I
ngredients
Ratatouille
1/2 cup chopped plum tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 medium zucchini, finely diced
1 small eggplant, peeled and finely diced
1 bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Shells
1 box of jumbo pasta shells
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 eggs
½ cup fresh chopped parsley
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided in half
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Sauce
2 cups Marinara Sauce mixed with 1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a greased 9×13″ pan, combine garlic, onion, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread out in an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Place the diced vegetables on top of the onion mixture, but do not combine. Drizzle with a little oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for about an hour, or until veggies are softened and beginning to brown slightly. Drain the vegetables in a colander and set them aside.
Cook the shells in boiling salted water for about 9 minutes, or until not quite done (you want them to finish cooking in the oven — that way they won’t be too floppy and overcooked). Drain and place on kitchen towels
In a mixing bowl combine, the stuffing ingredients and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until thoroughly combined. Stir in the roasted vegetables.
Scoop a tablespoon or so of ricotta filling into each pasta shell. Place a layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Braised Pork Chops
2 servings
Ingredients
2 boneless loin pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick)
1/4 cup of flour
1/2 onion sliced thin
½ bell pepper sliced thin
1/4 cup of sliced white mushrooms
1 cup. can of diced Italian tomatoes ( no salt added)
1 clove crushed garlic
1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper.
Dredge chops in flour.
Heat oil in a large skillet with ca over.
Brown chops on both sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Add onions, bell peppers, garlic, and mushrooms, and cook for about 10 minutes.
Add tomatoes and seasoning and stir well. Add the pork back into the mixture. Cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes or until the pork is tender.
Serve the pork with spaghetti squash and spoon the pan sauce over the pork and squash.
Baked Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
1 medium spaghetti squash
Olive oil
Kosher or salt and fresh pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Heat the oven to 375° F.
Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds and fibers with a spoon. Place on a baking sheet, cut side up, drizzle lightly with the non-fat olive oil and sprinkle with salt, and pepper,.
Bake for about an hour or until the skin gives easily under pressure and the inside is tender. Remove from oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Using a fork, scrape out the squash flesh a little at a time. It will separate into spaghetti-like strands.
Place in a serving dish and toss with the seasonings..
Ingredients
1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 white fish fillets, such as haddock, halibut, etc.
1 tablespoon. olive oil
1/2 cup marinara sauce
4 slices of mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
Line a baking sheet pan with foil and spray it with baking spray.
Season fish with salt and pepper and lightly brush one side of the fish with mayonnaise. Cover with breadcrumb and press gently to help adhere. Turn the fillets over and brush with a\mayonnaise and dredge in breadcrumbs. Sprinkle each with Parmesan cheese. Place fish in the prepared pan and drizzle with the olive oil.
Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven.
Spoon ¼ cup of tomato sauce onto each fillet and then top each with two slices of cheese. Return to the oven just until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
Potatoes With Kale
Ingredients
Potatoes
4 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup olive oil
Kale
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
One bag of fresh chopped kale from the produce department
½ cup water
Directions
For the potatoes: Combine the potatoes, garlic, and salt in a 5-quart saucepan with enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a colander and return the potatoes to the pan and mash the potatoes until smooth using a potato masher. Add the olive oil.
For the kale: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, salt, and pepper. Cook until translucent, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, for about 30 seconds. Add the kale and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and tender, 15 minutes. Drain.
Stir the kale into the mashed potatoes. Adjust salt and add more olive oil if dry.
Italian Breaded Pork Chops
Ingredients
¼ cup rice flour or All Purpose Flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 cup Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
¼ cup Olive Oil
2 thin Pork Chops, about 5 oz each
Marinara Sauce, homemade or store-bought
Directions
In a shallow dish, beat together egg and mayonnaise.
In a separate bowl, place the flour mixed with salt and pepper to taste, and in another shallow dish place the bread crumbs/
Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
Dip each pork chop into flour, egg, and then into the bread crumbs, coating evenly.
Place coated pork chop in the skillet, and brown for about 4 minutes on each side.
Serve with warm Marinara sauce.
Baked Spaghetti Squash
I am not a fan of leftover spaghetti squash, so I was happy to find a small squash {about 1 ¼ lb} at my market that will be just the right size for two.
Ingredients
1 spaghetti squash
Non-fat cooking spray
Kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Directions
Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds and fibers with a spoon. Place on a baking sheet, cut side up, spray lightly with the non-fat cooking spray, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bake at 350° for about an hour or until the skin gives easily under pressure and the inside is tender. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Using a fork, scrape out the squash flesh a little at a time. It will separate into spaghetti-like strands. Place in a serving dish and serve hot. Total servings per recipe will vary depending on squash size.
Parmesan-Roasted Green Beans
Ingredients
1 pound thin green beans (haricots verts)
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Trim off the tough end of the beans and arrange the beans on a nonstick cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top and bake until the cheese melts and forms a crisp shell over the beans, about 10 minutes. Let the beans sit for a few minutes for the cheese to cool slightly. Lift the beans out onto a platter and serve.
Skillet Ravioli
Ingredients
9 oz pkg fresh deli spinach ravioli
2 cups Marinara sauce
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Heat the marinara sauce in a medium skillet. Gently place the ravioli on top of the sauce. Cover the pan, turn the heat down to low and simmer the ravioli until tender, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.
Zucchini Sausage Saute
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
¼ cup finely chopped bell pepper
1 small zucchini, sliced thin
2 Italian sausage links, cooked and sliced thin
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon salt
Directions
Heat the oil in a small skillet. Ass the onion and bell pepper. Cook until tender about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the sausage slices and seasonings. Saute until all the ingredients are hot. Serve with the ravioli.
First Step
Poached Cod Fish
3 cups cold water
1 medium bay leaf
A large branch of fresh thyme
3 chive stalks
Salt and pepper
1 lb cod fillets
1/2 medium lemon, sliced paper-thin
3 fresh parsley sprigs, stems trimmed and coarsely chopped
Tomato Pesto Sauce for serving
Directions
Combine all the ingredients except the fish in a large, shallow-sided pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low until liquid is at a simmer. Add fish in a single layer, making sure it is completely covered with liquid. Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper.
Poach until the cod flesh is opaque and flakes easily (the internal temperature should be 175ºF). Let cool in the poaching liquid off the heat.
Shred the cod.
Step Two
Cakes
1lb cod, poached and shredded
4 cups of mashed potatoes
1/2 cup of finely chopped onion
2Garlic cloves, minced
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped parsley
For cooking
White rice flour
4 tablespoons butter
Directions
Combine the cake ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Coat a large piece of waxed paper lightly with white rice flour. Measure the cakes with a 1/4 measuring scoop and drop them on the floured paper. With floured hands shape into little patties. Coat highly in a little flour to remove any sticky areas. Makes about 18
Heat the butter in a large skillet and lightly brown the patties on both sides. About a minute on each side until light gold.
Cover a baking sheet with parchment and place the patties on the pan. Bake in a 400-degree oven for about 20 minutes until hot.
Serve with 2 cups marinara sauce and add 2 tablespoons of basil pesto to the sauce.
Creamy Orzo With Spinach
Ingredients
11/2 cups uncooked whole wheat orzo pasta
3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup heavy/whipping cream
1/2 cup grated Italian Fontina cheese
10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
Bring the broth to a boil in a medium saucepan with a cover. Add the orzo, lower the heat, and cover the pan. Simmer the orzo until the broth is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Set aside in a bowl.
Melt the butter in the empty saucepan and cook the onion until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the spinach and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the cream, Fontina cheese, seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Add the orzo and cook over low heat until all the ingredients are hot.
2 servings
Ingredients
2 flounder fillets (1 pound total)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup Italian flavored bread crumbs
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup Marinara Sauce
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
In a baking dish large enough to just fit the flounder spread the marinara sauce over the button of the dish. Place the fish in the dish and season the fish fillets with salt and pepper.
Mix the Parmesan with the bread crumbs, and olive oil and sprinkle over the fillets. Press down on the breading to be sure it coats the fish.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked and the topping is golden.
Top each fillet with ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
Return to the oven and bake until the sauce is hot and the cheese melts.
Serve With cooked spaghetti and a green vegetable.
While this post is about dinner for two, I am posting my traditional meatball recipe because when I make the entire recipe. That way I can freeze them in small batches for the future. Add a Garden Salad to round out the menu.
Italian Meatballs
Makes 18 to 20 meatballs. Make the meatball mixture early in the day.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground veal
1 pound ground pork
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 eggs
1 cup freshly grated parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
3 tablespoons chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
3cups stale Italian bread, crumbled
1 ½ cups lukewarm water
Olive oil
Directions
Combine beef, veal, and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Blend bread crumbs into the meat mixture. Slowly add the water 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still, hold its shape. Refrigerate for several hours.
Shape the meat mixture into 3-inch balls.
Heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches.
When the meatball is very brown and slightly crisp, remove it from the heat and drain on a paper towel. (If your mixture is too wet, cover the meatballs while they are cooking so that they hold their shape better.)
For dinner for two;
Place a ladle of sauce in a small baking dish. Place 4 meatballs in the dish. Cover with sauce. Cover the dish and bake in the oven with the ravioli.
Marinara Sauce
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
2 large cloves of garlic
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup tomato paste
¼ cup of chopped fresh basil leaves
½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper (optional)
Two 26 oz containers can of finely chopped Italian tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and stir until well mixed. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook partially covered for 1 hour.
Ravioli Bake
I love that ravioli; i can be cooked this. No more breaking apart in boiling water. If you double the recipe use two baking dishes that can go into the dishwasher. The ravioli need to be in a single layer to cook properly.
Ingredients
2 cups marinara sauce
Half a package of frozen cheese-filled ravioli (25 to 27 1/2 ounces)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Defrost the ravioli on a plate in a single layer covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray bottom and sides of rectangular baking dish 13x9x2-inches, with cooking spray.
Spread 1 cup of the pasta sauce in a baking dish. Arrange the ravioli in a single layer over the sauce; top with half of the remaining pasta sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake uncovered 15 minutes longer or until bubbly and hot in center.
Cauliflower Parmesan
Ingredients
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg and ¼ cup water, beaten together
1 ½ cups panko Italian unseasoned bread crumbs
Kosher salt, as needed
Black pepper, as needed
1 small-medium head cauliflower, trimmed and divided into large floret clusters
½ cup of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups Marinara Sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place flour, eggs, and panko into three wide, shallow bowls. Season each with salt and pepper. Dip a cauliflower piece first in flour, then egg, then coat with panko. Repeat with remaining cauliflower.
Fill a large skillet with oil. Place over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, fry cauliflower in batches, turning halfway through, until golden brown. Transfer fried cauliflower pieces to a paper towel-lined plate.
Spoon the marinara sauce over the bottom of an 8-inch baking pan. Place the cauliflower evenly in the baking dish. Transfer pan to oven and bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella and return to the oven until the cheese melts.
Lemony Chicken or Turkey Cutlet Piccata
Ingredients
4 servings
1 lb boneless skinless chicken or turkey breast cutlets
Kosher salt and black pepper
½ cup flour for dredging
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers rinsed and drained
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Directions
Pat the chicken breast pieces dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides. Lightly coat the chicken on both sides with the flour (shake off any excess flour).
In a medium skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Cook the chicken on 1 side for about 2 minutes, then turn over to cook for 3 minutes. Add the butter and capers. Drizzle the lemon juice over the cutlets and let simmer for 2 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Linguini with Pesto Cream Sauce
6 servings
Ingredients
Pistachio Basil Pesto Sauce
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
Cream Sauce
1 lb linguini
1 cup pistachio basil pesto sauce
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream
Directions
For the pesto sauce
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.
Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta in a colander.
In the same pot add the pesto, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Warm over low heat and then add the cooked linguine. Cook for a minute or two. Pour into a serving bowl and top with freshly ground black pepper.
Easy Sausage and Pepper Stew
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
4 links spicy Italian pork sausage, or any style sausage, cut into one-inch pies
1 medium onion, diced
2 large bell peppers, cut into one-inch pieces
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into one-inch pieces
1/2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into one-inch pieces
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons tomato paste
28 oz container of finely chopped Italian tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Pour enough olive oil into the bottom of a Dutch Oven and heat over medium-low. Add the sausage and cook until brown on all sides, stirring the sausage pieces often. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste and stir until completely combines. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well, and bring the mixture to a slow boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and simmer the stew for about an hour or until all the vegetables are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon into individual bowls and serve with a slice of Italian beard.
