On a nice overcast day like today, there is nothing better than making a nice big batch of hearty soup. One soup I think is so delicious and yet so simple is a classic Italian Wedding Soup. It has all of the great comforts. It has he classic trio of vegetables (celery, carrots, and onions), spinach, cheese, meatballs,and pasta. It is a whole meal in itself. I love making this because it is easy as can be and all you have to do is grab a big bowl of it, curl up on the couch and watch a great movie. If you need a quick meal that is relatively stress free, this is a great go to recipe. A good way to take more stress out of it, you can use a really good brand of frozen meatballs. But, of course the best way is to make your own. Bon Appetit!
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This idea came to me when I was researching various ways of making pasta sauce. I was watching "Barefoot Contessa" on Food Network and she was making the classic Pasta alla Vodka. I was drawn towards the creamy looking sauce. I thought how could I make that without the vodka and add more flavor. Then, I thought of red wine. As I say, any good wine can add great flavor to any savory dish. So I started experimenting, and as a student at Allegany College of MD for Culinary Arts,when you have a recipe to test, the best way to do it is to make it for the students for lunch. I made it and it was very well received. So I thought, this is a keeper. Bon Appetit! Note: The picture above was my first attempt. The recipe as it is now is not as chunky.
I love anything with Gorganzola. I also love anything made by Ina Garten. When I saw her make this on her show Barefoot Contessa, I knew I had to make this. It is fettuccine pasta, tossed with crispy prosciutto or bacon, peas, and a creamy Gorganzola Alfredo sauce. It is topped with shaved Parmesan and chopped basil. It is absolutely delicious. If you like blue cheese, you will love this. I am without a doubt, making this for my friends for lunch at Allegany College of MD. If the chef likes it, we may run it as a special or something. I suggest you try it. The recipe is below. Cheers!
This is an idea that is hugely popular. We once had it on our menu at my college's student-run restaurant. It is a great combination of Italian flavors that is used in many ways. This is one of them. It is basil (in the form of pesto), mozzarella cheese, and tomatoes. Only in this case I am substituting the tomatoes for bacon. I am not fond of that raw tomato taste. You can of course add some tomato slices. Start out with some crusty bread like Tuscan or Ciabatta bread. I had a french baguette so that is what I used. Spread the pesto over each slice of the bread and put the slices on a toaster oven baking sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes until bread is warmed through. In the meantime, fry up four rashers (slices) of bacon. If you wish, slice about two thick slices of tomato. Take the bread out of the oven top with tomato slices, bacon, and mozzarella cheese. In the restaurant we used slices of thick buffalo mozzarella, I had shredded cheese, so that is what I used. Place under the broiler for about a minute until the cheese melts. Serve open faced, or sandwich them together. It is a great flavor sensation. The salty bacon plays very well with the basil pesto, and the creamy mozzarella. Please try this one. You will end up making it all the time! Enjoy...
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