by Natalie Schweiger

Strolling down the sidewalk and soaking up the gorgeous fall weather, I’m taken back to my time spent in Italy this past summer — particularly afternoons when I enjoyed a lemon soda with soup and salad or tomato bruschetta with chicken parmesan.

Fortunately, I don’t have to cross the ocean to find such appetizing cuisine. Frederico’s Restaurant in Waterloo, known for its Mediterranean style pasta and seafood, has a menu filled with selections to satisfy anyone with a taste for Italian.

One such dish is the Chicken Spedini. Starting with two seasoned chicken breasts, the spedini is carefully stuffed with a puree of prosciutto, mushrooms, onions, garlic and mozzarella cheese. It is then sautéed in white wine and olive oil, resulting in a beautifully golden chicken breast. The crust is crisp on the outside, and the meat is deliciously tender. The juices from the puree soak into the chicken, locking in all seasonings, so no bite lacks flavor.

The entrée is served aside angel hair pasta and coated with a marinade of capers, parsley, onion, basil and red pepper. All sautéed in olive oil and a special season blend. Not only is this pleasing to the taste, but the marinade garnishes the spedini with color, adding to customer appeal.

Every chef and culinarian knows a key to a good meal is fresh food prepared correctly. At Frederico’s Restaurant, Freddy expects nothing less of his ingredients — proving to anyone that you don’t need to travel to Italy for a dish that is delizioso!

Frederico’s Restaurant is located at 1551 North Illinois State Route 3 in Waterloo. For more information, call 939-9909.