Conversation with a chef: Peppi's Pizzeria

Name: Imnacolata and Peppi Di Lena. Imnacolata is the chef and Peppi is in charge of the pizza.

Hometown: Taranto, Italy. It is located in the boot.

When did you come to Naples? We have been here for 10 years. I made pizza on the East Trail for two years and eight years ago we opened Peppi's. This year our son, Piero, opened the cafe next door. He serves coffees, wines, gelato and wonderful Italian desserts and pastries — tiramisu, biscotti and more. Our daughter Michela also works with us. We are a real family restaurant with family recipes.

Do you cook at home? No, we are always here so we eat here.

What gives you the most satisfaction? Doing everything by hand. We make everything from scratch so it is always fresh and delicious. Also getting compliments about our food from customers.

What is your most popular dish? Besides my crisp thin pizza, I would have to say our lasagna ties with our meatballs and spaghetti. But we will make anything that our customers request.

Who would you like to cook for? Elvis Presley. I would serve him rock 'n roll spaghetti.

Photo by DAVID AHNTHOLZ, Daily News

Imnacolata and Peppi Di Lena from Peppi's Pizzeria.

What is your favorite meal? Spaghetti with fresh tomatoes.

What is the most essential kitchen? Your hands. You do everything with your hands and they are always available.

Peppi and Imnacolata gave us this recipe for marinara sauce. They make everything in large batches, so we did our best to figure out how to make it for approximately 6-8 portions.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 medium onions-chopped

3 cloves fresh garlic-minced

two pounds fresh vine ripened tomatoes (wash and peel tomatoes and put in food processor)

4 basil leaves-torn

1 teaspoon salt

half teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper

half cup red wine

Preparation

Heat oil in a large pot

Add onion and garlic and heat until soft (approximately six minutes)

Add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper and simmer approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Add wine and simmer for another 20 minutes.

Take off stove and serve over pasta.

Peppi's Pizzeria is located in the Park Shore Plaza at 4111 U.S. 41 N., Naples, 659-0280