We tried this recipe with Sicilian flavors, and it was delicious. https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pasta-roasted-cauliflower-and-crispy-capers Because its flavor base includes anchovy filets in addition to lemon zest, capers, and pecorino, this recipe is not vegetarian. (Dec. 2022) Note: Instead of 4 anchovy filets, you can use 2 tsp anchovy paste (1/2 tsp paste = 1 filet).
Tag: italian
Swiss chard and chickpea minestrone soup
We had a craving for a plant-forward soup with Swiss chard, and we tried this recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013539-swiss-chard-and-chickpea-minestrone?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share The parmesan rind is essential. For the 1/2 cup of soup pasta, we used ditalini. Our minor modifications: first, we did not de-stem the chard; we love its crunchy texture and tartness. Instead, we used slightly more than… Continue reading Swiss chard and chickpea minestrone soup
Roasted eggplant pasta
We had one medium eggplant and one zucchini, so we tried this recipe: https://asimplepalate.com/blog/roasted-eggplant-pasta/ We cut the eggplant and zucchini into 1" dice, then separately tossed in enough canola to coat, and placed on separate baking sheets (because zucchini leaks more liquid). We roasted at 450 for 20 mins, tossing midway (and we broiled the… Continue reading Roasted eggplant pasta
Low-fat parmesan sauce
We searched for a low-fat alternative to parmesan sauce: https://www.modernhoney.com/skinny-fettuccine-alfredo/ We used this as the parmesan sauce topping for baked pasta with store-bought marinara sauce. (May 2022)
Baked pasta with store-bought marinara
We tried this recipe: https://www.seriouseats.com/best-baked-ziti-parmesan-cream-recipe Our modifications: first, we used 1 lb (not 1.5 lb) whole wheat penne, 24 oz Rao's marinara sauce mixed with 8 oz no-salt tomato sauce, 8 oz shredded low-fat mozzarella, and 4 oz diced Monterey Jack cheese. Finding the parmesan sauce too fatty (heavy cream + parmesan), we tried a… Continue reading Baked pasta with store-bought marinara
Quick bolognese with store-bought marinara
We found this recipe that uses store-bought marinara as a base: https://themodernproper.com/easy-bolognese Our modifications: first, for meat we used 1 lb minced beef and 1 lb minced chicken. We also used 24 oz Rao's marinara sauce. Second, instead of heavy cream, we added 2 Tbsp unsalted butter at the end. Finally, we found the sauce… Continue reading Quick bolognese with store-bought marinara
Italian fish stew of the Marchi region (brodetto di pesce alla marchigiana)
We tried this recipe: https://apple.news/AabuGzchZTMSBAZBSggJ4kg Based on our local supermarket, we couldn't find fresh halibut or similar fish, so we used 1.5 lb cod fillet and 1 lb catfish fillet. The cod worked really well, but the catfish wasn't as compelling. We skipped the squid and added 7 jumbo shrimp (shelled). This was very tasty.… Continue reading Italian fish stew of the Marchi region (brodetto di pesce alla marchigiana)
Mushroom meatballs
We tried this vegetarian recipe involving cremini mushrooms and bulgur wheat: https://kitchenconfidante.com/mushroom-meatballs. We followed the recipe exactly but found the final meatballs a little mushy; perhaps we should have baked at 400 for more than 15 mins. The next time, we may cool the mushroom bulgur mixture in a fine strainer and let sit until… Continue reading Mushroom meatballs
Italian-style farro and cauliflower casserole
We tried this recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022682-farro-and-cauliflower-parmesan?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Our modifications: first, we increased the cauliflower to a full head, which we cut into medium florets, dried with paper towels, tossed with 2 tsp canola oil, salt, and black pepper, then oven-roasted at 425 for 25 mins. Then we added the roasted cauliflower to the casserole mixture. Second, we… Continue reading Italian-style farro and cauliflower casserole
Roasted Sicilian cauliflower with quick tomato jam and browned bacon crumbles
We tried this recipe to use up ½ head of cauliflower and 5 ripe hothouse tomatoes. This recipe is vegetarian, but we added some bacon crumble (about ½ oz bacon cut into matchsticks and browned in a frying pan). The original vegetarian recipe is here: https://www.howsweeteats.com/2017/08/roasted-sicilian-cauliflower-quick-tomato-jam/ (June 2021)
Cooking Adventures 