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In this special holiday episode, Michael Franzese trades the street for the kitchen to share his personal recipes for the perfect holiday side dishes: Homemade Stuffing (without the bird!) and Italian Stuffed Peppers.
While cooking, Michael opens up the Q&A to answer your burning questions about food culture in the Mafia. He tells the story of the most expensive meal he ever paid for (a $15,000 tab for Fat Tony Salerno and Tom DiBella), discusses the reality of “sit-downs” over dinner, and reveals the one food he refuses to eat today.
Ex-Mob Boss Cooks Mafia Style Holiday Stuffing (Christmas Special)
0:00 – Introduction
3:17 – The “Turkey Leg” Soup Hack
6:30 – Why you need lots of butter
7:40 – My Life Story: From Pre-Med to Mob Captain
13:50 – Franzese Wine: The Noah’s Ark Connection
21:58 – The $15,000 Dinner Tab (Fat Tony Salerno)
23:55 – Recipe: Stuffed Peppers (Rice & Mutti Tomatoes)
29:25 – “Last Supper” Moments: Did I fear for my life?
34:03 – Hollywood vs. Reality: How mobsters actually eat
35:15 – Knowing a guy wasn’t going to make it (Roy DeMeo)
38:22 – Loyalty: Did I betray my oath?
41:49 – How my dad lived to 103 (His Secret)
43:53 – First meal after 3 years in solitary confinement
46:50 – The difference between Killers and Pastors
48:55 – The one food I refuse to eat
52:30 – The dangerous lie young men believe today
57:05 – The worst advice my father gave me
58:51 – Do I miss the guys from the old life?
1:02:01 – What I’d do if my son wanted to join the mob
1:03:19 – Do I miss the power?
1:05:10 – Famous people who secretly reach out to me
1:08:15 – The Dish That Gets You Killed
1:08:32 – My wish for 2026: Leadership & Unity
1:14:34 – The Taste Test: Stuffing & Peppers
1:16:34 – Conclusion
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45 Comments
I do want to say something that I have said all my life.. re: Connected people?? From experience? I have had some family and friends betray me: but? As a real estate Broker: doing just business? And also as a kid helping in Newark, Paterson? Ny? I never was betrayed.. nor if I did a professional career: held up and owed nor owned! I told people when people hurt me? I never, ever was betrayed by connected people. ( no nicky and I knew them too. ) Just my experience and mist have passed. Other stuff? I never judged because I am not God. This is why this is one of my favorite podcasts. And many are not alive that I can tawk to. So? As a woman of God? I must say: great: give us recipes!! ❤
** sorry, typing fast so excuse misspelling but u get my gist…
Hey Michael. Merry Christmas/ New year. What is your advice for a 14 year old who on one hand wants to be a cop and on the other hand really likes true crime/horror?😅 (not me)
Darn right back East is different: and my great friends since 17?? To this day make: Xmas eve..) an acquired taste w/anchovies: forgive me if I misspell again Alio oi.. did u guys make that? Ok. Enuf said…. Happy Holidays, all. And family and close friends are really everything… Yup. They r God’s gift
In all of God’s world:: Loyalty is the highest spiritual law: To God… to family.. to friends. To humanity..
My father use too put celery and sausage in the stuffing
Hello Michael wowww what a chef you are it looks delicious happy holidays to you and your family and friends I really enjoyed the video
What's a good wine to marinade brisket & is there a a faster way to make pasta fusili
You led a very interesting life, but I'm so glad you are saved! Praise Jesus!!❤
I wish you would sell or promote an authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil!
When I lived in Queens, NY, I used to see him in local cafes and nightclubs. He was always well spoken and well dressed. But he did dress a bit preppy with his scarves and sweaters.
Don Michael respect to you and your family 🇮🇹 🇲🇽
you were simply protected by the fbi . not the cia because they are corrupt we know that now . regardless , you and your family have found each other after all this . and that is the most important thing
Too funny about cod liver oil. I had to take that every day, and it was horrible.!!! Ugh I’m with you about rice, love it. Enjoying your vlogs.❤
This man is great what a blessing sir to here your story’s and understanding what and where u came from and the dish ur makeing in my language we call them sodmay bell peppers cut the top open and cut up some pork and oins and big pot lots of tomatoes pests all most like a Stu and at the end add the rice of course and stuffed peppers 🫑 and some times we make them with cabbage after boileing lay it out like pice of payper and add the filling and I can’t tell u how great that dish is sir I like u is why I’m cheering this with u I’m a gypsy ya there’s bad as well as good that’s with all people in life god bless.
Need a wooden spoon
Thanks for another entertaining video Michael…and love the background music. But I have to pushback on a few things. NEVER microwave bell peppers, they can be softened by steaming, NEVER buy pre-chopped veggies as they oxidize and lose taste, texture, and nutritional content. And why not use a pepper grinder with quality peppercorns for a much better fresher taste?
EDDIE
Love and Marriage" meaning and origin
I really enjoyed this video. I found it strangely relaxing, lol. I hope you do more cooking videos like this. 🙂
Have you thought about having your recipes in book form.?
Listening and watching you makes me remember so many things about my upbringing in NY. My father was from Italy. He was oldest of nine so he lived with grandparents in Capri. He came here when he was 26 and didn’t speak English. My grandparents were from southern Italy too. We ate Sunday meal for hours and my grandfather and grandmother cooked. There’s one thing that my dad never spoke about and that was the mafia though he did have friends but he was really adamant because he did see a lot of bad things. I’m sure. But I just wanted to thank you for bringing me back to New York, which will always be my home . Miss it allot. Thank you . This was a pleasure . Wishing you a Happy New Year.
Great one.. Merry Christmas Michael.
😂😂 i cant believe how much of a natural you are at this. Props on this channel Michael.
Sonny coming down here for stone crabs is a great tidbit. Cant beat em with that joe's mustard
Michael! Just bought some wine! I’m watching you make you stuffing. I notice you use pepper out of a container. Have you ever tried fresh cracked pepper? I’m sure you have but if you haven’t, you’ll never go back. Deana Ballard Salem Oregon
Just placed an order. Appreciate your care in each autograph. Stand up guy
Love all your pod casts. Respect you greatly
http://youtube.com/post/UgkxLzgbp77vS1c1_F0bMe5htP-Pa22l_Z2T?si=xiihhD-APpm-_xVk
Hey michael idk if youll read this but quick question, you got kids, you probably know about video games like gta.
do you believe what most parents believe that violent games make your kids violent? e.g "dont play gta youll become a mafia boss irl" bruh lol
like… it may be semi-true your patience may be low. you may get violent sometimes. but in gta you're a criminal mastermind some even Roleplay as mafia people.. those same people couldnt handle that kind of life irl lol
Socialism is very appealing to anyone who can't afford to live, which is a majority of Americans today. Your points about Freedom apply to Fascism(Which is the more powerful ideology in America at the moment) too. Otherwise, this was a pleasant video.
Michael I love the format of you cooking along with the question/answer session. God Bless from Tennessee
In Germany we say " Ach komm noch ne Flocke Butter " XD
I just wanted to say that I find your story and experiences absolutely fascinating. I’m not exactly a fan, but I have a huge interest in the topic. It’s incredibly captivating, of course also brutal and shocking, and I don’t want to sugarcoat that. At the same time, it’s fascinating and paradoxical that I’m right now watching a cooking tutorial from a former Mafia boss. I’m writing from Germany and it would be amazing if you ever did a lecture or event here. I actually bought a bottle of your wine for my mother, and she really liked it.
You still haven't watched Gomorra 🤷🏻♂️
Molto apprezzato Capo Michael il nostro caro amico
🦋🌼LORD JESUS I’m trying to balance everything on my own, as a single mother but Lord I’m failing miserably. My health is not great I suffer from lupus and heart disease and I’m overwhelmed because both of my sons have special needs I constantly struggle to provide the basic necessities for them. Lord give me strength as I struggle to provide the daily necessities like food, shelter, and clothing for my sons.❤️
Pineapple on pepperoni all the way
IN 1989 SOVIET DANCERS GAVE A PERFORMANCE IN AN OUTDOOR THEATER IN GREECE. YOU COULD SENSE THEIR FEAR WHEN THEY SAID THEY DID NOT WANT ANYONE TO TAKE PICTURES OF THEM.THE PRETEXT WAS THAT THEY DID NOT WANT THEIR MAKEUP TO MELT. THEY WERE MANY METERS AWAY FROM THE AUDIENCE . OBVIOUSLY THEY WERE AFRAID OF THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.THEY WERE AFRAID OF LOSING THEIR FREEDOM ARBITRARILY.
Yoir making me humgry i would have to.practice the fruit of self comtrol around your house lol
It is awesome how you speak about Christ. 💪✝️
Did you pay with credit card or cash
That's true men been imasculated
Expertise in other areas ! Sooo funny MISTER !
Michael, I just found your videos! I love James Gandolfini and the Sopranos. A video of yours popped up while I was watching those videos. I am hooked! I love your videos on the bosses of the mob. I would really LOVE seeing videos on your dad and you! I loved the interview with Pablo Escobars son! I was so interested in Pablo for a while! Part of him was like Robin Hood. I thought it was sad when he got killed. You said you travel speaking. It would be awesome if you came to East Tennessee! Knoxville or Oak Ridge would be great! Well, back to watching more of your videos! Thank you and God bless you!