Only the freshest mussels should be used for this recipe. You can use frozen but I suggest fresh. This should be served with toasted Italian bread for dipping.
Ingredients:
2 pounds of mussels
4 large and fresh tomatoes deseeded and peeled
2 large tablespoons of finely chopped flat leaf parsley
2 dried and crumbled chilli's
1 small onion diced
2 cloves of garlic chopped
Half cup of dry white wine
5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
4 slices of toasted italian bread
Rinse the mussels under cold water and remove the beards, then place a casserole on medium heat with the olive oil. After gently fry the onion, garlic, and chilli until soft but not browned, then place the mussels in the casserole and pour in the wine and put in the tomatoes and let the alcohol evaporate, about 5 minutes. Discard any unopened mussels and season with salt. Cook for another 4 minutes and throw in the parsley and cook for 1 more minute stirring a couple times. Serve immediately with some crispy bread.
Serves 4
Serves 4:
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Rosemary and Garlic marinated Pork Chops
These marinated pork chops are simply amazing on the barbecue. Most people use gas but I prefer to use a charcoal barbecue since the flavour is a hundred times better.
Ingredients:
4 of the best quality pork chops you can find
4 sprigs of fresh rosemary (discard the stems and keep the leaves)
4 cloves of garlic sliced
8 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons of dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Roughly chop the rosemary and rub it into the pork chops with the garlic and season lightly with some pepper, set aside. Then in a bowl whisk the olive oil and mustard until well blended, after place the pork chops into a ziploc bag and pour in the oil and mustard mixture and squeeze the bag a few times until the pork is evenly coated with the marinade. Then place them into a fridge for 6 hours or better yet overnight. When the porkchops are done marinating heat up the grill to a medium high heat. Before grilling remove the sliced garlic from the pork so that it doesn't burn on the grill. When your done removing the garlic place the pork chops on the grill for 3-4 minutes on each side depending on the thickness, pay attention so the meat doesn't burn. When the pork chops are done remove them from the grill and salt them (the meat should be salted after grilling since the salt removes a lot of moisture from the meat) and place them on a rack and let the pork rest for 3-5 minutes, this ensures that the juices stay in the meat and not on the plate. Enjoy with your favourite side dishes and a nice glass of white wine.
Serves 4
Serves
Ingredients:
4 of the best quality pork chops you can find
4 sprigs of fresh rosemary (discard the stems and keep the leaves)
4 cloves of garlic sliced
8 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons of dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Roughly chop the rosemary and rub it into the pork chops with the garlic and season lightly with some pepper, set aside. Then in a bowl whisk the olive oil and mustard until well blended, after place the pork chops into a ziploc bag and pour in the oil and mustard mixture and squeeze the bag a few times until the pork is evenly coated with the marinade. Then place them into a fridge for 6 hours or better yet overnight. When the porkchops are done marinating heat up the grill to a medium high heat. Before grilling remove the sliced garlic from the pork so that it doesn't burn on the grill. When your done removing the garlic place the pork chops on the grill for 3-4 minutes on each side depending on the thickness, pay attention so the meat doesn't burn. When the pork chops are done remove them from the grill and salt them (the meat should be salted after grilling since the salt removes a lot of moisture from the meat) and place them on a rack and let the pork rest for 3-5 minutes, this ensures that the juices stay in the meat and not on the plate. Enjoy with your favourite side dishes and a nice glass of white wine.
Serves 4
Serves
Penne with Gorgonzola
Both kids and adults enjoy this pasta, it is rich and creamy. Gorgonzola has a bit of a blue cheese taste but the quality is much better. Get your kids involved, they will love it.
Ingredients:
300 grams of quality gorgonzola cheese
1 cup and a half of medium fat cream
700 grams of penne rigate
Salt and white pepper to taste (be careful with the salt as the cheese can be already salty enough)
Place a frying pan on low heat, chop up the gorgonzola cheese into 1 inch cubes and put it in the frying pan with the cream and let the cheese melt down completely. Add some white pepper to taste. Now that your sauce is ready you can bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to the directions on the package. After the pasta is cooked strain it and place it back into the pot in which you cooked the pasta, then pour in the sauce, stir until all the pasta is coated and serve immediately.
Note: You can also serve this topped with parmesan cheese.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
300 grams of quality gorgonzola cheese
1 cup and a half of medium fat cream
700 grams of penne rigate
Salt and white pepper to taste (be careful with the salt as the cheese can be already salty enough)
Place a frying pan on low heat, chop up the gorgonzola cheese into 1 inch cubes and put it in the frying pan with the cream and let the cheese melt down completely. Add some white pepper to taste. Now that your sauce is ready you can bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to the directions on the package. After the pasta is cooked strain it and place it back into the pot in which you cooked the pasta, then pour in the sauce, stir until all the pasta is coated and serve immediately.
Note: You can also serve this topped with parmesan cheese.
Serves 4
Alio e Olio (Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil)
This is an amazingly quick pasta recipe, if you are in a hurry and need to make something quick then this is for you. You can also use this as an appetizer for your guests, it's guaranteed to leave them wanting more.
Ingredients:
1 handful of roughly chopped flat leaf parsley
1 large chilli roughly chopped and deseeded (if you like it more spicy just leave the seeds in)
7 good sized garlic cloves
1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of grated parmiggiano reggiano (parmesan cheese)
500 grams of spaghetti (I find that DeCecco is the best)
Place a large casserole with water on the stove, make sure the water is salty since this is the only time that the pasta can absorb the salt, bring to a boil. Cook the pasta according to what is written on the package. In the meantime when the pasta is cooking put a deep frying pan with the chilli, garlic and olive oil and fry gently for 5 minutes. Do not let the garlic brown as it will get bitter, then turn off the heat. After the pasta is cooked put it in the frying pan with the cheese and parsley and turn up the heat for 30 seconds and stir to incorporate the cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 handful of roughly chopped flat leaf parsley
1 large chilli roughly chopped and deseeded (if you like it more spicy just leave the seeds in)
7 good sized garlic cloves
1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of grated parmiggiano reggiano (parmesan cheese)
500 grams of spaghetti (I find that DeCecco is the best)
Place a large casserole with water on the stove, make sure the water is salty since this is the only time that the pasta can absorb the salt, bring to a boil. Cook the pasta according to what is written on the package. In the meantime when the pasta is cooking put a deep frying pan with the chilli, garlic and olive oil and fry gently for 5 minutes. Do not let the garlic brown as it will get bitter, then turn off the heat. After the pasta is cooked put it in the frying pan with the cheese and parsley and turn up the heat for 30 seconds and stir to incorporate the cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.
Serves 4
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Zuppa di Pesce (Seafood soup)
This is by far my favourite soup in the world, very light, wonderful flavour and seafood lovers will be in heaven. This soup goes extremely well with toasted bread or if you want more flavour then make garlic bread.
Ingredients:
1 pound salmon cut into 1 inch cubes
12 to 16 tiger shrimp
1 and a half pounds calamari cut into rings
16 mussels
4 small langoustines
1 large tablespoon finely chopped fresh chili (seeds removed)
1 large tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 large tablespoons oregano
1 and a half cups dry white wine
3 cups fish stock
3 cups classic tomato sauce (check my classic recipe on this page)
4 slices of good quality italian bread
8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Peel the shell's from the shrimp, rinse the mussels and remove the beards or strings and rinse the langoustines as well. Place a casserole on medium heat with the olive oil, put in the salmon, shrimp, calamari, mussels, langoustines, garlic and chili fry for 2-3 minutes or until the mussels open up (discard any mussels that do not open). Next pour in the wine and let cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the alcohol evaporates, then pour in the fish stock and tomato sauce. After that add the oregano and cook for another 5 minutes on high heat. Meanwhile sprinkle the bread lightly with some olive oil and place oil side down on a frying pan on medium heat, fry until golden brown and flip on the other side to toast it as well. Remove the bread and take the soup off the heat and put into 4 large soup bowls with an equal amount of seafood on each, sprinkle with the parsley and serve with the crunchy bread.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 pound salmon cut into 1 inch cubes
12 to 16 tiger shrimp
1 and a half pounds calamari cut into rings
16 mussels
4 small langoustines
1 large tablespoon finely chopped fresh chili (seeds removed)
1 large tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 large tablespoons oregano
1 and a half cups dry white wine
3 cups fish stock
3 cups classic tomato sauce (check my classic recipe on this page)
4 slices of good quality italian bread
8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Peel the shell's from the shrimp, rinse the mussels and remove the beards or strings and rinse the langoustines as well. Place a casserole on medium heat with the olive oil, put in the salmon, shrimp, calamari, mussels, langoustines, garlic and chili fry for 2-3 minutes or until the mussels open up (discard any mussels that do not open). Next pour in the wine and let cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the alcohol evaporates, then pour in the fish stock and tomato sauce. After that add the oregano and cook for another 5 minutes on high heat. Meanwhile sprinkle the bread lightly with some olive oil and place oil side down on a frying pan on medium heat, fry until golden brown and flip on the other side to toast it as well. Remove the bread and take the soup off the heat and put into 4 large soup bowls with an equal amount of seafood on each, sprinkle with the parsley and serve with the crunchy bread.
Serves 4
Monday, 9 February 2009
Petto di Pollo (Stuffed chicken breast)
Amazingly flavourful. Enjoy this recipe with a nice glass of chilled white wine. Great for fancy dinner parties or just trying something new for the family. When I make this at home for my dinner parties every plate comes back empty.
Ingredients:
4 nice chicken breasts (free-range or organic is best)
2 slices of mortadella (each slice cut in half)
4 rectangular slices of mozzarela di buffalo to fit inside the chicken breast (you can use regular mozzarella if you wish)
20 fresh sage leaves roughly chopped
1 cup of dry white wine
1cup of chicken stock
Flour for dusting
1 large tablespoon of butter
Salt and pepper to taste (you may not have to use salt since the chicken stock is already quite salty, it really depends on your taste)
Rinse the chicken breasts under cold water then pat them dry with some kitchen paper. Make a pocket inside the chicken breast with a pearing knife. The pocket must be big enough to fit the half mortadella slice with the cheese. Then roll each individual slice of cheese in each individual half slice of mortadella. After put the mortadella rolls inside the chicken breasts. Lightly season each side of the chicken breast with pepper. Then dredge the chicken with flour and shake off the excess, and put 2 toothpicks to close the pockets so nothing flows out put them aside. Place a frying pan on medium heat with the butter, then add the chicken breasts and sage and brown the chicken on both sides 2-3 minutes on each side. After the chicken is browned pour in the wine and let cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the alcohol evaporates. After that pour in the chicken stock, cover the pan for 5 minutes then uncover and let the sauce reduce until it coats the back of a spoon or until you reach the desired consistancy. Serve immediately. This recipe is delicious with roasted potatoes or a light salad.
Serves 4
Remove from the pan and serve
Ingredients:
4 nice chicken breasts (free-range or organic is best)
2 slices of mortadella (each slice cut in half)
4 rectangular slices of mozzarela di buffalo to fit inside the chicken breast (you can use regular mozzarella if you wish)
20 fresh sage leaves roughly chopped
1 cup of dry white wine
1cup of chicken stock
Flour for dusting
1 large tablespoon of butter
Salt and pepper to taste (you may not have to use salt since the chicken stock is already quite salty, it really depends on your taste)
Rinse the chicken breasts under cold water then pat them dry with some kitchen paper. Make a pocket inside the chicken breast with a pearing knife. The pocket must be big enough to fit the half mortadella slice with the cheese. Then roll each individual slice of cheese in each individual half slice of mortadella. After put the mortadella rolls inside the chicken breasts. Lightly season each side of the chicken breast with pepper. Then dredge the chicken with flour and shake off the excess, and put 2 toothpicks to close the pockets so nothing flows out put them aside. Place a frying pan on medium heat with the butter, then add the chicken breasts and sage and brown the chicken on both sides 2-3 minutes on each side. After the chicken is browned pour in the wine and let cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the alcohol evaporates. After that pour in the chicken stock, cover the pan for 5 minutes then uncover and let the sauce reduce until it coats the back of a spoon or until you reach the desired consistancy. Serve immediately. This recipe is delicious with roasted potatoes or a light salad.
Serves 4
Remove from the pan and serve
Insalata di ruccola (Arugula salad)
This is a fantastic salad recipe it has a little something for everybody. The peppery taste of the arugula compliments the salad beautifully.
Ingredients:
10 ounces of fresh arugula
3 quarters of a cup of sundried tomatoes in oil
Half a cup of shaved chunks of parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese - you can shave the chunks using a vegetable peeler)
Half a cup of red onions thinly sliced into half moons
Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing:
Juice of 1 lemon
Extra virgin olive oil
Before I get started I would just like to explain the rule of thumb to making all vinaigrettes/dressings. The rule is as follows 1 part of vinegar or lemon juice to 3 parts oil.
Put the arugula into a large salad bowl with the sundried tomatoes, parmesan cheese and red onions. Apply the rule of thumb for the dressing (the salad should be lightly coated with the dressing not soaked) add salt and pepper to taste, stir thouroughly and serve immediately.
Note: Salads with acidic dressing's should always be made last in the meal making process, because the acidity wilts the salad leafs.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
10 ounces of fresh arugula
3 quarters of a cup of sundried tomatoes in oil
Half a cup of shaved chunks of parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese - you can shave the chunks using a vegetable peeler)
Half a cup of red onions thinly sliced into half moons
Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing:
Juice of 1 lemon
Extra virgin olive oil
Before I get started I would just like to explain the rule of thumb to making all vinaigrettes/dressings. The rule is as follows 1 part of vinegar or lemon juice to 3 parts oil.
Put the arugula into a large salad bowl with the sundried tomatoes, parmesan cheese and red onions. Apply the rule of thumb for the dressing (the salad should be lightly coated with the dressing not soaked) add salt and pepper to taste, stir thouroughly and serve immediately.
Note: Salads with acidic dressing's should always be made last in the meal making process, because the acidity wilts the salad leafs.
Serves 4
Vitello alla Palermitana (Veal palermo style)
This is a classic Sicilian veal recipe, it's always a crowd pleaser. This recipe is so good that it could even convert a vegetarian.
Ingredients:
4 large veal scallopini (you can get these at your local butcher)
2 cups bread crumbs
Half cup grated parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese)
Quarter cup basil leaves
2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley
1 large lemon cut into 4 wedges
Extra virgin olive oil (for sprinkling)
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 425 F
Place the breadcrumbs, parmesan, basil, and parsley into a food processor with some salt and pepper to taste but be careful with the salt because the parmesan is already a little salty. Mix by using the pulse option until the basil and parsley are incorporated into the breadcrumbs but still chunky. After your breadcrumb mixture is ready, take a baking tray, sprinkle a little bit of olive oil throughout the tray, place the 4 pieces of veal on the tray separate from each other. You do not need to season the meat since the breadcrumb mixture is already properly seasoned. Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of each piece, sprinkle just a small amount of olive oil over the top of the breadcrumb covered meat. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately onto a plate with the lemon wedge on the side for sprinkling. You can eat this by itself or with your favourite pasta or side dish. Since the meat is quite thin it cooks quite fast.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 large veal scallopini (you can get these at your local butcher)
2 cups bread crumbs
Half cup grated parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese)
Quarter cup basil leaves
2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley
1 large lemon cut into 4 wedges
Extra virgin olive oil (for sprinkling)
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 425 F
Place the breadcrumbs, parmesan, basil, and parsley into a food processor with some salt and pepper to taste but be careful with the salt because the parmesan is already a little salty. Mix by using the pulse option until the basil and parsley are incorporated into the breadcrumbs but still chunky. After your breadcrumb mixture is ready, take a baking tray, sprinkle a little bit of olive oil throughout the tray, place the 4 pieces of veal on the tray separate from each other. You do not need to season the meat since the breadcrumb mixture is already properly seasoned. Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of each piece, sprinkle just a small amount of olive oil over the top of the breadcrumb covered meat. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately onto a plate with the lemon wedge on the side for sprinkling. You can eat this by itself or with your favourite pasta or side dish. Since the meat is quite thin it cooks quite fast.
Serves 4
Classic Tomato Sauce
This basic tomato sauce doesn't only have to be used for pasta. You can also use this sauce to roast meats with as well, such as rabbit, beef, chicken breast or pork.
Ingredients:
1 carrot
1 medium sized yellow onion
2 sticks of celery (with the light colored part at the base of the celery sticks cut off)
1 dried chilli
2 cloves of garlic
1 handfull of fresh basil leaves
2 large cans of the best quality tomato's
Quarter cup of superior quality extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste (pepper is not necessary since the chilli serves that purpose)
Finely chop the carrot, onion, celery and garlic. Put a medium sized casserole on a medium low heat, pour in the olive oil, add the carrot, onion, celery, garlic and chili, add 2 pinches of salt and fry gently until soft, usually about 5 minutes. Then add the 2 cans of tomato's bring up to a simmer and use a potato masher to crush the tomato's. Let reduce until desired consistency is reached. You can add salt in the beginning of the tomato sauce, but be careful because as the sauce reduces the saltiness intensifies. I ususally add as much salt as i need 5 minutes before the sauce is ready. When the sauce is ready tear up the basil leaves stir them into the sauce and presto.
Note: Sauces can be frozen for long periods of time.
Ingredients:
1 carrot
1 medium sized yellow onion
2 sticks of celery (with the light colored part at the base of the celery sticks cut off)
1 dried chilli
2 cloves of garlic
1 handfull of fresh basil leaves
2 large cans of the best quality tomato's
Quarter cup of superior quality extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste (pepper is not necessary since the chilli serves that purpose)
Finely chop the carrot, onion, celery and garlic. Put a medium sized casserole on a medium low heat, pour in the olive oil, add the carrot, onion, celery, garlic and chili, add 2 pinches of salt and fry gently until soft, usually about 5 minutes. Then add the 2 cans of tomato's bring up to a simmer and use a potato masher to crush the tomato's. Let reduce until desired consistency is reached. You can add salt in the beginning of the tomato sauce, but be careful because as the sauce reduces the saltiness intensifies. I ususally add as much salt as i need 5 minutes before the sauce is ready. When the sauce is ready tear up the basil leaves stir them into the sauce and presto.
Note: Sauces can be frozen for long periods of time.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Saltimbocca (my version)
What's up italian food fans? Here is a twist on an Italian classic. I found the traditional recipe to be a bit boring so I came up with my own version.
Ingredients:
2 pounds good quality veal
1 Large tablespoon of dried sage 9 (you can use fresh but i found that the dried leaves are much more flavourful)
8 Slices prosciutto
Half cup dry white wine
Quarter cup heavy cream
Quarter cup veal or beef stock
Juice of 1 small lemon
1 tablespoon of Butter
First you have to cut the veal into 8 individual portions, then you have to pound (your meat) each piece of meat has to be half of it's original thickness.
Then you sprinkle each piece of meat with the sage, after you take the prosciutto slices and stick one slice per piece of meat (it sticks really easily to the meat). After you dredge each piece of meat with flour, shake off the excess. Then you place a frying pan on medium heat with the butter when it's hot fry each piece of meat for 1 minute on each side (don't let the butter burn). Then you pour the wine and lemon juice into the pan with the meat, let it cook for 2-3 minutes for the alcohol to evaporate then add the stock and cream let it reduce by half and serve imediately. You can serve it with your favourite side dishes such as potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, salad etc.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 pounds good quality veal
1 Large tablespoon of dried sage 9 (you can use fresh but i found that the dried leaves are much more flavourful)
8 Slices prosciutto
Half cup dry white wine
Quarter cup heavy cream
Quarter cup veal or beef stock
Juice of 1 small lemon
1 tablespoon of Butter
First you have to cut the veal into 8 individual portions, then you have to pound (your meat) each piece of meat has to be half of it's original thickness.
Then you sprinkle each piece of meat with the sage, after you take the prosciutto slices and stick one slice per piece of meat (it sticks really easily to the meat). After you dredge each piece of meat with flour, shake off the excess. Then you place a frying pan on medium heat with the butter when it's hot fry each piece of meat for 1 minute on each side (don't let the butter burn). Then you pour the wine and lemon juice into the pan with the meat, let it cook for 2-3 minutes for the alcohol to evaporate then add the stock and cream let it reduce by half and serve imediately. You can serve it with your favourite side dishes such as potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, salad etc.
Serves 4
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