Mandola’s Cedar Park

Benvenuto, Mandola’s!

As a former resident of Tuscany, Italy, I’m always on the hunt for authentic Italian experiences here in Central Texas. So with the news about the newest Mandola’s Italian Kitchen coming to Cedar Park I knew we were in for some exciting eats and sweets at this local Italian favorite. What’s on the inside truly counts at this Italian hotspot deep in the hearts of Texans!

Mandola’s Cedar Park Fast Facts: 
Grand Opening Day: Monday, April 16, 2018
Address: 12100 W. Parmer Lane, Suite 200, Cedar Park, TX 78613 (in The Presidio)
Hours: Mon-Sat 11 AM – 10 PM, Sun 11 AM – 9 PM
Phone: 512-879-1450

My marketing director wormed our way onto the short list to attend this week’s soft grand opening and I’d thought I share this fresh-baked post with friends and neighbors who are excited about the Italian eatery’s arrival as Mandola’s most northern location in the greater Austin metro. Let’s have a peek!

Parents can enjoy their meal al fresco while they watch their kids in the outdoor play area that’s adjacent to the patio. Psst: The patio will allow dogs!

Once inside you’re mere steps from some of the tastiest bakery items, gelato, and caffè.

A great way to start your meal is with fried mozzarella and marinara. The best this side of the Pecos. And handmade daily!

I enjoyed the Tortellini Modo Mio (tortellini “my way”). It’s pasta stuffed with chicken, pork, mortadella, prosciutto, ricotta and parmigiano – topped with a cream sauce with peas and mushrooms! Oh, Mangia!

While Mandola’s Cedar Park is missing the Italian Market found in their other locations it has a wonderful wine bar that offers full food service. “Obet” took great care of us!

The main dining room is alive with the colors, aromas, and flair of Italy.

It was back to the bakery for me! My favorites were the Pignolli, Anginetti and the hand dipped Chocolate Espresso cookies.

A great accompaniment to the bakery items is gelato. Pistachio and stracciatella are molto bene!

“Life is too short to eat and drink badly”

I enjoyed shaking hands with Damian Mandola, a friendly foodie force behind this bustling Italian ristorante. Damian gave us all a brief Italian lesson about the meaning of this sign; our friend Celeste was quick to capture this foto for the memory books. It was truly a night to remember!

In addition to my sweet pre-sampling of Mandola’s Cedar Park, I look forward to their grand opening this week! You’ll likely find me and my Dogs on the patio enjoying the rays of the setting sun along with food, friends, and laughter.

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Email: JoePaul@KW.com
Mobile: 512-222-3302
Web: JoePaulReider.KW.com

A fan of Italy?
Visit my other passion site at ForTheLoveOfItaly.com – a resource for Texans who want to learn about the two great lands of Texas and Italy.

Our Favorite Fall Stews And Soups

Soup’s A Calling

When the temperature drops, our passion for a warm bowl of soup only heats up! Here are our favorite bowls sure to reward your inner Fall Foodie. Make sure and click the links which will magically transport you to the full recipe!

SXSWern Soup

Our signature recipe was created for one of the largest conferences in the World. Whoa, that’s huge! Score the recipe!

Tortilla Soup

Our love for soup started with this bowl of spicy greatness. Score the recipe!

Texas-Tuscany Beef Stew

A “no-fail” stew that’s the perfect mash-up of Texas and Italy. Score the recipe!

Basil-Chicken Orzo Soup

Basil makes the world go ’round. Add it to orzo and chicken or turkey and you just found true love. Gobble up the recipe!

Pappa al Pomodoro

It’s magic! Transform stale bread into a delicious bowl of soup. Click this link for the recipe!

Spicy Pumpkin & Avocado Soup

A tasty Texas trio of smoked sausage, pumpkin and avocado marries sweet and savory in a most delicious way. Get the recipe!

Which bowl is your favorite? We want to hear from you!

 

 

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

❤ Love Food? In a click and a scroll you can visit more of my favorite recipes!

Pappa al Pomodoro Recipe

Tomato Bread Soup

Found during my family’s holiday travel to Tuscany, this recipe makes great use of a household staple living beyond its freshest of days; stale bread. The end result? A delicious dish that will warm the belly. And the heart.

This recipe was inspired by Gabriella’s Journal; a book celebrating aromas and flavors from the rustic culture of Tuscany.

Foodie Tip:

❤  If you don’t have any 2-3 day old stale bread, you can cut fresh bread into bite-sized squares and place into your oven and bake at 225°F until crunchy. Do not use soft bread for this recipe!

Ingredients: 

6 Tablespoons  |  Olive Oil
2-3  |  Garlic Cloves, Cut Into Small Pieces
1  |  Celery Stick, Chopped Into Small Pieces
3-4 (1 ¾ cups)  |  Fresh Tomatoes, Chopped (tomatoes may also be peeled)
6-8  |  Basil Leaves, Torn By Hand Into Small Pieces
To Taste  |  Salt And Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
2 ¼ Cups  |  Boiling Water
1 ½-2 Cups  |  Stale Bread, Cut Into Bite-Sized Squares
To Garnish  |  A Fresh Basil Leaf For Each Serving
To Garnish  |  Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese, Shredded

Directions: 

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, add the oil, the garlic cloves and the chopped celery. Stir until the garlic is soft and add the chopped tomatoes, the basil leaves, salt and pepper. Cook over a low heat for 15 minutes.

2. Pour in the boiling water and fold-in the stale bread. Boil, covered, for about 40 minutes over a very low heat, gently stirring occasionally.

3. Serve soup hot in a bowl and top with a basil leaf and some shredded parmigiano-reggiano cheese.

Yields: 3-4 Servings

Love this recipe? We want to hear from you!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

❤ Love Food? In a click and a scroll you can visit more of my favorite recipes!

Joe’s Bruschetta Completa Recipe

❤ Valentine’s Day 2014 Featured Post ❤

Bruschetta Completes Me

As an avid traveler to Italy, I fell in love with the simplicity of Italian foods.

While Italian bruschetta (sounds like “brew-ske-tuh“) may sometimes omit the tomato mixture, this is my own recipe for making a tasty and simple tomato bruschetta that’s sure to “complete you,” (hence the recipe’s name – a personal term of endearment). I usually serve this bruschetta as an appetizer, although I’ve been known to enjoy a few slices as my main course as I love tomatoes and bread.

Foodie Tips:

• I found my ciabatta at my local Austin HEB. It comes in loaves or mini-loaves. I prefer to buy the thickest loaves I can find. If you have a personal favorite Austin artisan bread company that you like, share the love.
• I strive to serve my bruschetta fresh out of the oven. I know I’ve prepared my bruschetta perfectly when the bread is warm and the tomatoes are just a bit cool; it’s a great combination! You can also serve this dish at room temperature. To prevent soggy bread, top the toasted bread with the tomato mixture just before serving.

Ingredients: 

3  |  Roma Tomatoes, Seeded and Chopped
1  |  Garlic Clove, Peeled and Pressed (or minced)
6-8  |  Fresh Basil Leaves, Torn by Hand
1-2 Tablespoons  |  Extra Virgin Olive Oil (use the good stuff)
To Taste  |  Kosher Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
Loaf  |  Ciabatta Bread, Sliced Horizontally Then Sliced Into Serving Pieces
Splash  |  Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2-3  |  Garlic Cloves, Peeled and Cracked (yields 4-6 pieces of bread)

What To Do:

1. In a medium-sized bowl stir the tomatoes, fresh minced garlic, basil, oil, salt and pepper. Set aside and let marinate 20-30 minutes.

2. About 20 minutes into the marination, preheat your oven to high/broil.

3. Place your sliced ciabatta on a cookie sheet lined with foil and place a tiny splash of more olive oil on top of the bread.

4. Toast the bread in your oven for 3-5 minutes (please, no burning).

5. While your bread is in the oven, stir your marinated tomatoes then pop them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to chill a bit.

6. Remove the bread from the oven. Rub 1-2 slices of bread with a cracked piece of garlic (with fork or hand) and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Rub new cracked garlic cloves on the remaining bread slices (1 garlic clove will yield 1-2 slices of bread).

7. Top bread with your fresh tomato mixture and serve.

Buon appetito!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

❤ Love Valentine’s Day? Visit our post called “Valentine’s Day The Home Style Way” for our ideas for how to make your day extra special at home. We’re pairing our favorite appetizer, main course, desserts and wine along with some great “at-home” movie recommendations sure to melt hearts.

Valentine’s Day The Home Style Way

❤  Valentine’s Day 2014 Featured Post  ❤

Our Heart’s At Home

Our finest suggestions follow for how to make your own bang-up Valentine’s Day evening for your special ones in your very own home sweet home! Plus, discover our picks for two “Best Romantic Wines” perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond!

We’ve paired our favorite music, appetizer, main course, desserts and wines with some great “at-home” movie recommendations sure to melt hearts. Fun doesn’t start outside the home – it starts inside the home, with you! Let’s check out this year’s menu board:

Below are the easy-to-follow instructions for a great Valentine’s Day (click the links for the recipes):

1. Set the mood with some great music by legendary greats like Andrea Bocelli or Frank Sinatra. Need a little candlelight? This DIY project for some mercury glass candles will surely put some sparkle in their eyes.

2. Pour some red. We’re diehard fans of the two great lands of Texas and Tuscany so we’ve selected two great reds that perfectly embody the deep, bold romanticism ideally suited for Valentine’s Day: the Super Texan® from Flat Creek Estate and the Piccini Chianti DOCG from Tuscany, Italy. Both wines are tastefully affordable and available at fine wine and spirits retailers like Twin Liquors throughout the Austin area.

3. Tickle the tastebuds. For the antipasto, check out my favorite tomato bruschetta recipe which will surely impress. Take note: In the recipe I’ve included my special secret for how to serve this dish extra-special!

4. Make it movie time. Right about now it’s probably a good idea to turn down the music and pop-in a movie. The Home Style Austin team picked three movies sure to keep hearts happy – Lady and the Tramp, The Princess Bride and our personal all-time fave Under The Tuscan Sun. Why not make it a triple feature and make it a night to remember?

5. Make it red. We bring on the main course with my delicious red sauce atop spaghetti. If you’re watching Lady And The Tramp, you’re probably feeling pretty awesome right about now. Pssst! Cupid’s Secret ~ If you’re one of the first 10 Texans who promise to send me a pic of your own Valentine’s Day meal, I’ll send you a heart-shaped cookie cutter used to make my spaghetti dish and our rice krispies treats! Pinky swear. Here’s how. 

6. Score sugar points! Perform the evening’s perfect touch with some super easy-to-make sweets including Valentine’s Day Rice Krispies Treats or our signature Cupid Cups. Treats made from the heart? Pure gold!

Until the big day, keep your heart in check – visit our Pinterest “Holidazed” pinboard with some Valentine’s Day inspiration for you and yours … we’re adding new pins until the big day!

“Home” truly can be found wherever we hang our hearts and we hope these tips make your Valentine’s Day 2014 the very best ever!

Happiest Valentine’s Day from your friends at Home Style Austin,

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Sunflower Margarita Recipe

What a great way to combine the time-honored tasty tradition of the margarita with the inspiration of Texas’ unofficial flower … the sunflower! Dress-up your next margarita party with these awesome “sunflowers” you form out of real fruit!

While the true origins of the margaritas are a bit fuzzy, we think you’ll agree there’s no better way to cool off from the sun. Shaken. Stirred. Frozen. Or on the rocks.

Ingredients:

To Taste  |  Your favorite margarita recipe (use the good stuff)
1 Each Per Drink  |  Large Lemon or Lime

What To Do:
(we’ll make a lime sunflower in this example)

1. Slice one large lime slightly larger than in half (about 60% of the width of the lime). Set the small side of the lime aside.

2. Slice 1/8″ off the large half of the lime; to form the flower, invert the lime slice inside out from the center. It may be helpful to use a knife to cut the flesh before inverting.

3. Slide the lime flower around the remaining large side of the fruit. Shape the fruit’s flesh to form the sunflower petals.

4. Cut a small slit behind the petals (as shown) so you can place the sunflower on the rim of your serving glass.

5. Fill your glass with margarita and garnish with your sunflower.

Shazam ~ It’s time for “sunflower power!” Have you made one of these for your party? Share a pic or two with us on our Facebook page!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Joe’s Original Red Sauce Recipe

Be Still My Heart

Try my family recipe that’s the perfect mash-up of Italy and Texas!

The sauce infuses an Italian red sauce with the tongue-tingling taste of Texas, compliments of our friend – the jalapeño. Bold and spicy, the sauce is a favorite, so it won’t last long. Put some in a Mason jar and share it with your new best friend for life. Make their tummy smile!

Ingredients:

1 Pound  |  Ground Chili Beef
1 Pound  |  Ground Hot Italian Sausage
3 Tablespoons  |  Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Palm Full  |  Fennel Seed
8 – 12 Cloves  |  Minced Garlic
2  |  Seeded and Chopped Fresno Chili Peppers or Red Bell Peppers or Italian Cherry Chili Peppers
2 Medium  |  Chopped White Onions
4 – 5 Medium  |  Chopped Jalapeños
1 Cup  |  Dry White Wine
4 Cans (28 Ounce Size)  |  San Marzano Style Tomatoes
To Taste  |  Gray Salt and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper
8 – 12 Sprigs  |  Finely Chopped Marjoram
¾ Cup  |  Finely Chopped Parsley
12 Leaves  |  Chopped Basil Leaves
Garnish  |  Parsley, Basil, Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
Garnish  |  Garlic Texas Toast ~ This. Is. TEXAS!

What To Do:

1. Brown the meats together over a medium-high heat. Drain and put into an 8 quart stock pot.

2. In a sauté pan, heat the olive oil over a medium-high heat.

3. Add the fennel seed, garlic, chili pepper, onion and jalapeño and sauté for 5 minutes.

4. Transfer the vegetable mixture into the stock pot.

5. Add the wine and tomatoes, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon.

6. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, marjoram, parsley and the basil.

7. Bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and reduce the sauce for 30-45 minutes before serving.

Foodie Tips:

• Fresno Chili Peppers may be a little hard to find at your local market. No worries! You can substitute them with Red Bell Peppers or Italian Cherry Chili Peppers.
• Serve atop your favorite pasta, pizza, meatball, crostini or eggplant.
• You can use this sauce as your secret ingredient in a mouth-watering, memorable lasagna.
• You can omit the meat for a tasty meatless sauce … it’s just as flavorful!

This recipe will generously serve an Italian-sized family of up to 12, depending on how it’s served and how loose their clothing is.  :)

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

❤ This recipe was featured on our special 2014 Valentine’s Day Menu Board. Learn more!