Tag: ITALIAN

WHITE BOLEGNESE SAUCE ~ BLOG 366.144

WHITE BOLEGNESE aka RAGU – Bolognese sauce is a slow-cooked meat sauce from the city of Bologna. To make a good bolognese you MUST start with a good soffrito or mirepoix if you’re French. Onions, celery and carrots are the main ingredients. Personally I like to use shallots, finely minced carrots and a little garlic also. Add to these some finely minced beef or pork with a quality white wine and you can achieve perfection when you simmer it with white wine, chicken stock and heavy cream for a white sauce.

White sauce is a refreshing rich and silky alternative to the traditional red sauce. Add tomato paste ditch the white wine and you have a rich and hearty Red Bolognese. In Naples bolognese contains more tomatoes. Always use a quality Parmesan!

WHITE BOLOGNESE
SAUCE
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 ounces Pancetta finely diced
1 pound QUALITY ground pork
1 pound QUALITY ground Italian sausage, casings removed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 LARGE shallot, finely diced
3 ribs celery, finely diced
2 carrots peeled, finely diced
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 1/2 cups cups homemade chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons FRESH minced thyme leaves
1/8 teaspoon FRESH grated nutmeg
4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated and rind reserved
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • In a large dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add the pancetta to the pan, cooking 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy.
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove Pancetta. Drain on paper toweling before adding to a medium bowl.
  • Add the beef, pork and Italian sausage, cooking until browned and MOST of the liquid has evaporated.
  • With a slotted spoon transfer the meat to the same bowl with the Pancetta.
  • Add the shallots, carrots and celery to the pan sauteing for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are softened and slightly browned.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  • Return the ground meat and pancetta to the pan.
  • Add the white wine, simmering for 3-4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the chicken stock, cream, nutmeg, Parmesan cheese rind and bring to a simmer.
  • Lightly season with salt and pepper.
  • Cover loosely with a lid to allow for some evaporation and reduce the heat to low.
  • Simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.

FOR SERVING
16 ounces rigatoni pasta
1 1/2 cups reserved pasta water
1/3 cup heavy cream
Grated Parmesan cheese

  • Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil.
  • Add the pasta and cook to al dente.
  • Reserve 1 1/2 cups starchy pasta water and then drain.
  • In a large skillet, add half of the sauce with the pasta water and bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer for about 10 minutes, until some of the liquid has evaporated.
  • Add the heavy cream and the al dente pasta to the pot, simmering for another 4-5 minutes until the sauce is glossy and coats the pasta.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl and top with more freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

CHICKEN FRANCAISE

CHICKEN FRANCAISE adapted from RECIPE 30

This recipe is a flavorful pan seared breaded chicken on a rich lemony, tangy butter sauce.  Some call it French because of the wine and butter, some American and even more Italian according to Wikipedia.  What we know for sure is that it is FLAVORFUL!

4 chicken breast steaks
1/3 cup WONDRA flour
2 LARGE eggs
1 tablespoon heavy cream
FRESH chopped Flat Leaf parsley
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 cup QUALITY white wine
1 cup chicken stock
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons avocado oil
4 tablespoons butter
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Beat eggs in a large shallow dish.
  • Whisk in the heavy cream and FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add half the chopped parsley to the egg mixture.
  • Add Parmesan cheese to egg mixture, mixing well. Set aside.
  • Heat avocado oil and half of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Dip chicken breasts in the flour, shaking off any excess and then the egg wash and then into flour again.
  • Add chicken to the hot pan and cooking 3-4 minutes per side.
  • Transfer chicken to a hot plate and keep warm.
  • Increase the heat.
  • Add wine and chicken stock, stirring to blend.
  • Add the garlic and lemon juice, cooking several minutes until slightly reduced.
  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Add the remaining chopped parsley and butter, whisking until butter is melted.
  • Return the chicken to the sauce, turning to coat for 30 seconds or so.
  • 
Garnish with parsley sprigs.

NOTE: Use medium sized flattened chicken breasts or thin chicken steaks.

LEMON SHRIMP FETTUCCINE

LEMON SHRIMP FETTUCCINE

3/4 pound medium shrimp, cleaned and deveined
1 small fennel, cleaned, halved and sliced – save chop fronds and keep separate
12 ounces fettuccine, prepared al dente (save 1/4 cup hot pasta water)
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved
2 Meyer lemons, Juice of LARGE Meyer Lemon + slices for garnish
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Whisk together the cream, lemon juice and egg yolks.
  • Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Heat avocado oil in skillet over medium heat.
  • Saute shrimp for 90 seconds. Remove shrimp and set aside to keep warm.
  • Add the fennel pieces and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Add the snap peas and saute another 3 minutes until peas are tender and fennel is browned.
  • Add cream, 1/4 cup pasta water, prepared fettuccine and shrimp into pan.
  • Turn off heat and stir together until well blended and sauce thickens.
  • Season to taste.
  • Garnish with fennel fronds and lemon slices.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTE: Meyer lemons are a bit sweeter than regular lemons so if you can’t find a Meyer lemon, use half of a regular lemon and half of a tangerine.

HEARTY BEEF SOUP

HEARTY BEEF SOUP
1 pound chuck roast, cut into bite sized pieces
3 tablespoons Wondra flour
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend (see below)
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
FRESH ground sea salt, to taste
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large shallot, halved, sliced and chopped
1 large celery stalk, chopped
1 carrots, chopped
2 cups beef stock
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup pasta

  • Heat butter and avocado oil in a skillet over a medium high heat.
  • Combine flour, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning in a ziploc bag.
  • Dredge beef pieces in flour mixture, shaking off the excess before adding to the hot oil. Sear beef on all sides.
  • Using a slotted spoon add beef to dutch oven.
  • Add celery, carrots and shallots to skillet and quickly saute before adding to the dutch oven.
  • Add beef stock, Worcestershire sauce and wine, stirring to combine.
  • Simmer on low 2 hours.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Add pasta and simmer 1 hour more.
  • Enjoy!

ITALIAN SEASONING BLEND
1 1/2 tablespoons dried rosemary
3 tablespoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons dried basil
1 1/2 tablespoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon dried sage

  • Blend together and store in an air tight bottle.

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN & TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE

These two recipes go hand in hand for us.  The marinade on the chicken makes it sooooooooo tender and flavorful too. The tomato potato casserole is good, but add the sauce and it ALL comes together as GREAT & YUMMY! 😀

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN & TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN
1 pound Chicken tenders
2 ounces avocado oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 tablespoons Frank’s Original Hot Sauce
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Wondra flour for dredging
1 tablespoon butter

  • Whisk together the avocado oil, lemon juice, garlic and hot sauce.
  • Season chicken tenders generously with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add chicken pieces to a shallow dish and pour marinade over top.
  • Cover and chill 4-8 hours or overnight.

 

  • Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
  • Drain marinade off chicken pieces.
  • Dredge chicken pieces in flour and add to skillet.
  • Sear chicken pieces 2-3 minutes each side until golden and cooked through.
  • Remove chicken pieces and keep warm while preparing sauce.

SAUCE
4 ounces tomato pesto
1 cup Marsala wine

  • In the same skillet add wine being sure to scrape up all the browned bits.
  • Whisk in tomato pesto and simmer on medium high 5-6 minutes until heated through and slightly reduced.
  • Serve sauce over chicken pieces.

TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE
potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
Italian Roma tomatoes, sliced thin
Vidalia onion, sliced thin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Parmesan Cheese, grated
FRESH basil leaves, torn, to taste
5-6 tablespoons Avocado oil
1/4 cup water

  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Arrange potatoes in a layer, followed by a layer of onions and then a layer of tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle with basil leaves, to taste.
  • Season each layer to taste.
  • Repeat layers ending with the Parmesan cheese.
  • Sprinkle oil over cheese layer evenly.
  • Pour water over top.
  • Bake covered for 30 minutes.
  • Bake for another 30 minutes or until tender and cheese is golden.

ROCHESTER CHICKEN ala ITALY

Chicken Francese is an Italian recipe that was originally made with veal and while delicious, I don’t cook with veal by choice and substitute chicken in any veal recipe. I recently read that because of the cost and availability or lack there of, immigrants substituted chicken for veal when they came to the U.S., specifically to Rochester New York. So, I call my version Rochester Chicken ala Italy.

ROCHESTER CHICKEN ala ITALY
1/2 cup all purpose flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 LARGE eggs
1/2 cup Panko crumbs
1/4 cup FRESH chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons UNSALTED butter
2/3 cup chicken broth
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
1 lemon. sliced into wheels
Prepared egg noodles

  • Set up a dredging station with the flour, salt and pepper in dish one. In dish two beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water and in the third dish combine the Panko crumbs with the paprika and parsley.
  • Pound chicken breasts to 1/3 inch thickness between 2 sheets of plastic wrap.
  • Dip each chicken piece into the flour and press to coat well, followed by the egg dip and then the Panko crumbs. RESERVE 2 tablespoons of the  flour mixture.
  • Set aside on a platter. When you have them all coated, chill the platter 30-60 minutes.

 

  • In a large skillet (preferably cast iron) heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium high heat until sizzling.
  • Saute each breast about 4 minutes per side until golden.
  • Transfer to a warm platter.
  • Add the remaining butter to the pan.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved flour mixture and whisk until combined and golden.
  • Add the broth and lemon juice, stirring constantly until reduced and thickened into sauce.
  • Adjust seasoning to desired flavor.
  • Return chicken to pan and turn to coat.
  • Serve over prepared egg noodles.
  • Top with sauce and garnish with lemon wheels and parsley.

PARMESAN HERB MUSHROOM CHICKEN

PARMESAN HERB MUSHROOM CHICKEN adapted from Cafe Delites

CHICKEN
2 tablespoons butter
6 skin on, bone in chicken thighs*
PINCH of garlic powder, to taste
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Generously season chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add butter. When melted sear chicken thighs 2-3 minutes on each side (skin side down last) until golden and crispy.
  • Transfer chicken pan to the oven and roast until completely cooked through, about 25-30 minutes.
Transfer to a warm plate and set aside.

SAUCE
2 green onions, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms (I like to substitute beech mushrooms for a nuttier flavor)
1 tablespoon FRESH minced basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons FRESH chopped Flat Leaf Parsely
1½ cups Half and Half
2 cups baby spinach
3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese , divided
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper, to taste
1 KNORR chicken bullion cube, crushed
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with
2 tablespoons Half and Half
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley for garnish

  • Drain all but 2 tablespoons of some of the excess fat from the skillet.
  • Return skillet to the stove over medium-high heat and sauté the onions and garlic a minute or so in the pan juices until fragrant.
  • Add the mushrooms, herbs and 2 teaspoons of parsley, sautéing until mushrooms begin to soften.
  • Reduce heat to low-medium heat, add the half and half and bring to a SLOW simmer, stirring occasionally, and being careful NOT to boil.
  • Add in the bullion cube powder and season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  • 
Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons half and half.
  • Add cornstarch mixture to the center of the pan, and continue to simmer while quickly stirring the mixture through until the sauce thickens.
  • Add 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese; allow sauce to simmer for another minute until cheese melts through the sauce.
  • Add the chicken back into the pan and allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes in the cream sauce.
  • Taste test and adjust seasoning, if desired.
  • Fold in spinach leaves, stirring to coat and cooking JUST until they wilt.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.


NOTES – To substitute chicken breasts for the thighs there is no need to bake them. After adding the breasts back into the pan, continue simmering in the sauce until completely cooked through.

BEEF RAGU & PASTA ala SLOW COOKER and A LITTLE PASTA HISTORY

Strozzapreti AKA priest-choker or priest-strangler are an elongated form of cavatelli, a hand-rolled pasta typical of the Tuscany region of Italy.

The name has many theories as to the name. One of the theories is because of gluttonous priests were so enthralled by the savory pasta that they ate too quickly and choked themselves. Another explanation involves the “azdora” OR A  ”housewife” who “chokes” the dough strips to make the strozzapreti. It is presumed that the housewife would express such a rage possibly triggered by the misery and difficulty of her life that would fill her with enough rage to be able to strangle a priest!” And yet another legend suggests that wives would customarily make pasta for priests as partial payment for land rents (the Catholic church rented to many farmers) and their husbands would be angered enough by the priests eating their wives’ food to wish that the priests would choke as they stuffed their mouths with it. And yet another possible explanation is that the pasta resembles a clerical collar which is commonly referred to as a “Priest Choker”.

The more commonly accepted theory is that following Sunday mass, a priest would visit homes of the villagers and enjoy dinner with them. The more pleasant the experience for the priest the more often they would come back to that particular home. As a means for the family to let the priest know that he might have worn out his welcome, they would serve this pasta which later earned the name “Strozzapreti.”

The dough is first rolled out in thick flat sheets. It is then cut into strips. The strips are lightly rolled or twisted between the palms. The large pasta is separated into 3-4 inch pieces by pinching it. Unlike spaghetti or macaroni, this pasta is not uniform in size or shape.

Different regions makes this pasta slightly different. In Romagna it is made with wheat flour, water, salt and sometimes eggs. Where as in Emilia it is made from flour, water, Parmesan cheese and egg whites which are all beaten together. In Pici it is more similar to the Tuscan style which is hand rolled, solid fat tubes of dough that are cut, but not twisted giving it the appearance of a taut rope. In Corsica it is a large gnocchi made of cheese and vegetables and then baked.

Unless you make your own pasta regularly this is a difficult pasta to find in your average grocery store. I usually substitute the Barilla Campagnelle pasta which is a thinner cone shaped pasta with a ruffled edge and is often known as “little bells”.

BEEF RAGU ala SLOW COOKER
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 -3 pound chuck roast
1 tablespoon House Seasoning (see below)
28 ounce crushed tomatoes
1 cup beef broth
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Prepared pasta
Parmesan cheese, grated

  • Spray a large slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Arrange the onions and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle the roast with the house seasoning on both sides.
  • Arrange roast on top of the onions and garlic.
  • Sprinkle the carrots on top of the roast.
  • In a medium bowl, blend together the tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, red wine vinegar and Italian seasonings.
  • Pour over the roast.
  • Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours until the beef is EXTREMELY tender and falls apart.
  • Skim any fat from the top.
  • Use 2 forks to shred the beef.
  • Stir beef into the tomato sauce.
  • Adjust seasonings.
  • Re-cover and cook for another hour to allow the flavored to meld together.
  • Serve over prepared pasta and top with Parmesan cheese.

HOUSE SEASONING MIX

1/4 cup fine sea salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
1 tablespoon FRESH ground black pepper

  • Combine in a small bowl until well blended.
  • Store in an air tight container.

 

STUFFED CHICKEN ALFREDO SHELLS

STUFFED CHICKEN ALFREDO SHELLS
20 whole Jumbo Pasta Shells, Cooked And Drained
2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
FRESH ground salt And pepper, to taste
Avocado Oil
3/4 cups ricotta cheese (whole milk, NOT low-fat))
3/4 cups SMALL CURD cottage cheese (whole milk, NOT low-fat)
3/4+ 1/4 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
2+ 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese
2 whole LARGE eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup minced FRESH parsley
2 tablespoons minced FRESH basil
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
4 cloves garlic, minced

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a grill pan or iron skillet over medium heat, drizzle with avocado oil.
  • Cook the chicken on both sides until cooked through.
  • Remove and shred with two forks and allow to cool.
  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, 1 cup of the Parmesan cheese, eggs, 2 tablespoons of the fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and chicken, stirring to combine. Add heavy cream as necessary 1 tablespoon at a time. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sprinkle with the flour. Whisk and cook until the roux turns golden brown.
  • Pour in the milk and cream, whisking constantly, and cooking for a few minutes, until thickened.
  • Add the garlic, the additional 1 cup Parmesan, salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon minced parsley, and minced basil and stirring until well blended.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Set aside.
  • Add 1 cup sauce to the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
  • Using a spoon, fill each of the jumbo shells generously with the chicken/ricotta mixture.
  • Lay them face down in the pan, then pour the sauce all over the top.
  • Sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheeses.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is golden.

BUNLESS BURGER SERIES – ITALIAN WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESEBURGERS with BALSAMIC GLAZED ONION & ROASTED POTATOES

BUNLESS BURGER SERIES – ITALIAN WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESEBURGERS with BALSAMIC GLAZED ONION & ROASTED POTATOES

With having to give up bread I have found it challenging to eat satisfying meals. Years ago I started a Bunless Burger series, but never did much with it so I’m back to add to the selections with these Italian flavored cheeseburgers are layered with tons of satisfying flavors.

3/4 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small Vidalia onion, halved and sliced into half rings
White cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar or Balsamic Vinegar
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 pound fingerlings or tri-colored potatoes, cut lengthwise into 1 inch wedges.
1-2 teaspoons sweet paprika
Avocado oil
BUNS – OPTIONAL

  • Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°.
  • Place the potato wedges on a sheet pan.
  • Drizzle with avocado oil.
  • Sprinkle with paprika, salt and pepper; toss to coat.
  • Arrange potatoes in an even layer, skin side down.
  • Roast 28 to 30 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork.
  • Remove from the oven.
  • While the potatoes roast, in a medium pan, heat a drizzle of avocado oil on medium-high until hot.
  • Add the diced onion; season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned and softened.
  • Add the garlic; season again with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until softened and fragrant.
  • Add the vinegar and sugar, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until well coated and most of the liquid has cooked off.
  • Re-season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Transfer to a bowl and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
  • While the onion cooks, in a medium bowl, combine the beef, Italian seasoning and a generous sprinkling of the salt and pepper.
  • Gently mix to combine. DO NOT OVERWORK the meat.
  • Using your hands, form the mixture into two 1/2-inch-thick patties; transfer to a plate.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons of avocado oil on medium-high until hot.
  • Add the patties and cook 4 to 5 minutes on the first side, or until browned.
  • Flip the patties.
  • Evenly top with the sliced cheese.
  • Loosely cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked to your desired degree of doneness.
  • Leaving any browned bits of fond in the pan, transfer burgers to a plate. Loosely cover with the foil to keep warm.
  • Add the buns (if using), cut side down, to the pan of reserved fond adding a drizzle of oil if the pan is too dry.
  • Toast on medium-high 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until lightly browned.
  • Transfer to a work surface and assemble the burgers using the toasted buns, cooked patties, and glazed onion (you may have extra onion).
  • Serve the burgers with the roasted potatoes on the side.
  • Enjoy!

SAUCY MEATBALL SLIDERS

SAUCY MEATBALL SLIDERS makes 6 sliders
3/4 pound ground beef
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
1 batch authentic meat sauce
6 buns
Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • In a large bowl combine your breadcrumbs, ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 tablespoons meat sauce, egg, salt and pepper.
  • Add ground beef and minimally mix by hand JUST until well blended.
  • Form 6 meatballs.
  • Place meatballs on a baking sheet that has been lined with foil.
  • Bake 15-18 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  • While meat balls cook, heat sauce in large skillet.
  • When meatballs are finished baking add them to sauce, turning to coat.
  • Toast buns.
  • Plate bun bottoms.
  • Add a meatball to each bun bottom and top with a spoonful of meat sauce.
  • Top with Parmesan cheese.
  • Add bun tops.
  • Serve with salad.

CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE

CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE
1/2 pound penne pasta
3/4 pound chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
Wondra flour for dredging
Fresh ground black pepper and salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1/2 batch marinara sauce (recipe below)
1 1/4 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 slices Provolone cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 9×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Cook pasta per package directions on the al dente’ side. Drain and set aside.
  • Combine flour and seasonings in a ziplock bag.
  • Heat butter and oil in skillet until sizzling.
  • Dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
  • Add chicken pieces to hot oil and quickly sear all sides.
  • In a large bowl gently combine sauce and pasta with the majority of the Mozzarella and Parmesan reserving some for the top.
  • Gently fold in chicken pieces and stir to coat.
  • Spread ingredients evenly into baking dish.
  • Top with provolone slices followed by the remaining Parmesan and Mozzarella.
  • Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes.
  • Uncover and return to oven baking another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and brown.
  • Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

SAUCE
1 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 small red onion, chopped
24 ounce can whole tomatoes
1 KNORR beef gel
3/4 cup moscato white wine
Juice from 1 lemon
5-6 cloves garlic, finely minced into a paste
3 tablespoons Classico sundried tomato pesto
1 teaspoon fresh ground Himalayan pink salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground red pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons fresh chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil

  • Heat avocado oil in a large saute’ pan over medium high heat.
  • Add onions and garlic sauteing until tender.
  • Whisk together the beef gel, wine, pesto and juice from the tomatoes.
  • Add seasonings, blending well.
  • Add tomatoes and gently crush.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 2 hours.