Scallops in Garlic Cream Sauce
2 servings
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
10 oz sea scallops
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 large shallot, minced
1 small zucchini about 6 oz, finely diced
Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice
6 oz cooked pasta (I used pappardelle)
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano
2 tablespoons chopped basil
Directions
Cook pasta until al dente, drain and set aside.
Remove the side muscle from the scallops if attached. Thoroughly pat the scallops dry with paper towels.
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat until hot and sizzling. Add the scallops in a single layer.
Season with salt and pepper and cook without moving for 2 minutes on one side, then turn the scallops over and cook 1 minute. Remove the scallops from the skillet and transfer to a plate.
In the same pan, add the garlic, shallots, and zucchini. Cook stirring the ingredients often for 5 minutes.
Add cream and allow to simmer until slightly thickened.
Remove the skillet from the heat; stir in lemon juice and add the scallops back into the pan to warm through slightly.
Stir in the basil, cooked pasta, and cheese. Serve in pasta bowls.
I used pappardelle pasta for this recipe because I wanted a lighter dish. Pappardelle noodles are very wide but lighter than lasagna. If you want a lower carb dish, I would recommend a low carb pasta I found made by Al Dente. It is a delicious egg/semolina pasta, that tastes like pasta but has half the carbs of regular pappardelle pasta. I like to serve a mixed green salad with Italian dressing with the casserole.
Ingredients
1 lb Pappardelle pasta
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound Italian pork sausage
3-14 to 15 oz cans diced Italian tomatoes, undrained
One 6 oz can tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
Salt and pepper
Ricotta Filling
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; mix well and set aside
32 oz container ricotta cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried parsley or ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions.
Cut the sausage into ¼ inch slices.
In a large saucepan or Dutch Oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add sausage; cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, stirring frequently. Add the tomato paste, one tomato paste can of water, and the dried seasoning. Cook and stir for one minute. Add tomatoes salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce until thickened, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
Cook pasta two minutes less than the package directions. Drain.
Arrange a double layer of pappardelle (about a third of the pasta) in a 3-quart casserole dish sprayed with olive oil cooking spray. Cover the pasta with 1/3 of the sauce and add half of the ricotta cheese. Spread the cheese to cover the layer underneath. Repeat the process for a second layer. Spread the remaining pasta for a third layer and cover with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.
Spray a sheet of foil with olive oil cooking spray. Place the coated side down on the baking dish. Bake at 375*F for 40-45 minutes or until heated through. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.
Italian Sausage Eggplant Bolognese Sauce
Serve this sauce over your favorite pasta. I used pappardelle because the wide noodles hold the sauce.
6-8 servings
Ingredients
1 lb hot Italian sausage, casing removed
1 1/2 cups peeled and diced eggplant (about 1 1/2 pounds)
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped sweet onion
1 large carrot, finely diced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
Kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine
1 cup beef broth
1 (26-ounce) container Pomi finely chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
12 ounces uncooked pappardelle, rigatoni, bucatini or spaghetti
1/4 cup small fresh basil leaves
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add crumbled sausage and diced eggplant; cook until lightly browned.
Add onion, carrots, celery, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook 10 minutes or until onion is tender. Add garlic and cook 20 minutes or until eggplant is very tender, stirring occasionally. Add tomato paste; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add wine; cook 1 minute, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits. Add beef broth, tomatoes,1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add crushed red pepper flakes, basil, and cream. Heat until warm.
Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, adding 1 tablespoon kosher salt to the cooking water. Drain and add the pasta to the pot of sauce. Stir and cook for a few minutes. Place pasta in individual pasta serving bowls and sprinkle with cheese.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced bell peppers
1 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausage, sliced into ¼ inch rounds
2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon sundried tomato paste
1 pound pappardelle or fettuccine pasta
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add the peppers and onion and saute for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add the sausage and cook for 8 minutes, or until brown on all sides. Add the garlic, crushed fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and cook for one minute. Pour in the heavy cream and, then, stir in the tomato paste. Bring to a low boil, lower the heat, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon salt, and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package for al dente. Drain and add to the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb the sauce.
Off the heat, stir in the basil and the Parmesan. Serve hot in shallow bowls with grated Parmesan on the side.
Serve with a green salad.
“Alla Puttanesca” literally means “in the style of a whore” in Italian. The name famously refers to prostitutes, with stories (most of them debunked by historians) attributing the connection to the fact that the dish was quick to make between clients, or so aromatic it helped prostitutes attract them.
However, it is an Italian sauce usually served over pasta that was invented in Naples. Its ingredients typically include tomatoes, olive oil, anchovies, olives, capers, and garlic. Various accounts exist as to when and how the dish originated, but it likely dates to the mid-twentieth century. The earliest known mention of it is in Raffaele La Capria’s, Ferito a Morte (Mortal Wound), a 1961 Italian novel which mentions “spaghetti alla puttanesca come li fanno a Siracusa” (spaghetti alla puttanesca as they make it in Syracuse). The sauce became popular in the 1960s, according to the Professional Union of Italian Pasta Makers.
The 1971 edition of the Cucchiaio d’argento (The Silver Spoon), one of Italy’s most prominent cookbooks, has no recipe with this name, but two which are similar: The Neapolitan spaghetti alla partenopea, is made with anchovies and generous quantities of oregano; while spaghetti alla siciliana adds green peppers. Still again there is a Sicilian style dish popular around Palermo that includes olives, anchovies, and raisins.
In a 2005 article from Il Golfo—a daily newspaper serving the Italian islands of Ischia and Procida—Annarita Cuomo wrote that sugo alla puttanesca was invented in the 1950s by Sandro Petti, co-owner of Rancio Fellone, a famous restaurant and nightspot. According to Cuomo, Petti’s moment of inspiration came when—near closing one evening—he found a group of customers sitting at one of his tables. He was low on ingredients and so told them he didn’t have enough to make them a meal. They complained that it was late and they were hungry. “Facci una puttanata qualsiasi,” or “throw together whatever,” they insisted. Petti had nothing more than four tomatoes, two olives and some capers—the basic ingredients for the sugo, “So I used them to make the sauce for the spaghetti,” Petti told Cuomo. Later, Petti included this dish on his menu as spaghetti alla puttanesca.
Basic recipe
The sauce alone is called sugo alla puttanesca in Italian. Recipes may differ according to preferences; for instance, the Neapolitan version is prepared without anchovies, unlike the version popular in Lazio, where spices are added with the anchovies. In most cases, however, the sugo is a little salty (from the capers, olives, and anchovies) and quite fragrant (from the garlic). Traditionally, the sauce is served with spaghetti, although it is also paired with penne, bucatini, linguine and vermicelli.
Chopped garlic and anchovies are sautéed in olive oil. Chopped chili peppers, olives, capers, diced tomatoes and oregano are added along with salt and black pepper to taste. The sauce is reduced by simmering and is poured it over spaghetti and topped with chopped parsley.
Whatever its Italian origins, Americans have made it a popular sauce. Besides pasta, the sauce can be served over fish, beans or meat. I like it served over pork chops. Here is my version.
Puttanesca Pork Chops
2 servings
Ingredients
2 boneless pork loin chops, each about ¾ inch thick
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 anchovy fillets, minced, or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or more to taste
2 cups cherry or plum tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup pitted black olives
1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
1/4 cup dry white wine
! tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add the pork. Cook, turning once until browned and an instant-read thermometer registers 140°F, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Add the wine and cook for one minute. Add the garlic and anchovies (or anchovy paste) to the pan. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, olives, capers, and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and simmer until the tomatoes break down and the sauce is thickened, 2 to 4 minutes. Return the pork and any juices to the pan, turning to coat with the sauce. Top the pork with the chopped oregano and parsley. Serve with cooked pasta.
Pappardelle Pasta with Butter and Parmesan Cheese
2 servings
Ingredients
4 oz pappardelle pasta
Salt
Sauce:
4 tablespoons butter
1 garlic clove, minced
Freshly cracked black pepper
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente and drain. In the same pot add the butter and garlic and cook on low heat just until the butter melts. Add the pasta, cheese, and black pepper, toss and serve with the pork.
Oven Roasted Broccoli Florets
Ingredients
12 oz bag of fresh broccoli florets
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, grated
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Oil a baking dish.
Place the broccoli in the prepared baking dish and drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with the lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss well and roast for 15 -20 minutes in the preheated oven until crisp-tender and the edges are starting to brown, tossing occasionally.
Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Ricotta
This week my market had broccoli rabe and fennel on sale. It was Italian week and all things Italian were a great buy. Naturally, I took advantage of this sale. Used the broccoli rabe in this recipe, half the fennel bulb in the pork scaloppine recipe and I will use the remainder of the fennel in a salad.
4 servings
Ingredients
1 bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and washed well
Salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (chili)
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
8 oz pappardelle pasta or rigatoni
Directions
Cut the broccoli rabe into two-inch lengths.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the broccoli rabe. After the water returns to a boil, boil two minutes.
Using a deep-fry skimmer or slotted spoon, transfer the broccoli rabe to a colander.
Do not drain the hot water in the pot, as you’ll use it to cook the pasta.
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cook for a minute and stir in the broccoli rabe.
Toss to coat in the oil. Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
Place the ricotta in a large pasta bowl.
Bring the water in the large pot back to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente. Ladle 1/2 cup of the cooking water from the pasta into the ricotta and stir together.
Drain the pasta, and toss with the ricotta, broccoli rabe and cheeses. Serve at once.
Pork Scaloppine With Roasted Vegetables
Florida grown peppers were also on sale, so along with the fennel, I had the makings of a side dish.
4 servings
For the scaloppine
1 tablespoon ground fennel seeds
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 slices boneless pork chops, each about 4 oz
½ cup dry white wine
Directions
Trim the pork of all fat. Place the pork slices between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound thin.
Combine the flour with the fennel, salt and pepper. Dredge the pork slices in the flour mixture, coating each slice well.
Heat the oil in a skillet and add the pork. Cook until brown and turn the slices over. Once brown, add the wine to the skillet and move the slices around until they are coated in the wine.
Remove the pork from the skillet and serve over the roasted vegetables. Pour any juices from the skillet over the pork.
For the roasted vegetables
Ingredients
Half a fennel bulb, trimmed and cut into ½ inch slices
Half a medium red bell pepper, cut vertically into 1/2-inch strips
Half a medium green bell pepper, cut vertically into 1/2-inch strips
Half a medium yellow bell pepper, cut vertically into 1/2-inch strips
A quarter of a medium red onion, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions
Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine fennel, peppers, onion and garlic. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Drizzle oil over top and mix with a large spoon.
Transfer vegetables to a shallow baking pan and bake 30 minutes, mixing once, until the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with lemon juice and mix gently.
Fish Cakes
I usually cook extra fish fillets so I can make fish cakes with the extra later in the week. It is one of our favorite dishes.
Ingredients
8 oz white fish fillets or leftover cooked fish
1 cup leftover mashed potatoes
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup chopped celery
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon seafood seasoning (Old Bay)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup Panko crumbs
Directions
Cook the fish if is raw. The fish can be baked, broiler or sautéed. It doesn’t matter for this recipe. Cool if cooking the fish just before making the cakes.
Flake the fish in a mixing bowl and add all the remaining ingredients, except the Panko crumbs. Mix well.
Divide the mixture into four equal balls. Place on the Panko crumbs, flatten the cakes and coat on all sides. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and brown the fish cakes on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve with Tartar Sauce.
I am sure you have heard of Chicken Cacciatore but how about Beef Cacciatore? I came up with this recipe when I had several beef round roasts in the freezer and did not want to make a traditional pot roast. This is a great dish to make at this time of year. Assemble it and put in the oven and then you can go on with your holiday preparations. Cook some pasta or mashed potatoes and you have dinner.
A typical bottom round roast that weighs 3 to 4 pounds should be slow roasted in a Dutch Oven for about 4 hours for a tender roast with an internal temperature of 165 to 170 F(74 to 77 °C) . Preheat the oven to 300 °F (149 °C) and slow roast the meat for 3 to 4 hours, depending on the weight.
Beef Cacciatore
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3-4 lb boneless bottom round roast (also called rump)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 large onion, cut into large dice
1 (28 ounce) container finely chopped Italian tomatoes
1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced thickly
1 cup dry red wine
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon red chili flakes
8 oz Pappardelle Pasta
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Brown the roast on all sides in the oil in an ovenproof Dutch Oven. Season the roast with salt and pepper.
Add the garlic, onions, bell peppers and mushrooms. Let them cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the wine, tomatoes, seasoning and some additional salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Cover the pan and place it in the oven. Cook for about four hours or until very tender. Turn the roast over several times during cooking.
Remove the roast to a large plate and let rest for ten minutes. Slice thin.
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain.
Bring the sauce to a boil in the Dutch Oven and reduce the heat to low. Add the drained pasta and let heat for a minute or two.
Pour into a large pasta serving bowl and place the sliced beef on top.
Serve this meal with a green salad.
Tuscan Vineyard and Abbey painted by Marilyn Dunlap
Chianti, Italy, is the Classico wine region in the province of Tuscany, Italy. Chianti” is the name of the wine region but the wine from Chianti is known as Chianti Classico, to distinguish it from other Chianti wines that come from areas of Tuscany outside the Chianti region. Stretching between Florence and Siena, in the heart of Tuscany, the Chianti wine region is highly romanticized area with its terracotta-roofed towns and vineyards stretching across sun-draped hillsides. However, you no longer will find the straw-wrapped wine bottles readily available. Today, Chianti vintners produce excellent, nuanced wines that are worthy of elegant surroundings.
Chianti Vineyards
The Chianti DOCG covers all the Chianti wine region and includes a large stretch of land encompassing the western areas of Pisa near the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Florentine hills to the north, the province of Arezzo in the east and the Siena hills to the south. These vineyards overlap the DOCG regions of Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Any Sangiovese-based wine made according to the Chianti guidelines from these vineyards can be labelled and marked under the Chianti DOCG should the producer wish to use the designation.
The first definition of a wine-area called Chianti was made in 1716. In 1932 the Chianti area was completely re-drawn and divided in seven sub-areas: Classico, Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colline Pisane, Colli Senesi, Montalbano and Rùfina. Wines labelled “Chianti Classico” come from the biggest sub-area of Chianti, that includes the original Chianti heartland. Only Chianti from this zone may boast the black rooster seal (known in Italian as a gallo nero) on the neck of the bottle, which indicates that the producer of the wine is a member of the Chianti Classico Consortium, the local association of producers.
Sangiovese grapes
During the 1970s producers started to reduce the quantity of white grapes in Chianti. In 1995, it became legal to produce a Chianti made completely from Sangiovese grapes. For a wine to retain the name of Chianti, it must be produced with at least 80% Sangiovese. Aged Chianti (38 months instead of 4–7), may be labelled as Riserva. Chianti that meets more stringent requirements (lower yield, higher alcohol content and dry extract) may be labelled as Chianti Superiore, although Chianti from the “Classico” sub-area is not allowed to be labelled as “Superiore”.
Antinori Winery
The Antinori family has been producing wine in the region since the 1300s. The family company, Marchesi Antinori, is planting for the future. In the fall of 2012, a new, architecturally stunning winemaking facility, called Antinori nel Chianti Classico, was inaugurated. And in March of the following year, the glass-and-steel complex opened to the public for tours of its elegant cantina and grounds. “The idea was to bring the heart of the company back to the countryside where the wine is produced,” says Antinori, who represents the family wine business’s 25th generation. “We wanted to have a winery which was not a monument, but integrated in the landscape.”
Antinori Tasting Room
The facility includes a 129,000-square-foot, multilevel winery, with an energy-efficient gravity-flow system and naturally cool underground barrel rooms that have yet to need air-conditioning. In addition, the new location houses the company’s headquarters, an auditorium, boutique, restaurant, museum, olive oil mill and a facility for producing sweet Vin Santo. Its most dramatic features are the glass-walled tasting rooms that rise above the cathedral-like barrel cellars and the exterior onion-peel staircase that climbs to a terrace built on a swooping 70-foot roof overhang.
Wine Type
Is identified in one of three ways (see below):
Region
The region or sub-region will always be located next to the classification level
Classification (DOCG, DOC, IGT, Vino da Tavola)
Wine Name
This is never next to the classification and often indicates that the wine is a blend of grapes, as in the case of a Super Tuscan wine.
Producer Name
Italian wineries will often use words like Tenuta, Azienda, Castello or Cascina in their name.
What makes Chianti the perfect food wine?
Chianti, a red blend from Tuscany, is as essential to Italian cuisine as extra virgin olive oil.
When you think of pairing Chianti with food, most people think of pasta and it is a perfect combination, but there is so much more that you can pair with Chianti.
It’s a great compliment to strong-tasting poultry dishes, spiced lamb or even beef (as long as it’s not overly fatty). If you are looking for a good wine with pizza, Chianti is a good choice.
Lasagna
Chianti’s is a perfect accompaniment for lasagna. It’s higher acid level stands up well to Lasagna’s rich tomato sauce and it has enough flavor to stand up to sausage or meat that is often part of the dish.
Spaghetti Bolognese
A rich meat sauce made with a tomato and wine base pairs with Chianti.
Roasted Leg of Lamb
The herbs used to flavor the meat pair perfectly with the slightly acidic nature of Chianti.
Cioppino
It was first created in San Francisco by the fishermen whose diet was pretty much limited to whatever they caught at sea and didn’t sell. Trading with other fisherman for different types of seafood brought variety and, in the process, created one of the world’s favorite seafood stews. The brininess brought by the seafood along the tomato flavor are the ideal compliment for Chianti.
Pizza Margherita
Pair pizza with Chianti. Chianti is light enough to not overwhelm pizza Margherita’s simple flavors of basil, tomatoes and cheese.
Main Dish Recipes to Serve with Chianti Wine
Tuscan Market
Pork and Mushroom Ragu
6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 oz dried porcini mushrooms
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 oz pancetta, minced
- 2 lbs boneless pork ribs, cut into 1″ cubes
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup carrots, finely chopped
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup dry white wine
- One 16 oz can peeled tomatoes, in their juice and chopped
- 1/4 flat leaf parsley, minced
- 1 lb package pappardelle pasta
Directions
In a small saucepan, bring the beef broth to a boil. Soak porcini mushrooms in the boiled broth for 30 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the porcini, chop them and set them aside. Reserve the broth.
Heat the oil in a large heavy bottomed saucepan over medium high heat. Add a layer of pork ribs and brown the meat on all sides, about 3 – 5 minutes per side. Remove the browned pork, set aside and repeat with the remaining pork until all the pieces are well browned.
Pour off any remaining fat from the pan. Add the pancetta and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the cremini mushrooms and cook until they are softened and most of the released juices evaporate. Add the garlic, onions and carrots and cook until softened, about 6-8 minutes.
Add the wine, meat, reserved porcini beef broth, chopped porcini mushrooms and tomatoes to the pot. Mix well and bring it to a brisk simmer.
Cover and adjust heat to a low simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Stir frequently, add 1/4 cup of water as needed to keep it moist.
Cook the pappardelle pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain. Mix the pasta with the ragu and top with the parsley.
Chicken and Sausage Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 sprigs of rosemary, leaves chopped
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 2″ pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz. thin sliced prosciutto, cut each slice in half
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh Italian sausage cut into 2″ pieces
- Sage leaves
- 12 skewers
Directions:
Over low heat in a small saucepan, heat the olive oil and the chopped rosemary leaves. Once the oil and rosemary start to sizzle, remove from the pan from the heat and cool to room temperature (can be done 4 days in advance).
Whisk 1/4 cup of the rosemary oil with the white wine vinegar; add the chicken pieces and marinate for 30-60 minutes. Reserve the remaining oil.
Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and lightly season with salt and pepper. Wrap each piece of chicken with a piece of prosciutto.
Alternate the chicken and sausage on the skewers, placing a sage leaf between them. Each skewer should have about 2 pieces of chicken and 2 pieces of sausage to make 12 skewers.
Refrigerate the kebabs until ready to cook. When ready to grill, brush the chicken and sausage with some of the remaining rosemary oil.
Heat a grill and create a low heat section. Cook the skewers over low heat and turn frequently to avoid burning, about 5 minutes on each side. Brush with more rosemary oil if the meat appears dry during cooking.
Alternatively, the skewers can be cooked in the broiler until they are browned.
Classic San Francisco Cioppino
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 rib of celery, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves crushed garlic
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 pound crimini mushrooms, sliced
- One 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups clam juice
- 2 cups dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon each dried basil and dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (chili)
- 1 large cooked Dungeness crab (about 2 pounds), cracked and cleaned, still in the shell.
- 2 pounds fresh halibut fillet or other firm-fleshed white fish, cubed
- 24 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 dozen mussels OR clams OR oysters OR a combination of those, depending on what is available
Directions
In a large pot, melt the butter with the olive oil over low heat.
Sauté the celery, onions and garlic until soft (about 5 minutes). Add all the other ingredients EXCEPT the seafood and simmer on low heat, uncovered, for one hour. Add a little water if the sauce becomes too thick. Adjust seasonings to taste.
Add the white fish and shrimp. Simmer, covered, for about 5 minutes. Add mussels and simmer for 3-5 minutes more, until the shells open. Discard any mussels that do not open.
Add the crab last and just heat through. Ladle the stew into large bowls and serve with crusty sourdough bread and lots of napkins.
Sunday Braciole
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned dried breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup grated provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 flank steak, about 1 1/2 pounds, pounded to 1/8 inch thickness
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup dry red wine
- 2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix together the first 6 ingredients in a bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Place the filling over the flank steak covering it evenly. Starting at the shorter end, roll up the flank steak into a tight cylinder. Tie the roll with butcher’s twine (kitchen string).
Heat a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and the braciole. Brown the meat on all sides, about 10 minutes total.
Carefully remove the braciole to a plate. Add the onion to the pan and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the tomatoes.
Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium low. Allow to simmer for a few minutes to incorporate all the ingredients. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Put the braciole back into the pan. Cover with a lid or foil and place in the oven. Bake turning the braciole every 30 minutes and basting with the tomato sauce.
After one hour uncover the pan and bake until the meat is tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Add more wine or water to the sauce if needed as it cooks.
Remove the braciole from the sauce and let rest for ten minutes. Remove the twine.
Slice the braciole into 1 inch thick slices. Transfer to a warmed platter. Spoon the sauce over. Sprinkle with the basil and parsley.
Amalfi-Coast-Beach
Italy is surrounded by the sea where there is an abundance of fresh fish. Seafood is a very important part of the Italian cuisine and fresh seafood is the key to the best tasting Italian meals. Regional recipes for salt-water fish—and sometimes for fresh-water fish from Italy’s many lakes, rivers, and streams—are some of the most celebrated dishes in Italian cuisine. One of the reasons that the Mediterranean people and their diet is so healthy is that they eat a lot more fish than they eat meat. Fish such as tuna, herring, salmon and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and shellfish including mussels, oysters, and clams have similar benefits for the brain and heart health.
Adding Italian flavors to your fish, makes dinner so much more interesting. Try these out next time you are cooking fish.
Shrimp Bruschetta
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound large peeled fresh or frozen (thawed) cooked shrimp
- 1 pint yellow and/or red cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/4 cup snipped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, plus extra for garnish
- 1/4 cup tomato (marinara) sauce
- 1 small baguette or small loaf of Italian bread
- 4 tablespoons ricotta cheese
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (chili)
Directions
Remove the tails from the shrimp, if present. Combine the shrimp, tomatoes, parsley and marinara sauce in a saucepan and heat just until warm.
Preheat the broiler.
Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise and then crosswise, so you have four pieces. Place the bread on a baking sheet. Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat for about 2 minutes or until light, golden brown.
Spread the ricotta on the toasted bread and top with the warmed shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with hot pepper flakes and parsley before serving.
Tuna Club Sandwiches
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup creamy Italian salad dressing, recipe below
- 1/2 cup bottled roasted red sweet peppers, drained
- One 12 ounce can solid white tuna, drained and broken in chunks
- One 8 3/4 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
- 12 extra-thin slices sandwich bread, lightly toasted
- Butter head lettuce leaves
Directions
For the roasted red pepper sauce:
In a blender container combine the salad dressing and half the roasted red sweet peppers; process until nearly smooth.
For tuna filling:
Chop the remaining peppers. In a mixing bowl combine the chopped peppers with the tuna, corn and 1/4 cup of the roasted red pepper sauce.
For each club sandwich: spread two slices of toasted bread with tuna filling, layer with lettuce leaves, stack the two slices, then top with a third slice of toast.
Cut in half diagonally. Serve with remaining roasted red pepper sauce as a dipping sauce.
Light Creamy Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup plain Greek Yogurt
- 3 tablespoons buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a jar or mixing bowl and whisk until completely smooth. Use immediately or store in a jar in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Sea Bass with Fennel Salad
4 servings
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Dash ground black pepper
Fish and Salad
- 3 fennel bulbs, trimmed, thinly sliced and then cut into thin strips (about 4 cups)
- 1 cup coarsely shredded carrot
- 1 lb fresh or frozen sea bass or grouper fillets, cut 3/4 to 1 inch thick
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Fresh fennel tops
Directions
To make the dressing:
In a screw-top jar, combine vinegar, oil, oregano, mustard, the 1/8 teaspoon salt and a dash black pepper. Cover and shake well. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the dressing in a small container with a cover and chill until serving time.
For the salad:
In a large bowl, combine the fennel strips and carrot. Pour the remaining dressing over the fennel mixture. Toss lightly to coat. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours.
For the fish:
Pat the fish dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together the crushed fennel seeds, the 1/2 teaspoon salt and the 1/4 teaspoon pepper; sprinkle evenly over both sides of the fish.
Heat a stove top grill ( or use the broiler).
Grill for 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Carefully turn fish once halfway through grilling.
Drizzle the reserved 1 tablespoon dressing over the grilled fish. Cut the fish into four pieces and serve with the fennel salad. Garnish with fennel tops.
Pasta Bowl
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh white fish fillets, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and ground black pepper
- 1 small zucchini or yellow summer squash
- 1 large carrot
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 8 ounces dried pappardelle pasta (wide noodles)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (chili)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to boiling.
Trim zucchini. Trim and peel carrot. Using a vegetable peeler, cut the zucchini and carrot lengthwise into thin ribbons. Set aside.
Cook pappardelle pasta al dente according to the package directions and add the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of cooking time. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta and broccoli.
In a large skillet, heat oil and cook the fillets about three minutes on each side. Place on a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
In the same skillet, combine the wine, broth, Italian seasoning, the salt and the crushed red pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
Simmer, uncovered, about 4 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the reserved 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Bring back to boiling.
Add drained pasta, broccoli and vegetable ribbons to the skillet. Gently cook and stir until the pasta is coated with the sauce mixture and thickens slightly.
Stir in the cherry tomatoes, the 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and half of the parsley. Heat until the cheese is incorporated and the tomatoes are slightly softened.
Divide pasta, vegetables and sauce into four individual pasta bowls. Break fish into large chunks and place on top of each pasta serving. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley.
Swordfish with Citrus Salsa
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh or frozen swordfish or tuna steaks, cut 1 inch thick and divided into 4 steaks
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
- 2 blood oranges or red grapefruit
- 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons snipped fresh mint
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
- Asparagus
Directions
Pat fish dry with paper towels. Set aside.
In a small saucepan cook the green onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of oil for 1 to 2 minutes or until the onions soften. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Crumble saffron threads into the mixture; stir. Let stand to infuse the saffron.
Cut a thin slice from one end of each orange or grapefruit and the lemon, so the fruit will sit level. Working on a cutting board, cut down from the top of the fruit to remove the peel and white part of the rind.
Working over a bowl to catch the juices, remove the fruit sections by cutting into the center of the fruit between one section and the membrane; cut along the other side of each section next to the membrane to free the section. Remove seeds.
Add saffron mixture to the bowl with the fruit sections and juices. Stir in the mint, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
Lightly brush both sides of the swordfish steaks with the remaining olive oil; sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Grill fish on the rack of a covered grill directly over medium heat for 8 to 12 minutes or just until fish flakes when tested with a fork, turning once halfway through cooking time. Or use a stove top grill or a broiler.
Add some asparagus spears to the grill with the fish. Turn the asparagus several times during the grilling time.
Gently stir fruit-mint mixture to combine and spoon over the fish. Serve the asparagus on the side.
With the weather getting cooler in many parts of the country, we may find ourselves entertaining friends for dinner rather than hosting casual, warm weather BBQs. There are so many good choices in the fall for your menu that it is difficult to know where to begin. Chicken is always a good choice but for a dinner party, the chicken recipe should be something a little different; something your guests may not have had before – just to keep things interesting. Choose vegetables in season, a side of potatoes, noodles or rice and a great appetizer.
Please find below one of my fall dinner party menu suggestions and the recipes to go with it.
Entertaining Menu
Antipasto Stromboli
Wine: Pinot Grigio or Prosecco
Vinegar Braised Chicken with Pappardelle Noodles
Olive Oil Braised Broccoli Rabe
Wine: Barbera from Emilia-Romagna or a Chianti from Tuscany
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti and Cherry Pistachio Biscotti
Fresh Fruit
Espresso
First Course
Antipasto Stromboli
Ingredients
- 2 (one pound) pizza dough balls, at room temperature
- Olive oil
- 1/4 pound thinly sliced Genoa Salami
- 1/4 Pound thinly sliced Pepperoni
- 1/2 pound thinly sliced Provolone Cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pickled cherry peppers
- 1 egg lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. and line two baking sheets with parchment.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough balls to a 15 x 10 inch rectangle. Brush the dough lightly with olive oil.
Use half the meat, cheese and peppers, and cover the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border.
Roll the dough up into a log and brush the seam edges with beaten egg.
Leaving the seam at the bottom and pinching the ends closed, place the roll on one of the baking sheets. Complete the other roll in the same manner.
Brush the rolls with the beaten egg mixture and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool 10 minutes before slicing.
Second Course
Vinegar-Braised Chicken
Ingredients
- 8-10 pieces of chicken – combination of bone-in breasts cut in half if large and thighs (skin on or off; your choice)
- Salt and pepper
- Flour
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bunch scallions (green onions), sliced thin
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 8 oz pappardelle noodles
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F and position a rack in the upper third.
Coat the chicken in flour and season generously with salt and pepper.
In a Dutch Oven or large ovenproof skillet heat half of the butter and half of the oil. Add half the chicken, skin side up, and cook over high heat until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook the chicken for 1 minute. Remove to a large platter. Repeat with the remaining butter, oil and chicken. When brown place on the platter with the first batch of chicken.
Add the scallions and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onions begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the broth and vinegar and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper.
Place the chicken on top, skin side up and roast for about 25 minutes, until it is cooked through.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pappardelle and cook until the al dente stage. Drain. Place the noodles on a large serving platter.
Place the Dutch Oven on top of the the stove and transfer the chicken with a slotted spoon to the platter with the noodles, arranging the chicken attractively over the noodles.
Bring the mixture in the pot to a boil over high heat and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add a little of the sauce to the sour cream, mix well and whisk the sour cream into the mixture in the pot. Simmer until the sauce is hot and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Do not boil or the sour cream will curdle. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.
Olive-Oil-Braised Broccoli Rabe
Look for broccoli rabe with vibrant green leaves and plump stems.
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 6 medium garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
- 2 bunches (1 1/4 pounds each) broccoli rabe, trimmed and cut crosswise into 3-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon julienned lemon zest, plus fresh lemon juice for serving
- Coarse salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
Directions
Heat the oil and garlic in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until garlic is sizzling and aromatic, but not browned, about 2 minutes.
Add the broccoli rabe, zest and 3/4 teaspoon salt, then use tongs to toss and coat in oil. Add the stock and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until broccoli rabe is tender, 7 to 10 minutes.
Transfer contents of pan (including liquid) to a serving bowl. Grind pepper over top and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
Dessert Course
Cherry Pistachio Biscotti
Makes about 36 biscotti
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted pistachio nuts
- 1 cup dried tart cherries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs, plus 1 egg, lightly beaten, for brushing the tops of the dough
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
Directions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Reserve one baking sheet for later when you bake the biscotti slices.
Place pistachios in a single layer on a third baking sheet and toast the nuts in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until just golden. Remove the nuts from the pan and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, mix toasted pistachios, cherries, sugars, baking powder and flour.
In a small bowl, whisk eggs and vanilla extract until well blended. Add to the flour mixture. Stir a few times.
Work the batter together with lightly floured hands. The mixture will be sticky, but persevere. Keep squeezing the batter with your hands, until a dough starts to form. Once the dough is firm, form a ball. Divide the ball into 2 equal pieces.
On a lightly floured surface, place one piece of dough and, using your hands, roll into a log shape that is approximately 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. If it’s sticky, simply dust your palms with more flour. Repeat with the remaining piece of dough. Place the two logs on one baking sheet. Brush the loaves all over with 1 lightly beaten egg.
Bake for 40 minutes, turning the pan around halfway through, or until the tops of the loaves are shiny and deep golden. Cool on a rack for about 20 minutes before slicing.
Place a loaf on a cutting board. Using a large serrated knife, cut 1/2-inch-thick slices, either straight or on the diagonal. Use a sawing motion to prevent crumbling. If the cookie is crumbling, then let it cool a few more minutes. Don’t let it rest too long, however, or it could become too hard to slice.
Place slices on their sides on the baking sheets. Reduce the oven temperature to 200 degrees F and bake the biscotti for 20 minutes, until toasted and crisp. Turn the biscotti slices over and rotate the pans after ten minutes.
Remove the pans from the oven and cool the biscotti completely before storing in an airtight container.
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti
Makes about 36 biscotti (3/4-inch-wide cookies)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups toasted hazelnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons espresso powder
- 4 large eggs, plus 1 egg, lightly beaten, for brushing the tops of the dough
- 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
Directions
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Reserve one baking sheet for later when you bake the biscotti slices.
Place hazelnuts in a single layer on a third baking sheet and toast the nuts in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until just golden. Remove the nuts from the pan and set aside to cool. Chop the nuts into large pieces.
In a large bowl, mix toasted hazelnuts, chocolate chips, sugars, baking powder, cocoa, flour, cinnamon and espresso powder.
In a small bowl, whisk eggs and coffee liqueur. Add to the flour mixture. Stir a few times.
Work the batter together with lightly floured hands. The mixture will be sticky, but persevere. Keep squeezing the batter with your hands, until a dough starts to form. Once the dough is firm, form a ball. Divide the ball into 2 equal pieces.
On a lightly floured surface, place one piece of dough and, using your hands, roll into a log shape that is approximately 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. If it’s sticky, simply dust your palms with more flour. Repeat with the remaining piece of dough. Place the two logs on one baking sheet. Brush loaves all over with 1 lightly beaten egg.
Bake for 40 minutes, turning the pan around halfway through, or until the tops of the loaves are shiny and deep golden. Cool on a rack for about 20 minutes before slicing.
Place a loaf on a cutting board. Using a large serrated knife, cut 1/2-inch-thick slices, either straight or on the diagonal. Use a sawing motion to prevent crumbling. If the cookie is crumbling, then let it cool a few more minutes. Don’t let it rest too long, however, or it could become too hard to slice.
Place slices on their sides on the baking sheets. Reduce the oven temperature to 200 degrees F and bake the biscotti for 20 minutes, until toasted and crisp. Turn the biscotti slices over and rotate the pans after ten minutes.
Remove the pans from the oven and cool the biscotti completely before storing in an airtight container.
