Even though this pizza is vegetarian, I call it an antipasto pizza because the topping ingredients I use are found in antipasto appetizers.
For Homemade Pizza Dough
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup lukewarm water
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Combine all the dough ingredients in the large bowl of an electric mixer and with The paddle attachment mix until the ingredients come together around the paddle. Attach the dough hook and knead the dough for 6 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled.
Antipasto Pizza
Ingredients
lb whole milk mozzarella cheese, cut into thin slices
1 lb pizza dough, store-bout or homemade, at room temperature
Grated Parmesan Cheese
½ cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
½ cup chopped oil-cured black Italian olives
8 artichoke hearts packed in oil and sliced
¼ of red bell pepper sliced thin
¼ of red onion, sliced thin
Olive oil
For The Pizza
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Oil a 16-inch pizza pan.
Press the dough out in the pan to its edges. Top the dough with the mozzarella slices. Scatter the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, artichokes, bell pepper, and onion evenly over the cheese. drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake the pizza on the bottom rack of the oven for 15 -18 minutes, until the crust is lightly brown.
Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.
I find a dish of risotto to be enough for dinner, however, if you would like more add a green salad and some Italian bread.
2-3 servings
Ingredients
1/2 pound shrimp, with shells
Stock
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Shells from 1/2 pound of shrimp
4 cups water
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
Risotto
4 cups shrimp stock
1/4 cup butter
¼ cup minced shallots
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 cup Arborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper
½ cup diced sun-drained tomatoes
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped parsley
Directions
Make the shrimp stock
Place the ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, turn the heat to a simmer and cook for 1- minute. Strain the stock and return the liquid to the pot. use the stock to make the risotto.
Bring the stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan; keep at a gentle simmer.
Heat a wide saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, shallots, and garlic and cook until the shallots have softened about 2 minutes. Pour in the rice and cook, stirring pretty much constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes, so the rice can absorb the oil.
Pour in the wine and stir. Season with salt and white pepper and bring to a simmer. You want the liquid at a steady simmer. Stir often, scraping the bottom of the pan. When most of the wine has been absorbed – ladle in 1 cup of the shrimp stock. Keep at a simmer, stirring until the rice absorbs most of this liquid. Continue the process, adding stock by the cupful, until you’ve added 3 cups of stock.
Add the shrimp and tomatoes with the last cup of stock and simmer until the rice is al dente. Stir in the cream and cheese and heat until the mixture is hot. Spoon into serving bowls and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Healthy Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Makes about 1/2 cup. Can easily be doubled.
Ingredients:
Dressing
1/2 small clove garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon anchovy paste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Salad
Half a head of Romaine lettuce, torn into small pieces and1/2 cup croutons
Directions:
Place garlic and salt in a medium bowl and mash with the back of a spoon to form a paste. Add lemon juice, mayonnaise, mustard, anchovy paste, and pepper; whisk to combine. Slowly drizzle in oil, whisking constantly. Add cheese and whisk to combine.
Chicken Piccata
Ingredients
Four 6 oz boneless, skinless cutlets (turkey, chicken, veal, pork, or fish), pounded until thin
Kosher salt
Ground pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, preferably Wondra
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons white wine, or dry vermouth
1 lemon, juiced (4 tablespoons),
1 tablespoon capers
Directions
Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly coat in flour. Shake off excess.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter, swirl them around the pan, and add the cutlets. Turn the heat to medium and saute for 2 minutes per side. Add the wine, lemon juice, and capers, swirl them around in the pan and turn off the heat. Serve immediately.
Orecchiette Pasta
Ingredients
Hakf Pound Dried Orecchiette Pasta
2 large zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
2 cloves garlic, minced
Half a red onion sliced thin
Salt & Pepper To Taste
1/3 cup sundried tomatoes packed in oil, sliced into thin strips
Directions
Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil, and add the pasta. Cook as per package instructions until the last 4-5 minutes of cooking. Drain pasta and reserve one cup of pasta water.
In the drained pasta pot, pour 3 tablespoons of the sundried tomato oil into the pot and heat until warm. Add the zucchini and remaining ingredients. Stir and cook for three minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Return the pasta to the pot and adding water as needed to keep it moist.
Sicilian Potato and Green Bean Salad
Ingredients
1 ½ pound {about 5} unpeeled red new potatoes, steamed
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup sun-dried tomato strips packed in olive oil
Salt
Dressing
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon capers, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 hard-cooked [steamed} egg, steamed and mashed
¼ cup olive oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
¼ cup packed fresh basil leaves, cut into very thin strips
Directions
How to steam the eggs and potatoes
I don’t boil eggs in water, instead, I steam them and they come out perfect every time. Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a pot with the steaming basket in it. When the water is boiling add the eggs to the basket, cover the pot, and set a timer for 12 minutes. When the timer goes off, put the eggs in a bowl of ice water until completely cooled.
ill a pot with one inch of water and put a steamer basket inside. Place the potatoes in the steamer basket and bring water to a boil. Cover and cook until potatoes are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain. As soon as they are cool enough to handle, thinly slice the potatoes.
If you do not have a steamer basket, you can cook the eggs and potatoes in the conventional; way.
In a 4-quart Dutch oven combine green beans and enough salted water to cover. Bring to boiling over high heat; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Drain. Let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour or until cool.
For the dressing
Finely shred peel from lemon; measure 2 teaspoons lemon peel. Juice lemon; measure 3 tablespoons of juice.
For the salad
in a salad bowl combine oil, 2 teaspoons lemon peel, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, the capers, anchovies, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mash the egg and stir it into the dressing.
Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
2 lbs {5} chicken thighs
5 teaspoons lemon pepper
5 tablespoons Dijon Honey Mustard
1 cup unseasoned panko crumbs
Ingredients
Season the thighs with lemon pepper and refrigerate for several houses.
When ready to cool:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and oil a baking dish.
Brush the chicken with mustard on all slides and dredge in panko. Place in the baking dish.
Cook for 45 to 50 minutes and the chicken is crispy and registers 165 degrees on an instant meat thermometer.
Tuna Coating
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon ground fennel
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon flour
Tuna
2 tuna fillets about 1 lb total
1 tablespoon olive oil
Peppers and Onions
1 cup sliced Italian Frying Peppers
1/2 cup sliced onion
1 garlic glove, smashed
1/4 cup torn fresh mint leaves
Coarse sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Beans
One 15 ounce can cannellini or navy beans, drained, rinsed or ½ cup dried beans soaked overnight and cooked. (See recipe below)
1/2 cup jarred baby artichoke hearts, cut in half
1/2 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
For the peppers and onions
Heat oil in a large deep skillet and add the garlic clove. Add the peppers and onions. Saute until tender about 5-6 minutes. Add the mint and season with coarse salt and pepper. Remove from the skillet and place on a serving platter.
For the tuna
Combine the coating mixture in a shallow dish.
Rinse the fillets in cold water, letting the water drip off but don’t dry the fish.
Coat the tuna fillets in the coating mixture.
Add the 1 tablespoon oil and heat. Carefully place the tuna fillets into the skillet. A spice crust should form within 1 minute. Using a wide spatula, turn the tuna fillets over, lower the heat to medium, and cook for 2-5 minutes to the desired doneness. Place the cooked tuna on the bed of onions and peppers.
For the beans
Heat the oil in a small saucepan and add the remaining ingredients. Heat over low just until hot. Serve with the tuna fillets.
How To Cook Dried Beans
Ingredients
8 ounces (1 cup) dried beans
1 small onion
2 garlic cloves, unpeeled, lightly smashed
Half a serrano or jalapeño pepper seeded, or 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 to 4 fresh thyme sprigs or ½ teaspoon dried
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Place the beans in a large saucepan, add enough cool water to cover by 1½ inches, and soak overnight at room temperature. Drain.
Place the soaked beans in a large saucepan with water to cover by 1½ inches. Add the onion, garlic, chili, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a low boil over moderate heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cook the beans at a bare simmer until they are just tender but not mushy, about 30-45 minutes. If necessary, replenish the water, so that it stays 1 inch above the top of the beans. Halfway through the cooking time, stir in the salt.
Remove from the heat. If you are using them right away, drain the beans. Remove and discard the onion, garlic, chili, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. If you are not using the beans immediately, allow the beans to cool in their cooking liquid before draining. (Keep the cooking liquid to reheat the beans or to use in many of the recipes that follow.) You can keep beans, covered and refrigerated, for up to 3 days.
Snacks for game watching or parties are fun to have on hand. They do not have to be unhealthy to taste really good. My kind of snacks have always been a big hit with family and guests – so give them a try. I have never heard that they didn’t go over well. In fact, I get many requests for the recipes. The sports season begins this week, so get ready.
Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds can be seasoned, roasted in the oven and eaten as a healthy snack. They’re a very good source of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and antioxidants; and they’re also a good source of protein, zinc, copper and iron. Besides – they taste good.
Make a double batch – they go fast.
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw, dry pumpkin seeds (be sure they are not salted)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 2 tablespoons honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the seeds with the olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, cumin, cayenne and honey in a mixing bowl.
Spread the seeds on a baking pan.
Roast the coated seeds until golden, about 15 – 20 minutes. Scrape the pan and stir the seeds as they cool to prevent sticking. After about 10 minutes cooling on the pan, the seeds will stick together.
They are easy to separate and will finish cooling without sticking after they are separated.
Remove to a serving bowl or store in an airtight container.
Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
Pimentón is the Spanish version of paprika that adds a little smokiness to a recipe. It comes in three types with varying levels of heat. Dulce is slightly sweet with very little heat, agridulce has only a trace of sweetness but a lot of heat and picante is quite hot with just a trace of bitterness.
This is not the typical hummus made with tahini (sesame paste). This hummus uses sun-dried tomatoes and has delicious flavor from the Pimentón. The dip go very well with the homemade pita chips.
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained but reserve the bean liquid
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, more to taste
- 1 tablespoon pimentón agridulce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Pita chips (recipe below) and raw vegetables, for serving.
Directions
Drain the chickpeas, reserving the bean liquid separately.
Put the chickpeas and lemon juice into a blender or food processor and process until chunky.
Add salt, pepper, the garlic and pimentón and process; then add the sun-dried tomatoes and sun dried tomato oil. Process until very smooth.
Add some of the reserved bean liquid to thin the sauce to dipping consistency.
Serve with homemade pita chips and cut up vegetables.
Homemade Pita Chips
Za’atar seasoning is a Middle Eastern spice mixture that contains ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame seeds, salt and sumac.
Ingredients
- 1 package of pita pocket breads (6 pitas in a package)
- Olive oil
- Za’atar seasoning
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Oil two large rimmed baking pans.
Separate each pita into two rounds. Brush each with olive oil and sprinkle with the Za’atar seasoning mix. Cut each pita circle into 6 triangles.
Arrange the triangles on the baking sheets and bake until crispy and brown, about 20 minutes. Rotate the pans after ten minutes, Cool and store in a large ziplock bag until needed.
Small Wraps
Small hand foods are popular and easy to eat while you are watching a game. These can be filled with anything you like and cut as small as you like. Here are some suggestions.
Ingredients
- Whole-grain tortillas, lavash bread or lettuce leaves
- Drizzle of oil and vinegar
Protein Filling Ingredients
- Thinly sliced roast turkey, chicken, ham or roast beef
- Tuna
- Hummus
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Nut Butters
- Edamame
Vegetable Filling Ingredients
- Greens: lettuce, baby spinach, kale, Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Avocado
- Zucchini Slices
- Onion
- Celery
- Pickled Cucumbers, Peppers or other Pickled Vegetables
Spreads
- Light Mayonnaise
- Greek Yogurt
- Mustard
- Hummus
- Mashed Avocado
- Relish
Directions
Choose a type of wrap or use a variety. Choose a spread and cover the wrap on one side.
Layer the wrap with a protein and veggies of choice. Drizzle with a little oil and vinegar. Roll-up tightly and place on a serving dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until game time.
Pepper and Corn Salsa
The fresh flavors of this seasonal salsa is what makes it taste so good. Homemade chips make it taste even better.
Ingredients
- 3 bell peppers, seeded and diced (use a variety of colors)
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels, cooked
- 1 tomato, seeded and diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- Juice of half a lime
- Pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper Flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Homemade tortilla chips
Directions
Place the diced vegetables and corn to a medium serving bowl.
Add the lime juice, salt, pepper and cayenne to the bowl. Mix well. Let the flavors combine for at least twenty minutes before serving.
Serve either at room temperature or slightly chilled with tortilla chips.
Homemade Tortilla Chips
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- One package (8-10) large (12 inch) flour tortillas
- Taco seasoning mix, recipe below
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil two rimmed baking sheets.
Brush the tortillas with olive oil and sprinkle each with taco seasoning. Cut the tortillas into 8 triangles and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake until golden brown and crisp, rotating the baking sheets once, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Taco Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
In a small bowl, mix all together. Store in an airtight container.
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.
The province of Taranto is located in the Puglia region of Italy. The city of Taranto is the capital of the province and an important military and commercial port. It has well-developed steel and iron foundries, oil refineries, chemical works, some shipyards for building warships and food-processing factories. The ancient city of Taranto was situated on a peninsula and the surrounding islets and coast were strongly fortified. The islets S. Pietro and S. Paolo protected the bay where the commercial port is now located and because of the presence of these two bays, Taranto is also called “the city of the two seas”.
Taranto was founded in 708 BC by Spartan immigrants, who named the city after the mythical hero Taras. Taranto increased its power by becoming a main commercial port in southern Italy, with the largest army and fleet. In the early 3rd century BC, Roman legions entered Taranto and plundered it. The Tarantines called for help from Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, who decided to help Taranto because he was in debt to them. In the spring of 280 BC, he landed in Italy with 20,000 phalanxes, 500 peltasts, 2,000 archers, 3,000 elite cavalry from Thessaly and 20 war elephants. The Romans mobilized eight legions totaling about 80 000 soldiers. The battle of Heraclea was won by Pyrrhus, but the casualties were very high. Eventually Pyrrhus and the Tarentines were defeated by the Romans in the battle of Beneventum.
In the 8th century AD Saracens began their raids against Southern Italy, occupying Taranto for forty years, until it was reconquered by the Byzantines in 880. The city suffered from other Saracen raids in 922 and again in 927 when the Saracens conquered and destroyed the city, enslaving and deporting the survivors to Africa. The 11th century was characterized by a bloody struggle between the Normans and the Byzantines. The region was conquered by the Normans and became the capital of the Norman principality for almost 4 centuries. In 1465 Ferdinand I of Naples incorporated Taranto into the Kingdom of Naples. In March 1502, the Spanish fleet of Ferdinand II of Aragon, allied to Louis XII of France, seized the port of Taranto and conquered the city. With the fall of Napoleon, Southern Italy and Taranto, returned to Bourbon rule, forming the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Then in 1861 the whole of Southern Italy was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia, which became the Kingdom of Italy. During World War II, the Italian ships at anchor in the port were severely damaged by British naval forces as part of the Allied invasion (Operation Slapstick).
Collection of ceramics produced in Taranto ca. 580 BC. Taranto Archaeological National Museum
A fascinating landscape makes up the beautiful countryside of Taranto: sometimes green and lush with large vineyards and olive groves, sometimes rocky and rough with ravines, caves and gorges where ancient civilizations settled. The “city of many caves:” as Grottaglie is called, is an ancient village in the province whose first settlements date back to the 1st Century AD. It is famous worldwide for its handmade pottery. The province is also known for its numerous ceramic finds that trace back to the Classical Age and are kept in the National Museum of “Magna Grecia” in Taranto.
Considerable amounts of clay are a natural resource in the surrounding territory and the ceramic industry is important in the province. There are many ceramic shops that are actually located inside some of the province’s caves. Also, noteworthy, is the presence of prehistoric ruins in the Village of Triglie. In the north, Martina Franca is a charming town that overlooks the Itria Valley, with its lush green nature contrasting with the white trulli homes and ancient farms.
Trulli Village
The Traditional Foods of Taranto
Mussels and oysters are the pride of Taranto and fish and shellfish pastas are usually served for the main course. Vegetables and legumes are plentiful, as are burrata cheese, sausages and capocollo from Martina Franca. Grapes, oranges and the famous clementines of the Gulf of Taranto are the usual desserts. Meals are paired with the excellent wines of the province, such as Primitivo di Manduria, Martina Franca and Lizzano.
Crostini with Burrata Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
(Italy Magazine)
Serves 4 as an antipasto
Ingredients
- Burrata: 1 grapefruit sized ball (usually 200-300 grams in weight, 8-10 ounces)
- Bread: Small loaf or half of an Italian rustic bread
- Sun-Dried tomatoes: 8 marinated sun dried tomatoes (from either a deli or from a jar with oil)
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Directions
Slice 4 pieces of bread lengthwise about ½ inch thick. Lightly toast the bread in the oven or on the grill.
Slice the cheese into 8 portions. Cut each slice of toasted bread in half.
Drizzle the bread lightly with olive oil. Spread the burrata slices on top of the bread with a spoon to get all the creamy interior.
Slice each sun-dried tomato into 3 strips and lay on top of the burrata. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve.
Taranto Baked Oysters
6 main dish servings
Ingredients
- 2 slices white sandwich bread
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/3 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup dried Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 24 oysters on the half shell
- 6 lemon wedges
Directions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Place the bread in a food processor, and pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs form.
In a medium nonstick skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, parsley, and garlic; cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove the pan from the heat; stir in fresh breadcrumbs, Italian bread crumbs and the next 4 ingredients (Italian breadcrumbs through black pepper).
Place oysters on a jelly roll baking pan. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the oysters.
Bake the oysters for 7-8 minutes or until the edges of the oysters curl. Serve with lemon wedges.
Vegetable Calzone
(Montena Taranto Cheese Company)
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb pizza dough, at room temperature
- 4 tablespoons pesto
- 1 zucchini, grated
- 1 cup packed fresh spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Marinara Sauce, optional
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Combine the spinach, zucchini and ricotta in a bowl.
Divide the dough into four equal balls and roll each into a circle.
Spread a thin layer of pesto on one half of each circle.
Place a quarter of the spinach/zucchini mixture on top of the pesto half of the dough.
Top with a 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella.
Fold and crimp the eggs with fork. Bake 20 minutes until brown and crusty. Serve with sauce, if desired
Green Peppers with Taranto Mussels
(BridgePugliaUSA)
4 servings:
- 500 g/1 ⅛ lb Taranto mussels
- 500 g/1 ⅛ lb green peppers
- 1 clove of garlic
- 5 cherry tomatoes, quartered
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, if needed
Directions
Clean the peppers and remove the seeds and the stalks and cut them into strips. Sauté the pepper strips in a pan with some oil and the garlic. When the peppers have softened and are lightly caramelized, add the tomatoes.
After a few minutes, add the raw, well-cleaned mussels, cover the pan and let them cook over high heat until the mussels open. You may not need to add any salt since the liquid from the mussels could be salty enough. Stir and serve with bread.
Family Recipe
Ricotta Cookies
Makes 5-6 dozen cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 lb ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Grated zest of 1 orange
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Frosting, recipe below
- Colored sprinkles, optional
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream the butter in an electric mixer bowl, add the sugar and continue beating.
Add the eggs, ricotta, orange zest and vanilla; beat well.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; fold into the batter.
Drop by a rounded teaspoon of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet or line the baking pans with parchment paper.
Bake about 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Cool.
Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Beat ingredients together until combined. Spread on the top of the cookies. Add sprinkles, if desired.
Believe it or not, it is possible to eat and cook healthy with pasta. When prepared appropriately, pasta has many positive benefits in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and it can satisfy numerous dietary needs. Pasta is a great vehicle for enjoying other healthy foods that improve your diet as well, such as healthy proteins and vegetables.
The most important thing to remember about pasta is that when you prepare it at home, you have complete control over making sure it was cooked in a healthy manner.
Some tips on how to keep your pasta recipes healthy:
Pay Attention to Portions
First, we nearly always cook too much pasta. The USDA recommends 2 ounces of dry pasta per person, which works out to about 1 cup of cooked pasta per person.
Add Healthy Ingredients
Add sautéed broccoli, peppers, spinach or sweet onions to your plain cooked pasta and mix in a tablespoon of olive oil for a delicious side dish with your meal. Add garlic, herbs and grated Parmesan cheese for flavor.
Always Use Olive Oil
Avoid saturating the pasta in rich, thick and high-calories fats. This is obvious for Italians, but always try to use olive oil, an unsaturated fat, which assists with the absorption of vitamins.
Choose Lean Proteins
Add drained and rinsed beans, such as cannellini beans or chickpeas, along with the sauce. Other healthy protein options include lean pork loin, grass-fed beef, fish, ground turkey and chicken or lean turkey sausage.
Spicy Puttanesca
6-8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 3 ounces green olives, such as Castelvetrano (Italian green olives), pitted and chopped (1/2 cup) plus extra for garnishing
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon drained capers, chopped
- One 2-ounce can anchovy fillets in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup canned crushed Italian tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup torn basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
In a large pot, heat the olive oil. Add the olives, capers, anchovies, jalapeno and garlic and cook over moderately high heat until sizzling. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and the almonds and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, about 7 minutes.
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta for 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 3 cups of the pasta cooking water.
Add the spaghetti and the reserved cooking water to the sauce in the skillet and cook until the pasta is al dente. Stir in the parsley, basil, lemon zest and lemon juice and serve in bowls with a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with additional olives, if desired.
Linguine with Scallops
6 servings
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 3/4 pound linguine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds sea scallops
- Salt
- 1/2 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried red-pepper (chili) flakes
Directions
Toast the pine nuts in a large dry skillet until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the same skillet over moderately high heat until very hot. Season the scallops with 1/4 teaspoon salt and put them in the skillet.
Sear until brown on the bottom, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn and sear until brown on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Remove the scallops to a bowl and cut them into quarters.
In the same pan, heat the remaining oil over moderate heat. Add the tomatoes, garlic, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the red-pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the scallops and the pine nuts.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the linguine until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain the pasta.
Add the pasta to the skillet with the remaining 4 tablespoons of parsley. Toss well and serve.
Rigatoni with Red Peppers and Spinach
6 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large red onion, coarsely chopped
- 2 medium red bell peppers, seeded and sliced into 1/2-inch strips
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 10 oz fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
Directions
Cook rigatoni according to package directions for al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Return pasta to the pot to keep warm.
While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a skillet over high heat. Stir in onion, peppers and tomatoes. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Sauté, stirring occasionally.
After 5 minutes, add spinach and continue to sauté until the vegetables are tender and the spinach is wilted, about 5 more minutes.
Add vegetables, reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese to the cooked pasta and gently toss to combine.
Place in a serving bowl and top with basil and remaining Parmesan cheese.
Spaghetti with Cauliflower and Capers
6-8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup soft bread crumbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed, plus extra for garnish
- One 1 1/2 pound head cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets (5 to 6 cups)
- 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound spaghetti
Directions
Bring a 5- to 6-quart pot of salted water to boiling. Cook spaghetti according to package directions, except cook for 2 minutes less than the time given on the package for al dente. Drain spaghetti and return to the large pot.
In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-low heat. Add breadcrumbs to the hot oil; cook about 3 minutes or until crumbs are crisp and golden brown, stirring frequently. Stir in 1 clove of the minced garlic; cook and stir until garlic is tender. Transfer mixture to a small bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese and the lemon peel and set aside.
In the same large skillet heat the remaining the oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and salt; cook about 3 minutes or until the onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 teaspoon thyme and the remaining 2 cloves minced garlic; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add cauliflower, broth and capers; cover and cook about 10 minutes or until cauliflower is tender. Stir in lemon juice and pepper.
Add cauliflower mixture to the cooked spaghetti. Cook about 5 minutes more or until spaghetti is al dente. Divide spaghetti mixture among six shallow serving bowls. Sprinkle with the bread crumb mixture and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Garnish with additional snipped fresh thyme.
Chicken, Green Beans and Pesto Pasta
6-8 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- Flour for dredging
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock
- 1 pound of penne pasta
- 8 oz thin green beans, ends trimmed
- 1/2 cup of homemade or good quality prepared pesto
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Trim fat from the chicken breasts. If very thick, slice in half lengthwise to create two thin cutlets. Season with salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour.
In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat until melted. Add in the chicken and sauté until browned on each side and almost cooked through – about 3 minutes per side. Place chicken on a cutting board and slice into one inch pieces and set aside.
Add the white wine to the pan and simmer for a few minutes to deglaze. Lower the heat. Add in the stock and simmer for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Return the chicken and any juices to the pan and allow to simmer until cooked through.
Bring salted water to a boil in a large pasta pot. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Add the green beans to the pasta pan for the final 6 minutes of cooking time.
Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain pasta and green beans.
Add pasta and green beans to the skillet with the chicken. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pesto and add the remaining to the pasta. Stir to incorporate. If dry, add in as much pasta water as needed.
Arrange the pasta on a warmed serving plate and dot with the reserved pesto. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
The best way to get the freshest fish available is to simply ask. Ask your local market what’s fresh today? This will sometimes require being flexible about the kind of fish you cook. Fresh fish always tastes better. The freshest fish will smell of the sea (briny) but not fishy; the gills should be bright and moist; the meat firm and springy; and the scales should not be dull or flake off easily.
Fish come in three basic varieties:
- White fish — cod, grouper, sole and haddock, etc. These fish have translucent skin that turns an opalescent white when cooked. This type of fish is good for sauteing and baking.
- Meaty fish — salmon, trout, tuna and sardines, among others. Meaty fish are oilier and thicker than other varieties and contain good oils (omega 3 fatty acids). They are often grilled.
- Shellfish — lobster, shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, mussels and oysters. Shellfish can be cooked almost any way and served hot or cold.
Resist the temptation to cook fish until it flakes. Fish is done when the color turns from translucent to opaque (white) or has reached 140°F on an instant read thermometer, otherwise, you run the risk of overcooking it.
If you buy fresh seafood, use it the same day or freeze it immediately. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, never on the kitchen counter. Rinse fish in cold water, drain and pat dry with paper towels.
Almond-Crusted Fish
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped green pimento-stuffed olives
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped drained capers
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons plus 4 tsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Four 5-oz skinless white fish fillets (cod, grouper, catfish, sea bass, halibut, grouper, haddock, snapper, etc.) about ¾ inch thick
- 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup sliced unsalted almonds
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine the minced onion, olives, parsley, capers, vinegar and the 2 tablespoons olive oil; set aside.
Brush the top (skinless side) of the fish with egg white. Press almonds evenly over the top of the fish.
In a very large skillet on medium, heat the remaining 4 teaspoons of oil. Add the fish, crusted side down and cook until the almonds are toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully turn the fish with a wide spatula and continue cooking until the fish is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove the fish to a serving platter and spoon the olive mixture on top.
Parchment-Baked Fish
Serves: 1
Ingredients
- One 6-oz fish fillet
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 medium clove garlic, minced
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 thin slices red onion
- 1/2 small fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced
- 4 Kalamata, pitted and thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper (chili) flakes, or to taste
- 2 large sprigs rosemary
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Tear off 1 piece of parchment to form a square large enough to enclose the fish. Place the parchment on a baking dish and place the fish in the center of the square. Drizzle with oil, then rub in the garlic and season with black pepper. Sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes over the top.
Arrange onion slices over the fish and top with the fennel and olives. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and lay rosemary sprigs on either side of the fish, tucking them firmly against the fish.
Grasp the top and bottom edges of the paper parallel to the work surface and bring them together up over the fish, pinching together at the top. Fold over by about 1 inch, then continue folding down, leaving about 1/2 inch of space above the fish to allow for steam. Fold each side toward center until about 1/4 inch from fish.
Place the baking dish in the oven and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Remove the baking dish from the oven and place the pouch on a serving dish or plate. Carefully unfold parchment to allow steam to escape and serve immediately.
Fish Florentine
Serves 2
Ingredients
- Two 5-oz fish fillets
- 5 grape tomatoes, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian-leaf parsley
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 large shallots, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz. baby spinach
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place the fish and the tomatoes in a glass baking dish. Sprinkle garlic and parsley over the top and squeeze the lemon juice over the fish. Cover with foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the fish is opaque and registers 140°F on an instant read thermometer.
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, sauté shallots in oil for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to medium and add the spinach, cooking until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the feta cheese and heat until melted and evenly distributed.
To serve, place 3/4 cup of the spinach-feta mixture on each plate and place 1 fillet and half the tomatoes on top of each serving.
Poached Fish In Tomato Sauce
4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (chili)
- One 14.5-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes, drained
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 2 bay leaves
- Pinch of saffron threads
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Four 5-oz. skinless cod, bass, flounder, etc. fish fillets
Directions
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and Aleppo pepper and cook, stirring often (garlic should not brown), about 2 minutes.
Add tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you add them, wine, bay leaves, saffron and ½ cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, 5 minutes; season to taste with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat to medium-low; season fish with salt and pepper and place in the skillet with the poaching liquid. Cover and cook at a bare simmer until fish is opaque throughout, about 5–7 minutes and the fish registers 140°F on an instant read thermometer. (Thicker pieces will take longer to cook).
Gently transfer fish to individual shallow bowls and spoon poaching liquid over.
Fish Baked in Phyllo Pastry
This recipe makes a great entree for company.
Serves 6
Ingredients
- Six 5 ounce fish fillets
- 4 ounces reduced fat cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces crab meat
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- Salt and pepper
- 12 sheets phyllo pastry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 tablespoons butter, melted
- Hot sauce to taste
Directions
In a mixing bowl gently combine the crab, cream cheese, onion, parsley, salt, pepper and a few shakes of hot sauce.
Divide the stuffing evenly on top of each fillet and pat it flat with a spatula.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet and brown the fish fillets on the side without the stuffing.
Remove 2 sheets of phyllo pastry from the roll and cut them in half. Lightly brush each piece with melted butter and stack them together.
Place a fish fillet on top of the phyllo layer and fold the pastry over the fish so it is completely covered and the edges are sealed.
Repeat the process with the remaining 5 fish fillets and pastry. Place the fish packets on a platter and refrigerate until it is time to cook them.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake 20-25 minutes until the pastry is puffed and golden.
