"Old man, you give those dogs another piece of my food and I'm gonna kick you 'til you're dead!"

Moonstruck is one of my favorite movies. Yes, yes, I know Cher is the star and it featured Nicolas Cage circa Raising Arizona which is not good for anyone, but I love it. I do. One subject you'll hear me come back to time and time again is how I have had a longing, since I was young, to be Italian. Some kids want to be astronauts, some firefighters, but I wanted to be Italian. It's not something you can really strive for. But Lord knows I tried. There doesn't seem to be a resolution in my near future, so for the interim, I am hoping to be a damn good Italian cook.

Loretta Castorini (Olympia Dukakis) makes wicked-good food in Moonstruck. There is one scene in particular where she is cooking breakfast and every time I watch it, I have to pause the movie, and go make what she is making! Or a version thereof. I have to plan accordingly, it's not a movie I can watch hungry! So, throw in Moonstruck, make this dish, and enjoy a bottle of good champagne with a cube of sugar in your flute. (*Watch, you'll see.)

"I have a feeling this is going to be just delicious." - Ronny Cammareri (Nicolas Cage)

Eggs in Purgatory
The Sopranos Family Cookbook

• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups canned tomato puree
• 4 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces (or a pinch of dried oregano)
• salt & freshly ground pepper
• 8 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon parmigiano-reggiano

In medium skillet, cook garlic in oil over medium heat for two minutes or until lightly golden. Add tomatoes, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until sauce is thickened. Discard garlic.

Break an egg into a small cup. With a spoon, make a well in the sauce and slide the egg into sauce. Continue with remaining eggs. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook for 3 minutes or until eggs are done to taste. Serve hot with crusty bread.

**In the movie, she cooks the eggs directly in bread on her griddle, but this recipe is excellent. You can make it for brunch or dinner!