Category: ITALIAN

STUFFED MEATBALLS & ROASTED VEGGIE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

STUFFED MEATBALLS & 
ROASTED VEGGIE SPAGHETTI SAUCE
  • I start with whatever vegetables I have in the vegetable bin. Today was Roma tomatoes, celery stalks, green onions and snap peas.
  • Then I drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper over it all and bake it for an hour at 400 degrees.
  • I started the sauce with a can of Contadina tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Better than Beef Bouillon paste, 2 cups orange juice and a V8. This truly was a clean out the fridge day.
  • When done roasting add the vegetables to the sauce and set to simmer all day. The vegetables will continue to cook down into a uniform consistency with the sauce. Salt & pepper taste.


For the meatballs:
1 pound hamburger
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
3 large slices sourdough bread, crumbled
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheeseAlign Center
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
1 bunch green onions, finely minced
2 teaspoons minced garlic, jar
mozzarella cheese, about 4 ounces, cut into 1 inch cubes

  • Crumble bread into a large bowl.
  • Toss in Parmesan cheese, parsley, green onions and garlic.
  • Add meat and with your hands mix extremely well until you have a uniform mixture.
  • Roll meatballs around a Parmesan cheese cube.
  • Chill Meatballs until sauce is done.
  • Just before the sauce is finished, brown meatballs.**
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and bring to a medium high simmer until meatballs are cooked though, about 20 minutes.
  • Prepare pasta and Parmesan Cheese Bread while meatballs are cooking.
  • Enjoy

**If you prefer you can add the meatballs directly to the sauce and SLOW simmer for a couple hours instead of browning.


LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN

I found this recipe at ALLrecipes and it was amazing!!  I did make a few changes for my family’s likes so go check out the original recipe.

LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN

Lemon Butter Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup white wine*
  • Juice of 2 large lemons
  • 5 tablespoons heavy cream❉
  • 1 cup butter, chilled❉
  • salt and pepper to taste

Chicken and Pasta:
1/2 pound dry farfalle (bow tie) pasta
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
1 tablespoon safflower oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
4 ounces bacon – OPTIONAL
6 ounces mushrooms, sliced – OPTIONAL
6 ounces artichoke hearts, drained and halved – OPTIONAL
chopped fresh parsley for garnish

  1. To make the sauce, pour the wine and lemon juice into a saucepan over medium heat. Cook at a low boil until the liquid is reduced by 1/3. Stir in cream, and simmer until it thickens. (TONIGHT DIDN’T WANT TO THICKEN!) Gradually add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time to the sauce, stirring until completely incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, and keep warm.
  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside. (TONIGHT I MADE RICE – A GREAT SUBSTITUTE)
  3. To make the chicken, heat oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. In a bowl, stir together flour, salt, and pepper. Lightly coat chicken with flour mixture. Without crowding, carefully place chicken in hot oil. (If necessary, cook in batches.) Fry until cooked through and golden brown on both sides. Remove the chicken to paper towels. OPTIONAL – Stir the bacon, mushrooms and artichokes into the oil; cook until the mushrooms are soft.
  4. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-size strips, and return them to the skillet. Stir half of the lemon butter sauce into the chicken mixture.
  5. To serve, place pasta in a large bowl. Stir the chicken mixture into the pasta. Taste, and adjust seasonings. Stir in additional lemon butter sauce as desired. Toss well, and garnish with parsley. 

*a dry blush works well also.
❉I didn’t want to use so much butter so substituted 3/4 cup buttermilk this time and was pleased with the results.

STUFFED SHELLS

STUFFED SHELLS adapted from Weight Watchers
15 large shells, cooked and drained**
1 pound lean ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoon Pampered Chef Italian seasoning
1 medium onion, chopped
8 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Classico tomato pesto
1 cup shredded cheese

  • Brown meat and onion, Drain.
  • Whisk together tomato sauce, water, bouillon, garlic, pesto and seasoning.
  • Stir 1/2 cup of tomato sauce mixture and 1/2 cup of cheese into beef mixture.
  • Stuff shells with meat mixture.
  • Pour 1/2 of remaining sauce on bottom of the baking dish.
  • Put shells on top of sauce.
  • Pour remaining sauce over shells.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

**If you prefer the shells and beef mixture can be tossed and cooked as a casserole. When I do this I use the smaller shells, but same proportions.

CHICKEN MILANO

CHICKEN MILANO

4 tablespoons butter, divided*

2 pounds chicken tenders

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped**

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 bunch green onions, sliced thin

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups heavy cream

1 pound fettucini

salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons chopped basil

  • In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.  Add garlic and saute until fragrant.
  • Add onions and saute until soft.
  • Add tomatoes and 3/4 cup of the chicken broth. Simmer 10minutes.
  • Add the cream and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until sauce is thickened to desired consistency.
  • Meanwhile prepare pasta per package directions.
  • In another skillet melt remaining butter over medium heat.
  • Wash chicken pieces and pat dry.
  • Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper generously.
  • Add chicken to butter and saute on both sides until cooked through.
  • Plate chicken.
  • Toss fettuccini and sauce together until well coated. Add to plated chicken.
  • Sprinkle with basil.
  • Enjoy.

* I use butter or safflower oil

**next time I will probably puree them slightly

ITALIAN BAKED CHICKEN

ITALIAN BAKED CHICKEN Serves 8

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in halves)
salt and pepper to taste
provolone cheese slices
prosciutto slices
1 large bunch green onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
fresh basil
1 cup white wine (I used zinfandel)
3 tablespoons butter

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Generously salt and pepper each piece of chicken.
  • In a large skillet melt butter until frothy.
  • Add chicken pieces, searing each side quickly.  Drain on a paper towel. Do not discard butter.
  • Warp each piece of chicken in a slice of prosciutto and then lay a slice of provolone on top.  
  • Arrange chicken pieces in a baking dish.
  • In the skillet add the garlic and green onions, sauteing until soft and fragrant.
  • Add the wine and lemon juice, simmering until starts to thicken.
  • Pour sauce over and around chicken pieces.
  • Bake 30 minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

ITALIAN GARLIC SUPREME STROMBOLI aka SANDWICH PIZZA

According to Wikipedia STROMBOLI is: a type of turnover filled with various cheeses, typically mozzarella, Italian meats such as salami, capicola and bresaola or vegetables or a Greek Island or an Ingrid Bergman movie – you choose. The dough is Italian bread dough.
When I was much younger and elderly family friend always told me I looked just like Ingrid Bergman.  I didn’t know then what a compliment that was.
Stromboli is reported to have originated in 1950 in Essington, Tinicum Township just outside of Philadelphia, at Romano’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, by Nazzareno Romano. There, William Schofield supposedly gave it the name, after the movie Stromboli, starring Ingrid Bergman.  Other sources claim the stromboli was the brainchild of Mike Aquino, Sr., and that he created it in Spokane, Washington, in 1954.  The first claim is more credible, with most people remembering the advent of the stromboli at Romano’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in the early 1950s.
No matter what you call it, it is a family favorite around here.
We have a favorite pizza – ITALIAN GARLIC SUPREME from Round Table Pizza.  This pizza is full of pepperoni, Italian sausage, Roma tomatoes, white mushrooms, green onions and lots of chopped garlic and is baked with a blend of 3 cheeses in a creamy garlic sauce.  Unfortunately they are not a national chain.  We have spent horribly disappointing meals  out trying to find a local replacement for this pizza.  I have since decided the best replacement is the one I make myself.  Hubby whole heartily agreed! We decided to push the envelope though and make that same recipe into a sandwich.
ITALIAN GARLIC SUPREME STROMBOLI aka SANDWICH PIZZA
ITALIAN GARLIC SUPREME PIZZA
CRUST
1 cup of warm water (105 degrees)
3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of yeast
  • Put warm water into a bowl. Add salt, sugar and honey and mix well. Add the yeast, mix and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
  • Gradually add the flour and olive oil until well blended.
  • When the mixture gets too heavy to mix, start kneading the dough with your hands.
  • Knead the dough until you have a smooth ball. If the dough cracks it is too dry. Add water bit by bit until if forms a nice smooth ball. If you need to add water or flour, do it by small amounts.
  • Coat the dough with olive oil, place it in a large bowl and cover it with kitchen wrap and a flour sack towel. Let the dough rise for about an hour at room temperature, then push it down again so it deflates. Let it sit for about another hour. Either bake it or refrigerate for later use.
  • Put the dough on a lightly floured surface, put a bit of flour on top and make it into the shape of a pie by stretching it out from the center outwards. Use a rolling pin until the dough is about 1/4″ thick. Punch some holes in the dough with a fork to let the air escape while the pizza is in the oven.
  • Lightly oil a cookie sheet with olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal.
  • Pre-Bake dough at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
TOPPINGS 
1 package John Morrell pepperoni
3 Italian sausages, cooked and crumbled 
1 can Contadina tomato paste with basil and oregano or homemade sauce
1/2 pound mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 large bunch green onions, thinly sliced including the majority of the tops
6 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 Roma tomato, diced small
2/3 cup grated mozzarella cheese
2/3 cup grated provolone cheese
2/3 cup grated Romano cheese
Extra light olive oil
  • Whisk together the tomato paste, garlic and 1 teaspoon olive oil to make the sauce.
  • Brush pre-baked dough with a small amount of olive oil and then an even layer of the sauce.
  • Evenly sprinkle the crumbled sausage over the sauce followed by half of the pepperoni.
  • Top with the mushrooms, green onions and tomatoes.
  • Evenly sprinkle the cheese over it all
  • Top with the remaining pepperoni.
  • Roll up and place on the center of the pan.
  • Bake the sandwich pizza at 400-450° F for about 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden.

ITALIAN BEEF STROGANOFF ~ SLOW COOKED

ITALIAN BEEF STROGANOFF
28 ounce can Contadina crushed tomatoes
8 ounce can Contadina tomato sauce
1 MAGGI beef seasoning cube
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 pounds chuck roast or chuck eye steak*, cut into stew sized pieces
2 cups cooked wide egg noodles
1 cup sour cream
fresh parsley

  • Layer beef chuck pieces, garlic and onions in bottom of slow cooker.
  • Whisk together tomatoes and sauce.  Microwave for 3 minutes until HOT!  Add beef cube and stir until dissolved.
  • Pour over meat and onions.
  • Cook 8-10 hours on low OR 4-6 hours on high.
  • Pour meat through colander so it is separate from the sauce.
  • Stir sour cream into sauce. 
  • Fold noodles into sauce mixture.
  • Fold beef back in.
  • Sprinkle with parsley.
  • Enjoy.

*these 2 pieces of meat are actually from the same cut, but I base it on which one is currently on sale.  This week I saved 50 cents a pound by using 2 steaks instead on 1 roast.

ITALIAN CHICKEN PROVENCAL

ITALIAN CHICKEN PROVENCAL
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons minced garlic jar
2 large slices EXTRA SOUR sourdough bread
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground basil
1 large bay leave, deveined and crumbled
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 cup home made chicken broth*
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup mayonnaise**
6 chicken breasts

  • Using a mortar and pestle revive the seasoning scents of the basil, bay leaf, salt and pepper by grinding fine.
  • Whisk together the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, bay leaf and basil.
  • Pour over the bread slices and soak the bread in the red wine vinegar mixture until all the vinegar is absorbed by the bread.
  • Heat olive oil in large skillet over a medium high heat.
  • Add garlic to skillet and saute’ until fragrant. With a slotted spoon transfer the garlic to the food processor.
  • Lightly brown the bread on both sides in the olive oil. Transfer to a small food processor.
  • Add the butter to the skillet so it can melt into the olive oil while you make the paste. Remove from heat.
  • Add the almonds to the food processor. Process until you have a paste.
  • Gradually add the broth to the paste to form a sauce.
  • Return the skillet to the heat and brown chicken pieces on both sides until golden.
  • Add the sauce mixture to the skillet. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  • Transfer chicken to a serving dish and keep warm.
  • Whisk mayonnaise and lemon juice into the sauce in the pan until smooth.
  • Pour over chicken and Parmesan Potatoes. I serve it with asparagus. The sauce is a perfect compliment for it.
  • Serve & Enjoy!

*1 cup boiling water + 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
**light works well too

Parsley Herb Noodles OR Linguini & Clams ~ Cooking with Chaya at OuR KrAzY kItChEn

PARSLEY HERB NOODLES / LINGUINI & CLAMS
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound linguini, cooked and drained well, reserving pasta water as needed
4-6 cloves minced garlic
(2) 7 1/2 ounce cans minced clams, drained well, but retaining 8 ounces of the juice
1 cup white wine
1 shallot, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan
salt & pepper to taste

  • Heat butter and oil together.
  • Add shallot, green onions and garlic cooking until golden and fragrant.
  • Add clam juice and white wine and simmer uncovered 10 minutes.
  • Add clams, parsley, salt and pepper, to taste and most of the Parmesan cheese,  heating until cheese is melted.
  • Toss with the linguini.
  • Serve with fresh grated Parmesan Cheese.

ORIGINALLY POSTED 12-21-2009 for my FIL’s birthday

Italian Chicken Provencal aka red wine vinegar & garlic yumminess

Being married to an Italian has it’s dietary drawbacks – rich food and poundage. I have revised this recipe so that it is still rich and full flavored, but a little easier on the hips!

ITALIAN CHICKEN PROVENCAL
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons minced garlic jar
2 large slices EXTRA SOUR sourdough bread
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground basil
1 large bay leave, deveined and crumbled
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 cup home made chicken broth*
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup mayonnaise**
6 chicken breasts

  • Using a mortar and pestle revive the seasoning scents of the basil, bay leaf, salt and pepper by grinding fine.
  • Whisk together the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, bay leaf and basil.
  • Pour over the bread slices and soak the bread in the red wine vinegar mixture until all the vinegar is absorbed by the bread.
  • Heat olive oil in large skillet over a medium high heat.
  • Add garlic to skillet and saute’ until fragrant. With a slotted spoon transfer the garlic to the food processor.
  • Lightly brown the bread on both sides in the olive oil. Transfer to a small food processor.
  • Add the butter to the skillet so it can melt into the olive oil while you make the paste. Remove from heat.
  • Add the almonds to the food processor. Process until you have a paste.
  • Gradually add the broth to the paste to form a sauce.
  • Return the skillet to the heat and brown chicken pieces on both sides until golden.
  • Add the sauce mixture to the skillet. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  • Transfer chicken to a serving dish and keep warm.
  • Whisk mayonnaise and lemon juice into the sauce in the pan until smooth.
  • Pour over chicken and Parmesan Potatoes. I serve it with asparagus. The sauce is a perfect compliment for it.
  • Serve & Enjoy!

*1 cup boiling water + 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
**light works well too

final blog signature. ♥