Using a stockpot, saute 2 oz thick-cut bacon (cut into matchsticks) in a little olive oil until browned, then remove and set aside. Add 1 chopped onion, 4 cloves minced garlic, 5 sprigs thyme (leaves only), 2-3 minced sage leaves, and ¼ tsp crushed red pepper and sauté for a few minutes. Add 1 bunch… Continue reading Italian chick pea and swiss chard soup
Tag: italian
Barley pilaf with artichoke hearts and chick peas
We first tried this recipe in 2007 when our friend Sandhya served it at a party. The recipe is here: https://www.food.com/recipe/barley-pilaf-with-chickpeas-and-artichoke-hearts-301799 Our modifications: first, we halve the amount of marinated artichoke hearts (to a 6 oz jar), drain, and slice them vertically in half. Second, for the pesto, we prefer Safeway private label brand or… Continue reading Barley pilaf with artichoke hearts and chick peas
Italian-style eggs in a nest
I woke up with a sudden craving for this breakfast dish from a scene in the film, Moonstruck. It involves two components: marinara sauce and an egg fried in a slice of bread. First, the marinara sauce: I had to improvise here with whatever we had in our pantry and balcony garden. Heat olive oil in a… Continue reading Italian-style eggs in a nest
Italian rustic vegetable, sausage, and polenta soup
Saute 2 hot Italian chicken sausages (casings removed) with some olive oil in a large Dutch oven, breaking up into pieces. When sausage is browned, remove and set aside. Using the same pot, add 2 onions (chopped), minced garlic, several sprigs thyme, 4 sage leaves (julienned), and 2 carrots (chopped). Season with a little salt… Continue reading Italian rustic vegetable, sausage, and polenta soup
Italian caponata
In a wide, high-walled, and heavy skillet, heat ¼ cup olive oil on medium heat. Add one celery stalk (chopped) and sauté until crisp-tender. Fold in one medium eggplant (cubed), and saute until a little wilted (the eggplant will absorb most of the olive oil). Season with a little salt. Then add a chopped, seeded… Continue reading Italian caponata
Spaghetti with meatballs
This is one of my husband's favorite dishes, so I decided to try out a recipe. First, start the sauce: in a large Dutch oven, heat a little olive oil, then sauté 1 onion (chopped) and 4 cloves garlic (minced). When fragrant, add a 56 oz can of plum tomatoes and their juices pureed with… Continue reading Spaghetti with meatballs
Chicken saltimbocca
Cut 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 4 cutlets. Sprinkle lightly with salt, then place 3 fresh sage leaves on the top of each cutlet. Separately, line up 4 thin slices (2 oz total) of pancetta (or prosciutto de Parma) and slice in half, lengthwise. Wrap each chicken breast with 2 pancetta strips each, securing… Continue reading Chicken saltimbocca
Italian fish soup with vegetables and herbs (zuppa di mare agli odori)
This recipe is loosely based on a recipe from Zuppa by Anne Bianchi. Saute 2 chopped onions, 6 cloves minced garlic, and ½ lb chopped baby carrots. When wilted, add 3 Roma tomatoes (chopped into large chunks), several sprigs fresh thyme (leaves only), 1 sprig rosemary, a few sprigs sage, several sprigs chopped fennel fronds,… Continue reading Italian fish soup with vegetables and herbs (zuppa di mare agli odori)
Basil pesto pasta garnished with cherry tomatoes
The basil and tomatoes came from our balcony garden. Recipe from Ina Garten: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pesto-recipe.print.html#. This was my first time making pesto, and I loved Ina’s use of walnuts as well as pine nuts. (Oct. 2014)
Neapolitan vegetable soup (cianfotta)
After a day of gnoshing, we decided to try lighter fare for dinner. This recipe is loosely based on: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/vegetable-soup-in-the-style-of-naples-cianfotta-recipe.htm. We modified by adding thyme, sage, Italian parsley, and a dash each tomato paste and apple cider vinegar. This recipe is vegetarian, but here we used 4 cups of chicken broth instead of the 2… Continue reading Neapolitan vegetable soup (cianfotta)
Cooking Adventures 