My father‘s family was from Ireland and my mother’s family was from Sicily in Italy. They met and were married in Omaha Nebraska and moved out west to California after World War II. My father passed in 1967 leaving my mother with six kids. My oldest Brother, John, was serving in Vietnam and my sister, Ronnie, was on her own starting her family. You know how that goes to put food on the table. They had to make money and work so that’s what my mother worked in a factory for the better part of 28 years. She worked the swing shift. She would leave home at about 3.00 p.m. and get back home around 1.00 a.m. I would come from home school and there would never be a day without a wonderful meal waiting for us with the help of my sister, Susie. Sometimes it would be the classic Italian dinner such as spaghetti and meatballs; lasagna; chicken Parmesan; peppers & onions in a deep tomato broth - simply amazing. Sometimes my mother would use a huge metal electric skillet and make classics such as stuffed cabbage rolls or stuffed bell peppers with rice and hamburger meat with tomatoes and onions in a light broth. One of my favorites was sweet and sour pork chops on top a bed of scalloped potatoes - cheesy and gooey - my mouth is watering thinking about it. My mother could take a piece of an inexpensive meat like chuck roast, brown it in the electric skillet, add potatoes, carrots, celery all in a deep brown gravy cooking it for hours until the meat fell off the bone. No pre-packaged food in our house. Only fresh ingredients.
I got my love for fishing from my older brother, John, after he served in Vietnam and as an officer in the Coast Guard, he received his hundred-ton captain’s license and worked on various luxury fishing yachts. He travelled the world from the Seychelle Islands to the Galapagos; from the famous Hannibal banks in Panama to Cabo San Lucas and Magdalena Bay in the banks off San Diego. My brother passed on a trip through the Panama Canal. He contracted a virus and passed away never making it back to San Diego. He left me with many stories of his travels, so I think that’s where my love of fishing began. Also, most of my best friends are excellent fisherman and started fishing as young men.
In 2009 a new chapter of my life began when I married my wife Lillian Nieto, a long-time friend.
She also has a passion for food, art & music. Together we have a wonderful life and love to entertain and cook for our friends and family. I am so grateful to have what I have today; my friends; my family and my health.
I hope you enjoy the pictures, recipes and the stories that I have compiled for all of you.
