Burrata Stuffed Peppers
I love this dish. You can either bake the burrata or leave it at room temperature. It is so easy to make and absolutely delicious.
INGREDIENTS
4 Small to Medium Sized Red Bell Peppers
16 Ounces Burrata
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Herb Paste
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Slice off the top of each pepper and then scoop out and throw away the membrane. Cut a think sliver off the bottom of the peppers so they will sit flat. Put the peppers on a parchment paper and drizzle the peppers with the olive oil. Place the peppers in the oven for 10 minutes. While the peppers are baking put the burrata in a medium size bowl and mix with a fork. Remove the peppers from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Fill the peppers with the burrata and place back in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter. Dot the herb paste on top of the burrata and all over the serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 4
Organic Green Pea Pesto
Don’t know what to do with all of these wonderful summer vegetables? Here is a Pesto that you can make all year round. Delicious!
INGREDIENTS
10 Ounces Organic Cooked Peas
2 Ounces Fresh Basil Leaves
10 Garlic Cloves
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Cup Toasted Pistachios
You may use either organic fresh peas or frozen for this recipe. Mix all of the ingredients in either a blender or food processor and puree. Makes about 2 cups. Last night I tossed this pesto with 3 cups of cavatelli pasta (al dente) and it was excellent. Serves 4
My Indoor Tomato Plants
I am so excited! I am finally getting tomatoes from my indoor tomato plants. With the basil that I have growing and the tomatoes I think that I will make my Caprese Salad.
Caprese Salad
INGREDIENTS
3 Sliced Tomatoes
1 Pound Fresh Mozzarella (Sliced)
1 Bunch Fresh Basil Leaves
Kosher Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Drizzling
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into 1/4 inch slices. On a large shallow platter alternate layered slices of tomatoes and mozzarella. Add basil leaves between each layer. Drizzle the salad with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Serves 6
Victoria’s Vodka Sauce
Another answer to cooking dinner on a hot day. Don’t turn on the oven. Whip up my delicious and quick sauce that has a splash of vodka. Pour over any pasta of your choice; throw together a simple salad and you’ve got a nice weeknight meal.
INGREDIENTS
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/4 Pound Diced Pancetta
1/3 Cup Vodka
28 Ounce Can of Diced Italian Plum Tomatoes
1/3 Cup Heavy Cream
1/8 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Clove Minced Garlic
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
In a large skillet heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced pancetta and sauté for 3 minutes until the pancetta is light in color. Turn the heat down and remove the skillet. Slowly add the vodka and return the skillet back to the burner. Be careful not to start a kitchen fire. Stir the vodka until it has almost evaporated. Pour in the entire can of diced Italian plum tomatoes, juice included. Stir. Add the cream, kosher salt and pepper and let simmer for 15 minutes. You want the sauce to have a medium thick consistency. I like to serve my vodka sauce over penne pasta, but you can serve it over any pasta that you like. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and you’ve got yourself a feast! Serves 4
Nana’s Calzone
Nana’s Calzone is a delicious lunch or it can be served cold on a summer day. When I serve it warm, I top it with a bit of marinara sauce. All that is needed to complete the meal is a nice tossed salad.
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Prosciutto
2 Pounds Ricotta Cheese
1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
3 Eggs
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
Olive Oil
1/2 Pound Cubed Mozzarella Cheese
1 Pound Pizza Dough (Store Bought or Homemade)
1 Cup Marinara Sauce
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a large size bowl mix together the prosciutto, ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, salt and pepper. Set aside. Stretch the pizza dough to make a 12 to 14 inch round. Leave the dough slightly thick so that the filling will not ooze out. Put the dough on a lightly oiled pizza pan. Avoid the edges of the pan. Spoon the filling onto half of the pizza round and fold the other half of the dough over to form a large turnover. Press the edges tightly together, with your fingertips, until all of the dough is sealed. Moisten the top and sides of the calzone with olive oil by using the palm of your hand to spread it evenly. Cut a few slits in the middle of the calzone. Put some cubes of the mozzarella and a couple tablespoons full of marinara sauce in each of the slits. Use all of the cheese and sauce. Bake the calzone in the oven for 45 minutes until golden brown. I like to use the medium rack in the oven. Remove from the oven and let sit for 20 minutes. This will allow the cheese to set. Cut into slices and serve as a lunch dish or an appetizer. Top with more marinara sauce. As an appetizer serves 8 and as a main course serves 1 to 2.
Basic Pizza Dough
3/4 Cup Lukewarm Water
1 Package Dry Yeast
1/8 Teaspoon Sugar
3 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
Put the lukewarm water in a small bowl and sprinkle the yeast and sugar over it. Let stand in a warm and draft free place for 15 minutes until a foam forms on the top. Make sure that the water is NOT hot or it will kill the yeast. In a large bowl combine 1 cup of flour and the salt. Add the olive oil to the yeast mixture and pour the mixture into the bowl of flour. Slowly add the second cup of the flour. Stir with a wooden spoon. When the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl turn it out onto a floured board. Gradually knead the rest of the flour into the dough until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should no longer be sticky. Depending on how moist your dough is will depend on how much flour you will need. Coat a medium bowl with olive oil and place the dough in it. Roll the dough to coat on all sides. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and set in a warm place for about an hour. The dough should double in size. To test if the dough has doubled gently press your fingers into it. If your fingers leave an impression then the dough is ready.
Homemade Ricotta
Homemade Ricotta sounds like a lot of work, I know, but trust me it is actually pretty darned easy. If you rinse the pot with cold water before pouring in the milk it will save you some serious cleanup. The reserved liquid whey can go into soups, stews and curries. It can also be used to cook pasta and rice. The liquid whey will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
INGREDIENTS
1 Gallon High Quality Organic Whole Milk
2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt
1/3 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice (Typically 1 Large Lemon)
You will need a large colander for this recipe. Line the colander with a layer of cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl (to save the whey). Wet the cheesecloth to hold it firmly in place. To make the ricotta you will need a large heavy pot. Rinse the pot with cold water before pouring in the milk. Bring the milk and salt to a gentle simmer over a medium high heat. Stir in the lemon juice and continue to simmer gently for 2 minutes. You want the curds to begin to form and float to the top. They will first look like spatters of white and then gather into soft clumps that look like little clouds. You will see the liquid begin to clear of cloudiness and the curds firming up, but not hard. This is when you need to scoop them out with a slotted spoon. Let the curds drain thoroughly in the colander. If the curds are very soft press gently to extract just a little of the moisture, but do not squeeze dry as you don’t want to dry out the cheese. Transfer your homemade ricotta to a large bowl. Cover and chill for 2 hours. Make 1 1/2 pounds.
Chicken Parmigiana
Chicken Parmigiana is a Southern Italian (Campania & Sicily) dish made with layers of tomato sauce and a combination of Parmesan & mozzarella cheese. Serve this dish with a side of spaghetti and a salad and you have a delicious meal. Chicken Parmigiana also makes a nice grinder!
INGREDIENTS
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1/2 Cup Italian Breadcrumbs
2 Beaten Eggs
5 Tablespoons Butter
2 1/2 Cups Marinara Sauce
4 Large Slices Mozzarella Cheese
2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
Pound the chicken breasts to get them good and flat. Salt and pepper the chicken. In a medium size bowl (you want to be able to get the chicken breast in the bowl) beat the eggs. In another bowl or I like to use a plate place the breadcrumbs. Dip the chicken in the beaten eggs and then the breadcrumbs. In a large skillet over a medium heat melt the butter. Place the chicken in the skillet and brown for 15 minutes making sure to turn so they cook on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer to a plate. Set aside. Add the marinara sauce to the skillet and heat thoroughly. Add the chicken breasts back to the skillet and cook for another 10 minutes. Place the mozzarella on top of the chicken and then sprinkle with the Parmesan. Cover and cook until the cheese has melted. Remove the chicken along with the sauce from the skillet and transfer to a serving platter. Serves 4
Mom’s Minestrone Soup
This easy and delicious soup can be made ahead. I like to make it to have for lunch after church. Mom’s Minestrone Soup can be made for lunch, dinner or a first course. Great in all seasons!
INGREDIENTS
3 Cups Vegetable Broth
2 Diced Tomatoes
2 Cups Cooked Navy Beans (Canned or Home Cooked)
2 Chopped Carrots
1 Chopped Onion
1 Chopped Zucchini
2 Cups Ditalini Pasta
1 Teaspoon Thyme
1/2 Teaspoon Sage
2 Bay Leaves
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
4 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional)
2 Tablespoons Basil (Optional)
In a stock pot combine the vegetable broth, tomatoes, beans, carrots, onion, thyme, sage, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. If you want to cut down on the cooking time you can cook on high for 3 hours. 35 minutes before the soup is done cooking add the pasta and zucchini. Cover and cook for 35 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the bay leaves. Transfer the soup to individual bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese or basil if you like. Serves 4
Roman Artichokes
INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
8 Medium Artichokes
1 1/2 Cups Chopped Mint Leaves
1 Cup Dried Bread Crumbs
1 Cup Fresh Bread Crumbs
1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Chopped Garlic Cloves
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
Fill a large bowl with cold water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Trim the artichokes by laying each artichoke on its side and with a serrated knife cut 1 inch off the top. Trim the stem end and cut off the stem level with the bottom of the artichoke. Peel the tough outer layer of the stem with a vegetable peeler. Bend back the dark outer leaves just from around the base of the artichoke. Snap off and throw away. With kitchen shears trim the thorny tips from the remaining leaves. Place the stems and trimmed artichokes in the bowl of lemon water to prevent browning. Repeat with the remaining artichokes. In a large skillet heat 1 inch of water to a boil. Stand the artichokes in the boiling water. Add the stems and heat to boiling. Reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes. Drain the artichokes. In a medium size bowl combine 1 tablespoon lemon juice, mint, all of the breadcrumbs, Romano cheese, oil, garlic, salt and pepper. This should make about 3 1/2 cups. Preheat the oven to 400° F. When the artichokes are cool enough to handle pull out the prickly center leaves from each artichoke with a teaspoon. Scrape out the fuzzy choke and throw away (without cutting into the heart). Finely chop the stems and stir into the mint mixture. Stand the artichokes on a large baking sheet – stems down. Pull the leaves down to open slightly. Spoon the mint mixture between the leaves and into the center cavities (a little less than 1/2 cup per artichoke). Bake for 25 minutes until the stuffing is golden and the artichokes are heated through. Serve hot. Serves 8
Basic Italian Meal Ingredients To Keep On Hand
No pantry should be without these basic Italian meal ingredients.
- Dry Pasta of Various Shapes & Sizes
- Crusty Italian Round Bread
- Garlic
- Flat Italian Parsley
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Fresh Native Tomatoes or Canned Plum Tomatoes
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Oregano
- Cannelloni Beans & Chick Peas
- Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
- Fresh Fish
