Pane di Zucca Costello - Pumpkin Bread

Recipe I - Pane di Zucca Costello
by Stephen Costello, tenor

A treat for tenors and their crazy fans alike,
Pane di Zucca Costello is a family recipe, and personal favorite, of Metropolitan Opera star Stephen Costello. When I'd asked Stephen if he'd contribute to Operatic Eating, I'd caught him in Seville preparing to tackle Lucia di Lammermoor. (which opens pretty soon, so go see it and yell BRAVO!)

In the Costello household this Pumpkin Bread is a staple of both their Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. Being no more of a lush then any other opera singer, I'd suggest pairing it with a glass of eggnog during those cold winter cottage seasons or maybe spice it up with a nice sangria, for those cosi thanksgivings in the Hamptons.

This tried and true recipe will garner as many ovations at your dinner table as it has at Stephens! ;)

Pane di Zucca Costello
(Pumpkin Bread)

3 1/2 cups of flour
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2teaspoons Baking Soda,
1 teaspoon cinnamon,
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1teaspoon salt,
4 eggs
3/4 cup and 2 tsp. oil,
2 cups pumpkin pie mix,

optional: you can also add 1/2 walnuts and 1/2 cup raisins.

Blend all dry ingredients together. Slowly mix in wet ingredients. Grease and flour (2) 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 70 mins.

Operatic Recipes by Operatic People.

Operatic Recipes by Operatic People.

showcasing operatic personalities and their favorite dishes with an anecdote or two to spice it up.

Recipe Debut, Sunday March 11th:


Featuring the exceptionally amazing foodie talents of
Metropolitan Opera Star:


Stephen Castello, Tenor

Food for Life - 1,000,000 FREE Meals A Day!

Today I ventured out with several friends to the Hindu Hare Krishna Temple, in Burnaby, for one of their legendary vegetarian feasts, It was really a unique program. They taught a lesson about peace, danced/sang to traditional Indian Kirtan (or Mantra chanting), and then fed over 200 people, thrice over with food to spare.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness literally feeds over a million people a day, mostly youth from underdeveloped countries, FOR FREE!! It's a very inspirational organization. Take a look at this really informative youtube clip.


Mangia Mangia Hare Krishna's!

Dustin H

God Save The Queen!

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II, and through out her many realms millions are celebrating this grand women who is a symbol of unity, freedom, and hope. So in her honor I write this blog about my experience with the Queen...

It was the summer of 2010 and I'd received an invitation from the Queens Canadian secretary requesting my presence at Her Majesties official residence, Rideau Hall, for a summer garden party.

What an experience. The food was simple but elegant, trays piled high with cucumber sandwiches and child sized urns bubbling away with tea fit for a Queen. All under grand white canopies, and obviously it wouldn't be a royal occasion with out ladies wearing BIG hats.

When the Queen was ready to receive her guests, I was ushered to my place behind the Chief Justice of Canada and the Speaker of the House of Commons, but before the late Jack Layton, leader of the New Democrats. Then with a barrage of excitement came an army of official photographers walking backwards to get the best picture of Canada's Queen and Prime Minister, as they walked out the french doors onto the terrace.

There she was, a tiny women in blue with a small handbag. The Queen of Canada and Empress of India (formerly). As she slowly greeted her subjects, I waited with bated breath to be received by my Queen and Sovereign. Then it came, I bowed my head and said "your Majesty" and she stretched out her hand and said "good day" and then and there I'd shook hands with the Queen. At that point Her Majesty had noticed my tie, which prominently displayed L V Beethoven. She then touched the tie and remarked on the music written on it and asked If I had sung Beethoven, to which I replied "yes ma'ma, I've performed Adelaida on many occasions" and she said "Very good! We do enjoy Beethoven, keep singing." and then walked to the next guest. It was one of those moments you never forget. But it get's better!

After the Queen had gone on to the other guests, HRH Prince Philip came up to me in a very casual way and literally hit my shoulder, after the formalities of " your Royal Highness", and said " It's so good to see you again, when might you be performing in London?" dumbstruck that the Duke of Edinburgh even know who I was, I replied "very soon hopefully" to which he said "very good, will have to see you at Buckingham more often." and then patted my shoulder and left. After he left one of the Queens ladies handed me a small card and said to contact the Princes House Hold next time I'm in London.

It really was one of those magical moments that makes life great...

Mangia Mangia your Majesty, Happy 6Oth!

Your Loyal Servant,
Dustin H.

Experience Seattle!

Last weekend, my best friend and I loaded up the car and drove down to Seattle. What an amazing city. A weekend of cheap shopping, vocal coaching, Opera, and opera after partying. In 2009 I lived on Capital Hill for about 8 months, while singing with Seattle Opera in Wagner epic RING Cycle. So I had the chance to adventure around town.

When it comes to food Seattle is top notch. With many exiting locals ranging from Asian fusion to traditional Italian. Most of my days were spent in rehearsal at the Mccaw Hall, where Seattle Opera does it's main stage productions. Around the opera house are some really great Pho, Asian, Italian, and traditional American eateries. If your a student or on a small budget head down to University Ave. where you'll find an amazing array of cheap restaurants that are GENEROUSLY portioned.

My #1 Seattle foodie hotspot,

Pikes Place Market.

There are at least four seafood markets at Pikes Place, with an array of fishermen yelling obscenities and trying to convince tourists to purchase their wears, once in awhile you'll even see a flying salmon. I have three must stops at Pikes: 1) the Truffle Cafe, oils and salts infused with Italian truffle, HEAVEN! 2) Scotto Voce, a gourmet vinegar and oil spot 3)Beecher's Handmaid Cheese, best MC in the world!!!

If your into the night life there's something for everyone. Broadway is sorta the Gayborhood with a mix of trendy lounges and crazy "disco techs" (an awesomly retro name for a nightclub lol) while pioneer square is host to some awesome main stream night life, there's even a night club in an old 1920's theater.

Mangia Seattle!

dh

Dinner In Parliament.

I thought I'd post an amazing fruit cocktail from a very memorable dinning experiences, the last official dinner party hosted by Parliaments longest serving Speaker, Peter Milliken. The main course was a tender shelled lobster tail on a bed of three medallion sized scallops in a rich white sauce. (yummy!) My date for the evening was the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, Member of Parliament for St. Paul's in Toronto. It was a great evening of fine food, Speakers select scotch, and amazing company.

Welcome!

Hey all and welcome to my semi-new blog. I say semi new because about four years ago I started posting some of my foodie experiences on Facebook under "Mangia! Mangia! The things tenors eat." Here on Operatic Eating I'll post exciting new recipes (personal and ones from colleagues) , great new restaurants, awesome meals, and random thoughts on eating operatically.

As a young opera singer, twenty three, I've had so many amazing experiences from high tea with the Queen, at Rideau Hall, to quaint dinners in the Danish countryside. I'm a foodie through and through and to me life is the greatest opera of all. Exciting, grand, dramatic, and ever changing.

So let's get to it!

Mangia! Mangia!

Dustin H.