Category: ITALIAN

GARLIC and LEMON CACIO E PEPE

GARLIC & LEMON CACIO E PEPE
8-10 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked
1/2 cup butter
FRESH sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup pasta water
1 1/2 cups FINELY grated Parmesan cheese

  • Prepare pasta al dente per package directions in a large pot of salted water.
  • Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  • Melt butter in large skillet.
  • Add pepper and sizzle in butter for a minute.
  • Add garlic and lemon zest, sautéing 30 seconds or so until fragrant.
  • Add pasta 1/2 cup of pasta water and cooked pasta, tossing to coat.
  • Add most of the Parmesan cheese, tossing to combine.
  • Add more pasta water as necessary to make a creamy butter sauce.
  • Stir in lemon juice and season with FRESH ground sea salt to taste.
  • Garnish with reserved Parmesan cheese.

ITALIAN CHICKEN & RICE

This is a one-pot Italian version of the Spanish Arroz con Pollo. Annatto powder is the spice responsible for the beautiful orange red color. Annatto power is is ground from Achitoe tree seeds AKA poor man’s saffron. If you can’t find it at your local grocer, try an Asian or Latin market.

ITALIAN CHICKEN & RICE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
4 chicken boneless and skinless breasts
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 LARGE shallot, thinly sliced
2 cups long grain white rice
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon annatto powder OR a few threads of saffron
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme
1 tablespoon flat leaf Italian Parsley

  • Heat the oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat.
  • GENEROUSLY season the chicken breasts FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Sear chicken 2 minutes per side.
  • Set chicken aside on a plate.
  • Add shallots to dutch oven, sautéing 2-3 minutes until softened.
  • Stir in rice, toasting it 1-2 minutes.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, chicken stock, annatto powder and generously season with
  • FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Nestle chicken breasts into rice mixture.
  • Cover and simmer 25-30 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked through.
  • Let stand 10 minutes.
  • FLUFF and serve.

NOTES: This can also be baked in a 350° oven for 1 hour.

NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S CHICKEN PARMESAN

The key to this recipe is using chicken thighs instead of breasts. The flattened thighs are much more juicy and tender.

NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S CHICKEN PARMESAN
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon Garden Gourmet Italian Herbs
4 LARGE chicken thighs, flattened to less than 1/2 inch
1/2 cup WONDRA flour
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups Panko crumbs
Avocado oil, for frying
4 cups of your favorite red sauce
1 cup FINELY grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces QUALITY Mozzarella cheese, sliced

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Whisk together the eggs and Italian herbs.
  • Set up a dredging station with the flour, beaten eggs and Panko crumbs in separate shallow dishes.
  • Generously season chicken thighs with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Heat LARGE, DEEP skillet with oil over medium-high heat to 375°.
  • Dredge each chicken thigh in flour, then egg, followed by Panko crumbs.
  • Add chicken thighs to skillet and brown 2-4 minutes per side until golden.
  • Transfer to paper toweling to drain of excess oil.

 

  • Spread most of the tomato sauce on bottom of 9×13 baking pan.
  • Sprinkle one third of the Parmesan cheese over sauce.
  • Layer chicken cutlets in a single layer over sauce.
  • Top with mozzarella cheese pieces.
  • Dot with remaining sauce.
  • Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
  • Bake 15 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden.

ROMAN CHICKEN

ROMAN CHICKEN adapted from GIADA
4 skinless chicken breast halves, sliced in half so you have 4 thin chicken steaks
rice flour, for dredging
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 each red, orange and yellow mini peppers, sliced
1 SMALL bunch green onions, sliced
3 ounces prosciutto, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
15-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
1/2 cup CRISP white wine
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons capers (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

  • Generously season the chicken with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • In a heavy, large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat.
  • When hot, add chicken breast JUST until browned on both sides.
  • Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
  • Keeping the same pan over medium heat, add the onions, peppers and prosciutto sautéing until the peppers have browned and the prosciutto is crisp, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the tomatoes, wine, and herbs, blending and making sure to scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
  • Add chicken stock, and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, about 10 minutes.
  • Return chicken to pan, turning to coat, simmering a few minutes to heat completely through.
  • Add the capers (if using) and the parsley, stirring to combine.
  • Serve with buttered fettuccine immediately.

TUSCAN CHICKEN TOMATO SOUP

TUSCAN CHICKEN TOMATO SOUP serves 6

8 thick slices sourdough bread
2 tablespoons avocado oil, plus more for toasting bread 
Salad Supreme garlic bread sprinkle
2 tablespoons salted butter OR 2 seasoned butter cubes (see notes)
3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced OR 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken pieces 
1 LARGE shallot, diced 
2-3 cloves garlic, minced 
2 tablespoons QUALITY tomato paste  (I use Classico sun dried tomato pesto)
14-ounce can QUALITY diced tomatoes 
14-ounce can QUALITY tomato puree 
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 to 2 tablespoons honey 
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano, plus whole sprigs, for garnish 
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper 
One SMALL 6.52-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained 
Mini QUALITY Mozzarella balls 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°.
  • Lightly coat the bread with oil on both sides and place on a baking sheet. Bake until toasted and browned, about 10 minutes.
  • Heat the butter and oil in a soup pot over a medium-high heat. When the butter has melted and the oil is hot, add the chicken (if you’re using the raw thighs otherwise rotisserie chicken pieces are added later), onion and garlic and cook until the onion starts to brown and the chicken is almost cooked through, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste and stir until everything is well coated.
  • Add the canned tomatoes, tomato puree, chicken broth, beans, honey and oregano.
  • Add in rotisserie chicken pieces, if using.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, stirring well and bringing to a simmer for 10 minutes or so until flavors are well blended.
  • Add the marinated artichoke hearts to the soup and stir to combine.
  • Tear the toasted bread into large chunks and place in the bottom of soup bowls OR use grilled cheese croutons for an extra yummy plus.
  • Ladle the soup over the bread.
  • Top each bowl with several mini Mozzarella cheese balls, chopped oregano and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

NOTES: When I buy FRESH herbs (thyme, tarragon, oregano, basil…), I chop them up and make butter cubes in my lidded silicone trays to freeze and have on hand for recipes just like this. It adds another layer of flavor.

STUFFED CHICKEN MARSALA

STUFFED CHICKEN MARSALA adapted from Tiffany at Creme De La Crumb serves 4

This is a match made in heaven with the perfectly seasoned chicken stuffed with mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and sun dried tomatoes and then smothered in a savory Marsala mushroom sauce that tastes like it came from your favorite Italian restaurant in less than an hour.

CHICKEN
4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 slices mozzarella cheese
1 12-ounce jar julienned sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, DRAINED WELL
2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut a slit horizontally along one side of the chicken breast to make a “pocket”.
  • 
Fill each pocket with 2 slices of mozzarella cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and a quarter of the shredded Parmesan cheese.
  • 
Pinch together the open side of the chicken breasts and secure with toothpicks.
  • Drizzle the chicken with oil, then sprinkle with FRESH ground sea salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and then rub in with your fingers.

  • Transfer chicken to a large enameled cast iron skillet.
  • Brown chicken over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side.
  • Transfer chicken on a plate while you prepare the Marsala sauce.

SAUCE
1/2 cup Marsala wine
1 cup chicken bone broth
1-2 tablespoons tomato paste, depending on taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup heavy cream
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper, to taste
grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
FRESH chopped parsley or thyme for garnish


  • Add the onions and mushrooms to the pan, stirring to saute a few minutes.
  • Add garlic, stirring until fragrant, 30 seconds or so.
  • Add the Marsala wine, bone broth, salt and pepper, and heavy cream.
  • Stir and bring to a SLOW boil, cooking for 3-4 minutes.
  • Return chicken pan and spoon some of the sauce over the chicken.
  • Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked all the way through and cheeses are melted. Spoon sauce over chicken midway.
  • Plate chicken and spoon sauce over top.
  • Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley or thyme if desired, and serve.



NOTES: Using sun dried tomatoes packed in oil adds another layer of flavor.

BEEFY RICOTTA MEATBALLS with PENNE PASTA, TOMATO PESTO & GREEN BEANS

The meatball mixture can be made ahead of time you can even shape them like I did into squares using my Joie silicone ice cube tray and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re to ready to use them.

Adapted from Marley Spoon’s Anna Painter

BEEFY RICOTTA MEATBALLS with PENNE PASTA, TOMATO PESTO & GREEN BEANS

4 ounces sun dried tomato pesto
2 ounces (regular) pesto
2 ounces cream cheese
2 cups (dry) penne pasta
1/4 cup panko crumbs
4 ounces ricotta
scant 3/4 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped parsley
½ pound green beans
1 small shallot, FINELY chopped
FRESH ground sea salt & ground pepper
avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter

  • Preheat oven to 450° and arrange rack into the center position.
  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Trim green beans, then cut or snap in half.
  • Finely chop parsley leaves and stems.
  • In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, ricotta, panko crumbs, 1 tablespoon of the chopped parsley, FRESH ground sea salt and pepper to taste. Gentle knead to blend.
  • 
Shape beef into 6-8 meatballs of about 2 tablespoons each. Choose your shape round or square – I use square if I’m making them in advance because I use silicone molds to freeze them in.
  • Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with oil.
  • Bake on center oven rack until browned on the bottom and cooked through, 10–12 minutes.
  • While meatballs bake, add pasta to boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost al dente, about 8 minutes.
  • Add green beans to the pot with the pasta, and continue cooking another 4 minutes until pasta is al dente’ and green beans are tender. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta and green beans.
  • Place drained pasta and beans over the butter in a bowl. Toss to coat.
  • Return the pot to the burner and add oil in same pot over medium-high.
  • Add shallots and a pinch each of salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring, until softened.
  • Add cream cheese, pesto, sun dried tomato pesto, and reserved cooking water.
  • Cook, whisking, until cream cheese is incorporated and sauce is smooth, about 1 minute.
  • 

Add pasta, green beans, and half of the parsley to pot with sauce.
  • Cook, stirring, until pasta and green beans are coated well.
  • Add meatballs to pot and gently stir to combine.
  • Garnish with remaining parsley.

 

ITALIAN WEDDING CASSEROLE

ITALIAN WEDDING CASSEROLE adapted from Ree Drummond

CASSEROLE
2 cups (dry) bowtie pasta
2 tablespoons butter 
2 tablespoons avocado oil 
1 cup diced celery 
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH oregano 
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped thyme
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped Italian Parsley
1 teaspoon FRESH chopped rosemary
3 cloves garlic, minced 
2 carrots, diced 
1 onion, diced 
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
4 cups chicken broth
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 
1 1/2 pounds of homemade meatballs OR a 26-ounce bag frozen Italian meatballs 
2-3 cups chopped baby spinach *SEE NOTES
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until less than al dente; set aside.
  • Melt butter and avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add celery, carrots and onion, cooking until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add oregano and garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
  • Sprinkle with the flour, stirring and cooking for an additional minute.
  • While whisking constantly, slowly add chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken, about 2 minutes.
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Add the meatballs, spinach, Parmesan, stirring to combine.
  • Fold in pasta.
  • Transfer to 9×13-inch baking dish.

TOPPING
1  cup PANKO breadcrumbs
1/4 cup FRESH grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH parsley 
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH oregano 

  • Mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, butter, parsley and oregano in a bowl until well combined.
  • Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping over the casserole.
  • Bake until golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
  • Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

NOTES:  Baby spinach can be easily replaced with broccoli or green beans, but both of those need to be added during the saute’ process.

PIZZA CASSEROLE

Not the prettiest looking casserole, but after you dig into it, the flavor makes you forget how it looks!
ITALIAN PIZZA CASSEROLE
4 servings spaghetti or fettuccine
2 sweet Italian sausages, casings removed
1 LARGE shallot halved and sliced thin
1/2 of a LARGE red pepper, diced
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 cup chopped pepperoni pieces*
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped herbs (Italian Parsley, Rosemary and Thyme), divided

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 2 quart baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a small skillet heat avocado oil.
  • Add Italian sausage, cooking until crumbly and shallots are caramelized.
  • Add red peppers, cooking a few minutes more peppers are tender and juicy. Drain sausage mixture of excess grease.
  • In a mixing bowl combine sauce, two-thirds of the chopped herbs, pepperoni pieces and sausage mixture until well blended.
  • Add half of each cheese, blending well.
  • Fold in pasta.
  • Arrange mixture into baking dish.
  • Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly on top.
  • Sprinkle remaining herbs over cheese.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes until heated through.

NOTE: I buy the mini pepperoni bites so there is no chopping involved.

TUSCAN STEAK with MUSHROOMS & 3 PEPPER SAUCE

TUSCAN STEAK with MUSHROOMS & 3 PEPPER SAUCE serves 4
12 ounces fettuccine
FRESH ground sea salt and tri-color peppercorns, to taste
1 pound sirloin steak
2 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Wondra flour
2 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes (optional)
1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms
1 small can baby peas (Le Seur)
Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

  • In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. OR roast or pan fry potatoes in a separate pan.
  • Generously season steak with FRESH ground sea salt and tri-colored peppercorns.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook steak 3 minutes per side for medium rare.
  • Transfer to a plate to let rest, 10 minutes, then thinly slice.
  • Meanwhile, make Alfredo sauce.
  • Add butter to skillet and let melt.
  • Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
  • Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute more, then add milk and simmer until thickened, 5 minutes.
  • Add parsley and Parmesan, stirring to combine.
  • Fold in peas.
  • Add tomatoes (if desired) and cook down 2 minutes.
  • Add cooked pasta or roasted potatoes to sauce and toss until coated.
  • Top with sliced steak, drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with minced Parsley.

UPDATED HUNTER CHICKEN aka CHASSEUR or CACCIATORE ala SLOW COOKER

Chasseur means “hunter” in French. Cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. So let’s just cut to the chase and call it Hunter chicken.

French hunter’s chicken is prepared using chicken that is pan seared crisp and a chasseur sauce consisting of tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, white wine, brandy and tarragon. Prior to pan searing, the chicken can be dredged in flour (I use a fine WONDRA flour). Tomato ingredients can include diced tomatoes, canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Other ingredients often include shallots, olive oil, chicken stock, vermouth, tarragon, thyme and marjoram. Chasseur sauce is traditionally prepared using a SLOW simmer to reduce the sauce and thicken it. Often parsley and croutons are used as garnishes. This recipe is also better as leftovers when the sauce has sat and the flavors have fully blended.

Italian hunter’s chicken is prepared using chicken pieces that are first lightly fried and then braised in the sauce. Italian cacciatore is sometimes made with rabbit or salami instead of chicken. The sauce is made with olive oil, onions, herbs, canned peeled tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic and wine. Carrots are often used to add sweetness. Garnish for the cacciatore are often olives, croutons and Parmesan cheese. After the vegetable are sautéed and the broth added to create the sauce, the chicken is returned to the pan, the heat reduced to a SLOW simmer, covered and braised for a couple hours.

In this updated version you can get the same flavor using a slow cooker, making it a weeknight possibility instead of an all day chore.

UPDATED HUNTER CHICKEN
4-6 chicken breasts
1/2 cup white wine
1 tablespoon QUALITY tomato paste
1 cup chicken bone broth
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
6 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 cups baby carrots, halved or quartered depending on size
1 SMALL Vidalia onion, chopped
28 ounce can whole tomatoes, drained and then rustic chopped or crushed
1/4 cup WONDRA flour

  • Whisk together the wine, bone broth, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, garlic, onions, carrots, salt and pepper.
  • Add to slow cooker.
  • Generously season chicken with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge chicken pieces with flour.
  • Nestle chicken pieces into tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle any remaining flour evenly over top.
  • Scatter mushrooms over top.
  • Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours.
  • Serve with desired garnishes

GARNISHES
3/4 cup pimiento stuffed green olives
Parmesan cheese
Crusty bread pieces

ITALIAN MEATBALLS in RUSTIC TOMATO SAUCE

ITALIAN MEATBALLS in RUSTIC TOMATO SAUCE
1/2 pound ground sirloin
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 SMALL onion, FINELY chopped
2 LARGE cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons avocado oil

  • In a large bowl mix together ground meats, seasonings, chopped onion and garlic until well blended.
  • Form into golf ball sized meatballs.
  • Heat oil in cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  • Sear meatballs, turning often, until browned.
  • Transfer to paper towels to drain.

SLOW ROASTED TOMATOES & RUSTIC TOMATO SAUCE
SLOW ROASTED TOMATOES
2-3 pounds FRESH Roma or cherry tomatoes, chopped rustic
1/4 cup chopped FRESH flat leaf Parsley
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH oregano
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH basil
Avocado oil
1 bulb garlic, sliced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, sliced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 300°.
  • Cover large baking sheet with foil.
  • Arrange tomatoes, onions and garlic in a single layer.
  • Drizzle with avocado oil.
  • Season well with herbs, salt and pepper.
  • Roast for 3 hours until tomatoes are shriveled and soft.
  • Cool completely.

RUSTIC TOMATO SAUCE
Pureed Slow Roasted Tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream

  • Puree tomato mixture before running through a food mill to remove seeds and large chunks.
  • Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add chicken broth and pureed tomatoes.
  • Bring to a SLOW simmer for 40 minutes.
  • Whisk in heavy cream and simmer 5-10 minutes more.