Friday, March 22, 2013

Four course Italian


Risotto Milianese

 

4 c broth

2 c water

¼ t saffron threads

3 T butter

1 small onion diced (1/2 cup)

1 ½ c Arborio rice

¼ c parmigiano cheese

Salt and pepper

 

-in a small sauce pan heat water and stock, bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low.

-transfer 1 c of stock to a cup and add the saffron. Set aside.

-melt 2 T butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add rice and cook, stirring for about a minute.

-Add ½ c of stock to rice. Stir until absorbed. Continue to add stock ½ cup at a time until rice is al dente. Add the stock with saffron toward the end of the cooking process. IT will take 18-25 minutes total. You may have leftover stock.

-add cheese and remaining butter. Stir in and serve.

 

 

Tuscan Steak Salad

 

1 lb New York steak (or any beef steak you choose)

Salt & pepper

1 T Fresh rosemary, minced

Olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

Fresh arugula or a baby greens mixed bag

 

-Pat steak dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle salt, pepper, rosemary and garlic on both sides. Drizzle with 2 t olive oil. Marinade in the fridge or cook immediately. Cook on a grill, or frying pan to desired doneness.

-when steak is done cooking, set on a cutting board, and cover with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes so juices can redistribute.

-meanwhile, put a layer of salad greens on the plate. Slice steak into strips. Place directly on the salad greens. Any juice on the cutting board can be drizzled on the steaks and salad. You may also drizzle on more olive oil on the salad to taste.

 


 

Torta di Mele (Italian apple cake)

 

8 T butter, at room temperature

1 c sugar (divided)

1 t vanilla extract

3 T milk

Zest of 1 lemon

3 eggs at room temperature

1 ½ c flour

2/4 t baking powder

¼ t salt

½ t cinnamon

3 apples (golden delicious)

 

-          Heat oven to 350 degrees

-          Butter and flour a 9 inch spring-form or cake pan (I put a piece of parchment paper on the bottom)

-          In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream butter and ¾ c. sugar, vanilla, milk and lemon zest. Beat until fluffy (1-2 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time.

-          Sift flour, baking powder and salt into large bowl. Add in 4 parts to the butter mixture. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes and prepare apples.

-          In a large bowl, mix together 2 T sugar and ¼ t cinnamon. Peel, core and slice apples into 16 even wedges. Place apples in bowl with cinnamon sugar. Toss to coat.

-          Spoon batter into prepared cake pan. Smooth top. Decoratively cover the batter with sliced apples.

-          In a small bowl, mix 2 T sugar and ¼ t cinnamon. Sprinkle on top of the cake.

-          Bake in oven for about an hour. Let cool 10 minutes then scrape around edge of the pan with a knife to loosen the cake. Turn out onto a plate.

-          Cake can be eaten warm or at room temperature. Best with vanilla ice cream.

 

Honey Pear and Brie Crostini

 

Loaf of Italian bread or baguette

Brie cheese

1 pear thinly sliced

1 T honey, heated in the microwave

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Slice bread into ½ inch thick slices. Spread a layer of brie on each piece of bread. Place sliced pears on the bread. Brush hot honey on pears.  Place on baking sheet and cook for 4-5 minutes. Serve hot

 

Variations

Orange cranberry pecan brie crostini: On sliced bread spread 1 t of orange marmalade, layer of brie. Bake 4-5 minutes. Sprinkle with crasins and chopped toasted pecans.

Blueberry Maple Pecan: On sliced bread, smear on some brie. Bake 4-5 minutes. Top with a dollop of blueberry maple pecan preserves (we will make a batch of this in the summer)

Strawberry, honey, basil & Brie: Place sliced brie on bread. Cook in oven for 4-5 minutes. Top with two slices of strawberries, drizzle with honey and top with a couple slices of fresh basil.

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