Pasta Al Tonno

 

PASTA AL TONNO

    What exactly is Pasta Al Tonno you may be asking? Well it is simply pasta and tuna. A simple and delicious quick pasta meal that is beloved by many all over Italy. Why wouldn't it be? A rather smaller country surrounded by water makes for a typical cuisine dotted with all types of seafood found in the sea. Every region, family, restaurant has their own version of a pasta with tuna dish. This one is something my family has just always simply threw together for a quick yet delicious meal. If you try this I am sure you too will love it as much as we do. Pasta Al Tonno.

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• 1-2 cloves Garlic
• 1/2 Onion diced
• 1 cup White Wine
• 1 tbs Oregano
• 1 pinch Chili flakes
• 1/4 cup Capers
• 1 can of Tuna in oil
• 1 full Lemon Zested
• Spaghetti

1. In a large sauté pan drizzle some olive oil and sauté onion until translucent and then sauté garlic.

2. Mix in tuna directly from the can. 

3. Pour in white wine and add in oregano, chili flakes, capers and lemon zest. Bring to a slight simmer and reduce sauce about by 1/2.

4. Take cooked spaghetti and toss directly into the pan with tuna and sauce. Serve. 

Now I know cheese shouldn't be served on seafood pasta, however we always loved a  little parmesan tossed with this tuna pasta. To each their own!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2+

Mini Crab Ravioli

Mini Crab Ravioli

    These delicious little pockets of crab, cheese, and creamy sauce are the perfect meal for any day of the week. I made these earlier in the year with a gift I received from last Christmas from my cousins; a little ravioli maker. Mini Crab Ravioli

Ingredients:

• Lump/Claw crab meat
• 1 cup Ricotta
• 2 tbs Parsley
• 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 Egg

Sauce:

• 1 large Shallot
• 1 full lemon zested
• 1 clove garlic
• 3/4 cup Cream
• 1 tbs Old Bay

1. Make the pasta dough. See past post on perfect pasta dough recipe. 

https://recipesiliveby.blogspot.com/2013/04/Fresh-Pasta.html

2. In a medium bowl combine the crab meat, ricotta, parsley, breadcrumbs and the egg. Mix to combine.

3. Roll out one sheet of dough over the ravioli maker. Place a small spoonful of stuffing into each trench of the ravioli maker. 

4. Roll out another sheet on top and press and cut to individual sizes. Set aside on baking tray and place in freezer for roughly an hour.

5. Boil a large pot of water on the stove and cook the ravioli till they float to top and come to a rolling boil. 

6. In a large sauté pan drizzle some olive oil and sauté the shallots until tender. Toss in garlic and sauté until fragrant. 

7. Mix in the lemon zest, cream, and old bay seasoning. Bring to a simmer. Toss with the cooked ravioli. 

Viola! Simple, delicious and full of perfect flavor. 

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 3+

Timballo

 

TIMBALLO

     I know what you are thinking, "What is this Timballo?", well a Timballo or Timpano depending on Italian dialect or location is a baked mound of dough stuffed with a bunch of goodness inside. The internal items can range from meats, cheeses, pasta, fish, vegetables, etc. Anything you truly prefer. I used a small metal oven proof bowl to bake this in but a ceramic one would work too. The dish was showcased in a 1996 movie Big Night about an Italian restaurant owned by 2 brothers struggling during the holidays. This dish my family has decided to add to our Christmas Eve Feast along with a bunch of different seafoods to accompany our Feast of the Seven Fishes meal. It seemed daunting and hard to put together, however I found it quite simple once I got the hand of it. Please enjoy my Timballo.

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup water

Filling:

• 2 cups diced salami
• 2 cups provolone cheese
• 6 hard boiled eggs sliced
• 2 cups mini meatballs
• 4 cups homemade red sauce
• 1 1/2 lb baked rigatoni
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 cup Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 3 eggs

1. Start by making the dough. Combine flour, eggs, salt, olive oil and water in a mixer and mix until dough forms a ball. Kneed by hand for 10 minutes or with dough hook for roughly 3 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Grease with butter the inside of the baking bowl.

2. Roll out onto floured surface until large enough to fill the bowl you are baking it in as well as cover the bottom of your creation.

3. Prepare the inside. (Some of this can be done ahead of time so you can easily fill like a assembly line. I made this even easier on myself by buying store bought mini Italian meatballs. I know, Sacrilege).

4. Start filling the dough lined bowl. I started with some rigatoni then followed by the salami, then the provolone, eggs, meatballs, provolone again and then some sauce. Repeat again until the mixture fills to the top of the dome. Take the last 3 eggs, scramble and pour over the top so it filters down through the fillings. Fold over the hanging dough and seal with a little water. You can trim some if there is too much.

5. Bake in 350 degree oven for about an hour uncovered. Cover with tinfoil and bake again for roughly 30-45 minutes.

6. After resting for 30+ minutes carefully turn upside onto serving platter and the Timballo should slip out and is ready to slice and serve.

This little Timballo was perfect and just enough to serve my whole family at roughly 5+ people. Enjoy!!

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 90 minutes

Serves: 5+ 

Neapolitan Cookies

 

NEAPOLITAN COOKIES

     Rainbow, Neapolitan, Napoleon, Tricolore cookies/cake, whatever you call them, these cookies/ mini cake bites have become a standard of Italian American dessert treats. You can barely go to an Italian bakery without finding these delicious almond flavored delights. The process of baking these is lengthy but once you do it you will find the time to make these often. We decided to make these as part of our Christmas dessert trays. The delicious almond flavor, the apricot jam lightly spread in between each sponge and the chocolate topping make for a perfect after dinner bite. Neapolitan Cookies.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 sticks softened and in pieces 
• 2 cups flour
• 7 ounces almond paste
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs separated
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Red and green food coloring
• 1 jar smooth apricot jam
• 1 lb bittersweet chocolate chips
• 4 9x12 shallow baking sheets

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray and flour 3 of the baking sheets.

2. Combine almond paste and 3/4 cup plus 2 tbs of the sugar in a mixer until the batter becomes crumbles. 

3. Beat in the butter a few pieces at a time until combined. Then beat in the egg yolks until smooth.

4. Mix in the flour and salt a little at a time until combined.

5. Whisk the egg whites and 2 tbs sugar until stiff peaks form.

6. Fold in the egg white mixture a little at a time into the batter. Batter should be a little fluffy.

7. Separate the batter into 3 bowls and dye one green and one red. Leave the other one light tan/white.

8. Spread evenly onto the 3 baking sheets and bake roughly 10 minutes or until edges are beginning to brown slightly. Cool on racks.

9. Once cooled take the apricot jam and spread evenly over the green sponge. Then carefully take the white sponge and lay on top and then spread more apricot jam over the white layer. Top with the red layer. Cover with plastic wrap tightly and then the empty 4th baking sheet. Place in fridge and weigh down the cake with cans or a heavy pot and let chill for 4 hours to overnight.

10. Remove from fridge. Melt chocolate chips over double broiler and pour over the green/top layer once you have inverted the cake. Let sit and cool slightly until you can take a fork and make wavy lines on the top. Let chill. Trim any edges and cut into little bite size 2 inch rectangular pieces. 

This is such a favorite of everyone that they will be asking for it every holiday season.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Inactive time: 4 hours to overnight

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: Plenty

 Minestrone

     The quintessential Italian vegetable soup famous everywhere you go. Such an important soup related to just plan easy cooking and traditional peasant food. You can really take anything you want to put into this easy soup. We have always added in beef to increase the flavor profile. This time i was gifted with a nice leftover bundle of fresh herbs from some friends so decided what better thing to include in this soup. All in the pot and leave to get whatever you want done. Minestrone.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef cubes
• 1/2 white onion diced
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 stalk of celery diced
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 32 oz beef stock
• 32 oz water
• 1 small can diced tomatoes
• 1 small can cannellini beans
• 1 small can green beans
• Ditalini pasta
• small bundle of fresh herbs, ( I used sage, rosemary, thyme, and basil)
• Olive oil
• Salt/pepper

1. In a large pot drizzle some olive oil and sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery until tender. 

2. Next toss in the beef cubes and brown.

3. Mix in the garlic and sauté until fragrant.

4. Pour in the beef stock, water, diced tomatoes, cannellini brans, green beans and the bundle of fresh herbs. Bring to a slow simmer, cover and cook for roughly 45 minutes.

5. Mix in the pasta and cook until tender. Salt and pepper to taste and serve. 

Simple, timely, and delicious. The perfect soup anytime of year. 

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour+

Serves: 4+

Gnocchi With Bacon And Gorgonzola Cream

GNOCCHI WITH BACON AND GORGONZOLA CREAM

    Not your traditional gnocchi style dish but definitely one that packs a bunch of full flavor into a bite size spoonful. Creamy, slightly salty, and delicious. Gnocchi with bacon and gorgonzola cream.

Ingredients:

• 5 strips of bacon
• 1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese crumble
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 diced white onion
• Parsley
• Gnocchi

1. Take bacon and cut into small bite size pieces. In a large sauté pan cook just until starting to brown and release some of their fat.

2. Toss in onion and cook until translucent. 

3. Next pour in the cream and add in the gorgonzola cheese crumbles. Stir to melt and mix well.

4. Add in dash of parsley freshly chopped and toss with cooked gnocchi.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2+

     Simple, easy, delicious and perfect for those quick evening meals. Gnocchi, being one of my favorite pasta dishes, this was definitely a twist and good addition to my arsenal of meals.

Tortelli Lucchese

Tortelli Lucchese

 

    This dish is specific to the region of Tuscany in Italy. Specifically to a small walled town called Lucca. A beautiful village with old school charm of cobblestoned streets and a giant medieval stone wall surrounding the city. From the top of the wall you can see the countryside of Tuscany. I had visited this town a few years back on one of my many trips to Italy. Not being a big fan of meat stuffed ravioli type pasta's, I was weary to try this. However, our lovely server suggested this dish to me as it is a traditional meal specific to the town. Why not give it a try I thought? I am glad I did as this was not just a meat stuffed pasta however, a surprisingly herbal hearty filled meal that I had to recreate some time. This dish uses traditional pork from the area along with some sage, nutmeg, cheese and breadcrumbs to fill and topped with same meat mixture tossed with fresh tomatoes and simmered to perfection.  Tortelli Lucchese.

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground pork
• 2 cups chopped salumi or mortadella 
• 1/2 cup pecorino cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp fresh sage
• 1 egg
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• Salt/pepper
• Fresh pasta dough
• Olive oil

1. Make fresh pasta dough link below to post.

https://recipesiliveby.blogspot.com/2013/04/Fresh-Pasta.html

2. In a large sauté pan drizzle some olive oil. Sauté and brown ground pork and chopped salami or mortadella. Toss in sage, thyme, and nutmeg.

3. Remove half the mixture and place into food processor or blender.

4. Pour into the food processor the pecorino cheese, breadcrumbs, and egg. Pulse until a smooth almost paste forms. 

5. Now to form the pasta shapes. Roll out onto floured surface and cut into 3 inch diameter circles. Place a spoonful in the center of each and fold over in half and press down to seal. 

6. In skillet with the other half of the meat mixture toss in the can of crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for roughly 15-20 minutes. 

7. Cook pasta by dropping into boiling water and let rise to surface, roughly 5-7 minutes. Serve.

Original from Lucca

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4+

Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncini

 

Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncini

(Garlic, Oil, and Chili peppers)

     A traditional Italian pasta dish that you will find in almost every region of Italy. Extremely simple, 3-4 ingredients, but still so delicious and one of the most famous pasta dishes that Italy has given to society. This dish is so much better too with fresh made pasta. Give it a try. Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncini.

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil
• 2-3 cloves fresh garlic
• Crushed chili pepper flakes
• Parsley
• Salt/pepper

1. Cook pasta like normal.

2. In a large sauté pan drizzle about 5-6 tbs olive oil over medium heat.

3. Toss in chopped cloves of garlic and chili peppers. Sauté until slightly golden brown and fragrant.

4. Toss cooked pasta in and add fresh chopped parsley. Salt and pepper to taste. Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese. Serve.

This simple, yet full of flavor traditional pasta dish will easily become one of your go to weeknight meals. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5-10 minutes

Serves: 2+

Chocolate Fettuccini

      I have always seen chocolate pasta being made, or included in an interesting recipe. I always wondered what it would taste like and how could something traditionally sweet be considered a savory dish. So I thought, why not give it a try. I thought probably the best way to make this would be with a butter sauce and possibly bacon in it. Bacon and chocolate do make an interesting flavor combo. So here goes, Chocolate Fettuccini. 

 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 tbs cocoa powder
• 3 eggs
• 3 strips bacon
• 2 tbs butter
• 1 Sage leaf
• Arugula
• Salt/Pepper

Make the pasta

1. Combine flour and cocoa powder in a large bowl.

 

2. Drop in the 3 eggs and begin to mix together until you have a solid dark brown ball of dough.

 

    Turn out onto floured surface and kneed till firm. Cover in plastic wrap and put into fridge for at least an hour.

 

3. Roll out dough into pasta using pasta machine.

 

4. Cook in boiling water until al dente.

Sauce

1. In large skillet brown bacon. Remove, drain, and chop into small pieces. 

2. In same skillet melt 2 tbs butter and sauté until turning brown.
3. Stir in diced sage leaf. Then toss in arugula and wilt.
4. Toss bacon back in. Toss with freshly cooked pasta. Serve.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2+ 

    This pasta was actually so amazing that I wouldn't really categorize it as a sweet dish. It was definitely a great combination of savory flavors. You will be surprised at how good this is and will definitely give it a second try.  

 

Abruzzo Lamb Ragu Fettuccine

 

Abruzzo Lamb Ragu With Fettuccine

     Created this dish based on popular ingredients to my grandmother's region of Italy. Typically in the mountainous region of Abruzzo, lamb is a popular meat product used in a lot of dishes. Combined with fresh tomatoes and peppers from the garden and with a little white wine, this pasta dish was amazing. Easy, quick, and full of flavor, this dish will definitely become one of my new favorites. Abruzzo Lamb Ragu. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1/2 diced white onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 red bell pepper sliced thinly
• 3 whole tomatoes
• 1/2 cup white wine
• Pinch rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Pasta of choice

1. In a large skillet over medium high heat drizzle some olive oil and saute onion and sliced red pepper.

2. Toss in garlic and saute.

3. Pour in white wine and simmer until reduced by half.

4. Mix in the ground lamb and brown.

5. I blended up the tomatoes, but hand squashing them would be just as perfect.

6. Toss in the rosemary and bay leaf and bring to a low boil. Cover and simmer for roughly 15 minutes until sauce thickens. Serve over your favorite pasta of choice. 

     This was such a great meal. Very hearty and packed full of flavor. My cousin was over for dinner and drinks this evening and she loved it.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 2+

Carbonara

CARBONARA

The quintessential Roman dish. That true to roots Italian delicacy. That dish that Americans have turned into a cream base. What is it? Carbonara!!! Delicious, Rich, Simple, and only 4 ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Reggiano
• Black pepper
• Sliced guanciale
• Spaghetti

1. In a large saute pan, dice up about 1/4 cup of fresh guanciale into small dime size bites. guanciale is the cheek of the pig that has been cured. Saute until crisp and brown. Remove and let drain on a paper towel.

2. In a small bowel whisk together the eggs, Parmesan Reggiano cheese and lots of black pepper.

3. Once pasta is cooked. remove hot pan from stove you cooked gaunciale in and toss it back in. Toss in pasta and stir. Then quickly mix in the egg mixture to coat the pasta. Serve with more fresh cheese on top.

This is simple, delicious, and very RICH. You will never go back to eating a fake cream sauce version again.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Serves: 2

Ricotta Spinach Pistacchio Pesto

Ricotta Spinach Pistachio Pesto

    Here is one of those dishes you sort of come up with impulsively. I went into my fridge one evening and noticed I had left over ricotta and some spinach in a bag. I also typically have pistachios lying around. "Here's a good idea, why not combine them into a delicious new pesto sauce for fresh pasta?" This turned out to be one of those flavor combinations that saved the day. Ricotta Spinach Pistachio Pesto.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1-cup fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup pistachios
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic
• Pasta of choice

1. In a blender combine ricotta, spinach, pistachios, Parmesan cheese, and garlic and blend until creamy. Add oil if needed to thin out a bit.

2. Cook pasta as normal and then stir with the pesto sauce.

3. Top some crushed pistachios and Parmesan cheese.

As weird and interesting that this pasta dish is, the flavor combination was amazing....

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2+

Frank's Calabrian Fusilli

Calabrian Fusilli

     So this pasta is something we never grew up on. As far as I can tell, according to my mother, Grandpa may have made this once or twice, but he died a long time ago. The type of pasta is from his area of Italy and definitely will take a few more tries to get it perfected. The dough I used was also a traditional one with just flour and water with a little salt. I highly recommend using equal parts AP flour and Semolina but for this time I used only AP. Fusilli is a spiral type of pasta that sort of resembles a screw. The store bought kind are typically not what it looks like when homemade. I have been looking for the specific "ferro" tool used to perfect these but until then I used an old coat hanger. I combine a few specific flavors to the Calabrian region for the sauce and the outcome was AMAZING!. Frank's Calabrian Fusilli.

Ingredients:

Sauce:

• 1 lb ground Italian sweet sausage
• 12 oz tomato sauce
• 1/2 diced white onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 cup chopped green olives
• 1 cup white wine
• Pinch rosemary
• Pinch sage
• Salt/ pepper

Pasta:

• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cups water
• 1 tsp salt

1. Make the Fusilli. Simply combine the flour, salt, and water into a ball. Kneed for roughly 5-10 minutes until dough is firm and soft at same time. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for over an hour.

2. To make the pasta, cut off chunks of the dough and roll into long slender snake like shapes. Pinch off about a 1/2 inch chunk and gently with a ferro, or in this case a coat hanger, roll and spin around to make the traditional spiral shape. Continue until all noodles are complete. Cook in boiling water for roughly 5 minutes. (See below Video).

3. Make the sauce. In a large saute pan brown the ground sausage until cooked through.

4. Add in chopped onion and cook until tender. Then toss in garlic.

5. Pour in white wine and simmer until reduced.

6. Add in tomato sauce, olives, sage, and rosemary and bring to a low simmer. Cover and cook about 10 minutes.

7. Toss with pasta and serve immediately. 

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2+

     This dish was just perfect and I am sure my grandpa would be proud. I definitely need to practice making this kind of pasta though. Practice makes perfect!

Lemon Spaghetti, (Chitarra alle limone)

This quick and easy recipe is so simple, yet so full of flavor and perfect for your summer time meal. Fresh, light, crisp and filling. Lemon Spaghetti.

Ingredients:

• Zest from 1 lemon
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
• Basil
• 1 diced garlic clove
• Black pepper
• Spaghetti

1. Make pasta accordingly. I made homemade chitarra pasta for this.

2. In a small bowl combine the zest from 1 whole lemon and the juice from same lemon with Parmesan cheese, diced garlic and some black pepper.

3. Toss pasta with this mixture and mix in some fresh chopped basil leaves.

Viola!

Amazing how a little freshness can change an entire entree.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0
Serves: 2

Grandpa's Cavatelli al Pastore

Cavatelli al Pastore

So I am sure I've mentioned before that my grandfather was from Calabria. Growing up we never had that many dishes that I knew of that were from his region of Italy. We always had dishes that were mostly from my grandmother's area with exception of some seafood dishes that we were told were his. I came across in one of my many cookbooks a recipe specifically from his region of Calabria. I was intrigued by the pasta as well as the simple, yet delicious sounding sauce. This was one of those times I picked up the phone and called my mother to see if she knew of this dish. In typical mom style as soon as I started describing the pasta dish she blurted out, "yes!, grandpa made that all the time!". Not at all to be surprised by this I questioned why it was never carried on. Of course the response was always the same; "I just didn't feel like it." So I decided to give it a try and bring back this family classic. The pasta for this dish was quite different from the typical egg pasta I was used to. This was simply made with just flour and water. The structure of the shape of this is very similar to gnocchi but with a different twist of the fingers. Grandpa's Cavatelli al Pastore.






Cavatelli dough

• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cups water
• 1 tsp salt

Sauce:

• 1 lb Italian Sweet Sausage
• 1 can Diced tomatoes drained
• 12 oz Ricotta
• Black pepper
• Pecorino Cheese

1. Make the Cavatelli dough. Simply combine the flour, salt, and water into a ball. Kneed for roughly 5-10 minutes until dough is firm and soft at same time. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for over an hour.

2. To make the pasta, cut off chunks of the dough and roll into long slender snake like shapes. Pinch off about a 1/2 inch chunk and gently with your index finger and middle press down and roll towards you till you have a small shell shape. Continue until your pasta is complete. (see link below for quick video on pasta production).

3. Cook pasta in a large stock pot of boiling salted water.

4. Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, cook your Italian sausage until slightly brown.

5. Toss in diced tomatoes and cook until tender.

6. Stir in ricotta cheese until incorporated.

7. Stir in lots of black pepper and a handful of pecorino cheese.

8. Take about 1/2- 1 cup of pasta water to make the sauce more pliable and thicken up a bit.

9. Toss your drained cavatelli pasta into the sauce and serve.




This pasta dish, and new creation to myself, was fantastic! The heartiness of this dish was perfect for a slightly cool evening. So happy to carry down this traditional dish from my grandfather. It is a must for anyone looking for something new to try.

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Serves: 4+

Chicken Piccata

This traditional Italian dish originated with the use of veal, however you will find it mostly with chicken here in the states. The delicious combination of butter, lemon, white wine, and tartness from the capers gives this dish an amazing flavor combination. Give it a try. Chicken Piccata


Ingredients:

• 2-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Flour
• Olive Oil
• 2 tbs butter
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup capers
• 1/2 white wine
• Salt/pepper

1. Take each chicken breast and place between plastic wrap and pound out till thin. Salt and pepper chicken breasts.

2. Dredge in some flour and shake off excess.

3. In a large saute pan drizzle some about 2 tbs olive oil and melt 1 tbs butter.

4. Pan fry each chicken breast on both sides for about 2 minutes each side. Remove and sit aside.

5. Melt another tbs of butter in same pan. Pour in white wine and scrape up bits from bottom of pan. Mix in the lemon juice and capers.

6. Place chicken back in pan and mix into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low for about 5 more minutes.

This is one of those Italian classics that everyone loves. AMAZING!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2+

Amalfi Sunset Gnocchi

  Pumpkin Gnocchi

    The evening air is warm with the breeze coming off the ocean. The sky is a beautiful orange with streaks of red running as far as the eye can see. There's a slight smell of lemons in the background lingering around us as we sit at a little table on the edge of a balcony hanging over the rest of the little town, perched on the cliffs overlooking the dark blue waters of the sea. Lightly playing overhead is a soft accordion gently inviting you to relax and enjoy the moment. Just then, our little older waiter in his neatly pressed white shirt and black tie approaches. He gingerly crosses his hands, smiles, and eyes us sitting at his table and you notice before he even opens his mouth, he is wondering if he should attempt his English, or begin in his native tongue.

"Buona notte e Benvenuto!"

  

He pauses and then continues.

  

"Welcome, would you to hear our special tonight?"

  

"Grazie signore, per favore!"

  

He delights in our attempt at communicating in his own language but perseveres in ours.

  

“You see the sky this evening is a beautiful red and orange as the sun delves slowly below the horizon of the Mediterranean. It gracefully dances a slow dance with the waves for your enjoyment. We have taken fresh ingredients from our garden, the red pepper, harvested pumpkin, and fresh garlic, and have added fresh made this afternoon gnocchi and shrimp brought in from the boats this morning. Gently sauté those all together into a beautiful plate of enjoyment that represents the sunset you see before you.”

 Myself, I am sold on what sounds like an interesting combination of flavors. Who would have thought combining peppers and pumpkin with fresh shrimp into a sauce and toss in some fresh made gnocchi would be an amazing dish to enjoy. Si, let's do this...…

  

This dish was one I had in Positano this past summer and found it to be an amazing dish that I just had to recreate once I returned home to the States. Enjoy!. Amalfi Sunset Gnocchi.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Gnocchi
• Olive oil
• 1 roasted red pepper
• 3 tbs pumpkin puree
• 1 tbs tomato sauce
• 1 clove diced garlic
• Juice 1 small lemon
• Diced fresh parsley

1. In a large saute pan drizzle the olive oil and sauté the red pepper and garlic until fragrant.

2. Toss in the shrimp and cook until pink.

3. Mix in the pumpkin puree, tomato sauce, and lemon juice.

4. Cook Gnocchi as normally would and stir into the sauce/shrimp mixture.

5. Serve with fresh parsley sprinkled on top.

This dish was so good. The interesting combination of flavors with the pumpkin is something I would never have thought would be good.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2+

Orange or Grape Crostata

    Saw this recipe in one of my copies of  Bon Appetit magazine where they had a special on different restaurants and some of the best dishes they serve. This was one of them and they included the recipe. However, knowing me, I changed it up a bit and created my own version. I made two different types of delicious fruit crostata to use up the fruit I had in my kitchen. The easy filling to these is very similar to the frangipane from French pastry cooking. Orange and Grape Crostata.

Ingredients:

• 1 small orange or handful grapes halved
• 1 store bought pie crust
• 3 oz butter room temperature
• 3 oz sugar
• 3 oz almond flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 2 tbs melted butter
• Extra sugar for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine room temperature butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in the almond flour.

3. Whisk in the eggs and almond extract. Zest your orange, (if doing the orange one), and mix into bowl. Set aside.

4. Now, slice your orange or grapes length wise and sit aside.

5. Roll out your piecrust onto a waxed lined baking sheet.

6. Spread the butter egg mixture over top of the piecrust leaving at least an inch around the perimeter.

7. Lay your slices around in a circle and fold up the edges to cover the outer slices of fruit.

8. Take your melted butter and brush over the edges. Sprinkle some sugar around crust and on top of the fruit. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40-45
Serves: 4+