Melissa Gorga reveals her secret ingredient that is a staple in her kitchen, interview
While the ladies of The Real Housewives of New Jersey might have reached the drama boiling point, Melissa Gorga has something more flavorful simmering in her kitchen. With her secret ingredient, Melissa brings the flavor, and no one will be leaving the table before the plates are empty.
From her successful fashion business to her time on RHONJ, people feel like they know Melissa Gorga, her husband Joe, and their family. Whether it is watching her children grow up or smiling at the banter between her and her husband, seeing those moments on screen makes her relatable.
Given the family’s strong Italian roots, gathering around the table for a meal is often featured on the show. That meal is more than just delicious food. It is a time to connect and appreciate the people who are sharing the time together.
While some families might have recipes that have been passed down, some home cooks need a little helping hand in the kitchen. Melissa appreciates that some of her family’s favorite recipes can use a little help from some favorite food products, like Rao’s Homemade Sauce.
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Melissa Gorga through her partnership with Rao’s Homemade Sauce. Since food is more satisfying than reality drama, our chat focused on some of her favorite recipes, how food brings her family together, and a fashion tip that every cook needs.
Since Sunday supper is often a tradition in many families, I had to ask about her family’s traditions and how she learned to embrace them.
Melissa said, “My mother-in-law and my father-in-law have taught me so much about cooking and about recipes. I do put my own little flair on them now to adjust for what my kids love.”
“When I first met Joe, I was a girl in college and I didn't know how to cook everything! When I married him, I knew he was such a foodie and came from a family of foodies, so I learned a lot about how to cook.”
“Now I feel like I cook pretty authentically, and use a lot of recipes from my mother-in-law actually. I put my own little twist on them, probably a little less salt here and there!”
While there are many ways to evolve or adapt a recipe, time can influence what is or is not on the stove. Busy schedules are common, but that time crunch does not have to take away from a dish’s flavor.
Melissa shared, “I mean the truth is, during the week I'm always looking for something that’s authentic, tastes good and doesn’t feel like fast food. My kids are actually really picky! They want to eat a real dinner at night, they don’t want to order takeout, they want me to cook.”
“Having things available like a quick jarred Rao’s Homemade Sauce that tastes good but is still premium is key. I love that my family can’t tell the difference between my sauce and Rao’s Homemade sauce, that’s always the best part.”
“Dishes like my One Pan Chicken Prosciutto Parmesan recipe where I can make a quick chicken cutlet, put Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce on top and then add some prosciutto as a little twist are go-to’s during the week. I also believe in leftovers, so if you have chicken cutlets from the night before you can turn that into a really great chicken parm dish like this one!”
For those moments when there is a little more time available, cooking with family can be fun. It can be an opportunity to get the kids to try something new or a moment to spend some time with a special someone. When asked how she keeps those cooking moments from becoming too heated, Melissa shared this perspective.
“I prefer to cook alone most of the time unless it’s Sunday. On Sundays I do enjoy cooking with Joe, it’s nice to have him in the kitchen chopping up the onion and garlic while I do other things. But during the week I like to cook by myself. I do think it's a nice bonding time - having a glass of wine on a Sunday and cooking together.”
Given that the family dynamic evolves over time, it can be hard to be as thrilled about making that big family meal when the table is a little less crowded. Like many people, Melissa’s children are growing up, and one has even left for college.
When asked about how she is adapting to cooking for a smaller group, she said, “I’m less enthusiastic about cooking for less people so I get it, my daughter Antonia is away at college now. I do get frustrated when everyone sits at the table and somebody doesn’t want to eat. But I suggest still doing those Sunday Dinners and then you can just keep the leftovers, you’ll have it for the next day! I just keep making as much as I would normally and then we have leftovers for the next day.”
“In addition to my One Pan Chicken Prosciutto Parmesan recipe which I like to serve with sauteed spinach, I do love the Rao’ Homemade Pastas too. They’re actually one of my favorite pastas to use, and I’m picky with pasta! It’s really really good, especially because I can leave it al dente. So, I always say when in doubt, you can go with a jar of Rao’s Homemade pasta sauce and mix it in with a little al dente pasta…you’ll have a full meal and its’ amazing. You know what you can do with the leftovers the next morning… you fry them with a little olive oil and hot pepper and on a Monday, now that’s a great meal. It’s like fried pasta with a little red hot pepper and olive oil at the bottom of the pan. It’s really, really good.”
And, since Melissa appreciates that looking good at the table is just as important as the delicious meal served, I had to ask for some fashion advice. What did she recommend so that I would not make a fashion faux pas in the kitchen.
“Wear black! Always wear black when you cook! And change your shirt after. Especially when you’re dealing with red sauce, just wear black until it’s over. I always grab a black t-shirt because at least if you get a little oil in there it’ll disappear.”
It is time to put on that black shirt, grab a jar of Rao’s Homemade Sauce and get cooking. A little simmer in the kitchen satisfies in the most flavorful way.