Showing posts with label Italian Recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian Recipes. Show all posts

Friday, September 7, 2012

Cooking Italian Food At Home

Author: chefpaolo pala
Italian food is very vibrant, full of flavours, yet very simple. Italian food is quite popular in almost all parts of the world. Many people are of the notion that Italian food is only about pasta. However, the cuisine is more than just pasta; it is all about roasts, risotto, soups, preserves, sauces and more. Italian cooking follows the principle of cooking food fresh, using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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Monday, September 13, 2010

Three Easy Pasta Recipes

Author: Ana Maria Da Costa Vasconcellos

When I get home and have short time to prepare lunch, the quickest dish is always pasta. You can easily have a complete meal in 10 minutes (plus the time to boil the water).

Pasta is a genuine food, that mostly of the times contain only water and wheat flour, being safe for people of all ages. The difference is how we dress it. But following the rules of Mediterranean Diet, that combines vegetables with carbohydrates, if the right quantity of fat (good fat) is used, it can really be considered a high quality meal for all ages.

The number of calories of a pasta dish (not considering the dressing) is around 300 kcal. Plus the dressing it makes a complete meal for about 600kcal, that matches perfectly with a balanced and healthy diet.

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Saturday, September 11, 2010

Italian Risotto

Author: Ana Maria Da Costa Vasconcellos

The Italian risotto has become known as another Italian typical dish, even if rice isn't originally from Italy as pasta.

Rice is a cereal as corn or wheat, but less fat and is eaten by half world population. The Italian rice is appreciated for its high quality and today is widely exported as a gourmet product.

The Italian rice is classified in 4 groups, the COMMON rice (riso comune) has small and round grains and its cooking time is between 12 and 13 minutes. Ideal for broth or vegetables soups.

The HALF-THIN (semifino) type has round medium length grains. It takes a bit longer to cook (13 to 15 minutes) and are most used for antipasti, unique dishes, cold and warm.

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Thursday, September 9, 2010

How to make an authentic tomato sauce

Follow this video and learn how to make a true and genuine tomato sauce that goes with your homemade pasta.

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Simple Italian Mushroom Penne Pasta - Recipe

Author: shopzeus

Using your imagination
It is common for Italians to sit down to a large bowl of pasta for lunch or as a starter. For quick dinners or lunch, I enjoy mixing up various types of pasta dishes (I cannot make it long without a pasta fix). The recipe below has endless varieties. First try the recipe and then the next time you make it, add any number of other delights including sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, fresh mozzarella, meatballs or Italian sausage, etc.

Ingredients (4 to 5 servings):

  • 1 pound fresh button mushrooms sliced (could use portabella mushrooms)
  • ½ cup dry red wine
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pound penne (fresh if you can make or find it)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound grated parmesan cheese
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh basil (you can substitute an equal amount of dry if you don't have fresh)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh oregano (you can substitute an equal amount of dry if you don't have fresh)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

Rinse the mushrooms and place them in a frying pan. Add the wine and butter and cook on high until all the liquid is gone – about 20 minutes. Set them aside. Meanwhile, cook the penne in a Dutch oven containing a few quarts of boiling salt water for about 10 minutes. Drain through a colander once the penne has cooked and make sure most of the water is gone but the pasta is still hot. Put the pasta back in the Dutch oven along with the olive oil, parmesan, garlic, basil, oregano, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and mix. Now if you would like, try some of the other ingredients I mention in the introductory paragraph. My family and I will eat this as a main course for dinner sometimes we like it so much.
Enjoy.
mushroom_penne_pasta1822206266
Mushroom penne pasta

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/recipes-articles/simple-italian-mushroom-penne-pasta-recipe-2843957.html

About the Author

Jack Botticelli
You can read about the Simple Italian Mushroom Penne Pasta
You can read more Italian recipes here

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Saturday, August 14, 2010

Italian Dessert Cannoli Recipe

Author: Chef Shelley R. Pogue

Sicilians are supposed to have created this great dessert recipe, and I think that they are just delicious. I hope that this recipe is fairly easy to follow. You will need some type of dowel or metal tube that you will use to form out your cannoli shells. If you have a 3 ½ inch in diameter ring or even a 3 inch ring, you will need this to form the shape of your shells, also. You will also need a deep fryer, or a pan that is deep enough for these shells to float in oil.
Ingredients for Cannoli Shells:

3 Cups of unsifted flour
1/4 Teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon of salt
3 Tablespoon of granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tablespoon of firm butter cut into small cubes
1/4 Cup of a good Marsala wine
1-2 egg whites, whisked slightly

First thing is to sift the flour with salt, cinnamon, and granulated sugar. You will make a well in the center of your sifted flour mixture. In the middle of the well you have made you will add the egg and butter and start mixing with a fork. You will work the egg mixture with the fork from the center out, to incorporate the moist egg with the flour mixture. You will then add your Marsala wine slowly until dough begins to come together like a playdough mixture. You will then start working the dough with your hands to form the dough into a dough ball. You will then cover and let the dough rise for about 10-15 minutes.

If you have a stainless area to work on great, if not you will need a wooden cutting board. You will need to slightly dust the area you plan to work on with a small amount of flour. You will then roll out the dough into 1/4 inch thickness. You will then use your 3 ½ “rings and cut the cannoli shell circles. You will then use a rolling pin to roll the circles into oblongs or ovals. You will then take your dowels or tubes and wrap the dough around cannoli forms. You will then whisk your egg white, and seal your dough edges by using a brush or very clean hands if you have no brush. You will then roll up ever so slightly the ends so they will have a very faint lip or ring on the edge of the cooked product.

At some point when you are ready to get your shells into the oil to start cooking them you will heat your oil to around 350 degrees. Once it is at the proper temperature you will begin to fry two, or three at a time in “deep” hot fat for about 1 minute, or until lightly golden. Remove with tongs to paper towels to drain, you will then let cool for about 30 seconds to one minute and then slip out cannoli form, holding shell carefully so you will not break it. Cool shells before filling. Let them hang out while you will start to make your filling.

Ingredients for the Cannoli filling:

3 lb. ricotta cheese, that has had moisture removed
2 1/2 Cup of confectioners' sugar
1/4 Cup of semi-sweet chocolate pieces or grated sweet chocolate
1/4 Cupcandied cherries, finely chopped
1/2 Teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 Cup of chopped pistachio nuts
Confectioners' sugar to dust each of the finished Cannoli's maybe about 1/2 Cup

First thing you will want to do is take your ricotta and place into cheesecloth and wrap it into a ball and then you will tie a knot in the top part of the ball you have made. You will want to hold over night if possible to drain the water from the ricotta. If you have some way to hang the cheese ball in your refrigerator that would be best. You will need to have a bowl under the cheese to catch all of the moisture that will drain off of the ricotta. The shells that you have made will hole for a couple of days if you want to make these in stages. They are worth the wait, and the time taken to make these little delicacies.

First you will take the drained ricotta and get it into the bowl and work it for a minute or two to get it more pliable. You will gently start to combine the cheese, and the sugar into a mixing bowl, and fold in with a spatula until you obtain a light, airy blend of ingredients. You will start to fold in the minced candied fruit and the chocolate very gently. You will then start to spoon the cheese filling into a pastry bag, or a large Ziploc if you do not have a pastry bag. You will then twist the top into a knot to keep the filling from emerging, and fill each of the Cannoli shells, squirting the filling in from either end.

Once you have all of the shells filled you will dip the ends of the cannoli in the pistachios. You will then arrange all of the Cannoli’s on a platter, and sprinkle with a little powdered sugar, and they're ready. If you would like to garnish you can save some of the candied cherries and place them on the center of each Cannoli after the powdered sugar has been applied. Then serve, and enjoy.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/desserts-articles/italian-dessert-cannoli-recipe-376465.html

About the Author
Chef Shelley Pogue is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate from The Texas Culinary Academy located in Austin, Texas. Chef Pogue graduated with honors of cum laude with a GPA of 3.71. Shelley went to work for The Hills Fitness Center in Westlake Hills after graduation and stayed the for one year as the Executive Chef. She then left The Hills and went to work for a company Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA. Chef Pogue is currently developing sauces and meal concepts for large retail markets in the US. Chef Pogue lives in Austin, TX, and is also a personal chef and caterer, and also working on developing a recipe and cook book.

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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Tiramisu

Author: Clare Shipston
Serves approx 8
This is a recipe I was taught many years ago by an Italian lady Olga who I was an au pair for. She taught me many wonderful recipes but this is everyone’s favourite,

Tiramisu means 'Pick me up'

150g golden caster sugar
4 large free-range egg yolks
250g tub of mascarpone
300ml double cream
4 tablespoons of Marsala wine
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
500ml strong Italian coffee (cooled)
1 packet (24) sponge fingers
Cocoa

Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl until thick and light in colour.

In a separate bowl beat together the mascarpone and cream until thick, fold in the Marsala and vanilla extract.

Add the sugar and egg and mix well until smooth.

Take a 12” x 18” dish, spread a third of the mixture on the bottom,

Soak 12 of the sponge fingers in the coffee and arrange on top,

Spread another third of the mixture on top, soak the remaining 12 sponge fingers and arrange on top, finishing with the remaining third of the mixture.

Tap the dish to settle the contents

Sift over cocoa and chill for 2 hours at least.

Enjoy!

Clare Shipston has lived and worked in Italy for many years and now sell and rents Italian Properties
: Clare Shipston

target="_blank">http://www.italianproperties.org

Clare has worked and lived in Italy for many years, now using the skills acquired she has a website www.italianproperties.org selling and renting Italian Property including Golf apartments on the Italian Riviera.

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Friday, July 2, 2010

Popular Italian Dessert Recipes

Author: Claudia Palombo

Dessert is a part of any special meal.
Whether you are having a light lunch or a big dinner with friends and family over, having a dessert to top it all off is the key to a stunning evening.
There are many different Italian desserts that one may like to try out, but you should choose one that suits the occasion. It is also nice to take a dessert along to a dinner party.

You know it won't go to waste because everyone loves dessert and many people find it difficult to refuse something sweet. Even if you don't eat dessert or sweet things very often, your sweet tooth is sure to come out once in a while.

One great recipe is the Italian Dessert Crepes. These are easy to make and suit any occasion.

What you need in order to make this delicious dessert is:

  • 1 x small packet of cream cheese mixed with cottage cheese
  • 1 x teaspoon of vanilla
  • 1/4 cup of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of grated lemon peel
  • 1 cup whipped cream
  • 1/4 cup of raisins and chopped citron
  • 12 crepes
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped chocolate
Melt together sugar, butter and preserves of apricot, strawberry or raspberry. Then combine chocolate, cheese, vanilla, whipped cream, lemon peel, salt, citron and raisins. When you have mixed it well fill each one of the crepes with approximately one tablespoon of the mixture. Place them on a baking pan that is lightly buttered. Put in oven to keep warm. Sprinkle with sugar when done and brush lightly with melted butter. Serve immediately.

This dessert can accompany you to any party or dinner; it suits any occasion, including a home party.

Another popular Italian dessert recipes is the Italian Biscotti's. All you need to make this is:

  • 2 x packets of ready made pudding of your choice
  • 1 x packet of soft biscotti
  • 1 x small container of Cool Whip
Cut the biscottis lengthways and put them in a big enough dish. Pour a layer of pudding onto that. Exchange layers of both biscottis and pudding until there is no more. Spread the Cool Whip over the top and refrigerate before serving.

Italian desserts are well known in more places than Italy. They are very popular in most restaurants and in homes. Moms love to make desserts for their families, and there is nothing better than a lovely Italian dish to go with a Sunday lunch or a great family dinner.
Other popular desserts include Italian cream cake, strawberry tiramisu, Italian love cake, Danish apple dessert, biscuit tortoni and more. Some recipes are easy and can be made in thirty minutes, while others take a few hours to prepare and then should be left for 24 hours before being served.
Desserts can be made using different ingredients, so make sure that it contains nothing people you are serving may be allergic to. That's the perfect way to ruin a good evening filled with good food, so take precaution to avoid it!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/recipes-articles/popular-italian-dessert-recipes-1095635.html

About the Author
For tips on making easy, inexpensive, wholesome, old world Italian cuisine, visit www.flavorsandmemories.com Also learn to make flavorful Italian dessert recipes

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Monday, June 28, 2010

Delicious Italian Bread Recipes

Author: Claudia Palombo

One of the most overlooked parts of European cooking are the simple joys of a good loaf of bread.
Bread in North America is a bland thing, and real bakeries are usually a thing of the past. In countries like Italy, where food remains a craft, the humble loaf of bread is celebrated, and that loaf is not the "Italian bread" of the local supermarket.

Italy is a country that is well known for its grain and bread. Central Italy, with its Campanian Plain, is the best place for growing wheat in the Mediterranean World.
Long before pasta came along, a good loaf of bread was the cornerstone of the Italian diet, and sopping a good dish of seasoned olive oil up with bread is still a common, simple way to have a quick snack in Italy.
Most Italian bread recipes have olive oil and some form of herbs in them, so the variety is usually found in the subtleties.

The standard Italian Bread Recipe requires a standard 7-gram package of yeast, 2 teaspoons salt, 6.5 cups flour, and some olive oil. The yeast and salt are mixed together in a bowl with about 2.5 cups warm water.

Then the flour is added and thoroughly mixed. Once the dough is made to a consistent texture, move it to an oiled bowl, and coat the top with oil as well. Then let it rise. After about half an hour, return to spread flour across the counter, get out the rolling pin, and start kneading.

Once the dough has been thoroughly kneaded, it can be split in half, and shaped into a pair of loaves. Put them on an oiled cookie sheet, split the tops with a knife, and let them sit for another half hour to one hour.

Heat the oven to 375 (Degree)F and bake for 45 minutes. That is all it takes to make the classic farm-style rustic Italian bread. This is a recipe that opens itself up to a great deal of improvisation.
It can be bent towards the Italian Summer Bread recipe simply by adding a quarter cup of grated parmesan cheese, 2 gloves worth of grated garlic, and 2 tablespoons of chopped basil.

Italian flat bread uses the same basic recipe, with the only changes being that the yeast is reduced to 1/4 of the package, and the dough is spread out on the cookie sheets, and not formed into loaves.

These recipes can give an authentic Italian touch to any kitchen, and are a good introduction to the simple and easy pleasures of home baking.
Once you have baked a loaf of your own Italian bread, take it outside with a dish of olive oil and a nice bottle of Chianti, and see what you think.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/recipes-articles/delicious-italian-bread-recipes-1092193.html

About the Author
For tips on making easy, inexpensive, wholesome, old world Italian cuisine, visit www.flavorsandmemories.com
Learn to make bread using these authentic Italian bread recipes

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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Italian Dessert Cannoli Recipe

Author: Chef Shelley R. Pogue

Sicilians are supposed to have created this great dessert recipe, and I think that they are just delicious. I hope that this recipe is fairly easy to follow. You will need some type of dowel or metal tube that you will use to form out your cannoli shells. If you have a 3 ½ inch in diameter ring or even a 3 inch ring, you will need this to form the shape of your shells, also. You will also need a deep fryer, or a pan that is deep enough for these shells to float in oil.

Ingredients for Cannoli Shells:
3 Cups of unsifted flour
1/4 Teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon of salt
3 Tablespoon of granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tablespoon of firm butter cut into small cubes
1/4 Cup of a good Marsala wine
1-2 egg whites, whisked slightly

First thing is to sift the flour with salt, cinnamon, and granulated sugar. You will make a well in the center of your sifted flour mixture. In the middle of the well you have made you will add the egg and butter and start mixing with a fork. You will work the egg mixture with the fork from the center out, to incorporate the moist egg with the flour mixture. You will then add your Marsala wine slowly until dough begins to come together like a playdough mixture. You will then start working the dough with your hands to form the dough into a dough ball. You will then cover and let the dough rise for about 10-15 minutes.

If you have a stainless area to work on great, if not you will need a wooden cutting board. You will need to slightly dust the area you plan to work on with a small amount of flour. You will then roll out the dough into 1/4 inch thickness. You will then use your 3 ½ “rings and cut the cannoli shell circles. You will then use a rolling pin to roll the circles into oblongs or ovals. You will then take your dowels or tubes and wrap the dough around cannoli forms. You will then whisk your egg white, and seal your dough edges by using a brush or very clean hands if you have no brush. You will then roll up ever so slightly the ends so they will have a very faint lip or ring on the edge of the cooked product.

At some point when you are ready to get your shells into the oil to start cooking them you will heat your oil to around 350 degrees. Once it is at the proper temperature you will begin to fry two, or three at a time in “deep” hot fat for about 1 minute, or until lightly golden. Remove with tongs to paper towels to drain, you will then let cool for about 30 seconds to one minute and then slip out cannoli form, holding shell carefully so you will not break it. Cool shells before filling. Let them hang out while you will start to make your filling.

Ingredients for the Cannoli filling:

3 lb. ricotta cheese, that has had moisture removed
2 1/2 Cup of confectioners' sugar
1/4 Cup of semi-sweet chocolate pieces or grated sweet chocolate
1/4 Cupcandied cherries, finely chopped
1/2 Teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 Cup of chopped pistachio nuts
Confectioners' sugar to dust each of the finished Cannoli's maybe about 1/2 Cup

First thing you will want to do is take your ricotta and place into cheesecloth and wrap it into a ball and then you will tie a knot in the top part of the ball you have made. You will want to hold over night if possible to drain the water from the ricotta. If you have some way to hang the cheese ball in your refrigerator that would be best. You will need to have a bowl under the cheese to catch all of the moisture that will drain off of the ricotta. The shells that you have made will hole for a couple of days if you want to make these in stages. They are worth the wait, and the time taken to make these little delicacies.

First you will take the drained ricotta and get it into the bowl and work it for a minute or two to get it more pliable. You will gently start to combine the cheese, and the sugar into a mixing bowl, and fold in with a spatula until you obtain a light, airy blend of ingredients. You will start to fold in the minced candied fruit and the chocolate very gently. You will then start to spoon the cheese filling into a pastry bag, or a large Ziploc if you do not have a pastry bag. You will then twist the top into a knot to keep the filling from emerging, and fill each of the Cannoli shells, squirting the filling in from either end.

Once you have all of the shells filled you will dip the ends of the cannoli in the pistachios. You will then arrange all of the Cannoli’s on a platter, and sprinkle with a little powdered sugar, and they're ready. If you would like to garnish you can save some of the candied cherries and place them on the center of each Cannoli after the powdered sugar has been applied. Then serve, and enjoy.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/desserts-articles/italian-dessert-cannoli-recipe-376465.html

About the Author
Chef Shelley Pogue is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate from The Texas Culinary Academy located in Austin, Texas. Chef Pogue graduated with honors of cum laude with a GPA of 3.71. Shelley went to work for The Hills Fitness Center in Westlake Hills after graduation and stayed the for one year as the Executive Chef. She then left The Hills and went to work for a company Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA. Chef Pogue is currently developing sauces and meal concepts for large retail markets in the US. Chef Pogue lives in Austin, TX, and is also a personal chef and caterer, and also working on developing a recipe and cook book.

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Tagliatelle With Bolognese Sauce Recipe

By Fabio Rizzo
This article provides the recipe of tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, a typical Italian dish that is a tasty and complete meal.


We will not see only how to cook this first course but we will also give information about how many calories are contained in a dish of tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, why you should eat it if you are making a balanced diet, and when it is better to avoid it and how to make this dish more light and suited for people on a diet.

But let us see what ingredients you will need to prepare the tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce for 4 servings:
• 320g fresh egg pasta Tagliatelle
• 2oogr of minced meat
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 stalk celery
• 200gr of peeled, tomatoes
• 30g of extra virgin olive oil
• 30g Grana Padano cheese (Grana Padano)

Preparation
Fry over low heat the onion, carrot, celery with butter and extra virgin olive oil; then add the minced meat, salt and pepper and brown everything for a few minutes. Next, chop and add the tomatoes.
Cover and simmer for 3 hours; once the Bolognese sauce is ready, boil the Tagliatelle in salted water, drain and season with the Bolognese sauce, sprinkle the dish with Grana Padano cheese and serve.

The preparation time is 3 hours long due to the preparation of the meat sauce.
The options regarding the type of meat to use depends on personal preference. The use of veal gives the Bolognese sauce a more delicate taste; if you want a more intense flavor you should add chopped ham or bacon; or you can add chicken livers into the sauce to make it more tasty.
The dish now is ready; let's examine in detail the Tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce and how many calories a plate of Tagliatelle with this sauce has??
With the reported ingredients and a quantity of 320gr of pasta for 4 people we will have 500 calories per serving. Let's see in detail where these calories are: 295 are made from egg pasta, 70 from olive oil, 80 from the meal used for the sauce, 30 from grana and 25 from vegetables used to make the sauce.
Tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce is a complete meal that is recommended because of the high amount of iron and magnesium, and the principal vitamin B12. Be careful that if you eat this pasta as first course and then you eat a second dish, you will increase the amount of calories and protein. So after a plate of pasta with Bolognese sauce, it's better to match it with baked vegetables or a salad with orange juice.

If you want to cook a lighter recipe of pasta with meat sauce, we recommend to use lean meat such as beef. In fact, 200g of this meat provide about 220 calories, then 100 less than that provided by ground meat mixed of beef and pork.

Fabio Rizzo is the webmaster of a new price comparison service Priceandoffer: if you are an Uk merchant, you can insert your products FREE. If you want the recipe for an authentic Italian Sauce bolognese recipe, click here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fabio_Rizzo http://EzineArticles.com/?Tagliatelle-With-Bolognese-Sauce-Recipe&id=4205302

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Spaghetti Puttanesca - The Pasta With a Promiscuous Past

By Uma Wylde
Spaghetti Puttanesca gets its name from puttana, meaning prostitute. It originates from the Trastevere district, a picturesque but run down area of Rome. Legend has it, this particular pasta dish was a favourite amongst the prostitutes who loved its robust flavour and the fact it was very quick to make so wouldn't keep them from plying their trade.

Serving Size: 2 generous portions
Preparation and Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Effort Level: Dead easy
Shelf Life: 2 days in fridge. Doesn't freeze

Ingredients:
200g spaghetti
1 tbsp olive oil
400g chopped tomatoes
50g anchovy fillets in oil
pinch of chilli flakes
4 fat garlic cloves
12 black pitted olives
1 tbsp baby capers
Large handful fresh parsley
Salt and freshly milled pepper

Equipment:
large saucepan with lid
Frying pan
Colander
Chopping board and sharp knife
Tablespoon and teaspoon
1 small bowl for salad dressing
Small whisk for salad dressing
Salad bowl
Fork

Here's What You Do:
Fill the kettle with water, once boiled pour into a large saucepan and place over a high heat. Add salt and cover with a tight fitting lid.
When the lid starts to rattle, snap the spaghetti in half and add to the pan. Give it a good stir then replace the lid for 30 seconds to get the water bubbling again. Once the water is bubbling, remove the lid, stir the spaghetti then boil uncovered following the manufacturers instructions for the time needed to cook.
Meanwhile, roughly chop 4 cloves garlic and tip into a cold frying pan with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of chilli flakes. Add the anchovies including the oil and cook over a medium heat for 2 minutes or until they dissolve stirring occasionally.
Now add the can of chopped tomatoes. Increase to a high heat and leave to cook for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, drain 12 black olives and cut into quarters then add to the pan with 1 tbsp capers. Finely chop the parsley and add half to the sauce.
Drain the spaghetti when it's 'al dente' and stir into the sauce until coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning and sprinkle on the remaining parsley.
Serve.

Uma Wylde is a natural born cook. She specialises in creating stunning tastes. If you're having trouble getting food to taste the way you want it to or are just bored cooking the same old things, try following some of her carefully explained recipes at http://www.umawylde.com. Unlike traditional recipes, which often leave you dangling, hers show you how to bring the whole meal together, so everything turns out perfectly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Uma_Wylde
http://EzineArticles.com/?Spaghetti-Puttanesca---The-Pasta-With-a-Promiscuous-Past&id=4323889

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Thursday, May 6, 2010

Who has the Best Italian Recipes? - Italian grandmas of course!

Author: Vito Rago

In recent years, the fascination with cooking has created a proliferation of video programs that have raised the interest in nutrition to an entirely new level. Both on television and on the web we find countless programs dealing with cooking from many different angles: ethnic cooking, dietary cooking, celebrity cooking, etc.

A new cooking show, Cooking with Nonna, brings to the public yet another facet of the cooking experience. It is a fact that many of the most original Italian recipes around the world are not necessarily held by the professional chefs that we find in the many restaurants around the world or in the now very popular celebrity cooking shows.

After all, they learned their trade either from a culinary school or by working side by side with an established chef. In reality however, the ones that indeed hold the secrets to the most original and best Italian recipes are the Italian grandmothers.

For centuries, they have passed down the secrets of fine cuisine in any number of cultures. They painstakingly honed their craft by preparing day in and day out, a small set of simple but hearty recipes, but which they mastered to the perfection by following the secrets passed on to them by their mothers using the most authentic ingredients particular to the region that they came from.

This show provides a forum to the Italian grandmothers of the world to document their special recipes by appearing on the show and share with everyone their secrets and traditional way of preparing their favorite Italian regional dishes.
The show is hosted by Rossella Rago, a young aspiring actress with both entertainment talents and a passion for cooking and nutrition.

Each show features a grandmother representing a region of Italy, which guided by Rossella, prepares the dishes that are traditional of the city or region that she is from and that she is most expert in.

Typically, a grandmother will prepare any type of recipes: Italian pasta recipes, Italian fish recipes, Italian chicken recipes, italian meat recipes, Italian dessert recipes, Italian vegetarian recipes, etc.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/recipes-articles/who-has-the-best-italian-recipes-italian-grandmas-of-course-1091433.html

About the Author
Passionate about Italian food and Executive Producer of the Cooking with Nonna Food Channel.

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

How to make homemade gnocchi with gorgonzola

Learn how to make your own gnocchi - the traditional italian gnocchi from northern Italy, which is made from cooked potatoes.



Find the recipe on - http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/512898

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Friday, April 16, 2010

Classic and Traditional Italian Meatball Recipe

Author: mark collier

This recipe is perfect for kids but they also love making them.

Ingredients:
1 lb Spaghetti
½ Red Onion, Chopped
1½ Garlic Cloves
1 Sprig each Rosemary & Thyme
2 lbs Ground Beef (85% Lean)
2 Cups Bread Crumbs
1 Cup Milk
Salt & Pepper
3 tbsp Olive Oil
2 lbs Good Quality Canned Tomatoes
2 tsp Tomato Paste
1 tbsp Sugar
1 Cup Beef Stock
20 Fresh Basil Leaves
4 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

Method:
Start by placing a large pot of water on to boil with a generous amount of salt;
Chop the red onion and garlic into a small dice, keep half of these for later in the recipe;
Chop the rosemary and thyme leaves coarsely and add to half of the onions and garlic;
Combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a small bowl;
Combine the onion, garlic, rosemary and thyme mixture with the soaked breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and the minced meat in a large bowl. Mix very thoroughly until the mixture is evenly incorporated;
Using your hands grab a small piece of mince at a time and form small meatballs;
Place a deep frying pan on a medium heat and add the olive oil. When the pan warms up add the meatballs and brown for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown in color all over. Remove the meatballs from the pan and place on a plate and set aside;
Return the pan to the heat and add the remaining sliced onions and the other half of the garlic and sauté lightly for 2 minutes until they are soft and translucent but have not taken on any color;
Add the chopped tomatoes to the frying pan and mix together with a spoon or spatula. Simmer the mixture for 25 minutes on a very low heat;
Using a stick blender or food processor blend the tomato mixture together adding a little bit of sugar, tomato puree and some fresh beef stock until it is smooth;
Return the sauce to the pan and carefully place the meatballs into the sauce and place on a low heat to simmer for a further 20 minutes;
As the meatballs simmer add the pasta to the rapidly boiling water and stir every 3 minutes to ensure that the pasta doesn't stick together;
When the pasta is cooked strain and serve family style tossed with olive oil in a large bowl;
Shred some basil leaves into the tomato sauce and spoon the meatballs and sauce over the pasta;
Chow down!

Look at the original recipe along with a video at http://groundbeefrecipes.biz/Meatballs recipes/meatballsrecipe.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/recipes-articles/classic-and-traditional-italian-meatball-recipe-1672158.html

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Monday, April 5, 2010

Home Made Spinach Pancetta And Riccota Cannelloni

Serves 4

Ingredients.

Pasta
- 250g strong flour
- 1 large egg
- 2 egg yolks
- 2tsp olive oil
- 1/2tsp salt
- 1tbsp water

Filling
- 300g ricotta
- 200g pancetta diced finely
- 150g baby spinach shredded lightly cooked in water and squeezed dry.
- salt and pepper to taste.

Salsa di Pomodori (tomato sauce)
- 25g fresh basil
- tbsp dried basil
- tbsp tomato puree
- 500ml weak veg stock
- 1 tin of chopped plum tomatoes
- 1 jar sun blushed tomatoes in brine (super markets will do them)
- 1/2 white onion finely sliced
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- 25ml olive oil
- tsp sugar
- salt & pepper to taste

Besciamella (white sauce)
- 40g butter
- 40g plain flour
- 600ml milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- pinch of grated nutmeg
50g Parmesan for topping the dish

Method
To make the pasta you will need to either make it by hand or in a mixer, the latter being the fastest. Basically for the latter place all pasta ingredients into mix and blitz for around 3Min's until a coarse breadcrumb effect is achieved tip onto lightly floured surface and work it together with your hands bringing all the mix into one ball.

Knead the pasta until it becomes smooth and elastic. Usually around 6Min's
To do this by hand pour flour onto work surface with the sugar make a well in the centre pour the eggs into the centre with water and oil. bring the flour around it into the liquid mixture and slowly work all the flour into the mixture until a ball is achieved and no flour remains. work this pasta by kneading it for 5-8 Min's until elastic and smooth.

Either way you do it the same desired result is achieved. Personally if i had the time i would do the latter for more authenticity. Wrap the pasta in clingfilm and refrigerate for 1hr.
Meanwhile you will need to make a start on the tomato sauce, roughly chop your onion, and gently fry in a tsp of olive oil. and finely chopped garlic. Cook for around 5mins on a low heat stirring frequently.
Add your stock tomatoes, puree, herbs and sunblushed tomatoes. Bring to the boil and add sugar.
Continue to simmer on a medium heat for an hour. Make sure before taking off the heat the volume has reduced by 2/3.

Fry Pancetta in a pan until it is crisp, mix in with ricotta and spinach lightly season and refrigerate for 30mins
To make the white sauce melt butter in a saucepan and add flour. Cook on a low heat for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add milk small amounts at a time stirring to ensure no lumps remain. Gradually and larger amounts of milk continue to stir and bring to the boil. Add nutmeg and seasoning.
Once the pasta has been refrigerated place on lightly floured surface and knead for two minutes. Divide in two equal size pieces.

Roll out into a 1mm thick large rectangle, if you are using a rolling pin it will take a while.
Cut into 3" x 5" rectangles fill the centre of each rectangle with the riccota mixture. Do not overfill cannelloni. Lighlty brush the edges with water and roll the rectangles up so to incase the mixture. Do not apply to much pressure or the mixture maybe forced out the ends. You should be able to get 12 tubes out of the pasta recipe.

Once both lots of pasta have been filled place a small amount of tomato sauce in the base of four small, oval earthenware or oven proof dishes. Divide cannelloni between dishes and top with remainder of the tomato sauce.

Top this with the white sauce and then sprinkle generously with parmesan and bake for 35mins on 190*c
Serve with ciabatta bread

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pasta-dishes-articles/home-made-spinach-pancetta-and-riccota-cannelloni-821086.html

About the Author

Authentic Italian cooking

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Monday, March 22, 2010

Salsiccia - the italian sausage

The italian sausage - salsiccia, originates from the region of Basilicata in southern Italy.

Today the salsiccia is used in the italian kitchen in every part of Italy, and it is a bit difficult to determine how it got this far around but probably tradesmen brought the sausage with them to other parts of the country where they were adopted in the regional kitchen recipes.

The salsiccia is made of minced pork, low-fat with small bits of fat and only added a bit of salt and pepper to flavour the sausage.

You can find different types of salsiccia with additional flavours, like for example peperoncino, redwine, smoked flavour, fennel or parsley. They come in a wide range of different shapes - long or short, and different tastes.

The salsiccia is in summertime a well used ingredient for a nice dinner on the grill, in pasta-dishes, with vegetables or in a nice risotto.

Try this recipe for risotto with redwine and salsiccia:
 Serves 4

350 gr risottorice, like Arborio
250 gr salsiccia, skinned
1 onion, chopped
40 gr butter
1 glass of redwine
6 cups of meat stock
4 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the chopped onion and crumbled sausage. Cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionaly.

Stir in the rice and let the rice get coated in the butter. Add the glass of redwine and let it evaporate.

Add the warm stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is tender and cooked.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and a tablespoon of butter.

Leave to rest for about 2 minutes.

Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Italian Food Recipes

Author: Giammarco Schisani

Italian food is famous throughout the world for being healthy, delicious and easy to prepare. Catering for a variety of tastes, famous Italian food includes pizza, pasta dishes with a variety of sauces as well as a variety of red meat dishes. Whatever your preferences, you can be sure to find a great Italian dish that you will love.

Mushroom Pesto Lasagna

This is a great dish to allow vegetarians to have a taste of Italy! For best results you should make with fresh egg pasta rather than using dried lasagna noodles. This can be served along with parmesan cheese for best results.

Shrimp Scampi

Getting this recipe right involves cooking the scampi to perfection. This recipe is great with garlic and butter, while serving crusty bread alongside it will ensure that diners have an opportunity to sop up any residual sauce.

Fish Soup with Gremolata

This can be found in different forms and with different regional takes throughout Italy. The seafood you decide to use can vary based on the preferences of the diner, and what is available for you to use at a given time. Usually cooked in white wine, this dish was originates from the Adriatic coast where it first became popular decades ago.

Chicken Scarpariello

This is a dish which is often referred to as being Italian American, translating as shoemakers chicken, the dish comprises of chicken in a lemon sauce. The chicken should be cooked until golden brown and the meal should be served alongside a dry white wine.

Chicken Marsala
This is a unique dish because it looks so elegant that it is suitable for the most sophisticated of occasions, however it is so easy to prepare. The dish is healthy because it is does not use much oil, and the chicken is usually served in a bed of flavored herb rice, alternatively it can also be served alongside potatoes.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

The trick to perfecting this recipe is to use the best possible ingredients you can find and take advantage of them. The quality of chopped tomatoes that you use can really make or break this dish. If you are making the meatballs then you could either opt for beef and veal or beef and turkey; they are probably the most suited to the sauce.

Beef Carpaccio

This dish consists of thin slices of raw beef and is generally served as an appetizer or a starter. The dish was originally conceived in Harry's Bar in Venice where it has since became popular throughout the world. The variations between Arugula Leaves, lemon wedges and raw beef make the taste so unique.

Zuppa Toscana

This dish consists of turkey sausage, onions, bacon and potatoes. Although not an overly healthy recipe, that does not stop thousands of people around the world naming it their favorite Italian dish of all time. A great aspect of this dish is that it can really be tailored to anyone’s taste, such as changing the ratio of Chicken Broth and heavy cream – or alternatively including or leaving out certain meats.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/italian-food-recipes-146708.html

About the Author

Giammarco Schisani, a proficient writer, writes for strenafoods.com. Supplementary editorials that were written by Giammarco Schisani about Italian Food and Italian Food Production and Distribution are accessible on the internet.

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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Mia Cucina Pazzo - Rigatoni with Sausage Cream Sauce

Author: Phillip J. Speciale

I enjoy Italian food to much. If I’m not cooking and eating Italian food, I’m writing about it. Over the years I have created and recreated some great dishes in ’’My Crazy Kitchen” and through trial and error have developed some pretty good dishes.

Pasta has always been a family favorite. It’s economical, very easy to make and seems to get everybody’s attention. Nothing brings a family together like a great pasta dish. Over the years I’ve been asked on many occasions what my favorite pasta dish was besides the traditional spaghetti and meatballs.

Unfortunately I have cravings for any pasta recipe that contains butter, cream and parmesan cheese. I know it’s not very healthy but it’s so good. Pasta recipes like Fettuccine Alfredo or Spaghetti Carbonara are definitely top on my list.


But my absolute favorite cream sauce recipe has to be this Rigatoni with Sausage Cream Sauce. While writing my book “Mia Cucina Pazzo”, I had to include this recipe among the other nineteen pasta dishes in the book. It’s rich and creamy and full of calories so you shouldn’t make this dish very often even though you’ll want to.

The other recipes in “Mia Cucina Pazzo” include some great seafood, beef, veal and chicken dishes that are a lot healthier for you. But, just for the experience you should at least try this recipe once. Just use a little self control and you should be okay.

When I make this recipe I use my homemade Italian sausage but your favorite sausage will work just fine.

Rigatoni with Sausage Cream Sauce

INGREDIENTS

1 pound of Rigatoni
1 pound of sausage, casing removed
2 Tbls of butter
1 bunch of long green onions, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
5 baby portabella mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup of white wine
1/2 cup of chicken broth
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup of fresh chopped Italian parsley

PREPARATION

Sauté the sausage in a separate pan breaking it up into little pieces..
Drain on a paper towel and set aside.
In a large skillet sauté the onions and garlic in the butter for around 2 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and sauté for another 2 minutes.
Stir in cooked sausage.
Deglaze the pan with the white wine.
Add the chicken broth and the cream and cook until bubbly.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
In 6 quarts of rapidly boiling water cook the pasta until al dente. About 10 to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley on top.

NOTE: Drain the pasta and toss in the cream sauce.

NOTE: If you fit in any of your clothes after this dish then you’ve prepared it wrong.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as I do. I’ll try to be more health conscious in the future. If I could just stay away form all that great tasting Italian bread that you have to have with any Italian dish. It’s the law.

Enjoy!
Mangia Italiano

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pasta-dishes-articles/mia-cucina-pazzo-rigatoni-with-sausage-cream-sauce-1385243.html

About the Author

Phil has been cooking and creating Italian dishes ever since the age of ten. His passion and love for Italian food is never ending. You can grab a copy of "Mia Cucina Pazzo" at http://www.miacucinapazzo.com for more family favorites.

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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Pappardelle with meat and speck

Serves 4

320 g pappardelle
200 g minced beaf
100 g speck in pieces
1/2 carrot
1/2 onion
1/2 celery stalk
2 leaves of bay leaf
1/2 glass of redwine
400 ml of tomato-puré
Parsley
40 g of butter
Oliveoil
Salt and pepper

Prepare the carrot, onion and celery, and cut in small pieces.

Heat olive-oil and butter in a skillet, add the vegetables and bay leaves.

When the onion is golden, add the speck and minced beaf, and cook for a few minutes on medium heat.

Add the redwine, and let evaporate. Add the tomato-puré, salt and pepper, cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile cook the pappardelle in plenty of salted boiling water.

Just before serving, add the ragu to the pappardelle.

Serve with grated parmesan-cheese.

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