Warm Escarole Salad This is a great salad for any season. The warm olive oil elevates the salad. Serve as a main dish with some added protein or as a side salad. Ingredients 1 head of escarole- cleaned, dried, and chopped 1- 9.5oz jar Kalamata olives pitted 3 garlic cloves finely chopped ¼ cup breadcrumbs ½ tablespoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ teaspoon red pepper 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 6 ozs reggiano parmigiano wedged or sliced Directions 1. Place the chopped escarole in a large bowl. 2. Cover the bottom of a small saucepan with the olive […]
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Vegetable Minestrone Soup This dish is a hardy meal full of vegetables, pasta, and delicious flavors. It’s another wintertime favorite in our house. The pasta can be varied as well as the vegetables. This makes a large pot of soup which is great for larger gatherings or leftovers. Ingredients 1 large onion – chopped 1 head celery – chopped 1 bunch carrots- chopped 3 cloves garlic chopped 3 large potatoes cubed 2 zucchini sliced round 2 yellow squash sliced round 1 6oz bag baby spinach 1 8oz can hunts tomato sauce 1 – 14oz can diced tomatoes 1 10oz bag […]
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Stracciatella Soup This soup is so quick and easy to whip up. It takes minutes and is always my go to dish for hectic evenings. The cheese adds just the right amount of salty, richness flavor to the spinach and the eggs. Perfect on a winter night or as a starter to a sandwich. Ingredients 1- 5 oz package of baby spinach 12 eggs – scrambled 1 cup grated cheese 2- 32 oz containers of chicken broth 2 chicken bouillon cubes Extra virgin olive oil 4 cloves chopped garlic 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp red pepper […]
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Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil This is an oldie but goodie. So simple, yet so flavorful. This is a great weeknight dinner for busy families. You may need to double the recipe because they will ask for seconds. (Serves 4) Ingredients 1 lb spaghetti 4 cloves garlic chopped 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp salt ½ tsp black pepper ½ tsp red pepper flakes 2 tbsp fresh Italian parsley – chopped ½ cup reggiano parmigiano Directions 1. Add the pasta to boiling salted water. Cook till desired texture. Drain hold aside. 2. In a skillet, add the […]
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Sautéed Spinach, Tomatoes And Cannellini Beans This is a quick and easy meatless meal. Great for a weeknight dinner. It’s colorful and flavorful! This also serves well as a side dish paired with beef, chicken, or pork. Ingredients 2 16oz containers or bags baby spinach cleaned 2 15 oz can cannellini beans – drained 1-pint cherry tomatoes- cleaned and cut in ½ 4 large garlic cloves chopped Extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper ½ tsp red pepper flakes Directions 1. Cover the bottom of a large skillet with EVOO. 2. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and […]
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Sautéed Escarole And Beans This is a great side dish that serves up well with pork, chicken or fish. This dish can be made with spinach as well. Ingredients 2 large bunches of escarole Extra virgin olive oil 2 cans cannellini beans – drained 1 cup white wine 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1- 8 oz can tomato sauce 1 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 4 garlic cloves chopped Directions 1 Cut the bottom part of the escarole bunch off. Clean escarole in water, removing all the dirt and sand from leaves. 2 Dry well […]
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Rich & Creamy Lasagna In a lasagna pan, ladle in the sauce and cover the bottom of the pan. Add the first layer of the lasagna covering the bottom of the pan. Ingredients Pasta: 2- 16oz boxes boil lasagna For the sauce: 2 – 28oz cans crushed tomatoes 1 – 12oz can tomato paste 4 cloves garlic chopped Extra virgin Olive oil Salt Black pepper Red pepper flakes 12 fresh basil leaves 1/2 cup white wine 4 tablespoons sugar For the filling: 48 oz Polly-O Ricotta cheese 2 large fresh mozzarella – shredded 1 egg 3/4 cup grated cheese Directions […]
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Quick Marinara Sauce This tomato sauce is definitely quick and easy. This sauce is great over pasta for a quick and simple meal or can be used as the foundation for dishes like eggplant parmigiana, chicken cutlet parmigiana and pizza sauce. Ingredients 2-28oz cans San Marzano crushed tomatoes 1 -12oz can tomato paste 4 cloves garlic chopped extra virgin olive oil salt black pepper red pepper flakes 12 fresh basil leaves 1/2 cup white wine 4 tbs sugar Directions In a saucepan, cover the bottom with olive oil. Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp red pepper […]
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Potato and Eggs Potatoes and eggs are a classic combination often enjoyed for breakfast or lunch. This was a family favorite that grandma served on Italian bread for lunch on Saturdays. This dish is quick and easy to make and serves up well with a side salad. Ingredients 1 dozen eggs 3 large potatoes, peeled and chopped 1 large onion chopped Salt Black pepper 1/2 cup grated cheese Extra virgin olive oil Directions In a large skillet, cover the bottom with olive oil. Add the chopped onion and potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat […]
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Pesto Pesto, also known pesto alla genovese, is a traditional Italian sauce originating from the city of Genoa. It is a quick and easy sauce to prepare and can be enjoyed over poultry and fish as well as pasta. Ingredients ½ cup pine nuts 3 cups cleaned basil 1 cup extra virgin olive oil divided ¾ cup grated cheese salt black pepper Directions 1. In a food processor or blender add the pine nuts, salt and pepper. Pulse until well chopped. 2. Add the basil, 1/2 cup olive oil. Pulse again till well chopped. 3. Add the cheese and ½ cup […]
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