Pistachio-Basil Pesto
Ingredients
4 cups washed basil leaves
½ cup shelled pistachio nuts
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Place the pistachios, garlic, salt, and pepper in a processor bowl. Process until the nuts and garlic are chopped.
Add the basil leaves and process for a minute or two. In the opening spout at the top, pour the olive oil as you process.
Keep processing until the mixture is smooth.
Fresh Tomato Pesto Tart
Press in the Pan Pastry Dough
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups All-purpose, Low-Carb or Gluten-free flour
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, melted
Directions
Heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pour the flour, cheddar cheese, and salt into a 9-inch pie pan. Stir with a fork to mix the ingredients together. Pour in the melted butter and mix with the fork until the dry ingredients are completely moistened. Press the dough, using the fork, across the bottom of the pan and up the sides.
Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes until lightly brown.
Remove the pan from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
Filling
1 cup coarsely grated mozzarella cheese
6 plum tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
¼ cup pistachio basil pesto, recipe above
Directions
Spread the bottom of the baked crust with the pesto. Sprinkle with the mozzarella. Arrange the tomatoes in an overlapping single layer over the crust and sprinkle the Parmesan evenly over the top.
Bake until the tart is deep golden brown and crispy, about 25 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before cutting.
Bell Peppers Stuffed With Shrimp Salad
When using shrimp for salads, I prefer to grill or oven roast them. Boiling tends to make them soft and they do not stand up to the dressing.
Ingredients
Shrimp
1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 teaspoons seafood seasoning
1 tablespoon good olive oil
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 chopped green onions
1 stalk celery, chopped
Zest and juice of half an orange
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
4 green bell peppers, halved and seeded
Directions
Heat a grill pan over medium-high.
Place the peeled and deveined the shrimp in a ziplock plastic bag with 1 tablespoon olive oil, seafood seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and shake the bag. Spread the shrimp in one layer on the heated grill pan. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, just until pink, firm and cooked through. Let cool for 25 minutes.
To make the dressing. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, orange zest, orange juice, dill, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
When the shrimp are cool, cut them into ½ inch dice and add them to the dressing and toss. Chill in the refrigerator until serving time. Fill bell pepper halves with shrimp salad and serve.
Summer Green Bean Salad
Ingredients
1 pound green beans trimmed and cut into 2 inch lengths
1 large ripe tomato, seeded and diced
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1 finely chopped shallot
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Coarsely chopped basil for garnish
Directions
Several hours before serving:
Place green beans in a pan of salted boiling water to cover. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes according to the size of the beans. Do not overcook. Drain.
In a salad bowl, whisk together mustard, vinegar, shallots, garlic, oil, chopped tomato, salt, and pepper. Add hot, drained green beans and toss well. Sprinkle with basil. Let the dish sit at room temperature for several hours before serving. Toss a few times during the marinating time.
Cook an easy, elegant, restaurant quality dinner at home. Make the meal special by placing a bouquet of flowers on the table and getting a good bottle of wine. This picture just says – relax!
Salad With Roasted Beets, Blue Cheese and Pistachios
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large garlic clove, grated
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
Salad
1 bunch small golden beets, trimmed of leaves and washed well
4 cups romaine lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces
¼ of a red onion, sliced very thin
4 ounces blue cheese, cut into cubes
1/3 cup shelled, toasted pistachios, coarsely chopped
Homemade croutons, optional
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the beets on a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil and seal the ends to create a package.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until tender. Cool; peel and slice or cut into ½ inch pieces. Transfer to a small bowl.
Make the vinaigrette:
Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake until well combined
Toss the beets with 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette. Set aside until ready to prepare the salad.
Place the romaine and onion in a salad bowl and toss with some of the remaining vinaigrette.
Add the beets, pistachios and blue cheese and toss gently. Top with croutons, if using.
Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon
Ingredients
Serves 2
2 filet mignon steaks, (5 to 6 ounces each, about 1 1/2 inches thick)
1 teaspoon coarse salt
2 tablespoons coarsely ground black peppercorns
2 teaspoons olive oil
Red Wine Sauce
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes
Coarse salt to taste
Directions
For the beef:
Season the beef filets very generously on both sides with the salt and pepper, patting it firmly. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Move the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Heat the oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the steaks in the skillet and cook, without moving the steaks, until a dark brown crust has formed, about 3 minutes.
Using tongs, turn the steaks over and cook until well browned on the second side, about 3 minutes.
Place the skillet in the oven and roast the steaks 5 minutes for rare or 7 minutes for medium-rare to medium.
Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes, then serve with the sauce.
For the red wine sauce:
Place 1 cup red wine in a small saucepan; boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from the pan from the heat and add the butter. Stir the sauce until the butter is melted and the sauce is thickened, about 1 minute.
Season with salt according to taste, if needed.
I titled this post Summertime Cookies because the cookie recipes are quick and easy to make and they are filled with flavors that go well with summer ingredients. They are also perfect paired with ice cream desserts.
Basil Pistachio Cookies
Makes about 2 dozen
Ingredients
2 cups self-rising flour
3/4 cup fresh sweet basil, chopped
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2/3 cup chopped pistachios
Directions
Using an electric mixer on low-speed, blend together the flour, basil, sugar and lemon zest and mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix the olive oil, egg and vanilla. Add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients.
Beat with the mixer, gradually adding the lemon juice. The mixture will be crumbly and slightly moist. It should not be sticky, though.
Add the pistachios and mix well. Gather the mixture into a ball.
Roll the ball into a log about 1½ inches thick and 14 inches long. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Can also be overnight.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Cut the chilled log into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and reshape, if necessary, so they keep their round shape.
Bake for 10 minutes, rotate the pans and bake for 10 minutes more or until they are slightly brown.
Cool on a rack.
Crunchy Biscotti
Ingredients
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Directions
Place the first 4 ingredients in the large bowl of an electric mixer and beat at high-speed for 2 minutes until well blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the flour to the sugar mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in chips and pecans (dough will be sticky). Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface. With floured hands, shape the dough into a 9 x 4 inch log; pat to 1/2-inch thickness. Place the log on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the log from the pan and cool 20 minutes on a wire rack.
Cut the log on the diagonal into 1/2 inch-thick slices. Place the slices, cut sides down, on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes, turn the biscotti over and bake for 10 minutes more. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Oatmeal Date Cookies
Makes about 2 dozen
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup wheat germ, preferably toasted
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together applesauce and oil until completely blended.
Whisk in sugar, egg and vanilla; set aside.
In a second medium bowl, combine the oats, wheat germ and flour.
Add to the applesauce mixture and stir well to combine thoroughly. Fold in the dates and pecans.
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart, and bake until cooked through and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
Carefully transfer to wire racks and set aside to let cool completely.
Synagogue in Rome’s Jewish Neighborhood – Trastevere
Passover is a celebration of freedom that is appreciated not only by Jews, but by people all over the world. The Jewish community has long been a significant part of the Italian heritage and culture, as has been their celebration of this important holiday. Since the 2nd century BC, Passover festivities, in Italy, include religious rituals, family gatherings and, of course, food. Through the years, the Italian Jewish community, has developed an Italian style in preparing Passover dishes.
Even though the basic tradition of a Passover Seder remains the same, such as drinking four cups of wine and eating matzo, etc., the Italian influence can be recognized on the Seder table in Italy, as follows:
Maror and chazeret – bitter herbs are used to symbolize the bitterness of slavery.
Haroset all’Italiana – a paste-like mixture of ground dates, oranges, raisins and figs, which are substitutes for the traditional Charoset, a brown compound that stands for the mortar used by the Jewish slaves to build pyramids.
Antipasto of bresaola, air dried beef with arugula and lemon.
Stracciatella – an egg-drop soup, is a substitute for the hard-boiled egg that is a mourning food in the Jewish faith, but also signifies the cycle or circle of life.
Carciofi alla Giudia – Jewish style artichokes are fried and are a specialty of the Roman Jewish community.
Marzoh Lasagna (Mazzagne) is prepared with vegetables, matzot and lamb meat.
Lamb is part of the meal because it represents the sacrifice before the destruction of the Temple. Many of Rome’s Jews arrived there just after the time of the destruction of the second Temple and brought (and kept) many of the ancient traditions.
Insalata Sefardita – a salad of romaine, dill and green onions with red wine vinaigrette.
Zucchini Tomato “Lasagne”
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Lemon-Pignoli Filling
- 2 cups raw pignoli nuts, soaked in water for at least 1 hour
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups good-quality sun-dried tomatoes (dry-packed), soaked in water for at least 2 hours
- 1 medium ripe tomato, diced
- 1/4 of a small onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- Pinch hot-pepper flakes
Basil-Pistachio Pesto
- 2 cups packed basil leaves
- 1/2 cup raw pistachios
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- Pinch freshly ground black pepper
Lasagne
- 3 medium zucchini, ends trimmed
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Garnish: whole basil leaves
Directions
Lemon-Pignoli Filling
Place the pignoli nuts, lemon juice and salt in a food processor and pulse a few times, until thoroughly combined.
Gradually add 6 tablespoons water and pulse until the texture becomes fluffy, like ricotta. Pour into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.
Tomato Sauce
Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
Basil-Pistachio Pesto
Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
Lasagne
Using a mandoline slicer or vegetable peeler, shave zucchini lengthwise into very thin slices, then cut in half crosswise.
Cut the tomatoes in half and each half into thin slices.
Line the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with two layers of zucchini slices.
Brush the zucchini lightly with olive oil, spread 1⁄3 of the tomato sauce over it, and top with small teaspoons of pignoli filling and pesto, using 1⁄3 of each.
Add 1⁄3 of the tomato slices and sprinkle with 1⁄3 of the oregano and thyme.
Add another double layer of zucchini and repeat twice more with the tomato sauce, pesto, filling, tomato slices and herbs.
Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving. Garnish with basil.
Passover Spring Lamb
Ingredients
- 3 pounds (1.5 k) kid or spring lamb chops
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3-4 stems Italian parsley, leaves removed
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
- The juice of one lemon
Directions
Tie the parsley stems together. Place the chops in a skillet with the olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley and water over low heat.
Simmer for about an hour, or until the meat is fork-tender, then remove and discard the parsley.
Whisk the yolks with the lemon juice, turn the burner off and pour the egg mixture over the meat. Give the skillet a brisk shake to mix in the sauce and heat for a minute or two. Serve at once.
Puréed Carrots
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 2 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 1⁄2″ slices
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon sugar or honey⁄
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
- 2 small cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
Combine the carrots, broth, sugar and salt in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat; bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until the carrots are very tender, 20 minutes.
Drain the carrots, reserving the 1⁄4 cup of cooking liquid.
Heat the olive oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and place in a food processor along with the carrots and orange juice; purée until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Add 1–2 tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid to make a smooth purée. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Italian Passover Cake
Ingredients
- 5 eggs, separated
- 2 cups almond meal
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Zest and juice of one lemon
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- Garnishes: Powdered sugar and chopped almonds
Directions
Grease a 10 inch springform pan or round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
Heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Whisk the egg yolks until light in color.
Beat in the rest of the ingredients, except the egg whites, ending with the almond meal. It will be very stiff at this point.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
Fold one third of the egg whites into the almond mixture.
Fold the rest of the egg whites into the mixture and pour into the prepared pan.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
Remove from the pan and sprinkle the top of the cake with powdered sugar and chopped almonds.
Longing for a salad even though it is cold outside? By using seasonal produce, you can make salads even with snow on the ground. This time of year switch to dark leafy greens, cold-weather vegetables like broccoli, beets and squash and seasonal fruits like pears and citrus. Add flavorful dressings to balance the heartier tastes and textures. For a full-meal salad, finish the salad with cooked beans, meat or seafood and a bit of your favorite cheese or toasted nuts. Winter vegetables also make delicious salads, especially after they have been roasted.
Winter Salad with Spinach, Pears and Walnuts
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
- 3 Anjou, Bosc or Comice pears
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon German Dusseldorf mustard or yellow prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3/4 pound spinach, torn into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
Chop 1 pear and slice the remaining two.
Put the chopped pear, oil, vinegar, mustard and honey into a blender and purée. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons water, more if needed, to make a thin, pourable dressing.
Put spinach, onion, walnuts, feta cheese, sliced pears and dressing into a large bowl and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Chickpea Salad with White Wine Vinaigrette
Serves 2
VINAIGRETTE
- ¼ cup finely minced shallot
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp stone-ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
SALAD:
- 1 large avocado
- 1 lemon
- 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- ¾ cup cooked black lentils (rinsed and drained)
- ¼ cup sliced Kalamata olives
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 3 handfuls Italian kale
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Directions
Place all dressing ingredients in a jar. Seal and shake vigorously until well combined. Let sit for at least 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preferences.
Cut the avocado in half and discard the pit. Chop the flesh into a small bowl and toss with a squeeze or two of lemon juice to help prevent browning.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all salad ingredients together.
Pour about half the dressing over the top and toss with salad tongs or a large fork and spoon to thoroughly blend the ingredients and coat lightly with the dressing.
Top with a big squeeze of lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. Add more dressing, if needed. Serve immediately.
Winter Citrus Salad
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons pistachio, almond or any nut flavored oil
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon white or golden balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup or honey
- Pinch salt
- 2 oranges (segmented)
- 2 pink grapefruits (segmented)
- 2 tangerines or satsumas (peeled)
- 3 oz mixed baby salad greens (about 3-1/2 cups, lightly packed)
- 4 cups frisée or curly endive, oak leaf or red leaf lettuce, lightly packed
- 1/3 cup shelled, roasted pistachios
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Remove the peel and white pith from the fruit with a small, sharp knife. Working over a shallow bowl, slice down either side of each membrane, releasing the citrus segments into the bowl.
Remove any seeds from the fruit. Drain and reserve the accumulated juices for the dressing.
Place the oil, orange juice, vinegar, agave and salt in a small glass jar and seal the lid. Shake vigorously to combine. (The dressing can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 5 days. For best flavor, bring to room temperature before using.)
Place the segmented citrus in a large salad bowl. Drizzle some of the dressing over the fruit and toss to coat. Add the greens and toss to combine, adding more dressing to lightly coat the greens as well.
Transfer the salad to a platter and sprinkle with the pistachios. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.
Italian Barley Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup uncooked, quick-cooking barley
- 14-ounce can quartered artichoke hearts (chilled) or one package of frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted
- 12 pitted kalamata olives
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried basil, crumbled
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Stir in the barley. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until the barley is just tender but firm. Transfer the barley to a colander. Drain well. Place in a medium bowl to cool.
Dry artichokes on paper towels. Coarsely chop the artichokes and olives, dice the bell pepper, quarter the tomatoes and cut the cheese into one-quarter inch cubes.
In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, dried basil, salt and pepper. Whisk in oil.
Combine the cooked and cooled barley with the vegetables and cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss to blend. serve immediately of refrigerate until serving time.
Red Grapefruit and Beet Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 3 medium beets, greens removed
- 2 red grapefruits
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Wrap beets individually in aluminum foil and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until beets are tender when pressed through the foil and a knife slides easily into them when unwrapped, 50 to 60 minutes.
When cool enough to handle, unwrap beets and rub each with a paper towel to remove skins. Halve and slice beets.
Cut thin slices off the top and bottom of a grapefruit and set on a cutting board. Slice down along the curve of the fruit, removing all skin and white pith and cutting all the way to the flesh.
Working over a bowl, cut along each side of the membranes to release the sections, allowing them to fall into the bowl along with any juice. Repeat with remaining grapefruit.
Gently stir in honey and salt. Add beets and toss. Garnish with mint. Serve or chill until serving time.
In Italian, the word “biscotto” means “biscuit” or “cookie.” More specifically, biscotti are named according to their original method of baking. The root words “bis” and “cotto” literally mean “twice” and “baked.” When Italians first created biscotti in the region of Tuscany many centuries ago, they were careful to bake the cookies twice, in order to allow the cookies to develop their signature crisp texture. Over the years, these methods became standard practice. Bakers shape the dough into a log, bake it, evenly slice it into cookies and then bake the cookies again.
The first biscotti were made as a portable and durable food for Roman soldiers and travelers. They were made with traditional almond flavoring during the Renaissance and, at the time, it was also popular to dip them in an Italian dessert wine called Vin Santo, a practice that remains common in Italy today. Many people outside of Italy prefer to dip biscotti in coffee or hot chocolate to soften them before eating them. The range of flavors that these cookies come in has also expanded hugely since their creation and can include walnuts, orange zest and anise. Some types are coated with icing or glazed with chocolate, but the most traditional ones do not have a frosting or coating.
It’s relatively easy to bake these cookies. The basic recipe includes flour, sugar, eggs and sometimes butter or olive oil, along with nuts, spices or fruits. There is no one perfect way to make biscotti. Some recipes call for eggs only, which is the traditional method, while others include butter or oil. The choice is yours; just keep in mind that those made with butter or oil will have both a softer texture and a shorter shelf life.
Here are my two favorite recipes.
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.
If you desire, you can turn off the oven and let the biscotti stay for up to an hour. The longer they stay in the oven, the harder they will become. Remove the pans from the oven and cool the biscotti completely before storing in an airtight container, preferably a tin, which helps keep them crisp. Stored properly, biscotti will last up to a month.
Lightly Toast the Nuts
Form the Batter
Shape into Logs
Brush with Egg
Bake the Logs
Cool and Slice Logs
Bake Slices
Cool Twice Baked Slices and Store
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.
If you desire, you can turn off the oven and let the biscotti stay for up to an hour. The longer they stay in the oven, the harder they will become. Remove the pans from the oven and cool the biscotti completely before storing in an airtight container, preferably a tin, which helps keep them crisp. Stored properly, biscotti will last up to a month.
The centerpiece of contemporary Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada is a huge meal, generally featuring a large roasted turkey. The majority of the dishes in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner are made from foods native to the New World. However, many of the classic traditions attributed to the first Thanksgiving are actually myths.
According to what is known about “The First Thanksgiving,” the 1621 feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag at Plymouth Colony contained waterfowl, venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin and squash. William Bradford (Plymouth Colony Governor) noted that, “besides waterfowl, there was a great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many.” There were definitely wild turkeys in the Plymouth area, however, the best existing account of the Pilgrims’ harvest feast comes from colonist, Edward Winslow, author of Mourt’s Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Winslow’s first-hand account included no explicit mention of turkey. He does, however, mention the Pilgrims gathering “wild fowl” for the meal, although that could just as likely have meant ducks or geese. Many of the foods that were included in the first feast (except for the seafood) have since gone on to become staples of the modern Thanksgiving dinner.
The White House Cookbook, 1887, by Mrs. F.L. Gillette, et al., had the following menu: oysters on the half shell, cream of chicken soup, fried smelts, sauce tartare, roast turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, baked squash, boiled onions, parsnip fritters, olives, chicken salad, venison pastry, pumpkin pie, mince-pie, Charlotte russe, almond ice cream, lemon jelly, hickory nut cake, cheese, fruit and coffee.
1943 Thanksgiving Dinner Aboard the Navy Ship U.S.S. Wake Island
Many other foods are typically served alongside the main dish—so many that, because of the amount of food, the Thanksgiving meal is sometimes served midday or early afternoon to make time for all the courses. Copious leftovers are also common. Many diners would say the meal is “incomplete” without cranberry sauce, stuffing or dressing and gravy. Other commonly served dishes include winter squash, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, dumplings, noodles, corn on the cob or hominy grits, deviled eggs, green beans or green bean casserole, sauerkraut (among those in the Mid-Atlantic; especially Baltimore), peas and carrots, bread or rolls, cornbread (in the south and parts of New England) or biscuits, rutabagas, turnips and salad.
There are also regional differences, as to the type of stuffing or dressing traditionally served with the turkey. Southerners generally make their dressing from cornbread, while those in other parts of the country make stuffing from white, wheat or rye bread as the base. One or several of the following may be added to the dressing/stuffing: oysters, apples, chestnuts, raisins, celery and/or other vegetables, sausages or the turkey’s giblets. The traditional Canadian version has bread cubes, sage, onion and celery. Rice is also sometimes used instead of bread in some parts of Canada.
Other dishes reflect the regional or cultural background of those who have come together for the meal. For example, many African-Americans and Southerners serve baked macaroni and cheese and collard greens, along with chitterlings and sweet potato pie; while Italian-Americans often have lasagna on the table alongside the turkey and Ashkenazi Jews may serve noodle kugel, a sweet dessert pudding. Other Jewish families may consume foods commonly associated with Hanukkah, such as latkes or a sufganiyot (a type of jelly doughnut). It is not unheard of for Mexican Americans to serve their turkey with mole and roasted corn.
In Puerto Rico, the Thanksgiving meal is completed with arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) or arroz con maiz (rice with corn), pasteles (root tamales) stuffed with turkey, pumpkin-coconut crème caramel, corn bread with longaniza, potato salad, roasted white sweet potatoes and Spanish sparkling hard cider. Turkey in Puerto Rico is stuffed with mofongo (a fried plantain-based dish). Cuban-Americans traditionally serve the turkey alongside a small roasted pork and include white rice and black beans or kidney beans. Vegetarians or vegans have been known to serve alternative entrées, such as a large vegetable pie or a stuffed and baked pumpkin or tofu substitutes. Many Midwesterners (such as Minnesotans) of Norwegian or Scandinavian descent serve lefse (a soft, Norwegian flatbread) at their holiday meal.
So, if you are not a traditionalist, you may want to change things around a little and try some new sides for your holiday meal. Much of the preparation in the recipes below can be done ahead of time.
Creamy Farro Pilaf with Wild Mushrooms
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 cup farro
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- Coarse salt
- 12 ounces wild mushrooms, such as shiitake or oyster, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch slices
- Red-pepper chili flakes
- 1 bunch spinach (10 ounces), stemmed
- 1/4 cup crumbled Parmesan, plus more for serving
Directions
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add farro, stirring until toasted, about 1 minute. Add wine and reduce by half. Add stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the farro is tender and creamy, 35 to 40 minutes. Season with salt and cover to keep warm.
Meanwhile, heat the oven to 450 degrees F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss mushrooms with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and season with salt and red-pepper flakes. Roast, stirring once, until crisp and golden, about 20 minutes.
Re-warm the farro over medium heat and add the spinach, stirring until wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms and Parmesan. Serve with additional Parmesan.
Creamy White Bean and Vegetable Mash
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 cups cooked white beans, drained (equivalent to one 16-ounce can)
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion, celery and carrot until translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add potatoes and white beans and cover with water by 2 inches. Season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until all the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking water.
Mash vegetables (or put through a ricer), adding reserved cooking water to adjust consistency. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil before serving.
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Pistachios
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 4 small acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup roasted, salted pistachios, chopped
- 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
- Pinch red-pepper chili flakes
Directions
Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Brush squash with 2 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast cut side down on two baking sheets until tender and caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring quinoa and 2 cups water to a boil in a small pot. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let cool, then fluff with a fork.
In a large bowl, combine quinoa, parsley, feta, pistachios, remaining 2 tablespoons oil and vinegar. Season with salt and red-pepper flakes. Fill the squash cavities and serve.
Sweet Potato-Ginger Spoon Bread
Serves 8
Ingredients
- Butter forthe baking dish
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, plus more for dusting the pan
- 2 small sweet potatoes (12 ounces), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat milk (1%)
- 2 large eggs, separated, plus 2 large egg whites
- 2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 tablespoon grated, peeled fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish and dust with cornmeal.
Cook sweet potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and mash until very smooth; let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring milk to a simmer. Whisk in cornmeal in a thin stream. Cook, whisking constantly, until just thickened, 1 to 3 minutes; remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
In a large bowl, stir together mashed sweet potatoes, cornmeal mixture, egg yolks, sugar, molasses, ginger and salt.
Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold half of the egg whites into the cornmeal mixture. Very gently fold in the remaining egg whites.
Spoon mixture into the prepared baking dish, place on a baking sheet and bake until puffed and set, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Lemon-Garlic Brussels Sprouts
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds fresh brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Dash pepper
- 3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 cooked bacon slices, crumbled
Directions
Cut an “X” in the core of each brussels sprout. Place in a shallow baking pan coated with cooking spray. Drizzle oil and lemon juice over the brussels sprouts; sprinkle with salt, garlic powder and pepper.
Bake, uncovered, at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until tender, stirring once. Sprinkle with cheese and crumbled bacon.
Semifreddo desserts are easy to make but look and taste like you took a class at Le Cordon Bleu! Semifreddo is an Italian word meaning “half cold” or “half frozen.” It refers to a class of frozen desserts that are similar to ice cream, but made with heavy cream instead of churning air into the mixture while it freezes. Semifreddos are very similar to mousses and are often served in the form of ice cream cakes or tarts.
There are many different recipes for semifreddo, that use different bases to mix with the cream. In Italy, semifreddo is commonly made with gelato. Cooked custards and custard-based sauces are another common choice to mix with the cream. One of the biggest benefits of making semifreddo is that you don’t need an ice cream maker or other specialty equipment to make it. Many semifreddo recipes involve no cooking at all. The most difficult part of making semifreddo is waiting for it to freeze, which typically takes from several hours to overnight in your freezer.
Semifreddos are a great base for just about any flavor or combination of flavors. Once you learn the basics of the recipe, you can customize your semifreddo with your favorite blends of fruits, chocolate, coffee, spices and more! Best of all, the texture and flavors are delicious. For semifreddos with a crust, use a springform pan so it’s easier to remove and present. But you could just as easily form the crust in the bottom of a loaf pan and mold your semifreddo on top of that. Using individual ramekins works well, too.
Raspberry & Chocolate Semifreddo
Ingredients
- 1 (9 ounce) box chocolate wafer cookies
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1⁄4 cup (1 ounce) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
- 3 large eggs
- 3 cups (12 ounces) fresh or frozen, unsweetened raspberries (if using frozen berries, thaw before use)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Break cookies into pieces and place in a food processor; process to finely ground crumbs. Combine crumbs with 1/4 cup of the sugar and the butter. Press crumb mixture evenly over bottom and halfway up sides of a 9 inch round and 3 inch deep springform pan. Bake 10 minutes or until crust is set; cool on wire rack 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in large bowl of electric mixer, using the whip attachment, whip cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add cream; beat at medium speed until soft peaks form; transfer to another bowl and chill.
In clean bowl of electric mixer, combine egg whites and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Place bowl over a pot of simmering water (not touching bottom of bowl); whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture reaches 130 degrees F. Place bowl on the stand mixer; using the whip attachment, beat on high-speed until meringue forms and mixture is room temperature, 3 to 4 minutes.
Place raspberries and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor. Process until pureed. Place mixture in a strainer placed over a large bowl. Press firmly on the raspberry mixture to extract all the juice. Discard seeds. Gently stir in half the meringue. Gently stir in half of the whipped cream mixture. Repeat stirring in remaining meringue and whipped cream until well combined.
Pour mixture over cooled crust, smoothing top. Cover tightly with foil. Freeze at least 4 hours or overnight.
To serve, run a thin spatula between semifreddo and edge of rim to loosen. Remove rim from spring-form pan. Cut semifreddo into wedges; serve immediately. If there is any remaining semifreddo, reattach the rim of the springform pan, cover and return to the freezer for up to 1 week.
Pistachio, Strawberry and Vanilla Semifreddo
Ingredients
- 1 cup shelled unsalted pistachios
- 4 tablespoons sugar, divided, plus 1/2 cup
- 1 cup whole milk, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (about 4 ounces), hulled, halved
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/3 cups chilled heavy(whipping) cream
Directions
Line a metal loaf pan (approximately 9x5x3″) with 2 layers of plastic wrap, leaving generous overhang on all sides.
Grind pistachios and 2 tablespoons sugar in a food processor until very finely chopped. Transfer pistachio mixture to a small saucepan. Add 1/2 cup milk; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 20 minutes. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl; strain, discarding solids. Stir in almond extract; set pistachio mixture aside.
Place remaining 1/2 cup milk in a separate small saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes. Set a strainer over another medium bowl; strain, discarding solids, and chill vanilla mixture.
Purée strawberries and 2 Tbsp. sugar in a food processor until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over another medium bowl; strain, pressing on solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard solids. Stir in vanilla extract and set strawberry mixture aside.
Whisk eggs, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a medium metal bowl. Set bowl over a medium saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Beat egg mixture at high-speed until it triples in volume and an instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 170°, about 3 minutes. Remove bowl from over water and continue beating until thick and cool, about 3 minutes. Add one-third of egg mixture to each of the pistachio, strawberry, and vanilla mixtures; fold each just to blend.
Beat cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add one-third of cream to each of the pistachio, strawberry, and vanilla mixtures; fold each just to blend. Cover vanilla and strawberry mixtures separately; chill. Pour pistachio mixture into pan; smooth top. Cover; freeze until firm, about 45 minutes. Gently pour strawberry mixture over pistachio layer; smooth top. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes. Gently fold vanilla mixture to blend; pour over and smooth top. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 3 days ahead. Fold plastic wrap over; seal tightly and keep frozen.
Uncover semifreddo. Using plastic wrap as an aid, lift from mold. Invert onto a chilled platter; peel off plastic. Slice crosswise.
Triple Layer Berry Semifreddo
Ingredients
- 1⁄4 cup (1 ounce) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 1⁄3 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1⁄2 cups halved and hulled fresh strawberries (6 ounces)
- 1 1⁄2 cups fresh blueberries (6 ounces)
Directions
Coat a 9 x 5 x 3-inch metal loaf pan lightly with cooking spray. Line pan with plastic wrap extending generously over edges of pan.
In large bowl of electric mixer, using the whip attachment, whip cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add cream; beat at medium speed until soft peaks form, scraping down bowl once. Transfer to another bowl and chill.
In clean bowl of electric mixer, combine egg whites and 1/2 cup sugar. Place bowl over a pot of simmering water (not touching bottom of bowl); whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture reaches 130 degrees F. Place bowl on the stand mixer; using the whip attachment, beat on high-speed until meringue forms and mixture is room temperature, 3 to 4 minutes.
Combine milk and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl; set aside. Place strawberries and 1/4 cup of the sugar in a food processor; puree until smooth. Transfer to a second medium-sized bowl. Place blueberries and 1/4 cup of the sugar in clean food processor; puree until smooth. Place strainer over another medium-sized bowl; sieve blueberry mixture through strainer, pressing on solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard blueberry skins.
Gently stir 1/3 of the meringue into each of the three bowls. Gently stir 1/3 of the chilled whipped cream into each of the three bowls. Pour blueberry mixture into bottom of prepared loaf pan. Refrigerate the bowls of vanilla and strawberry mixture. Freeze loaf pan until firm, 45 minutes. Gently pour vanilla mixture over blueberry mixture; freeze 45 minutes. Gently pour strawberry mixture over the vanilla layer, smoothing top with a spatula. Pan will be full, so do not cover with foil until top is firm, about 45 minutes. Continue freezing at least 3 ½ hours or overnight.
To unmold: wrap sides of pan with a hot, wet cloth or dip briefly in a sink of warm water to loosen. Using plastic wrap as an aid, remove semifreddo from pan; place on a serving platter; discard plastic wrap. Cut into slices; serve immediately. To store, cover and return any extra semifreddo immediately to the freezer for up to 1 week.
Apricot Semifreddo with Blackberry Sauce
A healthier version.
Serves 12
APRICOT SEMIFREDDO
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1/2 cup dried apricots
- 1 ½ cups sliced fresh apricots
- 1/3 cup low-fat sour cream
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pint fresh blackberries
BLACKBERRY SAUCE
- 1/2 pint fresh blackberries
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions
To make the Apricot Semifreddo:
Line 4-cup loaf pan with plastic wrap. Whisk egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl until thick and light yellow, about 1 minute.
Bring milk to a boil in saucepan. Slowly pour hot milk over egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return to saucepan; cook over medium-low heat (do not boil), stirring often, until custard is thick enough to coat the back of spoon, about 5 minutes. Strain, and cool.
Meanwhile, place dried apricots in heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water, and let stand 15 minutes, or until softened. Drain, and cool. Put in food processor with fresh apricots, and purée until smooth. Transfer to large bowl. Add custard, sour cream and almond extract.
Put egg whites in large bowl; beat until soft peaks form. Add remaining 1/4 cup sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold egg whites into apricot mixture.
Pour half of mixture into prepared pan. Place 3 rows of blackberries on their sides down the center of loaf pan; top with remaining mixture. Cover; freeze at least 4 hours.
To make the Blackberry Sauce:
Press blackberries through fine-meshed sieve into bowl. Stir in sugar and lemon juice. Set aside.
Remove Apricot Semifreddo from freezer; let stand 10 minutes. Unmold onto plate, and cut into 10 slices. Drizzle with Blackberry Sauce and serve.
Espresso Semifreddo with Dried Cherries
Serves 8
Ingredients
Semifreddo
- 1/3 cup freshly made strong espresso or coffee, hot
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon amaretto
- 1/2 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- Pinch of salt
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature, yolks and whites separated
- 6 crisp amaretti cookies
Fruit
- 1/4 cup Kirsch (cherry liqueur)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Zest of 1/4 lemon, in strips
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 2 cups (1/2 pound) dried cherries
Directions
While the espresso is still hot, add all but 2 tablespoons of sugar and stir until dissolved. Cool.
Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl and with a wooden spoon or a spatula, push ricotta through. Add half of the espresso mixture, amaretto, lemon zest, and salt, and whisk until well combined.
Combine egg yolks and remaining espresso in a stainless-steel bowl and whisk until eggs are foamy. Set the bowl over, not in, a pan of simmering water, being careful not to let the bottom of the bowl touch the water. Continue whisking until the mixture is foamy, light-colored, and tripled in bulk. This could take up to 10 minutes. If cooking too quickly, turn heat off and work over the hot water. Cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, with an electric mixer, whip egg whites until foamy. Add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and whip to stiff peaks.
Stir 1/4 cup of cooled yolk mixture into the ricotta mixture to lighten. Fold in the remaining yolk mixture and 1/3 of the whites. Gently fold in remaining egg whites. Spoon mixture into prepared loaf pan and gently smooth top. Crumble the amaretti cookies and spread over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze at least 24 hours.
For the fruit: Combine Kirsch and sugar in a medium stainless-steel saucepan. Place over low heat and stir until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Remove from heat and let sit for at least 2 hours or overnight at room temperature.
To serve:
Remove semifreddo from the freezer 20 minutes before serving. Uncover top; invert semifreddo onto a serving platter and remove plastic wrap. Cut into 1-inch slices, spoon on cherries, and serve.
Related articles
- Plum Semifreddo (meatballsandmilkshakes.com)
- Chocolate-Nutella Semifreddo (jerseyshoregourmet.wordpress.com)
- Honey Semifreddo with Berries (theglobeandmail.com)
Making the classic Ligurian pesto of basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic and olive oil, is really just a start. Play with the formula to create your own pesto version for tossing with pasta or spooning over just about anything from the grill.
Here are a few ideas.
- Vary the herbs. Tender leaves, like parsley, oregano and mint also work well. Or skip the herbs and try baby kale, baby spinach or arugula.
- Switch up the nuts. Try almonds, hazelnuts or walnuts, which make a heartier pesto. Or add pistachios or Brazil nuts, which both have a natural buttery flavor that’s delicious in a sauce.
- Add vegetables. For an especially chunky pesto, add your farmers’ market finds, from asparagus to red peppers to tomatoes.
- Mix and match. After you get comfortable with varying the formula, you can come up with creative combos, like oregano-pistachio or olive-hazelnut.
Carrot Top Pesto
A new cookbook, Root to Stalk Cooking by Tara Duggan, inspired me to think about how I could use the carrot tops that came with my CSA share. The spread I created is delicious over grilled chicken breasts and grilled fish fillets.
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed carrot leaves (washed well and stems removed)
- 6 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1/4 teaspoon each fine sea salt and black pepper
- 3 tablespoons roasted pistachio nuts (see below)
- 1/2 of a lemon, squeezed
Directions
If you did not purchase roasted nuts then spread the nuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Place in a preheated 350-degree F oven and toast the nuts until lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Alternatively, nuts can be browned in a microwave. Spread in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high power, stopping to stir once or twice, until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes.
To Make the Pesto:
In a food processor, combine the carrot leaves, oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Process until finely minced. Add the nuts and pulse until finely chopped. Add the lemon juice and pulse just until combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Traditional Handmade Basil Pesto
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup pine nuts (6 ounces)
- 5 cups basil leaves, chilled and very dry
- 6 small garlic cloves, quartered
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for sealing
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toast the nuts on a baking sheet for about 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Coarsely chop the basil leaves.
In a large mortar, combine the basil and garlic and pound to a coarse paste. Add the nuts and pound until a smooth paste forms. Stir in the Parmesan, then 3/4 cup of the olive oil.
Transfer the pesto to a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Smooth the surface and pour a little olive oil on top to seal.
Cavatappi with Basil Pesto and Eggplant
Modern method for making pesto.
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta or short pasta of choice
- 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 small eggplant, diced in small cubes
- 1 bunch fresh basil chopped
- 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shredded
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Mix eggplant with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Place on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 10 minutes or until light, golden brown. Remove from the oven.
Combine basil, pine nuts, salt and pepper in a blender, pulse for 5 seconds. With processor running add 6 tablespoons of olive oil and puree. Remove the pesto from the blender and transfer to a large pasta serving bowl.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt. Cook pasta 1 minute less than packaged directions. Drain pasta and place in the bowl with the pesto.
Add lemon juice and eggplant and toss to combine. Top with shredded Parmigiano cheese before serving.
Spinach Pesto
This pesto does incredible things for grilled chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves (about 2 ounces)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse.
With the machine running, gradually add the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste.
Olive-Mint Pesto
Stir this pesto into mixed ground meats to make meatloaf, serve it on bruschetta with shaved Parmesan cheese, stir it into soups or whisk it into vinaigrettes.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons tightly packed mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons small capers, drained
- 1 large garlic clove, smashed
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- Pinch of crushed red pepper
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup pitted mixed olives, such as Kalamata and Cerignola
- Freshly ground pepper
Directions
In a food processor, pulse the mint with the capers, garlic, lemon zest and crushed red pepper. With the machine on, add the olive oil in a thin stream. Add the olives and pulse until coarsely chopped. Season the pesto with pepper.
Olive-Mint Pesto Meatballs
Ingredients
- 3 slices good quality packaged white bread, crusts removed, bread torn
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup Olive-Mint Pesto, recipe above
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 pound ground turkey
- 3/4 pound ground beef (or use all turkey)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
In a large bowl, soak the bread in the milk for 1 minute, mashing it. Using your hand, press out the milk and drain it off.
Add 1/3 cup of the olive-mint pesto, the scallion and the egg to the soaked bread and mash to a paste. Add the ground turkey and beef and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Mix until well blended.
Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Using lightly moistened hands, roll the meat mixture into twenty-four 1 1/2-inch balls and transfer to the baking sheet.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until browned all over and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Serve over pasta, if desired.
Mixed-Herb Pesto
Whisk the pesto with a little vinegar to create a delicious herb dressing for a salad, sliced tomatoes or grilled fish.
Makes 2 ½ cups
Ingredients
- 1 large garlic cloves
- 4 lightly packed cups basil leaves
- 2 lightly packed cups flat-leaf Italian parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup lightly packed mint leaves
- 1/2 cup roasted nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, pine nuts or pistachios
- 1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (1/2 cup)
- Salt
Directions
In a food processor, chop the garlic. Add the basil, parsley and mint and pulse until chopped. Add the nuts and oil and pulse until a smooth paste forms. Add the cheese and pulse until incorporated. Season with salt to taste.
Spoon the pesto into 1/2-pint freezer containers. Smooth the surface and pour a little olive oil on top to seal. Freeze for up to 6 months.
Walnut Pesto
Mix this pesto with cooked tortellini or roasted vegetables, spread it on thickly sliced tomatoes and broil, or stuff it under the skin of a chicken before roasting.
Makes about 1 1/4 cups.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups walnut halves (6 ounces)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- Crushed red pepper
- Kosher salt
- 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf Italian parsley
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes, or until golden. Cool the walnuts and finely chop.
In a processor, combine the garlic with a pinch each of crushed red pepper and salt. Process until a paste forms.
Add the walnuts, parsley and slowly add the olive oil until blended. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with additional salt, if needed.
Sun-Dried-Tomato Pesto
Use this pesto on top of grilled chicken, lamb or vegetables; as a sandwich spread; or mixed with cream cheese on a bagel. It is quite delicious on whole wheat spaghetti, also.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pine nuts or
- 15 drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
Directions
In a small frying pan, toast the pine nuts over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 5 minutes; remove from the pan. Or toast the pine nuts in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
In a blender or food processor, put the pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, oil, water, salt and pepper. Puree until smooth.
To Make a Pasta Salad:
Cook 1 lb fusilli pasta according to directions. Drain.
Toss the pasta with a 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the sun-dried tomato pesto, 1/2 cup of roughly chopped pitted black olives, 2 cups baby spinach leaves, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Serve at room temperature.
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Presenting fine cheeses to your family and guests over the holidays is a special treat. It is elegant, sophisticated and festive, yet can be the most effortless of all your holiday food preparations.
Try to include a variety of textures and flavors on a cheese board. Most cheeses belong to one of four basic categories: aged, soft, firm or blue. For a good variety, choose at least one from each group. Here are some examples:
1. Blue: The most intense.
Gorgonzola, Cashel Blue, Fourme d’Ambert, Roquefort, Stilton.
Blue Cheese Combination: Oat cracker + Roquefort + honey
2. Semi-firm: Subtle but rich.
Manchego, Cave-Aged Cheddar, Fontina, Garrotxa, Saint-Nectaire.
Combinations: Baguette + Manchego + quince paste
Dried nectarine + Cave-Aged Cheddar
3. Super-aged: Sharp and nutty.
Parmigiano-Reggiano, Asiago, Comté, Aged Gouda, Aged Gruyère.
Combinations: Sea salt cracker + pear + Aged Gouda
Parmigiano-Reggiano + dried sausage
4. Pungent: Strong smelling.
Taleggio, Èpoisses, Langres, Livarot, Pont l’Évêque.
Combinations: Raisin-walnut bread + Livarot
Flat bread + Taleggio + chutney
5. Mild: Soft and creamy.
Fresh Chèvre, Brie, Camembert, French Chaource, Robiola.
Combinations: Wafer cracker + piquillo pepper + fresh chèvre
Wheat cracker + sun-dried tomato + Chaource
Tips
- You can also select cheeses by the type of milk used (cow, goat, sheep). This will ensure a range of different flavors on the plate.
- Serve at least one familiar cheese.
- For a party in which cheese is the main event, plan on buying 3 pounds for 8 people, 6 pounds for 16 or 9 pounds for 24. If cheese is one of many items being served, plan on buying 3 to 4 ounces per person.
- Offer a selection of breads, including sliced baguette, bread sticks and crackers in all different shapes and sizes. It’s a good idea to vary taste and texture among the breads as well as the cheeses.
- Jarred condiments and vegetables are quick and fuss-free. Try sweet preserves or honey, tart chutneys and spicy mustards. You can also add artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and caponata. If you have a bit more time, prepare caramelized onions, which complement most cheese plates.
- Various other sweet and salty items can work as well. Try cured meats such as prosciutto and salami or candied nuts and pistachios. Assorted seasonal and dried fruits can include figs, cherries, apples and pears.
- Separate strong-smelling cheeses. If you want to serve a pungent cheese, place it on a separate plate, so it doesn’t overpower more delicate ones.
- Set out a separate knife for each cheese, especially the soft varieties. Soft cheese spreads well with a butter knife, firm cheese might require a paring knife and aged cheese often requires a cheese plane.
- Remove the cheese from the refrigerator an hour before serving―cold mutes the flavor.
- If you’re serving cheese before dinner, choose lighter cheeses, such as an herb-coated goat cheese or fresh mozzarella.
- If you’re serving cheese after dinner, then you can go one of two ways — serve just one rich and creamy cheese, such as the easy-to-find triple-crème cheese called St. Andre — or go for full-flavored cheeses like Manchego, Cheddar, Aged Gouda and/or Blue cheeses.
- Arranging the cheese platter: Never crowd cheeses on the platter or they will be difficult to slice for your guests.
Wine and cheese are a classic combination.
- Blue cheeses, such as Stilton or Gorgonzola, go well with dessert wines like Sauternes and Ports.
- To accompany fresh cheeses like a goat or feta, choose a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir.
- Soft-ripened cheeses, like Teleme or Brillat-Savarin, go well with Chardonnay.
- For aged cheeses, like Cheddar, aged Gruyere and Parmigiano-Reggiano, serve Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel or Burgundy.
Cheese Appetizers
Focaccia with Pears and Blue Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 large Bosc pear, cored and sliced thin
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast and honey and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of the flour and 1/4 cup of the oil; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining flour and the salt and knead until smooth. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover with plastic and let stand for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, in a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the onion, cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the sugar, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Oil a 9-by-13 inch rimmed baking dish.
Transfer the dough to the dish and press it down to fit. Dimple the dough all over with your fingers and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Let the dough rise until puffed, about 20 minutes.
Scatter the cooked onions over the dough. Arrange the pear slices over the onions and sprinkle with the blue cheese. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over the focaccia and bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Cut into small squares for serving as an appetizer.
Smoked Salmon Toasts
Servings: 16
Ingredients
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus 16 small fronds for garnish
- Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 medium fennel bulb (about 8 ounces), cored
- Toast, recipe below
- 4 ounces sliced cold-smoked salmon, cut into 16 even pieces
Toast
- 4 slices (about 4-1/2×3-1/2 inches) firm, country bread
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Mix the mascarpone, dill, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Using a sharp vegetable peeler, peel the fennel into long, thin strips by pressing firmly against it; season the strips with salt.
To assemble: spread the toasts with some of the mascarpone and then cut each toast into four even squares.
Top each square with a couple of pieces of the fennel, a curl of the salmon, a dill frond and a few grinds of black pepper. Drizzle with remaining lemon juice.
Make Ahead Tips: You can make the mascarpone spread and cut the fennel several hours in advance. Keep both refrigerated; bring to room temperature before assembling.
Toast
Adjust an oven rack to 6 inches from the broiler and turn the broiler on to high. Set the bread on a baking sheet, brush one side with the melted butter. Toast the bread until it’s golden brown and crisp on top, about 1 to 2 minutes. Turn and cook the other side until golden, about 1 minute. While the bread is still hot, slice off the edges. Let cool slightly. Spread with the toppings before cutting into squares or triangles.
Make Ahead: Toasts can be made up to a day ahead; store them in an airtight container.
Spinach-Cheese Swirls
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
Directions
Thaw pastry sheet at room temperature 40 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Mix egg and water. Set aside. Mix Monterey Jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, onion and garlic powder.
Unfold pastry on lightly floured surface. Brush with egg mixture. Top with cheese mixture and then spinach.
Starting at short side, roll up like a jelly roll. Cut into 20 (1/2 inch) slices. Place on baking sheet. Brush with egg mixture.
Bake 15 minutes or until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 20 appetizers.
Mozzarella Sandwiches with Two Sauces
Makes 12 (antipasto) servings
Ingredients
For anchovy sauce:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 4 flat anchovy fillets, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons drained capers, coarsely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
For the marinara sauce:
Makes about 3 cups
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 28-ounce can crushed Italian tomatoes
- Pinch sugar
- Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
For mozzarella in carozza:
- 1 (1-pound) Italian bread loaf, such as pane di casa (5 inches wide)
- 1 (1-pound) ball of fresh mozzarella, cut into 6 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
- 1 cup plus 3 tablespoon milk, divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- Olive oil
Directions
Make anchovy sauce:
Melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat. Discard any foam from top, then remove from heat. Stir in anchovies, capers and lemon juice. Keep warm and covered. Stir in parsley just before serving.
Make marinara sauce:
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and sugar and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Keep warm. Stir in the basil and parsley just before serving.
Make mozzarella in carrozza:
Cut bread loaf in half. Starting from the middle halves of the loaf, cut bread into 12 (1/4-inch-thick) slices. Sandwich each slice of mozzarella between 2 slices bread, then cut off crusts, forming 4-inch squares (mozzarella slices should be smaller than bread slices).
Put 1 cup milk in a shallow dish and spread flour on a plate. Dip both sides of each sandwich in milk, pressing edges lightly to seal sandwich. Coat with flour, making sure edges are coated well. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill 2 hours.
Whisk eggs in a large shallow bowl, then whisk in 3/4 teaspoons of salt and remaining 3 tablespoons milk.
Heat 1/4 inch of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Dip sandwiches, 1 at a time, in egg mixture, letting excess drip off, and fry 2- 3 at a time, turning once with a slotted spatula, until golden, about 6 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm in the oven set at the lowest temperature.
Cut in half diagonally and serve with anchovy sauce and marinara sauce.
Provolone Pesto Terrine
This recipe comes from my sister, who made it for us many years ago. I don’t know the origin of the recipe but It was a big hit and everyone in the family has the recipe. It is perfect for this season with its Christmas color combination.
Ingredients
- 1 cup prepared Basil Pesto: see post for a homemade version: http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/04/21/two-sauces-for-everyday-meals/
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 cup toasted pistachios, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained, blotted dry and coarsely chopped
- 1 lb thin sliced provolone cheese
- Thin Italian bread slices
- Cheesecloth, cut large enough to line a loaf pan
Directions
In a food processor combine cream cheese, garlic and white pepper. When smooth and creamy, place in small bowl and fold in pistachios.
Wet cheesecloth and ring dry. Completely line a loaf pan (8×4 inches), letting excess hang over edges.
Cut provolone slices in half. Slightly overlapping slices, line bottom and sides of the pan, extending halfway up. Divide remaining provolone cheese into 3 equal stacks and set aside.
Spread 1/2 of the pesto mixture over the provolone in bottom of the loaf pan. Cover pesto with 1 of the stacks of provolone, overlapping as you go.
Sprinkle cheese with 1/2 of the sun dried tomatoes. On top of that, evenly spread all of the cream cheese mixture, then sprinkle on the remaining 1/2 of the tomatoes.
Cover that with another stack of provolone cheese.
Cover with the remaining pesto, and then cover that with remaining stack of cheese. Fold the cloth over the top of cheese, compact slightly, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
To serve, invert onto a serving dish, remove cheesecloth, and garnish with basil and pistachios. Serve with slices of crusty bread.
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- http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/05/11/how-do-you-say-cheese-in-italian/
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