Proud Italian Cook

Decisions, Decisions!

November 15, 2012 by Marie 21 Comments

I can’t believe it’s Thursday already and a week from today is Thanksgiving! This year just flew by to me. I’m usually very organized with my menu, but this year not so much. Oh course we’ll have the usual, turkey, gravy, stuffing balls, streusel topped sweet potatoes, garlic mashed, green bean casserole (nothing coming from a can), corn casserole ( because my brother likes it), roasted parmesan creamed onions, cranberries and rolls.
We love to munch on a nice antipasto and pop open some good wine for starters.

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without watching The Godfather marathon some time during the day, in fact I like to have it on in the kitchen while I’m cooking. What happened to Al Pacino? He use to be so handsome, especially in Part 2!

I was thinking of adding this salad for a change, it’s really good, it has roasted acorn squash on top of leafy greens, medjool dates, red onion, whole pecans and goat cheese tossed in a vinaigrette. It looks really pretty set out on a platter.

Here is where my problem is, I can’t decide what kind of pasta dish I’m going to make this year. In our house we always have some kind of pasta dish included in our Thanksgiving meal, it’s tradition!
Butternut squash lasagne goes so well with the whole meal, but I’m thinking, maybe it’s too heavy!

But then I tell everyone to bring containers for leftovers anyway, so they can bring some home in their little care packages and have it the next day, which is just as good.

Or should I just make butternut squash gnocchi? It was a big hit last year. I have a huge squash on my counter right now in case I decide to go for it.

I also have a huge container of ricotta in my fridge, maybe Ill make ricotta gnocchi! Stuffed shells? Manicotti? I’ll figure it out, I cook good under pressure!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving, I’ll see you after!

21 Comments Filed Under: Appetizers, Fall, Party Foods, Winter Tagged: acorn squash salad, antipasto, butternut squash gnocchi, butternut squash lasagne, Thanksgiving Day idea's

A Virtual Pot of Pasta Fagioli Soup for my Friends

November 8, 2012 by Marie 18 Comments

As I sit in the comfort of my home taking heat and electricity for granted, I can’t stop thinking about all those who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. Lives were lost, homes destroyed, total devastation, many still without heat and power, and to make matters worse, snow is now on the ground.

I have friends who are affected by this storm, if I were closer I’d make them all a big pot of pasta fagioli soup, it’s warm, comforting, a complete meal with crusty bread and it feeds a bunch.

I stock up on cheese rinds in the winter, ( thank you Whole Foods) I always have them on hand in my freezer, so inexpensive but makes a world of difference in flavoring your broth, it makes the best soup ever!

Ditalini, my pasta of choice!

Ingredients for my soup are;
Garlic, leeks, onions, carrots, red potato, zucchini, white beans, swiss chard, crushed tomatoes, broth, pasta and cheese rinds, rosemary and thyme.
I wish I could tell you I measure but I don’t! I start out with a big pan, drizzle the bottom with olive oil then saute the first 6 ingredients ( generous amounts of all, just 2 crushed garlic cloves though) then open up and pour in 2 cans of white beans and a 14.5 oz can of crushed tomatoes. Add your chard then fill your pot to the top with broth, homemade or boxed, and throw in 3 cheese rinds and the fresh chopped herbs.
I cook my pasta, and keep it separate, adding as much as I want into my serving bowl. I never add it to the big pot, I don’t like when it blows up really big and gets mushy.
Let it simmer for a good hour or so until veggies are tender then add a generous handful of grated cheese and stir.

I can’t be near to help those in need, but by donating to the Red Cross I feel it’s the least I can do, and so can you, here’s the link!

Linda, Stacey, Pat, Maryann and Barbara, this pot’s for you! xox

18 Comments Filed Under: Soups and Stews Tagged: cheese rinds, comfort food, hurricane sandy, pasta fagioli soup, Red Cross

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

October 31, 2012 by Marie 24 Comments

I have to admit it was the name of this dish that first intrigued me! Sure I like chicken parmesan, so why wouldn’t I like it in a meatloaf form? I was convinced to try this after my sister-in-law from Florida gave it rave reviews recently while we were talking on Facebook.
What’s not to like, it’s tender, moist and loaded with so much flavor! You could definitely pin this under,
comfort food!

I served it with roasted veggies tossed in my favorite balsamic glaze, a delicious weekday meal it was!

What makes this meatloaf taste so good is a healthy scoop of marinara sauce mixed right into the meat, then when it’s about 3/4 done, you spoon more marinara over the top and layer on fresh mozzarella, it’s a beautiful thing!

The husband loved it so much he wanted to eat the leftovers the very next day!

Ingredients

recipe adapted from Joelen

I used ground turkey and it was a little over a pound but you can also replace with ground chicken

2 finely chopped garlic cloves

1/2 chopped onion

2 eggs

panko crumbs, enough to just soak up the moisture

1/2 cup marinara sauce, homemade preferred, additional for top and to serve with.

3/4 cup of small cubed asiago cheese

a handful of grated romano cheese

fresh chopped basil and parsley

s&p, of course

Mix everything together and form into a loaf on a sprayed baking sheet. Bake at 375 for around 1 hour. Last 20 minutes spoon marinara over top and place fresh mozzarella slices over it. Garnish with fresh basil.