2 servings
Ingredients
1 medium zucchini (about 9-10 oz}
Kosher salt
For the filling:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces lean ground beef
2 tablespoons minced onion
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled and seeded tomatoes
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon freshly chopped basil leaves
1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
2 tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
Directions
Lay the zucchini down on a flat work surface and, using a sharp knife, cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a small melon baller or paring knife, remove the inner flesh from the zucchini to form a small boat shape, leaving a thin shell on the sides and bottom,.
Cut the trimmings into 1/4-inch dice and reserve. Lightly salt the inside of each zucchini and set aside, cut sides down, on paper towels to drain while you prepare the filling.
For the filling:
In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and, when hot, add the beef and saute until brown, using a spoon to break it into small pieces, about 6 minutes.
Add the onion and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chopped zucchini and season lightly with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until squash is soft and lightly caramelized about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the basil, thyme, and bread crumbs. Season, to taste, with additional salt and pepper, if necessary, and set aside to cool.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
Pat the insides of the zucchini with paper towels. Spoon the mostly cooled filling into the zucchini. Sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on top.
Serve with a simple pasta, such as Linguini Pesto Sauce
Linguini with Pesto Sauce
2-3 servings
Ingredients
Sauce
2 cups washed basil leaves
1/4 cup pignoli nuts
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Pasta
1/2 lb linguini
Pesto sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
For the pesto sauce
Place the nuts, 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. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta in a colander.
In the same pot add the pesto, cooking water, 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.
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.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 large sweet onion, sliced thin
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 hamburger patties 85 percent lean ground beef, about 5 oxen each
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus extra for buns
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ teaspoon sugar
2 slices American cheese
2 hamburger buns
Directions
Mix onions with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and sugar.
Season the burger patties with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Place on a plate.
Cut the hamburger buns in half and butter each side. Wrap in foil and heat in a 300-degree oven while you cook the burgers.
Melt butter with the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are browned and caramelized. Divide the onions in half. Place each half on the prepared burger. Press the opinion mixture down on the burgers with a large metal spatula.
Using the spatula, transfer burgers to the skillet onion side up and cook for 5 minutes. Carefully turn the burgers over, increase heat to high, and cook until well browned on the second side, about 5 minutes.
Remove the hamburger buns from the oven. Place one slice of American cheese on each bun bottom. Transfer burgers to buns, and add serve desired toppings.
Make a side salad or serve with sliced cucumbers and tomatoes topped with your favorite salad dressing.
Ingredients
Meatballs
1 lb lean ground beef {or any ground meat you prefer}
1 cup dried bread crumbs
2 eggs
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
4 tablespoons shallots, minced
2 tablespoons dried Italian Seasoning
Soup
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, sliced
1 cup yellow onion, minced
1 cup leeks, diced
1 celery stalk with leaves, diced
10 oz fresh spinach leaves chopped
8 cups rich chicken broth
2 carrots, chopped
Half a small red chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup orzo
Grated Pecorino Romano cheese, for garnish
Make the Meatballs
Working with your hands, combine all ingredients and let sit in the refrigerator for one hour. Roll into small meatballs, about 1 inch.
For the Soup
In a large heavy pot over low heat add the olive oil, garlic, chili pepper, carrots, onion, and leeks. Gently cook for 10 minutes until tender.
Add the broth. Bring mixture to a boil, add orzo, and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the spinach and cook for 1 minute.
Add the meatballs, and lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes.
Slowly pour in the beaten eggs, mixing gently to form fine threads.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve the soup with grated cheese and crusty Italian bread.
4 servings
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 lbs of mixed Italian hot and sweet sausage, each link cut in half
2 large Russet Potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
4 large bell peppers, long hots, or any kind you prefer, seeded and cut into strips
2 medium sweet onions, cut in quarters
4 cloves garlic or leave whole
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Pour the olive oil into a large baking pan and scatter the garlic cloves in the pan.
Layer the ingredients in the following way
Potato wedges and onion wedges. Sprinkle with salt pepper and half the Italian seasoning. Next spread the peppers on top and season with salt pepper and the remaining Italian seasoning. Place the sauce on top.
Place the pan in the oven and bake, uncovered, for 60-75 minutes. The vegetables should be cooked through and the sausages will be brown. Serve with crusty Italian bread.
Spinach & Mushroom Quiche
Servings: 6
Ingredients
One 9-inch refrigerated pie crust
4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch dice
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup diced red onion
5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 8 cups), coarsely chopped
6 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch deep dish pie pan with cooking spray. Fit the pastry into the pie pan and flute the edges.
Cook the bacon and drain on paper towels. Retain bacon fat in the skillet.
Scatter the crumbled bacon in the bottom of the prepared pie pan. Scatter 1 cup of the cheese over the bacon.
Add the mushrooms and onions to the bacon fat in the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Add spinach; cook, tossing constantly, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Whisk eggs, cream, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Fold in the mushroom mixture and 1 cup of cheese.
Spoon into the prepared pie pan. Bake until set and golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve with a salad. I made a Caesar salad.
Caesar Salad
2 servings
Ingredients
1/2 head Romaine lettuce, washed and finely chopped
1 cup croutons, see recipe below
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper for garnish
Dressing
1 anchovy, finely chopped or use anchovy paste
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons mayonnaise made with olive oil, if available
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Add the anchovy, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce to a bowl and whisk together.
Gradually whisk in the 1/4 cup of olive oil, whisking until the dressing is emulsified.
Place the chopped lettuce in a bowl and toss it with the dressing, and croutons. Top the salad with extra cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Croutons
Ingredients
2 cups cubed bread
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl combine the bread cubes and olive oil. Toss well to coat.
Pour the bread cubes onto a baking sheet. Spread them into a single layer. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every five minutes to prevent burning. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Ingredients
1 cup of each of the following vegetables cut into small pieces
Onion
Carrots
Celery
Zucchini
Green Beans
Peas
Corn
Potatoes
Soup
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 garlic cloves, grated
1tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning
4 cups tomato purée
2 cups canned chopped Italian tomatoes
½ teaspoon Calabrian chili paste
3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups water
Parmesan cheese rind
Salt and pepper to taste.
Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Directions
Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the vegetables that take longer to cook: onion, carrots, celery, green beans, and potatoes. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and remaining vegetables. Cook for 5 more minutes.
Add purée, tomatoes, broth, water, cheese tind, and seasonings. Bring to a low boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook untold the vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Serve in soup bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese.
For 2 servings
Ingredients
2 large bell peppers
½ lb green beans
12 grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup canned chopped Italian tomatoes
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Filling
4 oz ground beef
¼ cup finely chopped onion
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
⅓ cup cooked rice
⅓ cup canned chopped tomatoes
⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Combine the filling ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Cut a thin slice off the top of the peppers. Remove seeds and set aside.
Cut green beans into 1-inch pieces.
Place the green beans, grape tomatoes, and canned tomatoes in a large casserole dish. Mix well.
Divide the filling in half and fill the peppers, pressing the mixture down into the peppers.
Place the filled peppers in the casserole dish. Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 25 minutes more.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
Pizza Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, grated
½ onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
14 oz container chopped Italian tomatoes
½ teaspoon salt
Pizza
16 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, sliced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
For the pizza dough
Combine all the ingredients in an eclectic mixer bowl and mix with the paddle attachment until combined. Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled about 60-90 minutes.
For the sauce
Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the garlic, onions, and peppers, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Turn the heat down to a simmer and cook the sauce for about 45 minutes or until thickened.
To assemble the pizza
Roll the dough out on a floured surface into an 18-inch by 14-inch rectangle. Cover the dough with the mozzarella cheese slices, and spread the sauce over the cheese, leaving a one-inch border on all sides. Starting on the 18-inch side, roll the dough up into a cylinder. Seal the edges. Cut the roll into 12 one-inch slices and place o the rolls on two parchment-covered cookie sheets. Let rest for 30 minutes and heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Sprinkle the top of each roll with Parmesan cheese.
Bake the rolls for about 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Escarole, Beans and Sauswage Bowl
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb. Italian sausage links, any type, cut on the diagonal into ¼-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
Half an onion, diced
3 (15-oz.) cans cannellini beans, drained or 3 cups cooked dried beans {see recipe below}
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 Large Head Escarole, chopped
1 Cup Chicken Stock
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon Calabrian Chili Paste
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
Directions
Wash the escarole well. Drain in a colander until needed/
Heat the oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until brown all over, 12–15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausages to a plate, leaving fat in the pot.
Reduce heat to medium-low, add onion and garlic, and cook for 3 minutes.
Add beans and their liquid, increase heat to medium-high, and add the chopped escarole. Cook until the greens are wilted and tender, about 10=15 minutes.
Add the browned sausages, chili paste, Italian seasoning, and salt to taste. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer briefly. Serve with grated cheese and Italian bread.
How I Cook Dried Beans
Ingredients
8 ounces (1 cup) of dried beans
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
1 small onion, cut in half
2 garlic cloves, lightly smashed
3 to 4 fresh thyme sprigs or ½ teaspoon dried
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
Directions
Place the beans in a large saucepan, add enough cool water to cover by 1½ inches, and soak overnight at room temperature. Discard any beans that are broken, off-colored, or floating.
Add the bouillon, onion, garlic, 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 1 hour–they should hold their shape; do not allow them to boil, or they will become tough. Halfway through the cooking time, stir in the salt.
Remove the onion, thyme, and bay leaf. Use the cooked beans and their liquid in your recipes.
