destiny to be with Massimo
and
to help bring criminals to justice.

Arms entwined, we strolled downstairs to our spacious kitchen in our apartment located a block from the
Fontana di Trevi
.  I hadn’t gotten around to tossing a coin into the fountain in order to ensure a return visit to Rome.  But I hadn’t needed to either.  I had never left Rome, and with my relationship with Massimo growing stronger every day, I knew the Eternal City would remain my home sweet home.

***

*BONUS SECTION*

10
CLASSIC ITALIAN RECIPES

TURN THE PAGE TO START
COOKING LIKE A ROMAN!

Recipe #1

Mama’s Marinara Sauce

2 imported cans of whole plum skinless tomatoes with basil 

1 small can of tomato paste (Contadina)

2 small cans of Contadina tomato sauce

1 clove of fresh garlic (chopped)

½ of yellow onion (sliced)

Olive oil  (less than 1/8 of a cup)

Oregano (dried), basil (dried)

Grated Parmesan cheese to taste

Place garlic and onions in heated olive oil allow until light golden. Add some oregano and basil to this mixture and stir. Add the two cans of tomato sauce and stir. Place canned tomatoes in a blender.  (One can at a time) for about 30 seconds. Add to the pot, stir. Add tomato paste, stir. Add cheese, more oregano and basil, Stir and simmer. Turn off heat and allow sauce to continue to cook.  Stir and taste; add more oregano, basil and cheese as desired.  You’ll know when it tastes good! This sauce forms the basis of many Italian recipes, including the vegetarian delight on the next page.

Recipe #2

Eggplant Parmagiana

2 medium eggplants

Plain bread crumbs

3-4 eggs (organic, cage-free)

Corn oil

Fresh mozzarella cheese

Peel eggplant and slice so that slices are circles of medium thickness. Heat corn oil.

Dip slices into egg and then breadcrumbs. Place in frying pan, make sure the oil is hot. Flip eggplant quickly until golden brown. Place on paper towels to drain oil.

Oil will need to be changed at least 3
times. Place fried slices in a square baking pan, layered.  Place ample sauce and grated cheese between layers. Cover with aluminum wrap and bake at 340 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from heat, turn off oven. Eggplant should be soft. Place generous slices and pieces of mozzarella on top of the eggplant and return to the oven to let cheese melt with residual heat.

Serve
and savor this healthy yet satisfying main dish!

Recipe #3

Fresh Mozzarella & Tomato Basil Salad

6 ripe heirloom tomatoes, cut in slices

30 fresh
Mozzarella balls

Fresh basil

Extra virgin Italian olive oil

Salt and pepper (optional)

Arrange tomatoes, cheese, and basil on an attractive serving platter.  Drizzle olive oil evenly over the arrangement.  Add a dash of salt and pepper if desired.  This refreshing salad is an excellent starter to any main dish.

Recipe #4

Baked Ziti

1 can crushed tomatoes

Classic Marinara Sauce (medium saucepan)

1 can tomato paste

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

4 basil leaves

15 oz Ricotta cheese

½ pound shredded Mozzarella cheese

1 pound Ziti noodles

Put tomatoes, sauce, paste, garlic, and basil in a crock pot.  Keep on low flame for 8 hours.  Layer sauce, noodles, and Ricotta in a rectangular glass lasagna dish.  Layer to the top and sprinkle on extra cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.  Baked Ziti is very filling
comfort food!  Try preparing a simple green salad and serve chilled AFTER you eat the Baked Ziti…the way the Italians do!  Main dish first, salad to finish and cleanse the palate.

Recipe #5

Zucchini Lasagna

1 box lasagna noodles

Classic Marinara Sauce (large saucepan)

2 pounds Ricotta cheese

3 pounds fresh
Mozzarella cheese

4 fresh green zucchinis, chopped

4 yellow zucchinis, chopped

Grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg (organic, cage-free)

1 tbsp garlic powder

2 tbsp parsley

1 tsp nutmeg

Mix nutmeg, parsley, garlic powder, egg, and grated cheese into the Ricotta.  Layer sauce, noodles, mixed Ricotta, zucchini, and
Mozzarella cheese in a large rectangular glass dish.  Make 3 layers and bake for 1 hour at 375 degrees.  Make your Zucchini Lasagna the main dish at dinner and satisfy the whole family!

Recipe #6

Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp & Broccoli

1 package fresh cut Fettuccine

1 pound shrimp, cleaned & peeled

Butter to sauté shrimp

Powdered basil

½ pound fresh broccoli

8 oz alfredo cheese sauce (Contadina brand suggested)

Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Salt & pepper (optional)

Mix softened butter with powdered basil.  Melt basil butter into a frying pan. 
Sauté shrimp until fully cooked (pink color).  Steam broccoli and chop.  Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.  Stir in fresh Fettuccine and simmer for 2 minutes. Pasta will be slightly chewy, or
al dente
as the Italians say.  Drain pasta. Mix broccoli, pasta, and shrimp in a large saucepan.  Pour in sauce and mix until combined.  Top with optional ingredients and indulge in this rich, cheesy dish!

Recipe #7

Antipasto Appetizer

1 jar roasted red peppers

1 jar artichokes in oil

Slab of Italian Parmesan cheese, sliced

6 ripe heirloom tomatoes, cut in slices

1 jar black olives

1 jar green olives stuffed with cheese or pimentos

Artfully arrange all antipasto ingredients on a large serving platter. 
Makes an elegant appetizer for a party.  Serve alongside herbed rosemary crackers or crusty Italian bread. 
Buon appetito!

Recipe #8

Cool Classic Cappuccino

1 ½ cups cold coffee

1 ½ cups chocolate or vanilla ice cream

1 cup crushed ice

Chocolate syrup (to taste)

Whipped cream

In a blender, combine coffee, ice cream and chocolate syrup. Blend until
silky smooth. Pour over crushed ice. Spray on some whipped cream and delight in this refreshing beverage!

Recipe #9

C
ocoa-Tinged Tiramisu

3 egg yolks

¼ cup sugar

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 cups Mascarpone cheese

24 ladyfinger cookies

1 ½ cups warm coffee

2 tbsp cocoa powder

In a bowl, beat yolks with sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold mascarpone into yolk mixture. Set aside.
Dip ladyfingers in coffee and arrange 12 of them in an 8x8 inch dish. Spread half the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers. Make a second layer with remaining cookies and mascarpone. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Sprinkle with cocoa powder to satisfy your chocolate cravings!

Recipe #10

Biscotti for Dunking

½ cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

3 ¼ cups flour

3 eggs (organic, cage-free)

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tbsp anise extract

Preheat
oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.
In a bowl, beat the oil, eggs, sugar and anise flavoring until blended. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the egg mixture to form dough. Divide dough into two pieces. Form each piece into a roll. Place roll onto cookie sheet, and press down to 1/2 inch thickness.

Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack.
Slice each cookie crosswise. Place the slices back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 7 minutes on each side. Slices will be lightly toasted.  Brew up your favorite coffee and dunk away!

WHILE YOU’RE
DINING ON ITALIAN CUISINE,

TURN THE PAGE

FOR A FEW SPECIAL PREVIEWS…

Special Preview of Anisa Claire West’s

TASTY CRIMES

Prologue

New York City

Brownstone on East 73
rd
Street

“Promise me, Marlena, promise me,
mi amor
!” The strength had drained out of my grandmother’s voice, but her will was stronger than ever.

“I promise you, Nana, I will find out who killed your sister.” I gazed into her warm cocoa eyes that had transformed from lustrous to dull over the past few weeks of her pneumonia.

Accepting a few ice chips that I offered her, the dear woman who raised me wet her throat as tears moistened her eyes.  “I always thought that I would be the one to solve Silvia’s murder.  How can I leave this world without knowing who killed my sister?!” Her voice was scarcely more than a raspy whisper mingled with a cough.