an italian cook around the world
This Easy tomatoes sauce is so tasty and fast to prepare! Tomatoes are cooked along with garlic and sweet basil, just the time to soft them. The more tomatoes are ripe, the more sauce will be delicious! To prepare this recipe a vegetable mill is not mandatory, but I strongly suggest to use it. A blender works fine as well, but the sauce texture will be not the same!
Capocollo is a classic cured Italian! This savory cut of pork is processed fresh or cured in several Italian regions. In this case, I prepared a great pasta with cured capocollo and mini sweet peppers. Oregano leaves give at the sauce a fresh flavor and balance the salty taste of the meat and chili pepper. Serve this dish hot with a sprinkle of ricotta salata.
Today vegetarian Carbonara! I love traditional Carbonara, but sometimes I opt for a more light and healthy version. Zucchini pair greatly with eggs and Pecorino Romano cheese. Grated lemon skin give a tasty touch of freshness. Zucchini have to be chopped big enough to be cooked until golden brown but not mushy. The main question is: creamy or not creamy? For Italian people there is an only question: creamy. If the yolks coagulate, for us sounds like a disaster! For this reason I suggest to use only trusted, super fresh eggs, or pasteurized.
Stuffed mushrooms are a perfect recipe for party! Tasty bites flavored with creamy egg and cheese filling, soo good! Stuffing my mushrooms, I opted for Gruyere. I love this cheese, it’s perfect to be melted, but Italian Fontina, or Provolone, or Gouda are delicious as well. Same thing for the herbs: today I choose parsley, but sometimes I opt for fresh oregano or dried mint, try them on and let me know!
Sauteed spinach and mozzarella is a delicious Italian side. This recipe is perfectly paired with eggs and meats. The quality of mozzarella is fundamental to the success of this dish: it must be juicy and with original taste. Otherwise, the spinach will not become creamy and consistent!
Tuna pasta is one of the most famous Italian comfort food! There are several version of this recipe. Today I prepared it with tomato sauce, capers and black olives. The most important think to prepare a tasty tuna pasta is add the canned fish just 5 minutes before toss and serve. Even if the sauce is perfect just cooked, the day after will be even more tasty! Just prepare the sauce one day in advance and toss with the pasta just before eating.
Calf liver Venetian Style is another recipe originating from the North Italian culinary tradition. The meat is stir-fried just the time to be medium cooked, and served with sweet and sour onions. This calf liver recipe pairs greatly with toasted bread slices or white polenta. When done, serve the liver immediately with minced parsley and black pepper, and don’t forget a glass of good white wine!
Rapini and pasta is a classic Italian pairing. Even if the basic recipe is prepared without any kind of protein, is common add sausage or anchovies to give more taste! The most typical shape of pasta cooked along with this tasty greens is orecchiette. Can’t miss a sprinkle of Pecorino, so considering the strong taste of this cheese and preserved anchovies, manage the salt with care!
Stir fried dandelions and potatoes is a quick and tasty Italian classic. Commonly, it is served as a hot salad for appetizer, or aside meats, eggs, or salty fish, like anchovies or sardines. I really love stir fried dandelions, they are very healthy greens! Their bitter taste pairs perfectly with the sweet of golden potatoes and the salty flavor of Pecorino Romano cheese. When the weather permits to grill outside my house, the stir fried dandelions are a must-to-eat aside steaks and sausages!
Artichokes salad is one of my favorite quick and healthy recipes. I love artichokes, both raw and cooked! Sweet garlic is the secret ingredient of this easy recipe. I suggest don’t use normal garlic, because its flavor is too strong and it will kill the delicate taste of this recipe.
