Can’t imagine eating one more boring turkey sandwich? Extra roast turkey and the leftover side dishes make quick and thrifty dinners It’s important to remember that any food that you don’t intend to eat within a few days after Thanksgiving should be frozen. Food-borne illnesses don’t take a vacation over the holidays and food safety is just as important now as it is during any other time of the year. Take your time around the dinner table, but start packing up and refrigerating the leftovers within 2 hours of dinner. It may be tempting to keep any leftover sweet potatoes or green beans in the half-empty serving dish and just cover it with plastic wrap, but it’s best to put everything in a clean, smaller container. It will also save space in the refrigerator. Storing tips:
- Refrigerate leftover Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, gravy and other cooked side dishes. It’s okay to place warm food in the refrigerator.
- Carve leftover turkey meat off the bones before refrigerating. Place the leftover turkey and stuffing in separate containers.
- Divide leftover turkey and other cooked dishes into smaller portions and refrigerate or freeze in covered shallow containers for quicker cooling.
- Pack side dishes like stuffing and mashed potatoes into airtight freezer containers or plastic freezer bags.
- Slice the meat from the turkey and wrap it in freezer paper or foil, then seal in plastic freezer bags (make sure to press out all the air before sealing).
- Liquids, like soup or gravy, will expand slightly as they freeze, so leave a little space at the top of the container. It’s fine to keep leftovers in the refrigerator for a few days before deciding to freeze them, but to preserve their freshness, the sooner they go in the freezer the better.
- Cool in the refrigeraor for a few hours before moving it to the freezer and avoid stacking the containers until they’re frozen solid.
- Don’t forget to label and date your leftovers. Everything will look the same once it’s wrapped.
|
STORAGE TIME
|
||||
|
Item
|
Refrigerator
|
Freezer
|
Tips
|
|
| • Turkey — whole, cooked |
3-4 days
|
2-3 months
|
Cut whole bird into smaller pieces before refrigerating. Use carcus for soup.
|
|
| • Gravy — homemade |
1-2 days
|
2-3 months
|
Bring leftover gravy to a full boil before using.
|
|
| • Cranberry sauce |
10-14 days
|
1-2 months
|
Store leftovers in covered plastic or glass container.
|
|
| • Stuffing — cooked |
3-4 days
|
1 month
|
Remove stuffing from turkey before refrigerating.
|
|
| • Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes; green bean casserole |
3-5 days
|
10-12 months
|
Mashed potatoes freeze well; whole baked potatoes don’t.
|
|
| • Pumpkin pie — baked |
3-4 days
|
1-2 months
|
Keep refrigerated. Texture may change after freezing, but taste shouldn’t be affected. | |
| • Apple pie — baked |
2-3 days
|
1-2 months
|
To freeze, wrap pie tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place in heavy-duty freezer bag. | |
| • Wine, red or white — opened bottle |
3-5 days
|
1-2 months
|
Freeze leftover wine for use in cooked dishes such as sauces and stews. | |
| • Bread |
2-3 months
|
Refrigerator storage is not recommended, as bread will quickly dry out and become stale — for longer-term storage, freeze bread instead. | ||
Try these easy ideas to turn your leftovers into tasty new meals.
Turkey Tortellini Soup
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups coarsely chopped roasted turkey
- 1 – 14 1/2 ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
- One 9-ounce package refrigerated cheese tortellini
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 6 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
With A Slow Cooker
In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker combine broth, the water, chopped turkey, tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours. If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. Stir in tortellini. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more or until tortellini is tender. Stir in spinach. If desired, sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese.
Without A Slow Cooker
Combine broth and water in a soup pot and bring to a boil. Add tortellini and return to a boil. Cook about 5 minutes. Lower heat and stir in turkey, tomatoes, seasoning and spinach. Simmer about 10 minutes. Garnish each serving with cheese.
Leftover Stuffing Cakes
- 2 cups leftover Thanksgiving stuffing
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon butter
Directions In a large bowl, stir stuffing and egg together until blended. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Shape 1/2 cup stuffing mixture into a ball, then flatten into a 3-inch patty. Repeat with remaining mixture. Place patties in the skillet and cook about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and heated through. Serve with Ranch dressing, if desired.
Turkey and Wild Rice Pilaf
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/3 cup wild rice, rinsed and drained
- 1-14 1/2 ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup long grain rice
- 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
- 8 ounces cooked turkey, cubed
- 2 medium red-skinned apples, chopped
- 2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
- Butterhead (Boston or Bibb) lettuce leaves
Directions In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook about 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add uncooked wild rice; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add broth. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in uncooked long grain rice. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes more or until wild rice and long grain rice are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, adding carrot for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Stir in turkey breast and apple. Cook, uncovered, for 3 to 4 minutes more or until heated through. Stir in parsley. Line serving plates with lettuce leaves; spoon turkey mixture onto lettuce.
Butternut Squash Hash with Leeks and Turkey
- 2 medium leeks, dark green parts removed, remaining light green and white parts cleaned and thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups). Reserve a few sliced pieces of leek for garnish.
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, divided
- 3 cups leftover butternut or acorn squash, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- 8 ounces chopped cooked turkey (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Poached or Fried Eggs
Directions Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add leeks and cook about 3 minutes or until beginning to brown and stick to the pan, stirring frequently. Stir in 1/2 cup broth and continue to cook 3 minutes longer or until leeks are tender and softened. Add squash, crushed red pepper and remaining broth, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in chopped turkey and Italian seasoning; cook 5 minutes longer or until squash and turkey are heated through. Remove from heat and stir in parsley. Place poached eggs on top of hash and garnish with reserved leeks.
Sage and Cream Turkey Fettuccine
- 3 ounces dried spinach or plain fettuccine
- 1/3 cup light dairy sour cream
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon snipped fresh sage or 1/2 teaspoon dried sage, crushed
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 ounces leftover cooked turkey breast, cut into bite-size strips
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Directions Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together sour cream and flour until smooth. Gradually stir in broth until smooth. Stir in snipped or dried sage and pepper; set aside. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in an 8-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, green onions and garlic to hot skillet. Cook and stir about 3 minutes. Stir in turkey and mix well. Stir sour cream mixture into turkey mixture in skillet. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Serve turkey mixture over hot cooked pasta. 
Related articles
- What To Do With Leftover Turkey? (mix965houston.cbslocal.com)
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/04/02/making-use-of-holiday-leftovers/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/01/02/what-should-i-do-with-the-leftovers/
AUTUMN ELEGY by Leonid Afremov
Does autumn find you missing summer’s sweet corn and juicy peaches? Nature has shifted gears. Hardy and slow-growing fall crops have come into their own. Some of these foods are grown from coast to coast; others are more regional.
Apples
There’s certainly an apple variety for every need, from snacks to stuffing. Some of the best-known and easiest to find are multitaskers, good for both eating and baking. These include Rome, McIntosh and Golden Delicious.
Pears
Anjou, Bartlett or Bosc, ranging from deep red to pale green to golden in color, are produce-department staples. Their firm texture is equally suited for eating fresh or cooked.
Grapes
Grapes fall into three main color types: red, green (also called white) and black (or blue-black). Each group includes seeded and seedless varieties, but the latter are most often found in supermarkets.
Citrus Fruits
Whether sectioned, sliced, juiced or zested, these fruits are a kitchen staple. Choose firm fruits that have smooth skins and are not moldy. Don’t worry about brown patches on the skin; this does not indicate poor quality.
Leafy Greens
Some leafy greens cope with cold weather better than most people do. Temperatures near freezing slow plant metabolism. Using fewer carbohydrates — that is, sugar — for maintenance, results in sweeter leaves in the cold weather.
- Spinach
- Chard
- Collards
Leafy greens should be crisp and fresh-looking. Avoid those with brown speckles, large, tough stems and wilted edges. Collards absolutely must be cooked, but other greens can be eaten fresh in salads, quick sautéed as a side dish or simmered in soups. Cook chard stems separately from the leaves, as stems are more fibrous and take longer. Greens will keep refrigerated in a plastic bag, damp-dry, for three to five days. Wash them very well just before using.
Parsnips
Pale yellow and slightly bumpy, the parsnip resembles a large carrot. Compared to carrots, parsnips are less sweet and more nutty. They respond well to the same culinary treatments (except being eaten raw). As a side dish, parsnips take well to roasting and also hold their own in baked casseroles and slow-cooked stews.
Potatoes
Of the thousands of potato varieties known, only a few varieties have gone mainstream. Fall is the ideal time to try some lesser-known varieties in your market.
Sweet Potatoes
Look for sweet potatoes that feel solid and nick free. For cooking success, try to pick those that are uniform in shape, since fat bodies with tapered ends can lead to overcooked ends and semi-raw centers.
Winter Squash
With so many different shapes and sizes and colors, fall is definitely the time to cook with squash. The varieties described below barely scratch the surface:
- Acorn can be small, round and ridged and they might have variegated orange and green skin; its deep orange flesh is sweeter than pumpkin.
- Butternut is typically long-necked and pot-bellied with creamy beige skin. The orange flesh is mildly sweet and slightly nutty.
- Spaghetti – when baked and scraped out with a fork, the flesh forms golden strands that look like spaghetti and taste like zucchini.
- Sweet dumpling has yellow flesh that looks and tastes something like sweet corn.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Consider some of these diverse examples:
- Round-headed cabbage has flat leaves of pale green or reddish-purple; Savoy cabbage has frilled leaves.
- Cauliflower has stalks that are topped with bunches of florets.
- Turnips, a rounded, cream-colored root, are most flavorful in autumn.
- Rutabagas, a round root with pale orange flesh, is thought to be a cross between a turnip and wild cabbage.
Cruciferous vegetables have assertive flavors and can take strong seasonings. Cabbage pairs well with vinegar. The sweeter rutabaga can be spiced with cloves. Try turnips with garlic and onions. These veggies have a reputation as being smelly when cooked. Actually, it’s overcooking that releases their unpleasant aroma. If steamed or braised until just fork-tender, not limp, they actually smell lightly sweet.
Here are some healthy fall family recipes that make use of some these seasonal foods:
Italian Cabbage and Bean Soup
Serves 8
Ingredients
- Two 19 ounce cans cannellini beans ( or 5 cups home cooked) divided
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cups green cabbage, (1/2 medium head)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced, plus 1 clove garlic, halved
- 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Thick slices day-old Italian country bread
- 1 cup grated mozzarella or Italian fontina cheese
Directions
Mash 1 1/2 cups beans with a fork and set aside. Thinly slice cabbage.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven or soup pot. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add cabbage and minced garlic; cook, stirring often, until the cabbage has wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Add broth, mashed beans and whole beans; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover and simmer until the cabbage is tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Shortly before the soup is ready, toast bread lightly and rub with the cut side of the halved garlic. Place bread in a soup bowl. Ladle soup over the bread and sprinkle with cheese. Drizzle a little oil over each serving.
Frittata with Chard and Feta Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups swiss chard, washed and stems removed
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 large eggs
- 6 large egg whites (or egg substitute)
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 teaspoons fresh chopped oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 6 small potatoes, cooked and halved
Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in an 8″ or 10″ ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chard and season with salt and pepper. Toss quickly until leaves are wilted. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.
Whisk the eggs, egg whites, cheese, oregano, salt and pepper together in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Turn the heat to low and add the chard and halved potatoes (cut side down).
Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables in the skillet (do not stir) and cook over low heat until the eggs are set, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Place the skillet under the broiler for 30 to 45 seconds to finish cooking the top of the frittata. Serve with a tomato salad.
Baked Stuffed Acorn Squash
Servings: 6
- 3 acorn squash, halved and seeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground turkey breast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place squash halves cut side down in baking pans. Fill pans with about 1/2 inch water. Bake squash 40 minutes or until tender.
While squash bakes, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the onions and celery and cook until tender. Stir in the ground turkey, garlic powder and dried herbs. Cook and stir until evenly brown.
Remove squash from the oven and carefully scrape the pulp from the rinds. Set rinds aside on a baking sheet. Place the pulp in a bowl and mash with a potato masher. Mix in the cooked turkey mixture, egg, bread crumbs, parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
Fill the reserved rinds with the stuffing mixture and bake 25 minutes or until heated through.
Citrus Fish Fillets
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 8 ounces white fish fillets, such as tilapia, flounder, halibut, etc.
- 1 medium orange, peeled, sectioned and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 cup peeled, diced mango or pears or apples
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped green or red bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2-1 fresh hot chile pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
In a small bowl combine orange pieces, mango, the 3 tablespoons orange juice, the bell pepper, the parsley and the chile pepper. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
In a medium shallow nonmetal bowl stir together the 1/2 cup orange juice, the oil and cayenne pepper. Place fish in the bowl; turn to coat well. Marinate fish in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Drain fish, discarding marinade.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place fish in a small baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Bake about 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Top fish with the fruit sauce and serve. This entre goes well with brown rice.
Lasagna with Spinach Ricotta
Ingredients
- 1 box no boil lasagna or homemade fresh noodles or 1 pound regular, boiled
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- Two 10-ounce packages of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 pounds Ricotta cheese
- 3 cups lowfat milk gently warmed
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese grated and divided
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 375˚F.
In a large skillet saute the onion in olive oil over moderate heat for 4-5 minutes. Add spinach and season with salt and pepper; sauté for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and cool.
Ricotta mixture: Combine ricotta and 3/4 cups Parmigiano Reggiano cheese; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cooled spinach mixture.
Prepare béchamel sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour, continuously stirring, cook for 2-3 minutes
Add warm milk slowly, whisking well, so that there are no lumps. Season with salt and pepper. When the sauce comes up to barely a boil, reduce heat and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Coat a 13” x 9” lasagna dish with cooking spray and spread 1/2 cup of béchamel sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
Top with 4 lasagna noodles, 1 cup ricotta mixture and a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Continue the same procedure for 3 more layers.
Spread remaining béchamel and ricotta mixture on the top layer of noodles and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly on top. Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting the lasagna.
Related articles
- Sweet potato veggie burritos (thesemivegetarian.wordpress.com)
- Meatless Monday: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Red Onions with Feta (blogher.com)
- 5 Reasons Leafy Greens Beat Milk for Bone Health (eatdrinkbetter.com)
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/10/29/fall-vegetable-pastas/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/09/21/try-something-different-in-your-fall-salad/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/09/17/healthy-soups-for-fall-days/
- Sweet Potato & Parsnip Mash (delicious2013.wordpress.com)
- Winter Seasonal Foods (whenyoujustknow.wordpress.com)
- Leek, Potato and Parsnip Soup Recipe (lifeinastudiokitchen.wordpress.com)
Renaissance Italians dined on mixtures of beef, raisins and spices baked in a crust. Sixteenth-century Brits created the first fruit “pasties,” that found their way to America when settlers brought their recipes to the colonies. By the time the Pennsylvania Dutch perfected the art in the early 18th century, pies had become an American tradition.
A homemade pie has become the mark of a great baker and a popular dessert for the end of a meal. Yet, pie baking does not need to be intimidating. The secret is in fresh, seasonal ingredients and in following a few simple tips:
First, start with a reduced-fat crust to trim calories and fat.
Fill the crust with an assortment of healthy fruits: apples, pears, figs and cranberries and heart-healthy nuts.
Sweeten the mix with honey, date sugar, maple syrup or unrefined cane sugar instead of empty-calorie white sugar.
Top off your creation with low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Easy, You-Can-Do-It Pie Crust
This easy crust with only four ingredients stirs together in minutes and it rolls out perfectly every time. That’s because it’s made with oil instead of butter—also reducing the saturated fat content. This recipe makes one pie shell; double the recipe, if you need both a bottom and a top crust.
1. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
2. In a glass measuring cup, combine 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon canola oil and 2 1/2 tablespoons ice water. Whisk them together until creamy. Immediately pour all at once into the flour and toss with a fork. Form into a ball. Dough will be moist.
3. Wipe your counter with a wet cloth and place a 12-inch square of waxed paper on top. (The wetness keeps the paper from sliding around.) Place the dough ball on top and cover with a second 12-inch piece of waxed paper. Roll out the dough between the waxed papers into a circle slightly bigger than your pie plate.
4. Remove the top sheet of waxed paper and invert dough over the pie pan; peel off the bottom paper. If you’re pre-baking the crust, prick the entire surface with a fork.
If you’ve doubled the recipe and are rolling out a second crust for the top of the pie, use new sheets of waxed paper.
Proceed with the rest of your pie recipe.
Gluten Free All Nut Crumb Crust
Makes one 9-inch pie shell
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups finely ground blanched almonds or walnuts or pecans or hazelnuts
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or sweetener of choice
- 1/4 cup melted butter or butter alternative
Directions
Thoroughly mix together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Using fingers, press dough into a 9-inch pie plate, evenly pressing up the sides. Place the pie plate on a cookie sheet (helps to keep the bottom from burning)
For pies that call for a pre-baked shell, bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool and then fill with desired pie filling.
For baking pies directly in this crust, keep oven temperatures down to 325 to 350°F to prevent burning and adjust cooking times as needed.
Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients
1 pre-baked nut pie crust, recipe above
Filling
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
- 2 ½ teaspoons gluten-free pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Directions
Follow instructions above for making the gluten free prebaked nut crust.
Mix together all the filling ingredients.
Pour the filling into the pre-baked crust. Keep the pie on a cookie sheet and bake for 50 minutes. The center of the pie should be fairly firm and only jiggle a tiny bit if you shake the pan.
Let the pie cool completely before cutting it.
Apple-Cranberry Pie
Ingredients
- 2 pounds peeled baking apples, cored and cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
- 2 Easy, You Can Do It Pie Crusts, unbaked (recipe above)
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl combine apple slices, brown sugar, cranberries and lemon juice. Toss to blend. Stir in 2 tablespoons flour. Let rest while you prepare the pastry.
Follow directions for making the Easy Pie Crust recipe at the top of this post. Using wax paper roll out one pastry disk to make a 12-inch round. Fit into a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate, leaving an overhang. Spoon apple mixture into shell. Top with the diced butter.
Roll the second pastry into a thin, 10-inch round and, with a fluted pastry wheel, cut into 1-inch-wide strips. Carefully weave dough strips in a lattice pattern over the pie.
Bring dough overhang from bottom pastry up over the lattice edges and crimp decoratively. Brush top with milk and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
Bake pie in the middle of the oven on a cookie sheet for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly. Cool on a rack and serve warm.
Pear Pie with Crumb Topping
Ingredients
Pie Filling
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (1-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
- 2 teaspoons orange juice
- 6 peeled Anjou pears, cored and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 3 pounds)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 Easy, You Can Do It Pie Crust, unbaked (recipe above)
Crumb Topping
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
Position oven rack in the lowest third of the oven. Preheat oven to 375°F.
To prepare pie filling:
Combine 1 cup water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Add cranberries, fresh ginger slices and orange zest; return to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes. Remove the pan from heat; discard ginger slices. Cool.
Combine orange juice and pears in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Combine flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to pear mixture; toss to coat. Stir in cooled cranberry mixture.
Follow directions for making the Easy Pie Crust recipe at the top of this post. Using wax paper roll out one pastry disk to make an 11-inch round. Fit into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Fold edges under and flute. Spoon pear mixture into prepared crust.
To prepare topping:
Combine butter and orange juice in a bowl, stirring well. Add flour, oats and remaining ingredients; toss. Sprinkle oat mixture over pear mixture. Place pie plate on a baking sheet.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until browned. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour.
Buttermilk Pie
Ingredients
1 Easy, You Can Do It Pie Crust, unbaked (recipe above)
Filling
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Ground nutmeg
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Follow directions for making the Easy Pie Crust recipe at the top of this post. Using wax paper roll out one pastry disk to make a 11-inch round. Fit into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Fold edges under and flute. Place pie plate on a baking sheet.
To make filling:
Whisk together 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk together eggs in another bowl until frothy. Whisk in buttermilk and vanilla. Gradually whisk the liquids into the dry ingredients. Pour into the crust and grate nutmeg over the top.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F and bake 40-45 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes and then in the refrigerator until completely cool, about 2 hours. Serve with fresh seasonal fruit.
Apple-Pear Pie
Ingredients
2 Easy, You Can Do It Pie Crusts, unbaked (recipe above)
Fruit Filling
- 4 large baking apples , peeled, cored and sliced
- 4 large ripe pears, peeled, cored and sliced
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, freshly grated
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut up
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
To make the filling:
In a large bowl, toss together apples, pears, brown sugar, cornstarch, orange zest, and cinnamon until evenly coated. Let filling sit for at least 5 minutes before assembling pie.
For the pastry:
Follow directions for making the Easy Pie Crust recipe at the top of this post. Roll out one pastry disk into an 11-inch round on wax paper, as directed above. Fit into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, leaving an overhang. Spoon apple mixture into shell. Top with the diced butter.
Roll second pastry into a thin, 9-inch round and invert over the filling. Seal and flute the pie edges.
Cover edges of the pie loosely with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 30-35 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
Related articles
- Oatmeal Cookie Pie Crust (greenlivingash.wordpress.com)
- Pear Pie–Luscious and Gluten-free (blogher.com)
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/06/22/how-to-make-healthy-summer-pies/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/07/26/italian-tortasavory-pies/
I can assure you, public service
is a stimulating, proud and lively
enterprise. It is not just a way of
life, it is a way to live fully. Its
greatest attraction is the sheer
challenge of it – struggling to
find solutions to the great issues
of the day. It can fulfill your
highest aspirations. The call to
service is one of the highest
callings you will hear and your
country can make.
Lee H. Hamilton
Chairman of 9/11 Commission
Filippo Mazzei
The words in the Declaration of Independence, “All men are created equal” were suggested to Thomas Jefferson by Filippo Mazzei, a Tuscan physician, business man, pamphleteer and Jefferson’s friend and neighbor. Mazzei’s original words were “All men are by nature equally free and independent.” Philip Mazzei (December 25, 1730-March 19, 1816) was a promoter of liberty and acted as an agent to purchase arms for Virginia during the American Revolutionary War.
Mazzei was born in Poggio a Caiano in Tuscany. He studied medicine in Florence and practiced in Italy and in the Middle East for several years before moving to London in 1755 to take up a mercantile career as an importer. While in London he met the Americans Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Adams of Virginia. They convinced him to undertake his next venture. In 1773 he led a group of Italians, who came to Virginia to introduce the cultivation of vineyards, olives and other Mediterranean fruits. Mazzei became a neighbor and friend of Thomas Jefferson. Mazzei and Jefferson started what became the first commercial vineyard in the Commonwealth of Virginia. They shared an interest in politics and libertarian values and maintained an active correspondence for the rest of Mazzei’s life.
In 1779 Mazzei returned to Italy as a secret agent for the state of Virginia. He purchased and shipped arms to them until 1783. After briefly visiting the United States again in 1785, Mazzei travelled throughout Europe promoting Republican ideals. He wrote a political history of the American Revolution, “Recherches historiques et politiques sur les Etats-Unis de l’Amerique septentrionale” and published it in Paris in 1788. After its publication Mazzei became an unofficial roving ambassador in Europe for American ideas and institutions.
He later spent more time in France, becoming active in the politics of the French Revolution under the Directorate. When Napoleon overthrew that governmen,t Mazzei returned to Pisa, Italy. He died there in 1816. After his death the remainder of his family returned to the United States at the urging of Thomas Jefferson. They settled in Massachusetts and Virginia. Mazzei’s daughter married the nephew of John Adams.
Gemelli with Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower
Serves 4
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 medium head cauliflower, cored and cut into 1” florets
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 oz. dried gemelli pasta or other short pasta
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 1/3 cup fresh bread crumbs, toasted
Directions
Heat the oven to 500° F. Mix together ¼ cup oil, oregano, garlic, cauliflower and salt and pepper in a bowl and spread out evenly on a baking sheet.
Bake until the cauliflower is golden brown and tender, 25–30 minutes.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 13 minutes. Drain.
Toss cauliflower mixture with remaining oil, pasta, almonds, raisins, parsley, lemon juice and zest. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve topped withthe toasted bread crumbs.
John Orlando Pastore
John Orlando Pastore (March 17, 1907 –July 15, 2000) was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a United States Senator from Rhode Island from 1950 to 1976. He previously served as the 61st Governor of Rhode Island from 1945 to 1950. He was the first Italian American to be elected as a governor or as a senator.
John Pastore was born in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. The second of five children and the son of Michele and Erminia (née Asprinio) Pastore, who were Italian immigrants. His father, a tailor, had moved from Potenza to the United States in 1899 and he died when John was nine. His mother went to work as a seamstress to support the family. She married her late husband’s brother, Salvatore, who also ran a tailoring business. As a child, Pastore worked delivering coats and suits for his stepfather, as an errand boy in a law office and as a foot-press operator in a jewelry factory. Pastore graduated with honors from Classical High School in 1925 and earned a Bachelor of Law degree in 1931. He was admitted to the bar the following year and established a law office in the basement of his family’s home, but attracted few clients due to the Great Depression.
In over 50 years in public office, Pastore never lost an election. He began his political career as a state assemblyman in 1934. As governor, he was reelected in 1946 and then again in 1948 by a record 73,000 vote margin over his opponents. As a senator, Pastore served as the chairman of United States Senate Subcommittee on Communications. He is probably best remembered for taking part in a hearing involving a $20 million grant for the funding of PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which was proposed by Former President Lyndon Johnson. The hearing took place on May 1, 1969. President Richard Nixon had wanted to cut the proposed funding to $10 million due to Vietnam War expenses and Fred Rogers, host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, appeared before the committee to argue for the full $20 million. In about six minutes of testimony, Rogers spoke of the need for social and emotional education that Public Television provided. Pastore was not previously familiar with Rogers’ work and was sometimes described as a gruff and impatient man. However, he told Rogers that the testimony had given him goosebumps and after Rogers recited the lyrics to “What Do You Do with the Mad that You Feel?”, one of the songs from his show, Pastore finally declared, “I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s wonderful. Looks like you just earned the $20 million.” The following congressional appropriation, for 1971, increased PBS funding from $9 million to $22 million.
Fiorello Enrico La Guardia
Fiorello Enrico La Guardia (December 11, 1882 – September 20, 1947) was the 99th Mayor of New York City for three terms from 1934 to 1945. Previously he had been elected to Congress in 1916 and 1918 and again from 1922 through 1930. Irascible, energetic and charismatic, he craved publicity and is acclaimed as one of the greatest mayors in American history. Only five feet tall, he was called “the Little Flower” (Fiorello is Italian for “little flower”).
LaGuardia, a Republican, appealed across party lines and was very popular in New York during the 1930s. As a New Dealer, he supported President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat, and in turn Roosevelt heavily funded the city and cut off patronage from LaGuardia’s foes. La Guardia revitalized New York City and restored public faith in City Hall. He unified the transit system, directed the building of low-cost public housing, public playgrounds and parks, constructed airports, reorganized the police force, defeated the powerful Tammany Hall political machine and reestablished merit employment in place of patronage jobs. The former lawyer was a champion of labor unions and campaigned in English, Italian, Yiddish, German and Spanish.
LaGuardia was born in Greenwich Village in New York City to two Italian immigrant parents. His father, Achille La Guardia was from Cerignola and his mother, Irene Coen, was from Trieste. His maternal grandmother, Fiorina Luzzatto Coen, was a member of the prestigious Italian-Jewish family of scholars, kabbalists and poets and had among her ancestors, the famous Rabbi Samuel David Luzzatto. It was in Trieste that Achille La Guardia met and married Irene. The family moved to Arizona, where his Achille had a bandmaster position at Fort Whipple in the U.S. Army. LaGuardia attended public schools and high school in Prescott, Arizona.
After his father was discharged from his bandmaster position in 1898, Fiorello went to live in Trieste, where he joined the State Department and served in U.S. consulates in Budapest, Trieste (Austria-Hungary-now Italy) and Fiume (Austria-Hungary-now Rijeka,Croatia), (1901–1906). He returned to the United States to continue his education at New York University. In 1907–10, he worked for the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, as an interpreter for the U.S. Bureau of Immigration at the Ellis Island immigrant station in New Jersey. He graduated from New York University School of Law in 1910. He was admitted to the bar the same year and began a law practice in New York City.
LaGuardia married twice. His first wife was Thea Almerigotti, whom he married in 1919. In November 1920 they had a daughter, Fioretta Thea, who died May 8, 1921 of spinal meningitis. His wife died of tuberculosis six months later at the age of 26. He married Marie Fisher in 1929 and they adopted two children, Eric Henry and Jean Marie.
Valle D’Aosta’s Traditional Beef Stew
Carbonade is one of the classic Valdostan stews.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds lean beef, cubed
- 2 medium-sized onions
- A bay leaf
- A few cloves
- A pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
- A pinch of powdered cinnamon
- A pinch of sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Beef broth
- 2 cups full bodied dry red wine, ideally from Valle D’Aosta
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper
Directions
Marinate the beef in the wine for 4-6 hours (at the most, overnight), adding the bay leaf and spices to the wine. When it is time to prepare the recipe, remove the meat from the wine with a slotted spoon and pat the pieces dry. Reserve the wine mixture.
Flour the beef and brown the pieces in the butter in a Dutch Oven, taking them out of the pot with a slotted spoon and setting them aside as they brown.
Slice the onions into rounds and brown them in the same pot; add a ladle of broth and simmer until the broth has evaporated. Add the meat, salt to taste and a pinch of sugar.
Then add the reserved wine with the spices, bring it all to a boil, reduce the heat to a slow simmer and cook covered, adding more broth as necessary to keep it from drying out.
After about an hour, grind black pepper over the stew and serve it over polenta or boiled potatoes.
Geraldine Anne Ferraro
Geraldine Anne Ferraro (August 26, 1935 – March 26, 2011) was an American attorney, a Democratic Party politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives. She was the first female vice-presidential candidate, representing a major American political party. She was elected to the House in 1978, where she rose rapidly in the party hierarchy while focusing on legislation to bring equity for women in the areas of wages, pensions and retirement plans. In 1984, former vice-president and presidential candidate, Walter Mondale selected Ferraro to be his running mate in the upcoming election. In doing so, she became the only Italian American to be a major-party national nominee in addition to being the first woman. In the general election, Mondale and Ferraro were defeated in a landslide by incumbent President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H. W. Bush.
Ferraro was born in Newburgh, New York, the daughter of Antonetta L. Ferraro (née Corrieri), a first-generation Italian American seamstress and Dominick Ferraro, an Italian immigrant and owner of two restaurants. She had three brothers born before her, but one died in infancy and another at age three. Her father died of a heart attack in May 1944, when she was eight. Ferraro’s mother soon invested and lost the remainder of the family’s money, forcing the family to move to a low-income area in the South Bronx, while Ferraro’s mother worked in the garment industry to support them.
Ferraro attended Marymount Manhattan College with a scholarship, while sometimes holding two or three jobs at the same time. During her senior year she began dating John Zaccaro, who had graduated from Iona College with a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. Ferraro received a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1956 and she was the first woman in her family to gain a college degree. She also passed the city exam to become a licensed school teacher. Ferraro began working as an elementary school teacher in the public schools in Astoria, Queens
Dissatisfied with teaching, she decided to attend law school and earned a Juris Doctor degree with honors from Fordham University School of Law in 1960 going to classes at night, while continuing to work as a second-grade teacher during the day. Ferraro was one of only two women in her graduating class of 179 and she was admitted to the New York State Bar in March 1961.
Ferraro’s first full-time political job came in January 1974, when she was appointed Assistant District Attorney for Queens County, New York. At the time, women prosecutors in the city were uncommon. The following year, Ferraro was assigned to the new Special Victims Bureau, which prosecuted cases involving rape, child abuse, spouse abuse and domestic violence. She was named head of the unit in 1977 with two other assistant district attorneys assigned to her. In this role she became a strong advocate for abused children. Ferraro found the nature of the cases she dealt with debilitating, grew frustrated that she was unable to deal with the root causes and talked about running for legislative office. Ferraro ran for election to the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 9th Congressional District in Queens in 1978 and captured the election in a contest in which dealing with crime was the major issue.
She became a protégé of House Speaker Tip O’Neill, established a rapport with other House Democratic leaders and rose rapidly in the party hierarchy. She was elected to be the Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus for 1981–1983 and again for 1983–1985. This entitled her to a seat on the influential Steering and Policy Committee and she was named to the powerful House Budget Committee. As Mondale’s vice-presidential candidate, Ferraro was the first woman to run on a major party national ticket in the U.S.and the first Italian American, her nomination at the 1984 Democratic National Convention was one of the most emotional moments of that gathering, with female delegates appearing joyous and proud at the historic occasion. In her acceptance speech, Ferraro said, “The daughter of an immigrant from Italy has been chosen to run for vice-president in the new land my father came to love.” Convention attendees were in tears during the speech, not just for its significance for women, but for all those who had immigrated to America.
Tuna, Pepper and Cannellini Bean Salad
Servings 4
Ingredients
- 5 oz lettuce, shredded
- 5 oz cooked cannellini beans
- 3 ½ oz yellow bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 lb fresh cooked tuna
- 2 tomatoes, cut in eighths
- Half a red onion, sliced thin
- Juice of one lemon
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
Arrange the cannelloni beans on the bed of lettuce. Next, add the tuna broken up into small pieces. Add the tomatoes, peppers and onion.
Mix together the salad ingredients with a dressing made from whisking together the lemon juice, oil, a pinch of salt and a grinding of black pepper.
Anthony Joseph Celebrezze
Like many of his generation, Celebrezze did odd jobs as a youngster, shining shoes and selling newspapers. He attended Cleveland Public Schools, graduating from Central High School and Fenn College (later renamed Cleveland State University). He graduated from John Carroll University in 1934, during which time he worked as a railroad laborer and freight truck driver, as well as a boxer to pay his way. He later attended Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, where he received a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) in 1936. Celebrezze began working for the Ohio Unemployment Commission and in 1938 he passed the bar and entered the general practice of law. That same year, he married Anne M. Marco, a teacher in the Cleveland Public School system. With the on-set of World War II, Celebrezze enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon his discharge at the end of the war, he returned to private practice.
In 1950, Celebrezze ran for a seat in the Ohio State Senate and won. He served as an Ohio state senator from 1951 to 1953. In 1952, when Celebrezze sought re-election to the state senate, he ran into trouble when he crossed the Democratic party chairman Ray T. Miller, by supporting fellow Italian American Michael DiSalle for the U.S. Senate instead of James M. Carney. Celebrezze was, nevertheless, renominated by his party and won the general election. Ironically, he would face off against DiSalle six years later in his bid for the statehouse. In 1952, after continuing battles with the Democratic leadership in the Senate, Celebrezze resigned to run for Mayor of Cleveland. Celebrezze was the first foreign-born mayor and was elected an unprecedented five two-year terms as mayor, from 1953 to 1962. Celebrezze drove efforts to upgrade the city’s infrastructure, a massive $140 million urban-renewal program. Major portions of the rapid-transit system were constructed during this time, most notably the Red Line, which connected much of the city to the existing Blue and Green Lines. There was also extensive work done on the city’s freeway system, the Port of Cleveland and Burke Lakefront Airport. In 1961, President John Kennedy offered Celebrezze a lifetime appointment to a federal judgeship. Celebrezze turned it down to run for a record breaking fifth consecutive term as mayor, which he won by an unprecedented 73.8 percent, sweeping every one of the city’s thirty-three wards. During this period, Kennedy appointed him to the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and the Commission on the Status of Women. In 1962, he also was named the president of the U.S. Conferences of Mayors. In 1962, President Kennedy returned with an offer of a cabinet appointment and Celebrezze resigned as mayor On July 31, 1962, Celebrezze took the oath as the U.S. Secretary for Health, Education, and Welfare, which is now known as the Department of Health and Human Services. He would continue his service in the cabinet of President Lyndon Johnson following Kennedy’s death.
Living in Washington on a $25,000 salary apart from his family, Celebrezze asked Johnson to return to Cleveland. “We are going to lose the house in Cleveland if I continue to live here, Mr. President,” Celebrezze told Johnson. The President replied that Celebrezze was too honest for Washington because he was the first cabinet secretary “to go broke while working for the White House.” Celebrezze resigned as HEW Secretary on August 17, 1965. Two days later on August 19, Johnson appointed him to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit where he authored numerous distinguished opinions. He served as a federal appeals court judge until 1980, when he retired from active service on the bench and assumed senior status.
Mario Matthew Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo, born June 15, 1932, is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He served as the Secretary of State of New York from 1975 to 1978, as the Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1979 to 1982 and as the 52nd Governor of New York for three terms, from 1983 to 1994. He was known for his liberal views and public speeches, particularly his keynote speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention. He was born in the Briarwood section of the New York City borough of Queens to a family of Italian origin. His father, Andrea Cuomo, was from Nocera Inferiore, Italy and his mother, Immacolata (née Giordano), was from Tramonti. The family owned a store in South Jamaica, Queens, in New York City. Cuomo attended public school and later earned his bachelor’s degree in 1953 and a law degree in 1956 from St. John’s University, graduating first in his class. He was sent to clerk for the Honorable Judge Adrian P. Burke of the New York Court of Appeals. Additionally, he was signed and played baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system until he was injured by a ball. Subsequently, he became a scout for the team.
He first became known in New York City in the late 1960s when he represented “The Corona Fighting 69”, a group of 69 homeowners from the Queens neighborhood of Corona, who were threatened with displacement by the city’s plan to build a new high school. He later represented another Queens residents group, the Kew Gardens-Forest Hills Committee. Cuomo became more well-known across and beyond New York City, when Mayor John Lindsay appointed him to conduct an inquiry and mediate a dispute over low-income public housing slated for the upper-middle-class neighborhood of Forest Hills.
In 1978 Cuomo easily won the primary for Lieutenant Governor and was elected in the general election. In 1982, Governor Carey declined to run for re-election and Cuomo declared his candidacy. Cuomo won the primary by ten points and faced Republican nominee businessman, Lewis Lehrman in the general election. With the recession aiding Democratic candidates, Cuomo beat Lehrman by 50.91% to 47.48%. Cuomo was re-elected in a landslide in 1986 against Republican nominee Andrew P. O’Rourke by 64.3% to 31.77%. During his 12 years in office, Gov. Cuomo pushed through landmark programs in criminal justice, education, the environment, health care, human rights, housing and health care that were national firsts.
Cuomo has been outspoken on what he perceives to be the unfair stereotyping of Italian Americans. He also opposed the move of the National Football League’s New York Giants and New York Jets to the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, choosing instead to attend the home games of the Buffalo Bills while serving as governor, referring to the Bills as “New York State’s only team.” Since 1996, Cuomo has served on the board of Medallion Financial Corp., a lender to purchasers of taxi medallions in leading cities across the U.S. Cuomo was the first guest on the long-running CNN talk show Larry King Live in 1985 and Neal Conan described Cuomo as both the most intelligent and wittiest politician he has ever interviewed.
Mozzarella in Carrozza
Ingredients
- 12 ounces fresh mozzarella
- 8 slices soft white bread, crusts removed
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Olive oil
Directions
Slice the mozzarella and divide among 4 slices of bread. Top with the remaining 4 slices of bread.
Whisk the eggs with the milk in a shallow dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place the flour in another shallow dish. Dust the sandwiches in the flour and then dip into the egg mixture.
Heat about 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet. Add the sandwiches to the pan and fry on both sides until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. The mozzarella should be completely melted. Slice the sandwiches in half to make 2 triangles.
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Wine has a long, rich history as a cooking liquid. One of the early “cookbooks,” compiled in the first century, “De re Coquinaria” (“On Cooking”), included dozens of recipes that used wine. Since the beginning of recorded history, wine has been considered one of the essential ingredients in cooking. The ancient Greeks used wine and there are numerous references to its use in their meal preparation. When the Romans came along, they spread the practice of cooking with wine throughout Europe and developed special varietals, such as Marsala. The Romans also prepared a concentrate of grape must (unfermented grape juice) called defrutum, which was kept around the hearth and used both to color and sweeten foods. In the East, centuries of Japanese and Chinese cooks have made wine from fruits or rice and used these liquids in cooking.
Italians take wine very seriously and, just as they eat regionally, Italians drink regionally. Go to Tuscany where you will find Chianti, Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Brunello di Montalcino. Head to Abruzzo and you will find Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo or Trebbiano d’Abruzzo on the table. The characteristics of a given wine are reflective of the culture in which it is made. Each of Italy’s 20 wine-producing regions proudly claim their own sub-cultures and cuisines, leading to many variations of wine. Piedmont and Tuscany are the Italian leaders in quality wines. Italy is respected as a wine-producing country and no other country can boast as many varieties. They use their 350+ varieties of domestic grapes, along with international varieties to produce wines in a class of their own. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s wine comes directly from Italy’s vineyards and there are over one million throughout the entire country.
The Major Types of Italian Red Wines
Amarone is made from air-dried Corvina grapes and is produced in the northern Veneto region near Venice, using the “recioto” method. This technique involves picking the grapes that grow on the outside of a cluster and have the most exposure to the sun. The result is a full-bodied wine in a style more common to warm growing areas. Amarones are aged for five years or more before bottling. Some, but not all, are aged in oak barrels. Amarone (the name means big, bitter one) has a powerful, concentrated, almost Port-like texture with hints of mocha. Amarone is ideal with roasted beef or pork and also with cheese.
Barolo is a powerful and full-bodied wine with a complex mixture of tastes and textures – wild strawberry, tobacco, chocolate and vanilla. Barolo gets better with age and is frequently referred to as “the king of wines”. Barolo requires many years (three years minimum by law) of aging to soften it and it is improved by decanting. Barolo is made in the Langhe Hills region of Piedmont, entirely of Nebbiolo grapes. Nebbiolo is a difficult grape to grow well. It thrives in the region’s clay, limestone and sandy soil, preferring to be planted on sunny, south-facing hillsides. Barolo is a perfect accompaniment to meat, rich pastas and creamy risottos.
Chianti has come a long way from its image of wicker-wrapped bottles with candle drippings alongside a plate of spaghetti. Today’s Chiantis are produced in Tuscany, in central Italy near Florence and Chianti has a government-controlled wine designation. That means all of the wine called Chianti has to be made within the Chianti area. Chianti is produced from primarily Sangiovese grapes, sometimes combined with Cabernet Franc, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. It has high acidity with hints of plum and wild cherry. Chianti and any tomato-based sauce are a classic wine and food pairing, but Chianti also goes well with steak or other grilled meat.
Barbaresco is also produced from Nebbiolo grapes, but tends to be a more softer wine than Barolo. There are just three, small growing regions for Barbaresco compared to Barolo’s eleven regions, so there is less Barbaresco available each year. Barbaresco, too, requires aging – a minimum of two years and up to twenty years – to meet its full potential. It also pairs well with red meat and the rich food of Piedmont.
Bardolino is a light, fruit-filled wine made in the Veneto region of Italy. Named after the town of Bardolino on Lake Garda, this wine has faint cherry flavors with a hint of spiciness. Like Amarone, Bardolino is crafted, primarily from Corvina grapes. Sometimes made into a dry, rose or sparkling wine called “chiaretto,” Bardolino is best served chilled and goes nicely with fish, seafood, light meat entrees, pasta and pizza.
Montalcino is Tuscany’s second most famous wine zone, after Chianti. Montalcino is a small, medieval town just outside of Siena. The wine district there is a warm, sunny, hilly area with few extremes in temperature. The cool evenings insure high acidity. Brunello di Montalcino is created entirely from Sangiovese grapes. By Italian wine law, Brunello must be aged longer than any other wine – a minimum of four years. Brunello is subtle with overtones of blackberry, black cherry, chocolate and sweet vanilla. Drink it with the hearty dishes of Tuscany.
Cooking with Wine
Using wine in cooking is so natural, it probably would have occurred anywhere grapes could be grown and turned into wine. Wine can accent, enhance and intensify the flavors and aromas of food. The ways of using wine in cooking are numerous: marinate, saute, poach, boil, braise, stew or deglaze. Some cooks use wine for stir-fries, steaming or blanching. A splash of it straight out of the bottle is an added flavor in vinaigrettes or sauces.
Cooks use wine instead of water because wine adds flavor. But just as the four vinegars made from cider, sherry, red wine or white wine differ from each other, so do wines differ in what they add to a recipe. “Wine adds acidity to sauces,” says Jeff Mosher, chef for the Robert Mondavi Winery. “Food that has a level of acidity goes better with wine than food that is flat.” A careful cook, however, needs to consider the cooking preparation when utilizing wine. For example, wine could concentrate and become too tart after boiling down a marinade into a sauce. So, likewise, would any sweetness in wine; too much can be cloying. “It’s best to use red wines that don’t have huge tannins,” says Mosher. “When reduced, they leave a bitter flavor. I usually cook with merlot or pinot noir … never all cabernet sauvignon. Avoid wines labeled “cooking wine.” Not only are such wines often oxidized, but they are also packed with salt.
Finally, it isn’t necessary, as the old adage has it, to cook with the same wine that you will serve. According to Mosher, the flavor compounds and nuances of a very fine wine simply don’t survive the heat of most cooking. For example, preparing boeuf bourguignon or coq au vin doesn’t require an expensive red Burgundy. For these dishes, any of well-made, balanced, medium- to full-bodied red wine will do.
Red Wine Bagna Cauda
Ingredients
- One 750-milliliter bottle Italian dry red wine, such as Nebbiolo
- 1/4 cup marinated anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
- 4 oil-packed anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 1/2 cups good quality extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- Assorted crudités, such as carrots, radishes, fennel and bell peppers, for serving
Directions
In a large saucepan, boil the wine over high heat until reduced to 1 cup, about 20 minutes. Let cool.
In a blender, combine the reduced wine with the anchovies, garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice and blend until smooth. With the machine running, add the olive oil in a thin stream. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer the bagna cauda to a medium saucepan and rewarm over low heat. Pour into a serving bowl and serve with the crudités.
Red Wine Glazed Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 slices of sandwich bread, torn into pieces
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped sage
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound lean ground pork
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tomato, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- Chopped basil for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush a medium oval baking dish with oil.
In a large bowl, combine the bread pieces with the milk and mash to a paste. Add the egg, chopped parsley, sage, thyme, salt, black pepper and cayenne and stir until smooth. Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and dry bread crumbs and stir until thoroughly combined.
In a medium skillet, heat the oil. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, 1 minute longer. Let cool, then transfer to the bowl with the bread mixture. Add the meat and knead in until evenly combined.
Transfer the meat loaf mixture to the prepared baking dish and pat it into a 4-by-12-inch oval loaf. Bake for about 50 minutes or until firm but not quite cooked through.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the red wine with the honey, chopped tomato and molasses and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the all the ingredients. Boil until the glaze is thick and syrupy, about 10-12 minutes.
Brush half of the glaze over the parially cooked meat loaf. Continue baking for about 20 minutes longer until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 150°F; brush once more with the remaining glaze. Let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes, garnish with chopped basil, slice and serve.
Red Wine Risotto with Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 pound fresh porcini or cremini mushrooms, sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup arborio rice (6 ounces)
- 1/2 cup dry red wine, such as Amarone
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- One 2-ounce piece Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for shaving
- 2 teaspoons chopped mixed herbs, such as basil, chives, parsley, etc.
Directions
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the mushrooms; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over moderate heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring, until browned. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate.
In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a simmer; cover and keep warm over low heat.
In the skillet, heat the remaining olive oil. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until almost evaporated.
Pour in 1 cup of the hot stock, or enough to cover the rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until the stock has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Repeat, adding 1 cup of stock at a time and stirring until all of the stock has been absorbed.
The risotto is done when the rice is cooked al dente, about 25 minutes. Stir in the butter and mushrooms and heat until the butter is melted and the mushrooms are heated. Season with salt and pepper, if needed. Spoon the risotto into serving bowls and shred Parmigiano-Reggiano over the risotto, sprinkle with herbs and serve.
Chicken Parmesan with Red-Wine Pasta Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 ounces uncooked linguine
- 1/2 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Large pich of crushed red pepper
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 2 cups homemade or store bought pasta sauce
- 4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Chopped Basil, optional
Directions
Sprinkle chicken breasts with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the salt. Combine bread crumbs and Italian seasoning in a shallow dish. Dip chicken in egg and dredge in breadcrumbs.
Heat oil in a large skillet with a cover over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.
Add wine to the pan and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and red pepper, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook 1 minute. Add pasta sauce; cook 1 minute or until bubbly.
Combine the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Arrange chicken over sauce; top each breast with a portion of the cheese and a spoonful of sauce.
Cover the pan, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked and cheese has melted.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Serve chicken and sauce over pasta. Garnish with basil, if desired.
Chocolate-Red Wine Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter or butter alternative, softened
- 1 3/4 cups sugar or the equivalent of a sugar alternative
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups Italian dry red wine
- Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 12-cup bundt pan.
In a bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter with the sugar at medium-high speed until fluffy, 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until incorporated. Add the vanilla and beat for 2 minutes longer.
Working in two batches, alternately fold in the dry ingredients and the wine, just until incorporated.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack; let cool completely. Dust the cake with confectioner’s sugar and serve.
Related articles
- The Deeper Meaning of Italian Wine: An Interview with Leonardo LoCascio (selectitaly.com)
- Amarone: From Novelty to Tradition in 55 Years (ubriaco.wordpress.com)
- Hello Barbaresco (chezsirene.wordpress.com)
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/05/14/cooking-with-wine/
The name cranberry derives from “craneberry”, first named by early European settlers in America, who thought the cranberry flower resembled the neck, head and bill of a crane. Another name used in northeastern Canada is mossberry. In 17th century New England cranberries were sometimes called “bearberries” as bears were often seen feeding on them.
In North America, Native Americans were the first to use cranberries as food. The Pilgrims learned about cranberries from the Native Americans, who recognized the natural preservative power in the berries and often mixed them into pemmican (dried meat mixture) to extend its shelf life. In the 1820s cranberries were shipped to Europe where they became popular for wild harvesting in the Nordic countries and Russia. Cranberry sauce came into the picture via General Ulysses S. Grant who ordered it served to the troops during the battle of Petersburg in 1864. Cranberry sauce was first commercially canned in 1912 by the Cape Cod Cranberry Company which marketed the product as “Ocean Spray Cape Cod Cranberry Sauce.” A merger with other growers evolved into the well-known Ocean Spray corporation now famous for their cranberry products. Cranberries are a major commercial crop in the U.S. states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Quebec.
Cranberry bog in NJ
Cranberries grow on vines in boggy areas. Fresh whole berries are hand-picked and are more expensive. The remainder is harvested by machine. Damage to the berries from the machines is unavoidable, making them suitable only for juices, sauces and drying. The bogs are kept dry until harvest time and then are flooded with water to a knee-deep level. Special machines run through the bog, shaking the vines to loosen the berries and they are skimmed off. The collected berries are bounced down a stair-stepped processor to separate out the old berries (which do not bounce) from the fresh berries.
Purchase cranberries that are quite firm to the touch. They should be shiny and plump and range in color from bright light red to dark red. Shriveled berries or those with brown spots should be avoided. Dried berries are also available and are similar to raisins. Canned cranberry sauce is a holiday favorite and is available in a smooth or a whole-berry sauce. Frozen cranberries are also available year-round. One 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries will yield about 3 cups of whole berries or 2-1/2 cups chopped.
Cranberry Storage
Store fresh cranberries for up to two months in a tightly-sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. As with all berries, if one starts getting soft or show signs of decaying, it will quickly spread to the rest. Be sure to sort them out, if you plan on storing them for any length of time.
Cooked cranberries can last up to a month in a covered container in the refrigerator. If a liquor or liqueur is added to the cooked mixture, it can last up to a year in the refrigerator.
Fresh whole berries may be washed, dried and frozen in airtight bags up to one year at 0 degrees.
Cranberry Cooking Tips
• Cranberries are not only good in desserts, but also in savory dishes.
• To help neutralize their acidity, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda when cooking cranberries. You’ll find you will need less sugar.
• Try substituting sweetened, dried cranberries in place of raisins in recipes for a tangy change.
• Reconstitute dried cranberries just as you would raisins, by soaking them in hot water and letting them stand for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Cranberries should be cooked only until they pop. Otherwise, they will become mushy and bitter.
• Frozen cranberries need not be defrosted before using.
• Cranberries are easily chopped by pulsing in a food processor.
Cranberry, Sausage and Apple Stuffing
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups coarsely chopped onions
- 3 tart apples – peeled, cored and chopped
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 4 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 cup frozen cranberries
- 12 cups Italian bread, cubed, baked until slightly dry
- 1 1/3 cups chicken stock
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
Cook and stir sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, crumbling coarsely, for about 10 minutes. Remove sausage to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Clean out the pan.
Into the same pan heat the oil. Add the onions, apples, celery and poultry seasoning; cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the cranberries and cooked sausage.
Mix the sausage mixture with the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the chicken stock.
Pour stuffing into a large covered greased baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes to brown the top.
Chicken Breasts with Cranberry Balsamic Sauce
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper
- 2 cups cranberries – fresh or frozen
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Directions
Heat a grill pan or an outdoor grill to medium heat.
Brush chicken breasts with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill pan or outdoor grill, cook until both sides are browned and the center is no longer pink, about 7 minutes each side or until a meat thermometer reaches 160 degees F (depending on thickness).
In a saucepan combine cranberries, water, sugar and balsamic vinegar and heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium and cook 5 more minutes to allow sauce to thicken. Serve warm over grilled chicken breasts.
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil (not extra virgin)
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 eggs
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup dried or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup chopped pistachio nuts or almonds
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix together oil and sugar until well blended. Mix in the vanilla and orange extracts; then beat in the eggs and orange zest.
Combine flour, salt and baking powder; gradually stir into egg mixture. Fold in cranberries and nuts.
Divide dough in half. Form two logs (12×2 inches) on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Dough may be sticky so wet your hands with cool water to handle dough more easily.
Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven or until logs are light brown. Remove baking pan from the oven and set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
Reduce oven heat to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
Cut logs on the diagonal into 3/4 inch thick slices. Lay slices on their sides back on the parchment covered cookie sheets. Bake approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until dry.
Cool before storing.
Fig and Cranberry Semifreddo with Blackberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 large egg yolks
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons grated orange peel
- 2 3/4 cups chilled whipping (heavy) cream
- 1/3 cup dried Calimyrna figs, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup minced crystallized ginger
Blackberry Sauce
- 1 16-ounce bag frozen unsweetened blackberries, thawed
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons blackberry brandy (optional)
Directions
Line a 9x5x3-inch metal loaf pan with plastic wrap, extending the wrap over the sides by 3 inches. Whisk egg yolks, sugar and white wine in a metal bowl to blend. ( I use the electric mixer bowl.) Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water; whisk egg mixture constantly until a candy thermometer registers 160°F, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture until cool and thick, about 5 minutes. Beat in orange peel.
Beat chilled whipping cream in a separate bowl until peaks form. Add egg mixture and gently fold together. Fold in chopped figs, chopped cranberries and minced ginger. Transfer mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Cover with the plastic wrap overhang; freeze overnight. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Keep frozen.)
To make Blackberry Sauce: Puree all ingredients in processor. Strain into a medium bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids and cover and refrigerate liquid until cold. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
To serve:
Turn semifreddo out onto platter. Peel off plastic wrap. Let stand 5 minutes to soften slightly. Slice semifreddo. Place slices on serving plates and drizzle Blackberry Sauce over each slice and serve.
Cranberry Almond Crostata
ingredients
For pastry dough:
- 1/4 pound whole raw almonds, toasted and cooled
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For filling and assembly:
- 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (10 ounces)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cup orange marmalade
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Make dough:
Pulse almonds with 1/4 cup flour just until finely ground.
Beat together butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Remove 1 tablespoon of the beaten egg to a small bowl and refrigerate the for egg wash. Beat the remaining egg into the butter mixture, then add vanilla and almond extracts, beating well.
At low speed, mix in almond mixture, lemon zest, salt and remaining 1 3/4 cups flour until mixture forms a dough consistency.
Halve dough and form each half into a 5- to 6-inch disk. Wrap disks separately in plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.
Make filling:
Bring cranberries, orange juice, marmalade, brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy medium pot, stirring, then simmer, uncovered, until the cranberries burst and mixture is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Cool filling quickly by spreading it in a shallow baking dish and chilling in the refrigerator until lukewarm, about 15 minutes.
Bake crostata:
Preheat oven to 375°F with a foil-lined large baking sheet on the middle rack. Generously butter a 9 inch springform pan.
Roll out 1 piece of dough between sheets of parchment paper into a 12-inch round (dough will be very tender). Remove top sheet of paper and invert dough into the springform pan. (Dough will tear easily but can be patched together with your fingers.) Press dough over bottom and up the side of pan. Chill crust lined pan in the refrigerator.
Roll out remaining dough into a 12-inch round in the same manner. Remove top sheet of paper, then cut dough into 10 (1/3-inch-wide) strips with a pastry wheel while still on the parchment paper and slide the paper onto a tray. Freeze strips until firm, about 10 minutes.
Spread filling in chilled shell and arrange 5 strips of dough 1 inch apart on filling. Arrange remaining 5 strips of dough 1 inch apart diagonally across the first strips to form a lattice with diamond-shaped spaces. Trim edges of all strips flush with the edge of the pan. Brush lattice top with reserved beaten egg and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Place the crostata pan on the hot baking sheet in the oven and bake until pastry is golden and filling is bubbling, 50 to 60 minutes. (If pastry gets too brown after 30 minutes, loosely cover crostata with foil.) Cool crostata completely in pan on a wire rack, 1 1/2 to 2 hours (to allow juices to thicken).
Cranberry Granita
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Mint sprigs (optional)
Directions
Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan and stir well. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute or until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. Let sugar syrup cool completely.
Combine cranberries and juices in a food processor and process until pureed. Combine pureed mixture and cooled sugar syrup in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish; stir well.
Cover and freeze at least 8 hours or until firm.
Remove mixture from the freezer; scrape entire mixture with the tines of a fork until fluffy. Place in serving dishes and garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.
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- Sauced: Five Cranberry Sauce Variations for Thanksgiving (seriouseats.com)
- Cranberry Gingerbread Muffins (foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com)
- Chef Ceaser’s Cranberry Sauce with Assorted Fruit (chefceaser.wordpress.com)
- Easy Cranberry Sauce (thegreatamericanfeast.wordpress.com)
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce (burntapple.com)
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This Parma Ham sponsored post is about helping you with some holiday entertaining ideas.
What does “entertaining” mean to you? Take a moment and think of what comes to mind.
The best advice I have is that, when it comes to holiday parties, nothing beats the power of planning.
Begin early:
- Set the Date
- Make a Guest List
- Get the Word Out Early
- Plan the Food and Drinks
- Decide the Set Up for Beverages, Food and Decorations
- Set Aside Time for Shopping, Preparing the Food, Cleaning and Decorating
- Once the Doorbell Rings Have Fun
Holiday appetizer recipes are a must-have in your party plan book. They help tide over your guests until the main event or make for great eating on their own, along with a few cocktails and some desserts. Simple finger foods work the best. Instead of worrying about finding out whether anyone attending your party has a particular dietary restriction, prepare a variety of hors d’oeuvres that will suit any taste and diet. Make two or three meat-based dishes ( red meat and poultry), two fish dishes (one fish, one shellfish) and three vegetarian dishes (one with dairy, two without). You might consider gluten-free choices, as well.
Here is a tip – when Italians entertain guests, they are often greeted with a platter of prosciutto, crisp breadsticks and fruit. It’s an effortless but elegant crowd-pleaser that you can put together quickly. The famous Prosciutto di Parma brand is the one to use for this dish.
Prosciutto di Parma has been produced in Parma, Italy for at least two thousand years, gaining recognition in 100 BC when Cato the Censor remarked on the extraordinary flavor and sweetness of the ham. Its production follows the same traditions, today, as the ones used then. By law Prosciutto di Parma can only be made in the hills around Parma where the unique conditions of the Parma region have made it possible to produce ham of the highest quality. All Parma Ham authorized producers must be located within the geographical boundaries of the Parma region and meet the requirements set by the Consorzio, in order to receive the official certification mark – the Parma Crown. Through the long and carefully controlled curing process, the meat becomes tender and the distinctive aroma and flavor of Parma Ham emerges. This year the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma is celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
Parma Ham is a naturally gluten free product, so are the recipes I developed for this post. If you’d like to try something more impressive for your guests, try one of these Parma party bites at your next party.
Stuffed Vegetables and Parma Ham
You can double the recipe or use all mushrooms or use all mini bell peppers.
Makes 36 appetizers
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (8 ounces)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons sundried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh basil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 12 mini bell peppers
- 12 mushroom caps
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Prosciutto di Parma slices cut into 1 inch squares (about 5-6 slices)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degree F. Cut the bell peppers in half, lengthwise; remove the seeds and stems. Lightly oil the bell peppers by tossing them in a bowl with some olive oil. Place the peppers on a baking sheet skin-side down.
Remove mushroom stems (reserve for another use) and brush mushroom cavities lightly with olive oil. Place them on the baking sheet with the peppers. Roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes until the edges begin to show some color. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
While the vegetables are roasting, prepare the stuffing.
Place the cream cheese, ricotta, sundried tomatoes, basil, garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt and black pepper in a bowl or in a processor and mix until creamy. Refrigerate until ready to make the appetizers.
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Stuff the peppers and mushroom caps liberally with the filling and place them back on the baking sheet. Bake about 8 minutes.
Change oven setting to high broil and bake an additional 2 minutes, until the top of the cheese stuffing begins to brown. (If they’re already brown at this point, you can skip the broiling).
Top each pepper and mushroom with a square of prosciutto. Serve immediately.
Parma Ham-Wrapped Shrimp
Makes 18 appetizers
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 18 extra-large shrimp, peeled, deveined
- 18 thin slices prosciutto
- 18 fresh basil leaves
- 18 bamboo skewers, soaked in water 30 minutes
Directions
In a bowl, gently combine the shrimp, olive oil, lemon juice, honey and garlic and marinate for 5 minutes.
Place 1 prosciutto slice on your work surface, short end parallel to the edge. Place 1 basil leaf at the short end of the prosciutto slice. Place 1 shrimp on top of the basil leaf. Roll up shrimp in the prosciutto. Thread shrimp on a skewer.
Repeat with remaining prosciutto, basil, shrimp and skewers. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate.)
Prepare barbecue grill (medium-high heat) or preheat a broiler. Grill or broil wrapped shrimp until opaque in the center, turning frequently, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a platter. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Herbed Frittatas with Prosciutto di Parma
Makes 36 appetizers
Ingredients
- 8 eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 cup chopped, seeded, drained tomato
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (chives, tarragon, parsley, basil, etc.)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Prosciutto di Parma, about 12 slices
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
Dry the chopped tomatoes on a paper towel.
Beat eggs and water with wire whisk in a medium bowl. Stir in tomato, 1/2 cup of the cheese and the herbs.
Pour into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
Bake 30 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool.
Loosen the sides of the frittata with a spatula and gently turn it out onto a cutting board.
Cut the frittatas into 1-inch squares and top with a piece of prosciutto. Serve at room temperature.
MAKE AHEAD: The frittatas can be baked up to 3 hours ahead.
Follow Parma Ham on Twitter for a chance to win $50 worth of the world’s most famous ham. Click on the banner below to participate. This post is a collaboration between the blogger and Parma Ham.
Related articles
- Healthing up holiday entertaining: Prosciutto di Parma Caramele appetizers (thismamacooks.com)
- Behind the Scenes: How Prosciutto di Parma is Made (seriouseats.com)
- A Fall Bolognese Style Dinner (jovinacooksitalian.com)
- Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar! what more can you ask for. (nclinton517.wordpress.com)
- Grilled Figs with Prosciutto and Gorgonzola (eatdrinkandbemerryproductions.me)
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/10/03/the-cuisine-of-italy-bologna/
- Appetizer: Roasted Apricots with Prosciutto & Goat Cheese (alacartekitchenblog.wordpress.com)
- Parma ham and red pepper frittata (keepcalmandlivehealthy.wordpress.com)
Leonard Covello
(1887-1982) was the first Italian American high school principal in New York City (Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem 1934-56). A pioneer in bilingual education, Covello believed a school should serve the interests of its neighborhood. He was also a co-founder of the American Italian Historical Association in 1966. Covello was born in the town of Avigliano in the Basilicata region of Southern Italy on November 26, 1887. In 1890 his father, Pietro Covello, emigrated to New York City. Leonard, his mother and his two brothers, joined his father in the East Harlem section of the city in 1896.
While in high school, Covello won a scholarship which enabled him to attend Columbia University and he graduated in 1911. In 1913 he took a job as a teacher of French in DeWitt Clinton High School. With the entrance of the United States into World War I in 1917, Covello enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army Artillery Corps. He went to France as an interpreter and became a member of the Corps of Intelligence Police. In 1920 Covello returned to his former position at DeWitt Clinton and served as head of the school’s Italian Department from 1922 to 1926.
Benjamin Franklin High School
In 1926 he was appointed First Assistant in Modern Languages, a post he held until 1934. While at DeWitt Clinton, Covello realized that Italian American children were confronted by a dilemma in the public schools. They were expected to separate themselves from their native culture and language, in order to meet the school’s expectations and to achieve academically. Covello sought means to ease the transition of immigrant school children into American life and to aid in their acculturation without separating them from their community.
In 1914 he established Il Circolo Italiano at DeWitt Clinton. This club combined social service, recreational and cultural activities and its members worked within the Italian immigrant community. He also began a campaign to establish Italian on an equal footing with other foreign languages taught in New York City schools, a campaign which culminated in his appointment as head of the newly established Italian Department at DeWitt Clinton in 1922. In that same year, Covello established the Italian Parents Association at the school.
Covello’s work extended beyond DeWitt Clinton to include the city’s school system and its Italian community as a whole. He was a major force in the Italian Teachers Association and in 1931 founded the Casa Italiana Educational Bureau, which disseminated information on Italian culture. He was associated with most of the Italian organizations in the city, such as the Italy-America Society and Order of Sons of Italy. Through them he tried to ease the transition of the immigrant and to spread pride and knowledge of Italian culture.
During his years at DeWitt Clinton, Covello became increasingly aware of the need for a high school in East Harlem. From 1931 until 1934 he led a campaign to create such a high school and in 1934 his work was rewarded with the establishment of Benjamin Franklin High School. Covello was appointed principal of the school. As East Harlem began to experience an influx of Puerto Rican immigrants during the 1940s and 1950s, Covello implemented programs for Puerto Rican students at Franklin similar to those which had proven successful among Italian immigrants. In 1956 Covello retired as principal of Franklin High School and accepted an appointment as Education Consultant to the Migration Division of the Puerto Rican Department of Labor. His work with the Migration Division included language and literacy campaigns, citizenship programs, work with Puerto Rican organizations, conferences and workshops on Puerto Rican problems and a general effort to raise awareness and pride in Puerto Rican history and culture.
Pasta with Italian Bacon
Servings 4 Ingredients
- 1 lb short pasta
- 5 oz guanciale or pancetta or bacon
- 1 clove of garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup dry white wine
- Paprika
- Parsley, chopped
Directions
While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a skillet and cook the guanciale and the cloves of garlic until they are golden; add the wine and allow it to evaporate. Add the cooked pasta, cheese and pepper. Mix well. Garnish with parsley and paprika
Maria Montessori
(1870 -1952) born in Chiaravalle, near Ancona, Italy, Maria was an Italian educator and originator of the educational system that bears her name. The Montessori system is based on the belief in the creative potential of children, their drive to learn and the right of each child to be treated as an individual. After graduating in medicine from the University of Rome in 1896—the first woman in Italy to do so—Montessori was appointed an assistant doctor at the psychiatric clinic of the University of Rome, where she became interested in the educational problems of the mentally disabled children. Between 1899 and 1901 she served as director of the State Orthophrenic School of Rome, where her methods proved extremely successful. From 1896 to 1906 she held a chair in hygiene at a women’s college in Rome and from 1900 to 1907 she lectured in pedagogy at the University of Rome, holding a chair in anthropology from 1904 to 1908. During these years she continued her studies of philosophy, psychology and education.
In 1907 Montessori opened the first, Casa dei Bambini (“Children’s House”), preschool for children ages three to six from the San Lorenzo district of Rome, applying principles now recognized as the Montessori method. Her successes led to the opening of other Montessori schools and for the next 40 years she travelled throughout Europe, India and the United States lecturing, writing and establishing teacher-training programs. In 1922 she was appointed Government Inspector of Schools in Italy, but left the country in 1934 because of the Fascist rule.
Montessori scorned conventional classrooms and she sought, instead, to teach children by supplying concrete materials and organizing situations conducive to learning with these materials. She discovered that certain simple materials aroused in young children an interest and attention not previously thought possible. The materials used were designed specifically to encourage individual rather than cooperative effort. Group activity occurred in connection with shared housekeeping chores.
Tournedos alla Rossini
This recipe from the Ancona (Marche) region and is named for the opera composer, Rossini.
Ingredients
- 4 thick slices of beef fillet, tied with kitchen string to hold its round shape
- 4 round slices of bread as thick as the beef fillets
- 4 slices of patê de fois
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and Pepper
- Half cup of Marsala wine.
- Truffles, optional
Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet and fry the slices of bread. Put the bread on a serving dish dish.
Cook the beef in the same skillet with 1 tablespoon butter, salt and pepper until medium rare.
Place the beef ‘tournedos’ on top of each slice of bread and keep warm.
Fry the pate slices in the remaining butter and place on top of the beef.
Pour the Marsala wine into the skillet and cook for a few minutes, stirring the browned bits in the pan. Pour a little of the sauce over each ‘tournedos’.
Garnish with truffle slices, if desired.
Angelo Bartlett Giamatti
became the youngest president of Yale University in 1978 and the first president not of Anglo Saxon heritage. As the university’s 19th president, he served until 1986. Giamatti was born in Boston and grew up in South Hadley, Massachusetts, the son of Mary Claybaugh Walton and Valentine John Giamatti. His father was professor and chairman of the Department of Italian Language and Literature at Mount Holyoke College. Giamatti’s paternal grandparents were Italian immigrants, Angelo Giammattei and Maria Lavorgna. His grandfather, Angelo, had emigrated to the United States from Telese, near Naples, Italy, around 1900.
Giamatti attended South Hadley High School, spent his junior year at the Overseas School of Rome and graduated from Phillips Academy in 1956. At Yale University, he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon (Phi chapter) and he graduated magna cum laude in 1960. That same year, he married Toni Marilyn Smith, who taught English for more than 20 years at the Hopkins School in New Haven, Connecticut. Together the couple had three children: Hollywood actors Paul and Marcus and jewelry designer Elena. In the film, Sideways, a photograph of the character, Miles Raymond (portrayed by Giamatti’s son Paul) with his late father is really a picture of Paul and Bart Giamatti.
Giamatti taught briefly at Princeton, but spent most of his academic life at Yale. Giamatti’s scholarly work focused on English Renaissance literature, particularly Edmund Spenser and the relationships between English and Italian Renaissance poets. While president of Yale University he presided over the university during a bitter strike by its clerical and technical workers in 1984-85. He also served on the board of trustees of Mount Holyoke College for many years, participating fully despite his Yale and baseball commitments. Giamatti had a lifelong interest in baseball (he was a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan). In 1978, when he was first rumored to be a candidate for the presidency of Yale, he had deflected questions by observing that “The only thing I ever wanted to be president of was the American League.” He didn’t exactly get his wish, but he became president of baseball’s National League in 1986 and commissioner of baseball in 1989.
During his term as National League president, Giamatti placed an emphasis on the need to improve the environment for the fan in the ballparks. While still serving as National League president, Giamatti suspended Pete Rose for 30 games after Rose shoved umpire, Dave Pallone, on April 30, 1988. Later that year, Giamatti also suspended Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, Jay Howell, who was caught using pine tar during the National League Championship Series. Giamatti, whose tough dealing with Yale’s union, favorably impressed Major League baseball owners and he was unanimously elected to succeed Peter Ueberroth as commissioner of baseball on September 8, 1988. Determined to maintain the integrity of the game, on August 24, 1989, Giamatti prevailed upon Pete Rose to agree voluntarily to remain permanently ineligible to play baseball. Giamatti died of a heart attack only a year after his appointment in September 1989.
Caprese Salad
Red tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, leaves of fresh basil, salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil.
Directions
Core the tomatoes cut each into thick slices and place on a large plate. Slice the mozzarella and arrange the slices alternating between the tomatoes slices. Decorate with the basil leaves. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with crostini.
Rosemarie Truglio
is the director of research for Public Television’s award-winning children’s program, “Sesame Street.” She develops the program’s interdisciplinary curriculum and conducts research to enhance the program’s educational and entertainment values. Dr. Truglio is a nationally recognized expert on the effects of television on children and teenagers. In her position as director, she assesses the role of television in the socialization and education of children. This research has been the focus of her career and she has helped to ensure that the creative process always embraces the major curriculum points in a safe, sensitive, responsible and age-appropriate manner.
Dr. Truglio received her Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Kansas and her B.A in Psychology from Douglass College, Rutgers University. Dr.Truglio originally had an interest in math and science but she credits Rutgers’ early-childhood education and developmental childhood courses with preparing her for “Sesame Street”. Now, she is counting on the show’s lineup of furry friends to inspire another generation of children.
Dr. Truglio is a widely published expert on child development, whose articles appear in child and developmental psychology journals. A former Assistant Professor of Communication and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, Dr. Truglio also serves on the Advisory Board of the Children’s Digital Media Center, Alliance for a Media Literate America and The Council on Excellence in Children’s Media at Annenberg School of Communication.
Dr.Truglio was born in in 1961 in Hoboken, NJ and her parents, Lucy and Albert Truglio lived their entire life in Hoboken. They were co-founders of Truglio’s Meat Market on Park Avenue established in 1952. Dr. Truglio currently lives in New York with her family.
Swordfish Fillets
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ lb swordfish, thinly sliced
- 5 oz plain homemade breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 oz caciocavallo cheese, grated
- 1 onion, cut into quarters
- Pepper to taste
- Parsley, chopped to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Salt to taste
Directions
Gently flatten out swordfish using a meat mallet and cut in half. and then into portion slices.
Season bread crumbs with salt, pepper and chopped parsley.
Mix three quarters of the breadcrumb mixture with capers and grated Caciocavallo cheese, drizzling oil onto it; place spoonfuls of the mixture onto the fish slices.
Roll up the fillets and coat in oil and dip in the remaining breadcrumbs. Thread onto a skewer alternating with pieces of onion.
Grill the skewers, turning once.
Antonio Buonomo
born in Naples in 1932, Buonomo is an Italian composer, solo percussionist and music educator. Antonio Buonomo’s professional experiences include performing as a timpani soloist in various orchestras (such as the “San Carlo” of Naples and “La Fenice” of Venice) and directing one of Europe’s first all-percussion instrument groups. His many compositions and transcripts for percussion instruments have been published and include teaching materials, as well as, music for plays and television documentaries. They have also been performed at musical events, on television and radio programs, as well as, at public concerts.
The fifth of ten children, Antonio began studying music before he even knew how to read or write. At the age of 12 he played the trumpet and drums with his father in the Naples nightclubs in front of an audience of American soldiers from the Allied Forces during the war. His career was built on “coming up through the ranks” and playing just about any musical genre, from popular music to marching bands to jazz and contemporary music.
Buonomo has to be given credit for being the first one in Italy ever to prove that percussion instruments had a life of their own because they contain the triple music root: rhythm, melody and harmony. So, these instruments were not (as many people used to think) just a rhythm section to accompany other instruments or to simulate weather phenomena, such as thunderstorms. He continued his efforts until percussion courses were established inside Italian conservatories. He carried out this initiative by writing ad-hoc compositions and participating in radio and TV programs, as well as, by playing pieces for percussion that had never been performed in Italy during the concerts he conducted.
Having achieved great success among young people through his concerts that were held in schools (from middle schools to universities) and hisrecordings of the first classical, pop and contemporary all-percussion Italian music record. He became much more popular as his artistic commitment grew. Italy’s most influential newspaper, the Corriere della Sera, printed the following in November 1987: “He is a real authority on rhythm as an internationally known percussionist and virtuoso. Antonio Buonomo is a versatile and passionate teacher who has published many works on his favorite subject: pure percussion technique and rhythm perspectives.” In 1983, the Minister of Public Education invited him to be part of the commission that drafted the program for percussion study for percussionists and he was called by the Opera Theatre in Rome to act as assistant conductor and music consultant for the Missa Solemnis pro Jubileo, by Franco Mannino, which had its world premiere at the Colosseum.
Capri Chocolate Cake
- 5 oz almonds, finely chopped
- 3 ½ oz butter
- 3 ½ oz sugar
- 3 ½ oz dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons crème de Cacao Liqueur or Strega liqueur
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
Directions
Blend the butter with the sugar until it becomes a creamy and smooth in an electric mixer. Add the eggs and mix well. Then add the almonds, chocolate, baking powder and liqueur. Mix well.
Grease a 9 inch cake pan and line with parchment paper. Pour in the cake batter. Bake in a 350°F oven for 50/55 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and invert the cake onto a serving dish. When cool, dust with powdered sugar.
Linda Lantieri
co-founded “Resolving Conflicts Creatively,” an organization which teaches students how to prevent violence in the classroom in New York City. The private agency, founded in 1985, forms partnerships with public schools to help elementary and high school students learn how to resolve conflicts and develop friendships.
Linda, an Italian-American, has over 40 years of experience in education, as a teacher, assistant principal, director of an alternative middle school in East Harlem and a faculty member of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Hunter College in New York City. She has served as a consultant to various institutions in the area of death education, including the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the New York City Public Schools, where she trained the first Crisis Response Teams in 1988. She is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress from the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She is the director of The Inner Resilience Program and a founding member of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
The Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP), founded by Lantieri is a social and emotional learning program that has been implemented at 400 schools in 15 school districts in the U.S., with pilot sites in Brazil and Puerto Rico. Lantieri is coauthor of Waging Peace in Our Schools, editor of Schools with Spirit: Nurturing the Inner Lives of Children and Teachers and a contributor to Forever After: New York City Teachers on 9/11.
Her recipe for making better citizens (with higher academic achievement) is simple: introduce emotional learning in schools through small steps. According to Lantieri, “Children bring their emotions to school, whether we recognize them or not. What we are trying to do is help them express them in appropriate ways, helping learn how they can feel surer of themselves and better deal with their emotions. We do this in two different ways. First, by creating a classroom environment that is truly welcoming, where they feel emotionally safe, they can talk to each other and they can feel that the class really cares about them. The second thing is we teach them skills to be aware and to be able to talk about their feelings. In addition, the research shows that we can work to improve children’s emotional intelligence. ”
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/11/08/italian-american-culture-the-art-of-entertainment/
- Italian American Culture – The Art Of Writing(jovinacooksitalian.com)
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/10/25/italian-culture-the-art-of-fashion/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/10/18/italian-culture-the-art-of-sport/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/10/11/italian-culture-the-art-of-the-painter/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/10/04/italian-cultures-women-of-distinction/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/09/27/italian-culture-opera/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/09/20/italian-culture-the-art-of-preserving-pork/
Pumpkins and squash are believed to have originated in the ancient Americas. These early pumpkins were not the traditional round orange upright Jack-O-Lantern shape, we think of today, when you hear the word pumpkin. They were a crooked neck variety which stored well. Archeologists have determined that variations of squash and pumpkins were cultivated along river and creek banks along with sunflowers and beans. Native Americans dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. They also roasted long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and ate them. The origin of pumpkin pie occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in hot ashes. Once pumpkins were imported from the Americas to Europe during the 1500s, they were grown everywhere and were cheap, so even the poor were able to enjoy them.
Northern Italy has a long tradition of cooking with pumpkin. The home of pumpkin tortelli is disputed between Mantua and Ferrara. In fact, their origins date back to the times of the Este court in Ferrara which was famous for the refinement of its cuisine and its master chef, Giovan Battista Rossetti, mentioned it in his recipe book in 1584. But the Gonzaga family, ruling in Mantua at the same time, also claimed the recipe as their own. Pumpkin tortelli are a speciality pasta in the provinces of Mantua and Cremona (in Lombardy), Piacenza, Parma, Reggio, Modena, and Ferrara (in the Emilia region). In Ferrara they are called Cappellacci, from the shape of the straw hats typically worn by country folk. Elsewhere, the name tortelli derives from the way the pasta is folded.
Northern Italian and Sicilian cuisines feature a number of pumpkin dishes. Here are a few.
Tortelli Mantovani di Zucca – fresh pasta pillows filled with roasted pumpkin puree spiked with diced Mostarda di Cremona (candied fruits in mustard seed oil), crushed amaretti and a touch of nutmeg (or mace or cinnamon) and dressed with a sage and butter sauce.
Tortelli di Zucca
Mostarda di Cremona
Risotto di Zucca is made by gently sautéing tiny cubes of pumpkin with onions before adding the rice.
Friulian Zucca al forno is a slow-roasted whole pumpkin filled with mascarpone, Emmenthal and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses, sautéed onions, wild mushrooms and nutmeg. The natural sugars of the pumpkin caramelize and meld with the cheeses as it cooks.
There are also numerous regional Italian marinated fried pumpkin dishes.
Zucca alla Veneta are lightly floured pumpkin slices that are sautéed in olive oil and then arranged in layers, with torn basil leaves (and sometimes raisins) scattered over each layer. A dressing made by boiling white wine vinegar with a clove of garlic, salt and pepper is poured over the layered pumpkin slices and left to marinate, covered, overnight.
Sicilian Zucca Agrodolce (pan-fried pumpkin slices marinated in a sweet and sour sauce). The dish is made by frying 6 – 7 cloves of garlic (thinly sliced) in olive oil until golden. Sugar is then added to the pan and cooked to a golden caramel. White wine vinegar is added and the sauce is boiled until it becomes syrupy. Roughly chopped mentuccia leaves are scattered over the fried pumpkin before pouring the hot syrup over. It is left overnight and eaten the following day at room temperature. [Note: mentuccia is wild Italian mint).
Pumpkin Penne
Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne rigate (ridged), or other short pasta
- Coarse salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 medium yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin puree
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup grated Parmesan, divided
- pinch nutmeg and black pepper to the taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
- Sage leaves for garnish
Directions
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 2 cups pasta water; drain pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onions and cook until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes.
Carefully add pumpkin puree, garlic, half-and-half, ½ cup Parmesan, red-pepper flakes, nutmeg, black pepper and 1 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir sauce until heated through, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water. Season generously with salt. Serve pasta sprinkled with remaining cheese.
Creamy Pumpkin Brown Rice
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups uncooked brown basmati rice
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin purée
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup chopped, toasted pecans, optional
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, 7 to 8 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat with oil. Toast rice, stirring often, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes more. Meanwhile, whisk together pumpkin purée and broth in a large bowl.
Stir broth mixture and bay leaves into pot, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot, until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked through and creamy, about 45 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in pecans, if using, and Paremsan cheese. Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately.
Pumpkin Chard Lasagna
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 pounds of Swiss chard, stems removed, leaves washed well and chopped
- 2 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 3 cups canned pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups fresh ricotta cheese (32 ounces)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- ½ cup milk
- 9 no-boil lasagna noodles
- 1 tablespoon butter
Directions
Heat the oil over low heat in a large skillet. Add the onions and cook until translucent, stirring occasionally. Increase the heat to high and add the chard, one teaspoon of the salt, 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of the sage and 1/4 teaspoon of the nutmeg. Cook until the chard is wilted and no liquid remains in the pan. This should take eight to ten minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a medium sized bowl, mix together two cups of the pumpkin, ricotta cheese, eggs, 1/2 cups of the Parmesan cheese and the remaining salt, pepper, sage and nutmeg. Set aside.
Pour the milk into a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place one third of the noodles on top of the milk. Spread half of the pumpkin mixture on the noodles. Then layer half of the Swiss chard on the pumpkin. Top with another three noodles, pumpkin mixture and Swiss chard. Finish with remaining noodles.
Combine the remaining pumpkin, cayenne and the cream. Spread this over the top of the lasagna, being careful to do so evenly. Sprinkle with the remaining cup of Parmesan cheese and dot with butter.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden for 15-20 minutes.
Mini Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 24 mini muffin pan with paper liners and spray them with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking soda, pumpkin spice and salt with a wire whisk. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix oil, egg, pumpkin puree and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until thick. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
Add the flour mixture, then blend at low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour batter into prepared muffin cups and bake on the center rack for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the muffins cool at least 20 minutes before eating.
Hazelnut-Pumpkin Cheesecake
8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups finely ground hazelnuts
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoon hazelnut liqueur, divided (Frangelico)
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
- 3/4 cups light brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
To make crust: mix hazelnuts, sugar, 1 tablespoon of hazelnut liqueur and butter until combined. Press into a 9 to 10-inch springform pan making sure to press mixture on the bottom and up the sides, as well. Set aside.
For filling: in a large bowl mix in order cream cheese, brown sugar, eggs (one at a time) and pumpkin puree.
In a small cup stir remaining 2 tablespoons of hazelnut liqueur, pumpkin pie spice and salt into the evaporated milk. Pour the mixture into the pumpkin mixture and blend until combined.
Pour into crust and bake for 35 minutes or until the center is set. Allow to cool to room temperature and chill in the refigerator before serving.
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Eggs are one of nature’s most nutritious foods. They are a very nutrient-dense food because they provide a significant amount of vitamins and minerals (14 in total), yet only contain 70 calories. Eggs make a valuable contribution to a healthy, balanced diet. They provide protein, vitamin A, riboflavin and other vitamins and minerals. The yolk contains all the fat, saturated fat and cholesterol in an egg. Eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein and are far less expensive than most other animal-protein foods.
Yet, though they’re incredibly easy to make and the ingredients are usually at hand, many of us hardly ever think of preparing eggs for lunch or dinner. Perhaps that’s because eggs have gotten such a bad rap. They do contain dietary cholesterol. However, scientific research has made it clear that saturated fat — mostly from full-fat dairy products and red meat — is really the villain behind rising blood cholesterol levels. Although eggs contain a significant amount of cholesterol, they need not be excluded from the diet. Including protein-rich eggs in your meals and snacks helps sustain your energy level and curb hunger, cravings and unhealthy snacking. Protein is the most filling nutrient. It helps control the rate at which food energy (calories) is absorbed by your body.
Try to find eggs that are not mass produced from caged chickens. Healthier cage-free chickens produce yellower, more flavorful eggs, and your recipes will taste better for using them. Eggs are sold in standard sizes: small, medium, extra-large and jumbo. Most recipes call for large eggs but, if a recipe doesn’t specify, assume it means large. In recipes that don’t call for a lot of eggs, substituting one size for another is usually not a problem. However, as the number of eggs increase, the difference in the amount will become pronounced.
Eggs sold in supermarkets in the US are packed in cartons with the USDA shield on them indicating that they came from a USDA-inspected plant. Though not required, most egg cartons contain a “sell by date” beyond which they should not be sold. This date cannot be 30 days beyond the packing date. The USDA does require that egg cartons display the ‘pack date’, which is the day that the eggs were washed, graded and placed into the carton. You can find this date embedded in code on the side of the carton. The first 3 numbers, usually preceded by the letter ‘P’ indicates the plant number where the eggs were packed. The last 3 numbers is a 3-digit code that represents the consecutive day of the year, starting with January 1 as 001 and ending with December 31 as 365.
Egg products you see at the store may include whole eggs, egg whites and egg yolks in frozen or refrigerated liquid, and dried forms available in a number of different product formulations like cake and cookie mixes, as well as specialty egg products. Specialty egg products can include pre-peeled hard-cooked eggs, egg salad, pre-cooked omelets, egg patties, quiches, scrambled eggs, fried eggs and others. When purchasing egg products, look for containers that are tightly sealed and packages that are unopened. Although egg products have been processed, it is important to follow all cooking instructions on the packaging to ensure maximum safety. Buy refrigerated eggs and store them in your refrigerator as soon as you get home from the market.
After shell eggs reach home, it is very important to refrigerate them at a temperature of 45 °F or below. Keep the eggs in their carton and place them in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not in the door. Storing eggs in the refrigerator door could lead to temperature fluctuations that can lead to bacteria growth. Eggs may be refrigerated 3 to 5 weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator. The sell-by date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs are perfectly safe to use. Liquid egg products should be kept refrigerated at all times and consumed within two to six days from the date of purchase. Once liquid egg products are opened, they should be used immediately.
However, even under refrigeration, eggs slowly lose carbon dioxide, which causes the egg to lose moisture and enlarges the size of the air space between the egg and the shell. The combination of these changes makes an old egg a lot easier to peel than one that is fresh. So the best guarantee of easy peeling hard boiled eggs is to use older eggs.
It may be tempting to stop at a fast food drive in for lunch, but why do that when you can make a quick and delicious meal with eggs? If you’ve got eggs, you’ve got options.
Italian Egg Sandwich
For 1
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 large egg
- 2 slices Italian bread or 1 English muffin
- 2 slices tomato
- 1 slice fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon basil pesto
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lettuce, optional
Directions
Heat oil in a small saute pan with a lid. Crack egg into a small bowl and pour into the pan. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Cook for 2 minutes, turn egg over and place a slice of mozzarella cheese on top. Place lid on the pan to melt the cheese and remove the pan from the heat.
Toast bread or muffin, if desired. Spread pesto on the bread.
Place egg on top of bread or muffin bottom and top with sliced tomato, lettuce and bread.
Potato Hash with Fried Eggs
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/4 salt
- 1 cup water
- 8 fresh sage leaves, divided plus extra for garnish
- 2 Vidalia or sweet onions, chopped
- 8 large eggs
Directions
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sweet potatoes and toss until coated in the butter, then add water and sage leaves. Bring water to a simmer and cook potatoes, uncovered, until the water has almost evaporated and the potatoes are fork tender, about 10 minutes. If there is any excess water in the pan, remove it with a large spoon and reserve.
Continue cooking potatoes, scraping pan frequently with a spoon, until crusty brown, about 10 more minutes. Add a tablespoon of the leftover cooking liquid or fresh water, if the potatoes stick or begin to scorch.
Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook, adding water as necessary when the pan gets dry, until deep golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer onions to the pan with the potatoes.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the empty skillet and cook the eggs, 4 at a time, to your preference.
Place potato and onion mixture in the center of 4 plates and top each plate with 2 fried eggs. Garnish plates with sage leaves.
Baked Asparagus & Cheese Frittata
6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fine dry breadcrumbs
- 1 pound thin asparagus
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 onions, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 cup water
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese of choice
Directions
Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 10-inch pie pan or ceramic quiche dish with cooking spray. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, tapping out the excess.
Snap tough ends off asparagus. Slice off the top 2 inches of the tips and reserve. Cut the stalks into 1/2-inch-long slices.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, bell pepper, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add water and the asparagus stalks to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until the asparagus is tender and the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes (the mixture should be very dry). Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the vegetables in an even layer in the prepared baking pan.
Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add ricotta, parsley, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; whisk to blend. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables, gently shaking the pan to distribute. Scatter the reserved asparagus tips over the top and sprinkle with cheese
Bake the frittata until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Winter Vegetables with Egg
You should figure about 8 ounces of roasted vegetables per serving.
For the vegetables:
- Small carrots scrubbed and trimmed
- Small parsnips, peeled and trimmed
- Brussel sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
- 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
For the mustard sauce:
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
One fried or poached egg per serving
Directions:
In a large heavy skillet over medium high heat oil, brown the vegetables and cook them until tender and caramelized. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove to a bowl.
Add shallots to the skillet and saute until softened. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in olive oil and mustard; stir. Return vegetables to the skillet and mix thoroughly.
Top each serving of vegetables with a fried or poached egg.
Italian Eggs Over Polenta
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) tube of polenta, cut into 12 slices (picture below)
- Olive oil
- 2 cups homemade or store bought tomato-basil pasta sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Asiago cheese
Directions
Preheat broiler.
Arrange polenta slices on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush tops of polenta with olive oil. Broil 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated and beginning to brown.
Bring sauce to a simmer in a large nonstick skillet with a cover over medium-high heat. Stir in spinach; cover and cook for 1 minute or until spinach wilts. Stir to combine.
Make 4 indentations in the top of the spinach mixture using the back of a wooden spoon. Break 1 egg into each indentation. Cover the pan, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until eggs are cooked to your liking. Sprinkle with cheese.
Place 3 polenta slices on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 egg and one-fourth of spinach mixture.
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- Consumption of Eggs and Its Effect on Diabetes (diabetes.answers.com)
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2013/04/09/healthy-eggs-for-breakfast/
- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/08/08/eggs-arent-just-for-breakfast/
- The Worst Way to Eat Eggs (realfarmacy.com)
- Fabulously Easy Party Food: Deviled Eggs (babescott.com)
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