Sunday, October 31, 2010

Pizza Piena

Stuffed Pizza. I should not have to type another word. But I will. The recipe is from La Cucina and is from the Campania region, this week's featured region. It was a perfect meal. The crust was fantastic. The filling was eggs, Mozz and prosciuotto, need I say more.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Pork Tenderloin, Scarole Ibottite & Roasted Sweet Potatoes

I was looking through La Cucina and decided to make recipes from one region this week. This is the start of Campania Week! It seemed logical to start in Campania. So here we go...

Pork Tenderloin was on sale this week. I purchased one and cut 14 slices of of it. The rest of the tenderloin will appear later this week. I breaded the slices in a mixture of flour, rosemary, sage, thyme, salt and pepper. Sauteed the pork in olive oil and finished them off in the oven.

The recipe from Campania was a side dish. Scarole Ibottie, Stuffed and Baked Escarole. I remember my mom making this. Don't remember specifics of her dish but this tasted close to it.

I also roasted some sweet potatoes.

And to go with the pork I made homemade applesauce. I used McIntosh, Pink Lady and Honey Crisp apples. Not sure why I have never made this because it taste much better than store bought.

We had a wonderful bottle of wine with dinner. Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d"Abruzzo. Nice cherry and vanilla flavors.

For dessert we had Carrot Cake cupcakes that were made by a friend at work. Wendy made these for our Halloween party yesterday. She is bringing in the recipe for the frosting on Monday. It is the most amazing frosting. I picked up some Pumpkin and Ginger Ice Creams from Ashley's. Both were perfect with the cupcake.

What was Archie up to today... Just checking for missed stitches.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

This and That

Every once and a while you have to clean up. Left over macaroni, left over roasted cauliflower and butternut squash, left over salad... And to round out the meal - frozen pizza. Paul Newman's Pepperoni Pizza. Oh I did add some prosciutto to the pizza. Wow was is good!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Roasted Vegetables and Chicken Sausage

My mom use to make this dish that consisted of Chicken and Sausage and Ribs and Hot Dogs and Carrots and Potatoes and Onions. It was all in one pan and oh it was sooooooo good. The last time I had it was at my sister's house. It's just one of those tastes that is burned in your memory. Anyway tonight I attempted an abbreviated version. Yellow and Red Peppers, Carrots and Onions and Chicken Sausage mixed with olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Baked at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. It was good but not as good as Mom's. Next time I will plan more time and perhaps it will be as good as hers or Ralph's!
Who's ready for Halloween!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Rigatoni with Meat Sauce and Meatballs

It seems like forever since I made pasta with meat sauce. The sauce I had on Saturday night from ReSette's got me in the mood to make some. Meatballs too!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Roast Beef and Horseradish Cheddar Paninis and Chicken Soup

A short post tonight...
I got a box from Foodbuzz the other day and inside was Nature's Pride Whole Wheat Bread. 100% Whole Wheat Bread. No high fructose corn syrup. 19 grams whole grains per slice! 25% less sodium. I have recently starting making bread for sandwiches but if I couldn't make it this would be a good alternative. No really. I am not just saying that. It tasted good and I even liked the crust!
I used the bread to make Roast Beef and Horseradish Cheddar Cheese Paninis. We love the Horseradish Cheddar Cheese!
Yesterday I made some chicken soup which we had tonight. Nice flavors. A very comforting meal.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

Steak, Provolone, Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheeses. Fried peppers and onions. Tomato, oregano and that awesome crust. A simple Sunday night meal. Hey I forgot to put Cheese Whiz on it... sigh. Okay so it's a Ken's Philly Cheese not a Pat's. Drats!!!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Apple and Ricotta Ravioli in a Meat Ragu

Today we went to see Lombardi on Broadway. My maiden name was Lombardi, no relation to the great Vince Lombardi, but the nuns were sure that Vince Lombardi was my uncle. If you get an opportunity see this play you should. Amazing performances.

Before the play we had a light lunch at Smith's Bar. After the play we went to The Algonquin Hotel Blue Bar. A very nice bar but a bit pricey.

Now on to dinner. Re Sette is our favorite Italian Restaurant in New York. We have never had a bad meal there. We started with Fried Calamari and a small plate of meatballs made from lamb. They were excellent. For dinner I had Ravioli filled with Apple and Ricotta in a Meat Sauce. I had read about Ravioli filled with apple on an Italian food blog so when I saw it on the menu I had to give it a try. I cleaned my plate! The apple was subtle but the meat sauce was amazing. It was pork and it tasted very close to what my mom use to make. Chris had the Homemade Lobster Ravioli with Shrimp, Shallots & Tomato in a Pink Sauce. He cleaned his plate too. Lenore had the Baby Pork Loins with Dried Cranberries in Grappa & Cranberry Reduction. Ralph had the Pollo Con Lemoncello. We had a nice bottle of Ruffino Modus 2006. Excellent choice! Tiramsu, Pistachio Gelato and a Poached Pear finished off the meal. What a day.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Venetian "Mac and Cheese"

Tonight's recipe is from Everyday Pasta, the wonderful cookbook by Giada De Laurentiis, who happens to be the featured chef on the I Heart Cooking Club blog.
One word, well okay three words, and I quote, "This is delicious!" I am glad I made 1/2 the recipe because we would have eaten the whole pan. Was it the cream, the fontina cheese? I think this is going to be our 2nd favorite baked macaroni recipe. Sorry but my mom's will always be #1.

It was quick to prepare. I started preparing dinner at 6pm and by 7pm photos were taken and dinner was being served. The only change I made was using prosciutto instead of the boil ham, seriously boiled ham?

Ingredients
6 oz. wide egg noodles
1 1/4 milk (1%)
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1 cup grated fontina cheese
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
2 oz. prosciutto
1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter square Pyrex baking dish. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted butter until tender but firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Drain well (do not rinse).

Whisk milk, cream, flour, salt,and pepper in a bowl to blend. Stir in 1/2 cup fontina, 1/4 cup Parmesan, 1/4 mozzarella, the prosciutto and parsley. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Combine the remaining fontina, Parmesan, mozzarella in small bowl and toss to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the noodle mixture. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, about 15 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Did some test baking for next weeks Halloween party. Will not be using this recipe. Sorry Archie.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Sausage, Fontina and Bell Pepper Strata

I made this for the first time last May. The recipe was from Bon Appetit. I can not say much other than it was quite delicious.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Beef Rolls Roman Style

Involtini alla Romana from the Lazio region. Recipe from La Cucina. I had a vacation day today so I was able to "fuss" for dinner. It was fun cooking a full meal mid week. This was so delicious. The sauce smelled so good when I added the wine. And it seems like a long time since we had rice. I made Rice Select Jasmati, it is one of our favorites, after the Arborio.

For lunch I made a salad with Arugula, Tomato, Avocado, Olives, Roasted Cauliflower and Figs (from my dad's garden! They taste extra sweet this year).

Monday, October 18, 2010

Chunky Bean and Chicken Chili

Tonight's recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens All-Time Favorites 2010 Cookbook. I liked using chicken instead of beef. It was quick to make and the flavors were great. For the tortilla chips I used Food Should Taste Good Lime Tortilla Chips. Nice.
I did make a couple of alterations to the recipe, not a cilantro fan. Here is the recipe as I prepared it.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cup tortilla chips, crushed
2 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 lb. skinless chicken breast and 1/2 lb. chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces
1 can cannelini beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 0z. can reduced sodium chicken broth
2 oz. diced green chile pepper, undrained
1 1/2 cup shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
1 1/2 cup water
sliced scallions

In Dutch oven heat oil over medium high heat. Cook and stir chicken until brown. Stir in crushed tortilla chips, drained beans, broth, undrained chile peppers, 1 cup cheese and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve topped with sliced scallions and grated Pepper Jack Cheese.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Well the bread was good!

So they can't all be winners. Tonight's dinner was just alright. Made a soup with the leftover celery root. Let's just say it was not our cup of tea.

To go with the soup I made BLT's, well Bacon, Arugula and Tomato. Added some cheese and avocado to mine. The bread was rye bread that I made this morning. That was the highlight of the meal.
There's always tomorrow...

Friday, October 15, 2010

Shrimp and Beans, Gamberi Coi Fagioli

Tonight's recipe is from Giuliano Hazan's Every Night Italian. This is a wonderful cookbook. And this recipe is perfect. The shrimp and beans and bits of pancetta!

For a side dish I found a salad recipe on Food52. Celery Root & Rocket Salad with Lemon, Capers & Parmesan.


I had never purchased celery root before. I was surprised by what it looked like. It reminded me of a skull. But I loved the taste. It was a great salad.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Pizza!

Midweek treat... Pizza. I had some Red Pepper and Feta spread leftover that I put on a portion of the crust along with some goat cheese. Holy cow it was good. The rest of the pie was tomato and cheese.

Perfectly cooked crust.


Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Happy Anniversary!

19 years! We went to Friend's and Company for dinner. Talk about timing. The restaurant is celebrating their 30th anniversary. The special was 2 meal for $30! Wow.
We started with a couple of cocktails and some Crispy Shrimp. For dinner Chris had the Peppercorn Crusted Flank Steak. I had Pork Ossobucco. Both dishes were wonderful. As was the Black Cat Pinot Noir.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Vegetable Soup with Squash and Orzo

From La Cucina, Zuppa Di Legumi Con Zucca E Orzeto or Vegetable Soup with Squash and Barley. Well I did not have barley so I used Whole Wheat Orzo. This soup was delicious, even Chris agreed. Next time I will cut the squash in smaller pieces.

We had the rye bread I made this weekend too. Wow it was very good.
After dinner we had a surprise visitor...

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Steak with Dijon Mustard Sauce & Scones

Started today making some scones to bring to my sister's house. Apple Scones and Cinnamon Chip Scones. Both came out quite nicely.

For dinner we had Steak with a Dijon Mustard Sauce. Sides were grilled zucchini and roasted potatoes. Delicious.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Scalloppine All'Aceto Balsamico

Pork Cutlets with Balsamic Vinegar. This recipe is from the Emilia-Romagna region. I found the recipe while looking through La Cucina. It was fantastic. I usually make pork cutlets breaded and baked in the oven. Fuggedaboutit. The pork was so moist and the Balsamic gave it such a nice taste. It is the new way I will be preparing pork chops.

Ingredients
1 lb. pork cutlets
All-purpose flour for dredging
1/4 extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
salt

Method
Pound the pork cutlets to make them very thin, then flour them lightly. Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the pork, and brown on both sides. Salt and sprinkle with the balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately while the heat is still making the vinegar give off all its fragrance.

I enjoyed a glass of Rosso Piceno 2007 while making dinner. I love Saturday night dinners.

For a side dish I found this cute bottle of Couscous. I could not resist it.

Also picked up some Golden Beets. Decided to just roast them in olive oil, salt and pepper. Quite good!
Did a little baking today. I made those cookies. I added mini M&M's to the dough.

Then I baked off some rye bread that I started yesterday. Can't wait for that to show up on the blog.