Has cooking ever saved a life? It definitely rescued Steve Martorano from the streets of South Philadelphia, and an almost certain end in jail or worse. Raised on Grams meatballs and Moms macaroni, Martorano learned at an early age that fullflavored food made with loving hands was the only food worth eating. And, by the way, thats macaroni and gravy, not pasta and sauce, cuz. Thats just the way it is in Martoranos world.When it seemed like the only future for a kid from the neighborhood was to drive a truck or join the mob, it was this passion for food that inspired Martorano to reach for more and start his first restaurantselling homemade sandwiches he prepared in his mothers basement. These sandwiches, served up with a side of Steves personality, turned out to be the recipe for success and started Martorano in the restaurant business.Eighteen years after opening the incredibly popular Cafe Martorano in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Martorano now runs a total of four successful restaurants in Florida and Las Vegas, and has built a devoted and evergrowing clienteleincluding a bevy of celebritieswho are more than willing to wait hours for a table. In this personal, funny, delectable cookbook, the selfproclaimed heavyweight champ of ItalianAmerican cooking offers us a wide range of the dishes that have made his restaurants so popular. Among the books seventyeight recipes, youll find triedandtrue favorites like Martorano Meatballs, Fresh Mozzarella, Stuffed Hot Peppers, and Fried Galamad Red (known as calamari outside Philly), as well as newer fare like Grilled Octopus, Rice Balls, and Sunday Pork Gravy with Rigatoni (featuring braised pigs feet). And dont worryMartorano doesnt skip the cocktails or dessert! Expect to indulge in Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Zabaglione, Cannoli Cream, Tuscan Lemonade, and Sicilian Mules. Steve Martoranos It Aint Sauce, Its Gravy delivers all the staples of delicious neighborhoodstyle comfort food, served up in the authors oneofakind, deliciously funloving style.