Beef Ragu Bologese with Cavatelli

A very, very nice dinner.

BEEF RAGU BOLOGESE WITH CAVAILLI



Serves 8-10 people.

                                       Olive Oil

Beef Ragu Bologese with Cavatelli

1                                     Large onion, cut in half, peel
3                                     Large cloves of Garlic, minced
2 lbs.                               Ground beef
2 cups                              Beef broth- see recipe for Osso
Bucco with Saffron Risotto
24 oz.                             Passata, Italian tomatoes crushed
28 oz.                             Peeled tomatoes, San Marzano,   crushed
                                       Salt and pepper
1 tbsp                              Basil
1 t                                   Oregano
                                       Hot pepper flakes
1/4 cup                           Creme fraiche
1/2 cup                           Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
                                       Parsley

1. Heat oil and add onion, cook for 8-10 min on med. heat. Increase heat, add meat, cook for 5-7 min., and then add garlic.
2. Add beef broth 1 cup, 8-10 min., add another 1 cup, 8-10 min.
3. Turn down and add all of the tomatoes. Add salt, pepper, basil, oregano, hot pepper flakes, and creme fraiche. Add 1/4 cup of Parmigiano Reggiano.
4. And simmer for 1 hour 
5. Stir pasta, meat, and tomatoes together.
6. Garnish with a 1/4 cup of Parmigiano Reggiano and parsley. Serve.

By Deborah Mele, Italian Food Forever (a blogs),  August 9, 2009.

How to Make Cavatelli di Ricotta Step by Step

Serves 8-10 people.

4 cups                             Tipo "00" flour
1                                     Egg
1 lbs.                               Full fat Ricotta cheese
1 tsp.                               Salt
1/3 cup                            Heavy cream

1. Measure and assemble your ingredients - flour, ricotta cheese, salt, cream and egg.
2. Make a well in the flour and add the other ingredients into it. Begin to mix until the dough comes together.
3. Dump the dough onto a lightly floured counter and knead for 2 to 3 minutes with your hands until you get a smooth dough.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rest 15 minutes on the counter or for hours in the refrigerator.
5. Cut the dough into workable pieces and roll on a floured surface until your dough is about 1/3 of an inch thick.
6. Use a sharp knife and cut the dough into 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch thick strips. Flour the strips well before using to prevent sticking.
7. Use one hand to feed the strip between the wooden rollers while using the other hand to turn the crank clockwise.
8. As the dough passes through the rollers it is then cut into cavatelli which fall out onto the surface below.
9. Place the completed cavatelli onto a lightly floured tray and cook immediately or store in the freeze until needed.

Cavatelli Maker

Cavatelli Maker

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Basil

This is how basil is made.

BASIL

1. Remove all of the basil leaves from one plant. 
2. Put the leaves in a 24" x 18"  tray. 
3. Preheat oven to 250 degrees and then place the tray in the oven. Remove after one hour, add more time if it is not dried.
4. Will make about a 1/2 cup of dried basil.
5.  Store in a zipped lock bag.

Fresh

Dried

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Brussels Sprouts

I hated brussel sprouts until I had them this way, now I love them!

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Serves 2 people.

Brussels Spouts, at the Public Market

                           Olive oil                                
15                       Brussels sprouts
1                         Pancetta, have the deli cut it into 1/4" slices,                              then you cut the slices into 1/4" cubes
4-4" long            Scallions, sliced, into 1/4" pieces
                           Salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Tear the brussel sprouts off of the stalk. Cut the top off to get rid of the stem and some leaves will fall off, but that's okay.
2. Cut each in half.
3. Add olive oil in small pot. Add sprouts, pancetta, scallion, salt and ground pepper. Turn on HIGH. 
4.  Cook for about 4 minutes. Serve.

    I USE ONLY MY LEFT HAND !!!

Cooked

Potaotoes and Tomatoes

I forgot the parsley in the picture!!!

POTATOES AND TOMATOES

Potatoes, tomatoes, onion, cheese

Serves 6 people.

                                    Olive oil
2 medium                    Onions, cut in half then peeled, sliced                                       in 1/4" slices
2 large                         Potatoes, white, cut in half, slice in                                          1/4" slices
3 medium                    Potatoes, red, cut in half, slice in 1/4"                                       slices
1 large                        Potato, stew, peeled, cut in half, slice in                                    1/4" slices
1/2 cup                        Parmigiano Reggiano, grated cheese
1 qt.                             Small tomatoes
                                    Kosher salt and pepper
                                    Chopped parsley to sprinkle on top

1. Olive oil in a large oval pan. Onion, white and red potatoes, stew potatoes, salt and pepper, and mix it up. 
2. In a bowl, combine the tomatoes and cheese. 
3. Pour the cheese and tomatoes on top of the potatoes. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top.
4. Oven 350 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes.
5. Serve. 

Finished

Raw

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Chicken Cacciatora

If you smelled it... terrific!


CHICKEN CACCIATORA

Serves 4 people.

6 oz.                                   Medium egg noodles
                                           Olive oil
1 medium                          Onion, cut in half, peeled, slice
1/2                                     Green pepper, slice and then cut the slices in half
1/2                                     Red pepper, slice and then cut the slices in half
6                                        Chicken thighs, boneless, slice into 1/2'' cubes
2                                        Garlic, minced
1-28 oz.                             Peeled tomatoes, San Marzano
1/2 cup                              Parmigiano Reggiano, grated cheese
1 tablespoons                    Basil
1 tablespoons                    Oregano
1/4-1/2 teaspoon               Hot pepper flakes
                                          Kosher salt and pepper
                                          Fresh basil

Cacciatora

1. Boil water in a stock pot strainer. Once it is at a boil, turn it off.
2. While the water is boiling, crush tomatoes using your hands in a bowl.
3. Saute the peppers and onion on slow for 5-8 min. Add chicken, 10 min. Add garlic, 1 min. Add crushed tomatoes, Parmigiano Reggiano, basil, oregano, peppers, salt and pepper. Set 30 min.
4. Turn the water back on, once it is at a rapid boil, cook egg noodles for 6 minutes. Add the pasta to the sauce and mix.
5. Garnish with fresh basil.
6. Eat!

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Gazpacho

I didn't cook a thing.

GAZPACHO

Serves 25 people.


8 pounds                          Tomato, cored (Cut the white core away from the sides of the tomato)
5 pounds                          Roma tomato, cored
4                                      Cucumber, peeled, halved and seeded
3                                      Green bell pepper, halved, cored and seeded
1                                      Red bell pepper, halved, cored and seeded
4 small                             Red onion, peeled and halved
8                                       Garlic cloves, peeled
4 large                              Long green peppers, stemmed and halved lengthwise
1 1/2 cups                         Extra virgin olive oil
8 tablespoons                    Red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons                    Basil, finely minced
4 tablespoons                    Parsley, finely minced
                                         Kosher salt and ground black pepper
                                         For garnish, chopped chives and Tabasco

All of the Ingredients

1. Roughly chop 6 pounds of tomatoes, 4 Roma tomatoes, 3 pounds cucumbers, 2 pounds green bell pepper, 1/2 pound red bell pepper, 3 small red onion and place in large bowl. Add garlic, long green peppers, and 6 teaspoons salt and toss until well combined. Set aside for 1 hour.
2. Dice remaining tomatoes, Roma tomato, cucumber, green bell pepper, red bell pepper and red onion into 1/4-inch pieces and place in medium bowl. Toss with 2 teaspoons of salt and transfer to strainer set over medium bowl. Set aside for 1 hour. 
3. Roughly chopped mix: Use a Vitamix on the 6-8 speed setting. Pour a 1/4 cup of olive oil SLOWLY into the hole in the lid. Blend until liquified. *The whole mix will not fit into the blender at one time. You will need to pour the liquified mix into a bowl and then add more of the roughly chopped mixture into the Vitamix. Repeat until the whole mixture has been through the Vitamix.
4.  Diced mix: Add red wine vinegar, basil, parsley, kosher salt and ground black pepper.
5. Add the diced mixture into the liquified mixture and stir.
6. Freeze the soup (about 4-5 quarts) if you aren't eating it. If you are eating it, chill and serve cold.
7. Garnish with chopped chives and Tabasco.

Vitamix

Roughly Chopped Mixture before the Vitamix


















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Diced Mixture

Gazpacho

Cucumbers, Heavy Cream and Vinegar

It doesn't need cooking!!!

CUCUMBERS, HEAVY CREAM AND VINEGAR


Serves 6 people.

Cucumbers, cream & vinegar

2                              Cucumbers, cut in half, sliced in 1/4'
1 cup                        Heavy cream
1/2 cup                     Vinegar, distilled white
                                 Parsley for garnish
                                 Salt and pepper

1. Put the sliced up cucumbers into a bowl. Cover up the cucumbers with heavy cream and vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir together.
2. Parsley for garnish. 
3. Put in refrigerator and chill over night. 
4. Serve.

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Salt, Parmigiano Reggiano and Fava

No cooking!!! I went to Italy where this was a very popular dish!

SALT, PARMIGIANO REGGIANO AND FAVA

Fava beans, salt, and cheese

Serves 6-8 people

                                      Salt, Kosher, coarse

1/2 lbs.                         Parmigiano reggiano, 1/4 in. x 1 in. x  1/2 in.

12                                  Fava, whole

                                  

1. Cut up Parmigiano.
2. Peel the shell of the fava beans.
3. Dip fava bean into the salt and eat with the parmigiano cheese.

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Giardiniera

Phil Volland, bother, has really like the dish and.

GIARDINIERA

Raw Giardiniera

Serve 8 quarts.


1 head                                Cauliflower, broken into little
                                           pieces
2                                         Pearl onions, peel, 10 net wt.
4                                         Peppers: red, green and
                                            orange,  seedless, 
                                            1/4-inch slices, cut in half
2                                         Carrots, peeled, cut in 1/4-inch
                                           pieces
2                                         Celery, cut in 1/4-inch pieces 
3 cups                                 Green olives, pitted
1-1/2 qt.                              White vinegar
1/4 cup                               Salt

1. Wash, drain and mix the vegetables. Pack 1-1/2 cups  vegetables, white vinegar, and salt into the bottles and put on the lid.
2. Place canning bottles in the jar rack and boil in water, 15 minutes.
3. Remove the finished pints.
4. Wait for at least six months before opening. 

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Halibut Baked in Parchment with Fennel, Shallots and Tangife

Red snapper, haddock and sea bass also work well in recipe.


HALIBUT BAKED IN PARCHMENT WITH FENNEL, SHALLOTS AND TANGERINE

Serving 2 people.

Raw Halibut

                                   Oil olive
1 large                        Fennel bulb, halved. cored and sliced into 1/4-inch strips
3 medium                   Shallot, sliced thin
1                                 Asparagus, 1-1/2" slice
3 tablespoons             Butter
2                                 Tangerine, 1/2 teaspoon finely grated zest, peeled, 1/4-inch thick pieces
10 medium                 Fresh oregano,
                                   Salt and ground black    pepper
1/2 cup                       Dry white wine
2                                 Halibut, Atlantic, fresh, about 6 ounces each

1. Preheat stove a 450 deg.
2. Combine oil, fennel in pan and cook. Cook until fennel has started to wilt. 
3. Put microwave a butter, about 30 seconds. Combine butter, shallots, zest, garlic, oregano, tangerine, salt and pepper in small bowl.
4. In 24" X 16" parchment paper fold in half and cut in a semi-circle.  Open the parchment paper and put all ingredients inside.  Fold the edges of the paper to seal closed.
5. Put the parchment in a rectangular pan and put it it the stove for twenty minutes at 450 degrees. Carefully use a scissor to open. 
6. Keep in the parchment paper while eating.

In Parameter Before Cook

Cooked Halibut

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Super Bowl Party

SUPER BOWL PARTY 2014

I served Macaroni and Cheese with Ham, Coleslaw with Red Bell Pepper, French Potato Salad and Beef on Weck.

Serving about 25 people.

Macaroni and Cheese with Ham

Macaroni and Cheese with Ham

2 lbs.                          Elbow macaroni
1/4 lbs.                       Butter
1/4 lbs.                       All-purpose flour
1 tablespoon              Powdered mustard
8 cups                        Whole milk
16 ounces                  Cheddar cheese, sharp, shredded
16 ounces                  Monterey Jack, sharp, shredded
16 ounces                  Ham, sliced 1/4 inch thick and cut into      
                                  1/4 inch squares

1. Bring water in a large pasta pot to boil. Cook elbow macaroni for 10 minutes. Drain pasta and set aside in colander.
2. Heat butter until foaming. Add flour and mustard and whisk well to combine. Gradually whisk in milk, bring mixture to boil, whisking constantly until thickened to consistency of heavy cream.
3. Turn off heat, whisk in cheeses until cheeses are fully melted, about 5 minutes.  Add to 13" x 3" round dish and add pasta and ham, stirring constantly.

Coleslaw

Coleslaw with Red Bell Pepper

1 cup                        Cider vinegar

1/4 cup                     Olive oil

1/4 cup                     Lime juice

1 teaspoon                Ground black pepper

1                               Medium green cabbage, cored and                                            shredded fine
1                               Medium  purple  cabbage, cored and    shredded fine
3/4 cup                     Sugar
3 teaspoons              Salt
1                               Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1                               Green bell pepper, thinly sliced
10                             Scallion, thinly sliced

1. Combine vinegar, olive oil, ground black pepper, and lime juice in a bowl. 
2. Toss green and purple cabbage together. Add sugar and salt into the large bowl. Set for 2 hours.
3. Transfer cabbages to salad spinner and spin cabbages until excess water is removed. 
4. Add cabbages, red and green bell peppers and scallion, vinegar mixture and toss to combine. Season with salt to taste. Toss again before serving.

French Potato Salad

French Potato Salad

8 pounds                           Red potato, unpeeled and cut into                                             1/4-inch thick slices

1/4 cup                             Salt

1/2 cup                             Champagne vinegar

2 tablespoons                    Dijon mustard

1-1/2 cups                         Olive oil

                                          Black pepper

4 - 6                                  Shallots, minced

1/3 cup                              Chive leaves, minced fresh
1/3 cup                              Parsley leaves, minced fresh
1/3 cup                              Tarragon leaves, minced fresh

1. Place potatoes, salt and cold water in large saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat. Lower the heat and bring the water to a simmer, about 40 minutes. Drain potatoes.
2. Toss shallots, herbs, vinegar, mustard, oil and pepper in bowl until combined. Drizzle dressing evenly over warm potatoes. Let cool for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

BEEF ON WECK


Beef

12-15 pounds                  beef
                                        Flour
                                        Salt and fresh ground pepper
  2 quarts                         Beef broth

1. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
2. Place the beef in an open shallow roasting pan. Sprinkle with a flour and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 500 degrees for 60 minutes. Turn off the oven. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR AT ANY TIME. Leave the roast in the oven for 2 hours.
3. After 2 hours, take the roast out of the oven, cut thin slices and place them in a pan.
4.  Pour the beef broth on top of the beef.

Weck Roll

BEEF ON KIMMELWECK (WECK)

Source: "The Neighborhood Bake Shop" by Jill Van Cleave

Serves 16 rolls.

5 teaspoons                    Active dry yeast

2 cups                            Water, lukewarm

4 tablespoons                 Vegetable oil

2 tablespoons                 Sugars

1 tablespoon                   Salt

2 teaspoons                    Barley malt syrup

4 large                            Egg whites

6 to 6-1/2 cups               Bread flour, high-gluten

2 tablespoons                 Water

                                       Sea salt, for spindling

                                       Caraway, for spindling

1. Sprinkle the yeast oven 1/2 cup of the lukewarm in a small bowl. Set aside to proof until bubbly, about 5 minutes.
2. Combine the remaining 1-1/2 cups lukewarm water, oil, sugar, salt, barley malt syrup and 1 egg white in a large mixing bowl. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add 3 cups of the flour and mix flour smooth. Add the yeast solution and slowly stir in an additional 3 cups of the flour.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky to the touch. Transfer to a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Punch the dough down, cover the bowl  again, and let the dough rise a second time, for about 30 minutes.
5. Return the dough to the surface and divide it into 16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth round, then flatten the rounds slightly. Place on a parchment-lined, well spaced to allow spreading. Cover loosely with a towel and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
7. Combine the remaining egg white and 1 tbsp. water in a small dish and blend.
8. Brush the rolls lightly with the egg white wash. Using the tip of a sharp razor, cut 4 crescent-shaped slits into each roll, radiating out from the center. (see the note) Sprinkle the rolls with the coarse salt and caraway seeds and spritz, with water.
9. Bake for 5 minutes. Quickly open the oven door, spritz the rolls again with water, and close the oven. Bake the rolls about 15 minutes more, until browned and crisp. Cool the rolls on wire racks.

Note:

I use a knife, Matfer made in France.

Matfer

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Bread and Butter Pickles

Pickles!!! I have a mandoline and cucumbers for cutting.

Cucumbers and Mandoline

BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES 


Serving size is 6 quarts.

6 pounds                                 Cucumbers
3                                             Onions, cut in half, then sliced
3 tablespoons                         Kosher salt
6 tablespoons                          Mustard seeds
1-1/2 teaspoons                       Celery seeds
3 tablespoons                          Coriander powder
1-1/2 teaspoons                       Turmeric powder
5 cups                                      White vinegar
1 cup                                       Sugar

1-1/2 cups                           Kosher salt

1. Using a 1/16 slide on the mandoline, slice the cucumbers and place them into a colander.
2. Then place the colander into an empty bowl that will allow for drainage.
3. Mix the cucumber slices with 3 tablespoons salt. Then place them in the fridge to drain overnight. The next day, drain and get rid of the excess salt.
4. The next day, you want to toast your mustard seeds, celery seeds, coriander powder and turmeric powder. Set aside.
5. Using the mandoline, slice the onion and set aside. 
6.  Mix together the cucumbers, the seed and powder mixture, the sliced onion, the white vinegar, and sugar.
7. Heat the above mixture in a stockpot on the stove for 15 minutes.
8.  In a large enamel pot, place the wire rack into the pot and boil water.
9. Next, pour the mixture into the canning jars and put the lids on. Make sure the wire rack's handles are hooked on the lip of the pot.
10. Place the canning jars into the enamel pot on the wire rack.
11. Remove the hooks, so that the jars are now submerged. Let boil for 15 minutes.
12. Lift the wire rack up and place the hooks on the lip of the pot. One by one, use tongs to place the jars on the counter.

Pot, stainer, tong, funner, lid & jar

I USE  ONLY MY LEFT HAND!!!

Osso Buco with Saffron Risotto

OSSO BUCO WITH SAFFRON RISOTTO

Osso buco is traditionally served with risotto alls Milanese (saffron risotto).


OSSO BUCO

 Serves 2

Osso Buco

1 tablespoons            Flour
                                 Salt and fresh pepper
4 tablespoons            Olive oil
2                               Veal shank, 1 1/2 inches thick each, butcher's twine
1 medium                  Onion, chopped medium
1 medium                  Celery, chopped medium
1 medium                  Carrot, chopped medium
3                               Garlic clove, minced
1 cups                       Beef broth
2 cups                       Dry red wine
1 (14.5-ounce) can   Small tomatoes, San Marzano
1                               Bay leaf
                                 Salt and ground pepper

1. Turn oven to 325 degrees.
2.  Dry veal shanks with paper towels, then season with flour, salt and pepper.
3.  Heat oven, add olive oil and cook until brown and turn over second time.  Cook each 5 minutes per side. Transfer shanks to dish and set aside.
4. Add olive oil. Set oven over medium heat. Add onions, carrots and celery and soft and lightly browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Increase heat to high and stir in broth, tomatoes,  2 cups wine, juices from veal shanks, and bay leaves. 
6. Cover pot, bring to simmer with lid slightly ajar. Cook shanks about 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

BEEF BROTH

The one the bones from Jeff Shanks,  ever the is good!


2                                         Beef  soup bones, frozen
1  medium                           Leek, wash, cut in half length wise , 2" pieces
1  large                               Onion, skin on, cut in half, long thin slices, 6 slices in a half
2   medium                         Carrot, skin on, cut length wise, cut in 2 inches
2  medium                          Celery, cut 2 inches
1-1/2 cups plus 1-1/2 gal.   Water
20-30                                Peppercorn, whole
 5 sprigs                             Thyme
 10 sprigs                           Parsley

1. Turn oven to 400 degrees, set 30 min.
2. Big pot, Pam - original, 100% canola oil, spay button. Add beef soup bones, leave uncovered for 45 minutes.
3. Add leek, onion, carrot, celery and 1-1/2 cup water, 45 minutes.
4. Add 1-1/2 gal. water, peppercorn, thyme and parsley in, 45 minutes.
5. Cover and turn down to 250 degrees.  Cook for 4 hour to 8 hour.
6. Allow the cool.  Scrape off the vegetables and bones into a strainer. 

SAFFRON RISOTTO

The rice and arborio used in risotto dishes.

Serves 2.


3-1/2 cups               Chicken broth
2 tablespoons          Butter
1 medium                Onion, chopped finely
                                Salt and fresh pepper
1 cup                       Arborio rice
1/4 teaspoon           Saffron thread
1/2 cup                    Dry white wine
1/2 cup                    Parmesan cheese, finely grated

1. Bring broth to simmer in medium saucepan.
2. Melt butter over medium heat, add onion, stirring, until onion is very soft. Add saffron to the pot.
3. Add the rice.  Cook, stirring frequently, about 4-5 minutes. Add wine, stirring frequently, about 2-3 minutes. Add 2 ladles of chicken broth, simmer until liquid is absorbed. Keep doing this. It will take 20-25 minutes.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese and serve.

 

 I USE  ONLY MY LEFT HAND!!!