Recipes - Cook Book

Stuffed Roasted Peppers

2011-08-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

Stuffed Roasted Peppers
4 − 7 oz. cans roasted peppers
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
8 oz. shredded fontina cheese
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup imported grated romano cheese
A few sprigs of fresh
parsley, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
Flour and beaten eggs (enough to dredge peppers in)
Olive oil to fry peppers in
Drain peppers and rinse with water. Open peppers, splitting in one side, so
that they lay flat on counter. Sprinkle with small amount of breadcrumbs,
reserving most to coat peppers with. Add minced garlic, shredded fontina
cheese, parsley, and grated romano cheese. Roll up peppers, keeping as much
filling inside as possible, then dredge in flour, egg, then seasoned bread
crumbs and set aside. Heat olive oil on medium−high heat in frypan. When
hot, fry peppers until golden, turning once to brown evenly. Sprinkle with
salt and pepper and serve.

Spumone Di Zabaglione

2011-08-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

Spumone Di Zabaglione
6 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup marsala
3 tbsp. dark rum
1−1/2 cup heavy cream
Separate the eggs and place the yolks in the top part of a double boiler.
Place the whites in a stainless steel bowl at room temperature. Add sugar
and nutmeg to eggs and beat, off the heat, until it forms ribbons. Add
marsala and rum and place over double boiler. Beat until frothy and foamy
and quite firm, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to ice bath and cool while
whisking. Beat the cream to soft peaks and fold egg mixture into whites.
Place into ice cream machine and chill according to manufacturer's
instructions. Place in freezer, well covered. When ready to serve, scoop
into balls and garnish with crushed amaretti cookies.

Angel Hair With Balsamic Tomatoes

2011-08-14T20:19:00.000-07:00

Angel Hair With Balsamic Tomatoes
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
5 to 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped, (28−ounce. can plum tomatoes)
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 Cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 Pound angel hair pasta, (uncooked)
Saute the garlic in olive oil until lightly browned. Do this in a skillet
large enough to hold the tomatoes later. Leave garlic in skillet.
Place tomatoes, salt & pepper, basil and balsamic vinegar in a non−reactive
bowl and set aside for 10 minutes, stirring occassionally.
Boil water for pasta.
Just before you put the pasta in the water, drain tomatoes and reserve the
juice that runs off. (I usually set my colander on a dinner plate). Put the
angel hair pasta in the water to cook for the recommended amount of time.
Heat your garlic skillet and toss drained tomatoes briefly JUST to heat.
They should retain their shape. The pasta should finish cooking (usually no
more than 5 minutes for angel hair) at the same time the tomatoes are ready.
Toss the pasta and tomato mixture together and serve with freshly grated
parmesan cheese.

Cavatelli Sausage With Broccoli

2011-08-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Cavatelli Sausage With Broccoli
1/2 lb. or 2 cups dried Cavatelli or other small
shell−shaped Italian pasta
1/2 lb. or 3 links sweet Italian Sausage
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch broccoli
1 1/4 cup low−salt chicken broth
1/4 cup raisins
1 tbls. unsalted butter
Parmesan cheese
Squeeze sausage from casings and saute in a heavy skillet or cast iron
frying pan. Stir until no longer pink and sausage has broken down into small
chunks. Remove sausage with slotted spoon leaving juices in pan.
Cut broccoli into 1 inch pieces and saute in juices or drippings from the
sausage. Stir gently til it begins to brown. Add garlic and saute 1 minute
more. Add broth and raisins and simmer until the broccoli is tender, about 3
minutes. Do not over cook. Finally, add butter and stir to melt. Add, with
sausage, to cooked pasta and serve with parmesan cheese.

Tiramisu

2011-08-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

Tiramisu
4 tablespoons espresso coffee
1 tablespoon Grappa
3 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
8 ounces Marscapone cheese
24 Savoiardi biscuits
1 ounce sweet chocolate, grated
In a small bowl, combine the coffee and grappa; set aside
In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks together with the sugar until thick and
lemon−colored. Add the marscapone and blend. Gently fold the egg whites into
the cheese mixture.
Place half of the biscuits in the bottom of a 10−inch square baking dish or
larger serving plate. Sprinkle with half of the coffee mixture. Cover with
half of the cheese mixture, and repeat process. Refrigerate tiramisu for 4
hours before serving with grated chocolate.

Pasta Dough

2011-08-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Pasta Dough
8 eggs
2 tsp. salt
4 cups all purpose flour
In a large bowl, combine eggs & salt. Beat well. Add flour, 1 cup at a time
until dough sticks together but is still soft.
Spread flour on a board, knead dough for 15−20 minutes. Cover and let stand
in a warm place for about 1 hour.
Knead for another 5 minutes. Flatten small amounts of dough to form a 2" x
2" square. Coat square in flour and repeatedly run through pasta machine
until desired thickness is obtained, or use rolling pin.
Cut paste shape using pasta machine or slice desired shape by hand.
Lay out cut pasta on table covered with a table cloth until dry. Pack in
plastic bags and store in a cool place.
Cook pasta in boiling salted water until tender. Homemade pasta usually
takes less time to cook. Top with your favorite sauce.

Pasta Alla Caruso

2011-08-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

Pasta Alla Caruso
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 Cup Flour, seasoned with a pinch of salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 Lb. Chicken Livers, separated into individual lobes,
all visible fat removed
2 Tbs. Unsalted Butter
1 Lb. assorted mushrooms, Shiitake (stems removed), Portobello, Crimini,
White button, sliced thinly
1 Cup dry red wine
1 28 Oz. Can, peeled Tomatoes
2 Tbs. Flat−leafed Italian Parsley, finely chopped
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 Lb. Spaghetti or Perciatelli
Heat a saute pan over high heat, then add the olive oil. Flour the chicken
livers, shaking off any excess and add to the pan. Saute until they are
slightly browned and firm. Remove livers and set aside. Pour off the olive
oil, then add the two tablespoons of butter. When the butter has foamed and
the foam begins to subside, add the mushrooms, tossing to coat with the
butter. Cook for four or five minutes, until the mushrooms begin to give off
some of their juices. Add the wine all at once, scraping the bottom of the
pan to loosen any caramelized bits of liver and mushroom from the bottom.
Continue, cooking over high heat until the wine has reduced by about half.
Lower the heat, puree the tomatoes through a food mill, or in a food
processor, then add to the mushrooms and wine. Adjust the heat so the
mixture barely simmers. Slice the chicken livers crosswise into half−inch
rounds and add them, with any of their accumulated juices, to the tomato
sauce. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper if necessary, then cook over
low heat for about thirty minutes, or until the extraneous juices have
evaporated. In the meantime, bring a large pot with about six quarts of
water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta,
divide into four plates, top with the sauce, garnish with the chopped
parsley.

Insalata Caprese

2011-08-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

Insalata Caprese
4 large fresh tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/3 cup packed whole leaf fresh basil
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
fine sea salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup imported olives
On a large platter, arrange tomato and mozzarella slices and basil leaves,
alternating and overlapping each. Drizzle salad with olive oil; Sprinkle
with salt and pepper. Garnish with imported olives.

Italian Tomato Sauce

2011-08-08T20:21:00.001-07:00

Italian Tomato Sauce
2 − 28 ounce cans diced or ground tomatoes or whole
tomatoes NOT packed in puree or sauce
3 tablespoons high−quality olive oil
1 large, thick pork chop or 1−1/2 pounds beef chuck,
steak preferred
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1/2 cup red wine
1−1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons fresh basil or Italian parsley, chopped
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
If using whole tomatoes, drain them, reserving the liquid and chop. Reserve
tomatoes and juice in a bowl.
In a nonreactive Dutch oven, heat the olive oil. Season the chop with salt
and pepper and brown over medium−high heat on both sides, about 8 minutes
total. Remove meat and set aside. Reduce heat to medium−low, add the onion
and carrot and saute until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute
for 1 minute. Return the meat and any accumulated juices to the pot and add
the wine. Bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 3 minutes.
Add the reserved tomatoes (if using crushed or minced tomatoes, just add
them directly from the can) and the salt and bring back to a simmer. Reduce
heat to low to maintain a slow simmer, partially cover, and cook until the
meat is tender, about 45 to 55 minutes, depending on the thickness of the
meat. Remove meat and keep warm. Raise heat to medium and continue cooking
sauce for about 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
Stir in the basil and/or parsley and add freshly ground black pepper to
taste (the sauce will be salty at this point; it will taste fine once added
to pasta). Slice the meat and serve with pasta and sauce.

Carbonara Sauce

2011-08-08T20:20:00.001-07:00

Carbonara Sauce
4 Tablespoon Butter
8 Slice Bacon; cut in 1/4" strips
2 Eggs
2 Egg yolks
1 Teaspoon Red pepper flakes
1 Cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 Cup Heavy cream
1 Teaspoon Salt
Black pepper
1 Pound Spaghetti
8 Quarts water
Cream soft butter. In another bowl, beat eggs & yolks and whisk until
blended, add 1/2 cup cheese. Heat large casserole dish in 200F oven. Bring
water & salt to boil in large pot. Meanwhile, fry bacon in skillet over
med heat until crisp. Pour off half of fat and stir in red pepper flakes and
cream. Bring cream mixture to simmer and keep warm until spaghetti is done.
Transfer cooked spaghetti to heated serving bowl and stir in creamed butter.
Coat well. Stir in hot bacon & cream mixture and finally the beaten eggs
and cheese. The heat of the pasta will cook the raw eggs. Taste and season
with salt and pepper. Serve with remaining grated cheese.

Pasta E Fagioli

2011-08-08T20:18:00.001-07:00

Pasta E Fagioli
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, undrained
2 teaspoons dry basil leaves
3−4 cups boiling water, divided usage
2 cups beef broth
1/3 cup dry red wine
12 ounces ditalini, elbow macaroni, or any short tubular pasta
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Chopped fresh basil leaves, optional
1. Place olive oil and garlic in a large saucepot (6 quart). Cook over
medium heat just until golden. Add tomato paste and cook 3−4 minutes
stirring occasionally.
2. Puree 1 can of beans in food processor or blender; add to saucepot with
remaining beans. Cook 2 minutes; stir in basil. Add 2 cups boiling water,
broth, wine, salt and pepper. Increase heat and bring to a boil, stirring
occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add pasta. Cook about 8 minutes or until al
dente, adding remaining hot water, if needed and stirring occasionally.
3. Serve hot topped with Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.

Meatballs (Polpette Alla Casalinga)

2011-08-08T20:14:00.001-07:00

Meatballs (Polpette Alla Casalinga)
2 slices Italian bread, torn into small pieces
1/2 Cup milk
2 Tblsp. finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg lightly beaten
1 pound beef chuck, ground twice
6 Tblsp. freshly grated Romano cheese
1 Tblsp. olive oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tblsp. oregano
Soak the pieces of bread in 1/2 cup milk for 5 minutes, then squeeze them
dry an discard the milk. In a large mixing bowl, combine the soaked bread,
then beaten egg, beef and sausage with the remaining ingredients. Knead the
mixture vigorously with both hands or beat with a wooden spoon until all
ingredients are well blended and the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Shape the
mixture into small balls about 1/1/2 inches in diameter. Lay the meatballs
out in one layer on a flat tray or baking sheet, cover them with plastic
wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
Heat 1/4 cup of olive or vegetable oil in a heated, heavy 10−12 inch
skillet until a light haze forms over it. Fry the meatballs 5 or 6 at a time
over a moderately high heat, shaking the pan constantly to roll the balls
and keep them round. In 8 − 10 minutes, the meatballs should be brown
outside and show no trace of pink inside. Add more oil to the skillet as
needed. Serve the meatballs hot with tomato sauce.

Torta Di Spinaci

2011-08-08T20:13:00.000-07:00

Torta Di Spinaci
10 oz. spinach, blanched 1 minute, drained, dried and chopped
2 cups all purpose flour, extra for kneading dough
1/2 cup unsalted butter(4 oz.)
1 egg yoke plus 3 whole eggs, beaten
3 tbs milk
1/4 cup golden raisins, soak 30 minutes in water, drain
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and ground pepper
2 1/2 tbs (1 oz.) Pine nuts
To make dough by hand: Pour flour into a bowl, add salt and the butter.
Using fingertips, work the butter into flour until a crumbly dough forms.
Add the egg yoke and milk, incorporate, and knead dough into a ball. Wrap in
plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Food processor dough: Combine flour and salt in the work bowl and using
metal blades process briefly to mix. Add butter and process until the
ingredients resemble course meal. Next add egg yoke and milk and process
until dough forms a ball around the blades. Remove dough, shape to ball,
wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Pre−heat oven to 350 degrees. Using 1 tbs. butter, grease a 9 inch tart pan
with a removable bottom and then dust with flour. Using a lightly floured
board, roll out the dough into a round shape, making it 1 inch larger than
the diameter of the pan. Line the prepared pan with the pastry dough and
trim.
In a bowl, combine the blanched, chopped spinach, raisins, whole eggs, cream
and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour
into the pastry−lined tart pan and top with the pine nuts. Bake in oven
until it is golden, about 40 minutes. Remove, let cool slightly and then
transfer to a serving dish. Serve Torta luke warm or cool.

Manicotti

2011-08-08T20:12:00.001-07:00

Manicotti
1 lb. ricotta cheese
1 1/2 lbs. mozzarella cheese (grated), divided
1/4 cup romano cheese (grated)
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup provolone cheese (grated)
Parsley (chopped)
3 eggs
2−3 cups tomato sauce
Combine all ingredients together, except tomato sauce. Mix well.
(Use 1 lb. mozzarella cheese)
Spread some tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking pan. Stuff manicotti
shells and place in pan. Spread more tomato sauce in between each layer and
on the top, followed by 1/2 lb. of just mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 3/4 hour. Then, broil for 2−3 minutes to brown
top.

Gnocchi Alla Giordano

2011-08-08T20:11:00.001-07:00

Gnocchi Alla Giordano
2 pounds Baking potatoes
1 cup All−purpose flour
1 Whole egg plus
1 Egg yolk, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons Unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon Salt
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Tomato sauce
Boil the potatoes in their jackets, drain, peel and put through a ricer or
food mill. While the potatoes are still warm, blend in the flour, add the
egg, egg yolk, butter and salt.
Place the potato mixture on a floured board and knead lightly; the dough
will be soft. Roll the dough in 1" thick sticks about 10" long. Cut each
roll into 3/4" pieces.
Rub each pieces of dough lightly over the coarse side of a cheese grater. In
a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the gnocchi until they rise to the
top of the water. Using a slotted spoon, remove the gnocchi to a warm bowl.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, top with tomato sauce and serve at once.

Risotto alla Parmigiana

2011-08-08T20:10:00.002-07:00

Risotto alla Parmigiana
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 pound Arborio rice
6 cups chicken stock, hot
2 tablespoons butter
3 ounces Parmagiano Reggiano cheese, coarsely grated
Heat the butter and oil in a large, straight−sided saute pan or saucepan.
Add the onion, and saute until soft, without browning.
Add the rice, and saute for 2 minutes until the rice is well−coated. Ladle
1/2 cup of stock into the rice, stirring constantly, until all the liquid is
absorbed and the rice is almost dry. Add more stock, 1/2 cup at a time,
until it's all absorbed by the rice and the rice is al dente.
The rice should be very moist and creamy, but not runny;
the rice should be firm but tender, not crunchy.
Remove from heat, and stir in the raw butter and the Parmagiano cheese. Salt
to taste, and serve immediately.

Basic Italian Bread Biga:

2011-08-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

Basic Italian Bread
Biga:
1/2 Teas. Active Dry Yeast
1 Cup Lukewarm water
2 Cups Unbleached, All−purpose Flour
Mix the yeast and water together, and then slowly start adding the
flour, mixing well. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room
temperature for up to 6 hours. Refrigerate overnight.
Bread:
2 Cups Warm Water (about 90 degrees F.)
1 Pkg. Active Dry Yeast
5−6 Cups All−purpose, Unbleached Flour
2 Ts. Salt
Place the water in a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast overtop and mix well.
Let sit 10 minutes until bubbly. Add the biga, flour, and salt and stir with
a wooden spoon (or mix with your hands) until everything is mixed. The dough
will be fairly wet and sticky at this point. Cover and let stand in a warm
spot for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in volume.
Punch down the dough, folding it over on itself two or three times, cover
and let rise once more until doubled, about 1 hour. If you choose, you could
refrigerate your dough at this time and leave it overnight to prepare the
next day.
Turn out your dough onto a floured baking sheet, and without overworking it
too much shape into one large or two smaller round or oval shaped loaves,
using as much extra flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Slash across
the tops of the loaves with a serrated knife or razor just prior to baking.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and place a casserole dish with boiling
water on the lower oven rack. Bake your bread 30 minutes, turn the baking
sheet around, and reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake for another 30−45
minutes. At this point your bread should be golden brown and should sound
hollow when you tap the bottom. Allow the bread to cool to room temperature
and serve.

Caponata

2011-08-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

Caponata
2 LARGE EGGPLANTS
1 Teaspoon SALT
3/4 Cup OLIVE OIL
2 CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED
2 ONIONS, CHOPPED
1 Pound PLUM TOMATOES, Quartered
3 CELERY STALKS, DICED
1 Pound CAN PITTED BLACK OLIVES
12 Ounce JAR OLIVE SALAD
1/4 Cup CAPERS
1/2 Cup PINE NUTS
1/4 Cup RED WINE VINEGAR
2 Teaspoon SUGAR
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
Wash and cube unpeeled eggplant. Salt and let stand 1 hour. Squeeze dry.
Saute in oil until soft. Remove. Saute onions and garlic in same oil. Add
tomatoes, olives, and celery. Cook until tender−−15 minutes. Add eggplant,
capers, and pine nuts. In another pan heat vinegar and sugar. When
dissolved, pour over eggplant. Season to taste and cook an additional 20
minutes. Serve hot or cold as relish with dinner or with french bread rounds
as a buffet or cocktail dish.

Eggplant Parmigiana

2011-08-08T20:08:00.001-07:00

Eggplant Parmigiana
2 Small Eggplants; unpeeled cut into 1/4−inch rounds
2 Eggs; lightly beaten
1−1/2 Cup Bread crumbs
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
1 Garlic cloves peeled and halved
3/4 Cup Olive oil
20 Ounce Tomatoes, canned
1/3 Cup Tomato paste
2 Tablespoon Minced basil
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
1 Cup Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 Pound Mozzarella cheese; thinly sliced
Dip eggplant slices in eggs, then in bread crumbs seasoned with salt and
pepper. Refrigerate 20 minutes. In a large saucepan, saute garlic in 2
tablespoons oil for 1−2 minutes. Remove garlic and add tomatoes, tomato
paste, basil, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. Preheat oven to
350F. Brown eggplant in 1/4−inch oil in a large skillet. Drain on paper
towels. Put a thin layer of tomato sauce into a baking dish and layer
eggplant, sauce, Parmesan and mozzarella, alternately. End with mozzarella
on top. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Focaccia Versiliese

2011-08-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Focaccia Versiliese
2 Teaspoon dried yeast
1 Cup warm water
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon rosemary, chopped
4 sage leaves, torn
3 1/2 Ounce olives, pitted
2 Tablespoon garlic, minced
2 Cup unbleached all−purpose flour
1 Cup corn flour
2 Teaspoon salt
2 Teaspoon olive oil
Stir the yeast into a alrge mixing bowl with the water & let proof for 10
minutes. Stir in the olive oil, rosemary, sage, olives & garlic. Using a
wooden spoon, mix in the flours & salt & stir until the dough is thick &
smooth. Knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is firm & elastic.
Set the dough in a lightly oiled container, cover with plastic wrap & let
rise until doubled. Turn the dough onto an oiled 10 1/2" X 15 1/2" baking
pan & stretch it to fit. If it won't fit, let it rest for 10 minutes & try
again. Cover with a towel & leave until it has half risen, about 30 minutes.
30 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 400F. Just before baking, dimple
the top of the dough with your fingertips & sprinkle with some extra salt &
2 ts of oil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden. Slide off baking sheet
onto a rack & let cool for a few minutes before eating warm or at room
temperature.
VARIATION: Focaccia Dolce. Substitute 2 oz raisins & 1 oz pine nuts for the
olives, herbs & garlic. Soak the raisins in warm water for 30 minutes before
using & toast the pine nuts

Calamari Imbottiti

2011-08-08T20:04:00.003-07:00

Calamari Imbottiti
8 small squid
1 small onion,chopped
2 tablespoons raisins
1−1/2 cups bread crumbs
1 teaspoon minced parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
1 egg ,well beaten
1 #2 can tomatoes
4 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic
Have fish dealer clean squid thoroughly, removing eyes, outside skin and
intestines. Cut off heads and tentacles. Wash well, and drain. Combine
remaining ingredients, and fill the cavity in each squid with stuffing. Sew
squid closed, or fasten with toothpicks. Place in baking dish or pan, and
cover with the following sauce: 1 #2 can tomatoes, 4 tablespoon olive oil,
1 clove garlic. Brown garlic in oil, mash tomatoes with fork, and add.
Simmer for 10 minutes. Then pour over squid and bake in hot oven 400 degree
for 35 minutes, or until tender. Serve whole with sauce.

Fettucini Romano Ala Fratelli

2011-08-08T20:04:00.001-07:00

Fettucini Romano Ala Fratelli
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
3 Cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 Cup White wine
3/4 Cup Half−and−half
1 Cup Romano cheese, grated
1 pound dry spinach fettucini, Cooked
Chopped parsley for garnish
Add the olive oil to a hot 10" pan. Add the garlic, and saute over high heat
for about 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer for about 2 minutes. Add the
half−and−half, and allow the sauce to come back to the simmer. Add the
Romano cheese, and stir until smooth, about 2 minutes.
To serve: Add the pasta to the pan and toss until coated. Portion onto two
plates, and garnish with some chopped parsley.

Tomato Bruschetta

2011-08-08T20:03:00.001-07:00

Tomato Bruschetta
1 Loaf Italian bread, halved lengthwise then cut
crosswise diagonally, into 1−in slices
1 Garlic clove; minced
2 Tablespoon Olive oil
2 Large Tomatoes; peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
1/2 Cup Chopped fresh basil
Toast the bread under the broiler until lightly browned. Combine the garlic
and olive oil and brush over one side of the bread. Spread the tomatoes over
the bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil for about 30 seconds to heat
the tomatoes. Sprinkle with basil and serve.

Basic Polenta

2011-08-08T20:02:00.001-07:00

Basic Polenta
9 Cups Water
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 Cups Cornmeal; coarse−grain
Bring water to a boil in a large heavy pot. Add salt and reduce heat until
water is simmering. Take cornmeal by the handful and add to water very
slowly, controlling the flow to a thin stream through your fingers. To avoid
lumps, stir quickly with a long handled wooden spoon while adding cornmeal.
If necessary, stop adding cornmeal from time to time and beat mixture
vigorously. Cook, stirring constantly, 20 to 30 minutes. Polenta will become
very thick while cooking. It is done when it comes away cleanly from the
sides of the pot. Pour polenta into a large wooden board or a large platter.
Wet your hands and smooth out polenta evenly, about 2 inches thick. Let cool
5 to 10 minutes or until polenta solidifies. Cut cooled polenta into slices
1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Place slices in individual dishes. Serve hot,
covered with your favorite sauce. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Variation: Fried Polenta (Polenta Fritta): Prepare polenta and let cool
completely. Cut cooled polenta into slices 2 inches wide and 6 inches long.
Pour oil about 1 inch deep in a large skillet. Heat oil until a 1−inch cube
of bread turns golden almost immediately. Fry polenta slices on both sides
until light golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot. It is importent to
insure the oil is hot enough, otherwise the polenta will absorb oil and your
polenta will be greasy and unpalatable.

Antipasto

2011-08-08T20:01:00.001-07:00

Antipasto
1/2 Pound sliced Genoa salami
1 slicing tomato
1 large white onion
2 roasted red bell peppers
1 Pound sliced provolone
2 cans black pitted olives
1 can baby corn on the cob
1 small jar of Pepperoncini peppers
2 stalks of celery
1 can of rolled anchovies
extra virgin olive oil
Use a long platter, and arrange in the following order:
Salami, provolone, tomato, onion, red peppers, and achovies. Put the baby corns
and olives in the center of tray. Take and cut in half celery sticks. Then
slice each again length wise. Arrange celery sticks in between each
antipasti. Sprinkle some salt lightly on everything. Then drizzle olive oil
on everything. Let the antipasti sit covered in the refrigerator till ready
to serve. Sitting helps enhance the flavors.