Category: Italy

Italian Pasta Salad

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 Italian Pasta Salad
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Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Passive Time 2 hours
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Passive Time 2 hours
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
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Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain water and rinse pasta with cold water. Allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes.
  2. Add pasta to a large bowl and pour half of the salad dressing over it. Toss to combine. Add remaining ingredients and dressing and toss everything to combine.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or longer, before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
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Nutrition Facts
Italian Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 290 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 23mg 8%
Sodium 630mg 26%
Potassium 101mg 3%
Total Carbohydrates 27g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 4g
Protein 12g 24%
Vitamin A 7%
Vitamin C 10%
Calcium 20%
Iron 8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Lower Fat Baked Meatballs

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 Lower Fat Baked Meatballs
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Servings
meatballs
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Servings
meatballs
Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray, or even better, put a wire rack over the foil.
  2. Mix all ingredients together until well blended.
  3. Portion the meat out into 1 1/2 oz portions, then roll into balls. Spread evenly on baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 17 minutes or until cooked through.
  5. Note: These are kind of big, try 1 oz meatballs, cook for about 12 minutes.
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Nutrition Facts
Lower Fat Baked Meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 102 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 0.1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 44mg 15%
Sodium 226mg 9%
Potassium 139mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g 2%
Sugars 0.4g
Protein 11g 22%
Vitamin A 1%
Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 9%
Iron 7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Quick & Easy Marinara Sauce

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 Quick & Easy Marinara Sauce
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Course Condiment
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course Condiment
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Servings
servings
Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Dump it all in a sauce pan, heat to a simmer, stirring frequently. Give the seasonings a half hour or more to cook together, then taste and add more of whatever as needed. Just remember - Oregano gets stronger as it cooks, so you need to have plenty of time to let it cook and release the oils, or you can easily get too much!
  2. If you want - I do - use a blender or hand mixer to smooth out the sauce a bit.
Recipe Notes

Each serving is ~1/2 C.

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Nutrition Facts
Quick & Easy Marinara Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 47 Calories from Fat 1
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.1g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.03g 0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.02g
Sodium 349mg 15%
Potassium 414mg 12%
Total Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 5g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin A 10%
Vitamin C 16%
Calcium 1%
Iron 8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Four-Cheese Stuffed Manicotti

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 Four-Cheese Stuffed Manicotti
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 70 minutes
Cook Time 30-35 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 70 minutes
Cook Time 30-35 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until still firm, about 4-6 minutes. Drain and transfer to a lightly oiled rimmed baking sheet.
  2. Meanwhile, melt remaining 4 Tbsp. butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until foamy and nutty smelling, 1–2 minutes. Whisking constantly, gradually add milk and bring to a simmer. Cook, whisking often, until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/3 cup Parmesan and 1/3 cup Pecorino; season with 1/2 tsp. salt and remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper.
  3. Mix ricotta, mozzarella, shallot, egg, 1/3 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup basil, and remaining 1/3 cup Pecorino and 1/2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
  4. Spoon ricotta mixture into manicotti noodles at both ends. Spread half of tomato sauce then half of cheese sauce (keep them separate but they'll meld together) on bottom of a 13x9" or other 3-qt. baking dish. Arrange manicotti over, then top with remaining tomato sauce, cheese sauce, and 1/3 cup Parmesan. Bake manicotti until bubbling and lightly browned on top, 30–35 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Top with remaining 1/4 cup basil and serve.
Recipe Notes

I am going to try just half the recipe, and I am also going to cook 1/2 lb. of Italian sausage to add to my sauce before I put it in the oven.

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Ravioli Dough

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 Ravioli Dough
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings
Ingredients
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
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Instructions
  1. In an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour and salt. Add eggs 1 at a time and continue to mix. Drizzle in oil and continue to incorporate all the flour until it forms a ball. Sprinkle some flour on work surface, knead the dough until elastic and smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax.
  2. *Alternatively if you don’t have an electric mixer: Combine the flour and salt on a flat work surface; shape into a mound and make a well in the center. Add the eggs and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to the well and lightly beat with a fork. Gradually draw in the flour from the inside wall of the well in a circular motion. Use 1 hand for mixing and the other to protect the outer wall. Continue to incorporate all the flour until it forms a ball. Continue as directed above.
  3. Cut the ball of dough in half, cover and reserve the dough you are not immediately using to prevent it from drying out. Dust the counter and dough with flour. Form the dough into a rectangle and roll it through the pasta machine, 2 or 3 times, at its widest setting. Guide the sheet of dough with the palm of your hand as it emerges from the rollers. *Reduce the setting and crank the dough through again, 2 or 3 times. Continue until the machine is at its narrowest setting. The dough should be paper-thin, about 1/8-inch thick.
  4. Dust the counter and dough with flour, lay out the long sheet of pasta. Brush the top surface of dough with egg wash. Drop 1 tablespoon of cooled filling about 2-inches apart on half the sheet of pasta. Fold the unfilled half over the filling. With an espresso cup or fingers, gently press out air pockets around each mound of filling and form a seal. Use a crimper to cut each pillow into squares. Check to make sure the crimped edges are well sealed before cooking. If making ravioli in advance, dust with cornmeal to prevent them from sticking.
  5. Cook the ravioli in plenty of boiling salted water for 10 to15 minutes. Ravioli will float to the top when cooked so be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Lift the ravioli from water with a large strainer or slotted spoon. Plate the pasta, top with sauce and grated cheese before serving. Garnish plate with chopped herbs and toasted pine nuts.
  6. *For Herb-Patterned Pasta: Follow the standard recipe given above and roll it out to a medium-thick sheet. Next, take well-washed leafy herbs such as, basil, flat-leaf parsley and tarragon, pinch away the stems so only the leaves remain. Hand press the fresh herbs on the dough’s surface at 1-inch intervals. Fold the dough over itself and run the “sandwich” through the pasta machine at a thin setting. The leaves will stretch and pattern the pasta. Continue making ravioli as indicated in the procedure.
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Alfredo Sauce

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 Alfredo Sauce
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Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
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Instructions
  1. Melt butter in medium saucepan with olive oil over medium/low heat.
  2. Add the garlic, cream, white pepper and bring mixture to a simmer. Stir often.
  3. Add the Parmesan cheese and simmer sauce for 8-10 minutes or until sauce has thickened and is smooth.
  4. When sauce has thickened add the Mozzarella cheese and stir until smooth. STIR FREQUENTLY.
  5. While the sauce cooks, boil noodles for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Place pasta on serving plates and spoon sauce over pasta.
Recipe Notes

This tasted really good, but the Parmesan cheese never really melted, so it had a grainy, gritty kind of texture.  Maybe try finely shredded Parmesan cheese instead.

Nutrition Facts
Alfredo Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 604 Calories from Fat 459
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 51g 78%
Saturated Fat 30g 150%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 159mg 53%
Sodium 647mg 27%
Potassium 85mg 2%
Total Carbohydrates 21g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 0.4g
Protein 20g 40%
Vitamin A 31%
Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 72%
Iron 4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Posted on

Zeppole

Epicurious  | January 2011

by Chef Melissa Kelly

Primo, Orlando, Florida

Yield: Makes 36 zeppole

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons table salt
  • 2 cups bread flour
  • 7 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Canola oil, for frying

Preparation

In a large saucepan over moderate heat, combine 2 cups water with the butter, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and the salt. Cook until the butter and sugar are melted, about 2 minutes. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 seconds, then remove from the heat. Stir in the flour then place over low heat, and using a wooden spoon, beat constantly until the dough is stiff, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and let cool for 4 minutes.

Transfer the batter to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, and let the dough sit for 2 minutes. Turn the mixer on low and add the eggs, one at a time, until the batter is thick and ribbonlike (the dough should be the temperature of lukewarm water). Cover with plastic wrap and let the batter cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon and set aside.

Line a baking sheet with 2 layers of paper towels.

Using a deep-fat fryer (or a heavy large pot and a deep-fat thermometer), heat the oil until it reaches 350°F. Working in 3 batches, carefully scoop 12 individual tablespoons of batter into the hot oil. Fry the zeppoles until golden brown, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer as done to the prepared baking sheet and return oil to 350°F between batches.

Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture and serve immediately.

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Turkey & Pesto Ravioli with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:
6 oz (175 g) 93% lean ground turkey
1½ cups (375 mL) loosely packed fresh basil leaves
½ cup (125 mL) loosely packed fresh parsley
5 garlic cloves, peeled, divided
3 shallots, divided
1½ cups (375 mL) plus 2 tbsp (30 mL)
unsalted chicken stock, divided
½ oz (15 mL) Parmesan cheese, grated
¼ cup (50 mL) mascarpone cheese, divided
½ tsp (2 mL) coarsely ground black pepper, divided
24 round wonton wrappers
½ cup (125 mL) dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc
2 cups (500 mL) grape tomatoes
2 tsp (10 mL) sugar
Shaved Parmesan cheese and thinly sliced fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. For ravioli, place turkey in Classic Batter Bowl; microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 3–4 minutes or until no longer pink. Break up turkey using Mix ‘N Chop. Drain well and return to batter bowl. Place basil, parsley, two of the garlic cloves, one of the shallots and 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the stock in Manual Food Processor; cover and pump handle until finely chopped. Add herb mixture,
Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the mascarpone cheese and ¼ tsp (1 mL) of the black pepper to turkey; mix well.
2. Place 12 wonton wrappers on flat side of Large Grooved Cutting Board. Using level Medium Scoop, scoop turkey mixture onto centers of wrappers; lightly brush edges with water. Place remaining wrappers over filling, pressing around filling. Using rounded edge of (2 ½-in./6-cm) Biscuit Cutter, press around filling to seal firmly.
3. Finely chop remaining shallots using Food Chopper. Spray (12-in./30-cm) Skillet with olive oil using Kitchen Spritzer. Add remaining shallots and remaining garlic pressed with Garlic Press; cook and stir over medium heat 60–90 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in wine; cook 1 minute. Add
remaining 1½ cups (375 mL) stock, tomatoes and sugar; cook, covered, 3–4 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst. Crush tomatoes with Mix ‘N Chop. Stir in remaining mascarpone and black pepper. Add ravioli to Skillet; cook, covered, 3–4 minutes or until tender, gently swirling Skillet to coat ravioli with sauce. Garnish with additional Parmesan and basil, if desired. Serve  immediately.
Yield: 4 servings

Posted on

Spinach & Cheese-Stuffed Manicotti

Ingredients:
2 medium carrots, peeled (2/3 cup finely chopped)
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (4 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning Mix
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 jar (24-28 oz) spaghetti or marinara sauce
2 can (14.5 oz) Italian-seasoned petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
12 uncooked manicotti noodles
1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:
1.  Finely chop carrots using Food Chopper. In Classic Batter Bowl, combine carrots, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, spinach, seasoning mix and garlic pressed with Garlic Press; mix well. Spoon cheese mixture into a large resealable plastic bag; trim ¾ in. off corner with Professional Shears.
2.  Combine spaghetti sauce, tomatoes and water in Stainless (2-qt.) Mixing Bowl; stir. Spread ¼ cup of the sauce over bottom of Deep Covered Baker. Pipe filling into uncooked manicotti noodles. Arrange eight manicotti in bottom of baker. Top with half of the remaining sauce. Layer remaining manicotti in baker. Pour remaining sauce over top.
3.  Microwave, covered, on HIGH 27-30 minutes or until noodles are tender. Remove from microwave; let stand 10 minutes. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Yield: 6 servings

Posted on

Spaghetti alla Carbonara Recipe

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes

This recipe uses raw eggs, which are essentially cooked by tossing with hot pasta. They are not cooked to the point of scrambled though, just enough to thicken the eggs into a sauce. The garlic is optional. It is not traditionally included in spaghetti alla carbonara, but I like the addition of it, so it’s in my version.

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1/2 pound pancetta or thick cut bacon, diced
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, minced, about 1 teaspoon (optional)
  • 3-4 whole eggs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
  • 1 pound spaghetti pasta (or bucatini or fettuccine)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

1 Put a large pot of salted water on to boil (1 Tbsp salt for every 2 quarts of water.)

2 While the water is coming to a boil, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the bacon or pancetta and cook slowly until crispy. Add the garlic (if using) and cook another minute, then turn off the heat and put the pancetta and garlic into a large bowl.

3 In a small bowl, beat the eggs and mix in about half of the cheese.

4 Once the water has reached a rolling boil, add the pasta, and cook, uncovered, at a rolling boil. When the pasta is al dente (still a little firm, not mushy), use tongs to move it to the bowl with the bacon and garlic. Move the pasta from the pot to the bowl quickly, as you want the pasta to be hot. It’s the heat of the pasta that will heat the eggs sufficiently to create a creamy sauce. Toss everything to combine, then add the beaten eggs with cheese and toss quickly to combine once more. Add salt to taste.

Serve at once with the rest of the parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

If you want, sprinkle with a little fresh chopped parsley.

Yield: Serves 4-6.