M'tucci's Holiday Gift Guide, Pt 2

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Last week we offered some food and beverage suggestions for the holidays. Today we have some suggestions for books, both about Italy and about cooking. We also have some ideas for cooking tools and utensils.

We used two books for ideas and reference for our trip to Italy and Sicily this fall. The first is by well-known author Frances Mayes (Under the Tuscan Sun) published with National Geographic, “Always Italy”. The book covers the entire country with tips on some of the best bets for dining and sleeping. She does a good job of mentioning the wines of each region and the photos will certainly make you want to visit.

The second book “Eating My Way Through Italy” by Elizabeth Minchilli mentions a lot of small towns and the items for which they are known. I especially loved the sections on Puglia and Umbria. Several spots in Puglia, such as Bari are now on my list.

“Food of the Italian South” by Katie Parla is primarily a book of recipes, with some essays about the South and what makes it special. The sections on Soup and Pasta have particularly good recipes.

Kitchen Tools

Minister of Culture Howie Kaibel and Chef/Partner Shawn Cronin both suggested cast iron: a dutch oven or a pan. A dutch oven is perfect for slow-cooking stocks, soups and stews (Green Chile, of course). Try to find one with a lid that has dimples or ridges which helps hold the moisture while cooking. The Etsy site, Cast Iron Crusaders, sells refurbished and hard to find cast iron. You might find that cornbread pan with molds shaped like ears of corn that grandma used to use (mine did).

Shawn said: “I literally use my cast iron pan for everything. It’s nonstick, it distributes heat better and more consistently and you can put it in the oven. Between two cast iron pans and a comal, I do 90% of my home cooking.

“I also love air fryers. I don’t have a microwave, so I use it for reheating food quickly and keep it crispy (microwaves usually make food soggy or dry). You have leftover chicken? Throw those in the air fryer. Burrito? Air fryer!”

Some gas ranges produce too much heat, even while set on the lowest setting, cooking stews at too high of a simmer. A great device that allows for a slow simmer is a piece of cast iron called SimmerGreat. It raises your pot above the heat about 1.5”.

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five Manager Robin Dibble has a few suggestions:

“I’m noticing the ever-growing trend of charcuterie online. It seems to be more and more popular these days on Instagram and TikTok etc... and I think a good gift idea would be a charcuterie board with some cheeses, meats, crackers and spreads. I know I’m not spending $40 on a shiny piece of wood for myself, but getting one as a gift would be perfect.”

“If I had to chose one kitchen item that is relatively cheap and makes amazing things happen it would be a potato ricer. I have a hand held one that I use for all my mash and it’s a great tool.”

Chef/Partner Cory Gray suggested a Sous Vide stick, which will open up a new world of cooking. This method is used in our kitchens for slow, controlled cooking. Some of the highly rated sticks even come with an app with menus and the ability to control the cooking settings.

Holiday Specials & Hours

M'tucci's Holiday Cookie Box. Five each of Lemon Ricotta, Short Bread, Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Crackle. 20 Cookies for only $16. These will be available through the end of the year. Call now to reserve or pick one up the next time you visit.

Holiday Gift Cards Available until December 31.

The Albuquerque Journal is holding a drawing for Dinner for Two. You could win a dinner at M’tucci’s or at Marc Quiñones’ Mas Tapa y Vino at Hotel Andaluz. Click here to enter.

Holiday Hours

December 24 - All locations closing at 10:00pm

December 25 & January 1 - Closed

December 31 - Lani Nash at M’tucci’s Moderno and Jason Seel at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five starting at 7:30, ending with DJs spinning music until 12:30am. Come say goodbye to 2021 with us. Reservations strongly recommended.

Introducing M’tucci’s El Tesoro Reposado

M'tucci's El Tesoro Reposado has been aged for 9 months in American Oak barrels that were originally used for aging Bourbon. El Tesoro is made the traditional way by the same family since 1937 with highly prized Blue Weber Agave.

Beginning today, we are offering a special cocktail made with M'tucci's Tequila. You can sample the Tesorosso at all locations. A slightly herbal Margarita, uses our Tequila with Fresh Lime Juice, Cane Syrup, Tonic Bitters with a float of M’tucci’s Montepulciano. Served in a martini glass, it’s pretty yummy

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli: House Made Ravioli filled with Wagyu Beef & Ricotta: Mushrooms, Carrots, Broccolini tossed with a Beef Cream Sauce $27

16 oz. Herb Rubbed Hand Cut Ribeye: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $38

Pan-Seared Branzino: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $31

Fennel Braised Sackett Farms Pork: Creamy Risotto, Roasted Butternut Squash, Sun-Dried Tomato, Caramelized Onion with a Mushroom Braising Sauce $32

Weekend Cocktail

Tesorossa: M’tucci’s Reposado, Fresh Lime Juice, Cane Syrup, Tonic Bitters & M’tucci’s Montepulciano


M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz NY Strip: Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $34

Pan-Seared Rockfish: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roast Artichoke, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $21

Seafood Cannelloni: Shrimp, lobster, crab ricotta filling, Rosa sauce, spicy marinara $27

Weekend Cocktail

Santa’s Little Helper: Absolut Vanila, Rumpleminz, Godiva Dark Chocolate, Half & Half


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Roasted Rock Hens: Sweet Potato Purée, Grilled Broccolini, Herbed Butter Brodo $18

Pan-Seared Wild Caught Bay Sea Scallops: Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Escarole, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter, Capers $32

24 oz. Hand Cut Porterhouse: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone marrow Butter $36

Weekend Cocktail

Spiced Orange Toddy: Jameson Orange, House Made 7 Spice Syrup, Fresh Orange & Lemon Juice

Holiday Cocktail

Spiced Cranberry Mule: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Liquid Alchemist Spiced Apple Syrup, Gosling’s Ginger Beer, Fresh Lime Juice

Live Music for December & January at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and M’tucci’s Moderno

Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:30

December

12/17

Jason Seel @ Moderno

12/23

Amy Faithe @ 25

Eryn Bent @ Moderno

12/24

RJ Perez @ Moderno

12/30

RJ Perez @ 25

?? @ Moderno

12/31

Jason Seel @ 25 7:30-10 plus DJ 10:30-12:30

Lani Nash @ Moderno 7:30-10 plus DJ 10:30-12:30

January

1/6

Cali Shaw @ 25

Jason Seel @ Moderno

1/7

Lani Nash @ Moderno

1/13

Kirk Matthews @ 25

Sloan Armitage @ Moderno

1/14

Eryn Bent @ Moderno

1/20

Amy Faithe @ 25

RJ Perez @ Moderno

1/21

Kirk Matthews @ Moderno

1/27

Lani Nash @ 25

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

1/28

Jason Seel @ Moderno

M’tucci’s Dolcetto from

California’s Russian River

Valley is back. Supplies

are limited, so order one

soon!

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!