| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:00:04 AM | | Now I myself am very fond of Italian food and the many flavors it possesses. However I don't know how to make much Italian food at all! I can make spaghetti and am vaguely familiar on how to make lasagna, but I'd like to know how to make some more wonderful dishes to surprise a potential girl ^_^. Does anyone have any good suggestions for an affordable romantic dinner? I know it's probably not appropriate for a first date but I'm intending to use any newfound skills for later dates and practical uses, romantic or not. ^_^ | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/18/2008 11:48:33 AM | This might depend on your definition of 'affordable'
Gary's Veal Scallpoini
About 1-1/2 pound of Veal (3/4 pound meat per person). I use a veal breast (very cheap, but not much meat on it) and de-fat and de-bone it. The meat is sliced into strips about 1/4" thick and goes into a marinade of olive oil, minced garlic, the liquids of 1 tomato (cut the mater, scoop out the seeds and liquids mush and THAT'S what you use in the marinade), and a little wine vinegar. [DO NOT USE BREADED CUTLETS- IT WILL RUIN THE RECIPE] Marinate overnight.
In a large cast skillet or deep coverable dutch oven, caramelize 1 large onion and 2 or 3 cloves of sliced garlic.
Add the veal and sear to caramelize.
Add 1/2 cup wine to deglaze pan and
---> TURN HEAT TO LOW!!!
Chop the rest of that tomato you mangled for the marinade and add that.
Add 1/2 cup chicken or veal stock.
Season with 1/2 tsp each: Basil, oregano, granulated garlic + 1tsp red pepper flakes.
Thick julienne 1 each medium red and green bell pepper, med red and spanish onions and toss into the pot.
De-stem and quarter about 3/4 cup mushrooms and add to pot.
Pour in the other 1/2 cup wine.
Simmer on LOW for 1 to 2 hours or until the peppers are tender and meat is cooked through.
Adjust salt & pepper before serving.
Serve over rice or small shell pasta.
Note that this does not use a tomato based sauce, but still uses a decently large quantity of garlic, which in itself puts it into the non-romantic meal category. Adjust your use of garlic as needed for personal osculation habits. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/18/2008 1:02:22 PM | One of my favorite meals is Sausage and Pepper with Tortellini…
Boil 4-5 medium sized Hot Italian Sausages til cooked through – pierce the skin to release the excess grease then slice diagonally so each piece is around 1 cm thick.
In a large stock pot, boil water for the tortellini – cook according to package directions for al dente.
In a large sauté pan, coat bottom of pan with olive oil and sauté two small Vidalia onions which were cut into wedges on medium high heat for three to five minutes. Toss in thickly julienne peppers using green, orange, red and yellow for a nice variety – sauté for two more minutes and add in the sausage medallions. Continue cooking to ensure the sausage is thoroughly cooked and the peppers are tender/crisp.
Toss in the cooked tortellini and add about ½ a cup of tomato pesto or enough to coat all ingredients.
Serve with a side of bruschetta and fresh parmesan (invest in a parmesan grater – very much worth the money).
Cheers… | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/18/2008 2:16:42 PM | Seafood Pescatore
fish
shrimp
scallops
saute. remove.
Make a cream sauce in the same pan. use alot of italian spices. lots of lemon.
add prego or ragu to make it a "pink" sauce.
add seafood
toss with pasta.
ono !!
made it for my family a week ago and they're still raving. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/18/2008 2:39:16 PM |
What are some great italian dishes?
Monica Bellucci and Sophia Loren come to mind, um... wait, what? Cooking section? | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/19/2008 6:07:33 PM | I made this and it's really easy and yummy. It makes a big pan, so you'll have lots of good leftovers. Serve it with some nice bread and a salad.
Lasagna Roll-Ups
Lasagna:
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 large egg, beaten to blend
3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for salting water
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella (about 4 ounces)
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Whisk the ricotta, spinach, 1 cup Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to blend.
Add a tablespoon or 2 of oil to a large pot of boiling salted water. Boil the noodles until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Arrange the noodles in a single layer on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking.
Butter a 13-by-9-by-2-inch glass baking dish. Lay out 4 lasagna noodles on a work surface, then spread about 3 tablespoons of ricotta mixture evenly over each noodle. Starting at 1 end, roll each noodle like a jelly roll. Lay the lasagna rolls seam side down, without touching, in the dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles and ricotta mixture. Spoon 1 cup of marinara sauce over the lasagna rolls. Sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan over the lasagna rolls. Cover tightly with foil. Bake until heated through and the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese on top becomes golden, about 15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining marinara sauce in a heavy small saucepan over medium heat until hot, and serve alongside. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/19/2008 9:21:09 PM | Sicily is part of Italy the way Hawaii is part of the U.S. They both have persistent, distinctive cultures vital enough to resist the mainland's influence. And Sicilian cooking is distinctive as well. There's a pervasive Arab influence dating back to ancient times, which accounts for the raisins, dates, and spices that appear throughout.
Sicilians have for centuries given some of their favorite dishes sexual names. You could translate the classical name of this dish as "The Priest's Mistress's Potatoes," though the meaning of 'sticchiu' is far more vulgar. The dish is simple, sincere, and comforting.
Patate allo Sfincione o Sticchiu 'i Parrinu for 4 to 6
1/2 cup olive oil
2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 sweet red onions, chopped
1 lb tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
3 tablespoons dried oregano
S & P
Preheat oven to 350 F
Oil a baking dish with a bit of the oil. Lay half the potatoes in it, half the onions over that, then half the tomato. Crush half the oregano over it and S & P. Sprinkle about three tablespoons of the oil over. Be sure the taters are all oiled.
Repeat the layering with the remaining taters, onions, tomatoes, oregano, S & P to taste, and 3 more tablespoons of oil sprinkled over.
Bake for 60-80 minutes, until the potatoes are done. Serve hot.
I like to drizz EVOO over the taters just before serving.
BTW, I understand that this dish is also made with meat and then is called Sciarabbaddazzu. That's an ancient Sicilian word that was once the name of a festive focaccia made in the shape of the female pudendum. How it came to mean 'meat and potatoes,' I have no idea.
Cheers!
Vulf  | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/21/2008 8:35:12 PM | I usually don't like eggplant but done this way it's ono.
Eggplant Parmesean.
Peel eggplant and cut into rounds.
dust with flour
dip into egg wash and fry till done, not browned. pat dry.
cover completely with marinara suace. (prego and ragu are totally legit.)
top with mozzerella and place under broiler till cheese barely starts to turn brown.
serve with pasta probably with a little neutral sauce like buerre blanc -- white wine and butter emulsion. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/21/2008 8:47:48 PM | Back again.
This one can taste like pancakes and syrup.
Veal Marsalla
you'll need a good marsalla wine.
pound veal to 1/4 inch or less.
dust with flour and brown in a pan. remove.
add butter and sliced mushrooms and
about half of a beef bullion cube. cook till shrooms are on their way.
deglaze with white wine reduce.
add marsalla and reduce and and a pat of butter and stir.
add veal.
serve. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/21/2008 9:16:16 PM | Here is a simple, hearty, economical AND tastey dish (or two) for company.
Baked Ziti
12 t0 16 oz ziti, cooked
1 large jar Prego (or home made sauce)
1 bell pepper (yellow or orange make a nice contrast and are sweeter than green), diced
1 med. onion, diced
1 - 16 oz pkg. Owens Italian sausage
1 cup shredded mozzerella cheese
grated parmesan cheese (to taste)
1/4 cup good olive oil
Saute onions and peppers in a a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Add sausage, break apart. Drain if there is too much fat in pan. Owens puts out a fairly lean product but if you have to use another brand, you may have to drain excess fat. Add sauce and simmer 20 minutes. Grease a large casserole with some of the olive oil. Pour in cooked ziti and meat sauce and rest of olive oil. Stir in about 1/2 cup Parmesan. Smooth top and top with mozzerella and a bit more parmesan. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees -- until cheese is melted and gets a little brown. This is enough for 8 servings. The recipe can be halved and freezes well.
Artichoke Supreme (tastes like Sicilian stuffed artichokes without the work . . . on either end)
2 cans artichokes, drained quartered
1 can french stile string beans, drained
lots of minced garlic (I use about 8 cloves)
1/2 to 1 cup olive oil
1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
Mash artichokes and beans together in a well oiled casserole. Saute garlic in 1/2 cup olive oil (be careful not to burn). Pour in bread crumbs and mix with vegetables. pour garlic oil over and mix well. If the mixture seems a bit too dry, add more oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/21/2008 9:16:43 PM | | I suspect that as man, you can grill things. Fire good! Brush some chicken filets and eggplant slices with olive oil and fresh garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Grill until the chicken is firm to the touch, and the eggplant is starting to soften up. Place in a baking dish and top with marinara and Italian cheeses. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. Serve with some salad greens tossed in an Italian vinaigrette and garlic bread. Very easy; very tasty. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/21/2008 9:45:21 PM | 1.) Farfalle con pollo al sugo bianco!
(Bowtie pasta with chicken and a white alfredo sauce)
2.) Chicken spedini
(Chicken breast, lemon juice, oregano, pounded flat, rolled in breadcrumbs, skewered and grilled)
3.) Anything w/ pesto sauce
(Extra virgin olive oil, basil, garlic, pine nuts all ground fine, tossed w/ pasta)
4.) ME!!! ...Am part Italian... don't LOOK it, but LOVE and COOK Italian! Hee | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/21/2008 10:00:17 PM | Well, a million years ago I was married to an Italian, living in northern Italy, and found that while he was Sicilian and had typical tastes for that part of the country, we were living in an area with quite different regional flavors and recipes.
My favorite, which I learned by going to a local restaurant many times, near Lake Como where we lived, was their version of Spaghetti Carbonara, rather different (and easier) than the usual recipe. This would be cooked at your table over a flame, all very fast and with a great flourish!
Forgive me for not putting this in recipe form, but I really don't know the measurements. I learned it, and cook it, by eyeballing the amounts. I would generally use a typical box of spaghetti, a half-pint of cream, 1/2 lb of bacon, and lots of cheese!
Cook your spaghetti as usual, and while it's cooking, fry up some bacon in a large skillet. I cut the bacon up with scissors to make little bite size pieces, which also crisp up better.
Of course, the original was made with pancetta, an Italian bacon, but for many years I've been making it with our bacon and it's just as yummy. Once it's done, pour off and discard the bacon fat. Keep the skillet on a warm burner.
Have ready some light cream and parmesan cheese. When you've drained the spaghetti, you put it in the skillet with the bacon and toss it with what's left of the grease; then, pour in the cream and add the cheese, tossing it all to coat the spaghetti.
You can also add pepper to taste (the bacon makes it salty enough); I've also added garlic at times, and even used a jar of alfredo sauce if I didn't have any cream handy.
Obviously this is VERY rich and fattening, so don't jump all over me for that! But it's so delicious, and easy to make. It's a wonderful change from a tomato sauce based dish. (The major difference from a traditional carbonara recipe is that it doesn't have any eggs in it.)
Anyway - that's my famous Italian dish, but I also make a mean sauce, and a terrific lasagna!
Buon appetito!
Debbie
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/21/2008 10:55:10 PM | | I h ave been looking for lasagna with a white sauce for years! I worked with a lady who was Italian and cooked this for us but would not share her secret recipe. I am not sure if it cheap but it sure is good! | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/21/2008 11:21:03 PM | Readhead
I used to make a seafood lasagna with a "white" sauce that sold very well at the restaurant where I worked. If you would post more details about ingredients, I could post some recipes. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/22/2008 5:25:24 PM | I suggest you watch an Italian cooking show. Unless you like Italian American food with all the fat it has in it. One that you could watch is with Giada De Laurentiis. The dishes she makes are the old fashioned way that many Italians made when they came off the boat here and it's the healthy kind.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ei
It's better to watch than to read. Cooking Italian food isn't just throwing everything together and expecting it to come out good. That is what you need to do, other wise you will end up like other peoples who's Italian cooking is horrendous.
If you want just a book then Dom DeLuise is the way to go. As before, it's traditional home style Italian cooking, the "old" way.
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-This-Too-Dom-Deluise/dp/067100431X | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/22/2008 9:39:39 PM | Did you say affordable? well......... Pasta a la Canadese (caker surprise)
300 grams pasta
500 ml Heinz gourmet ketchup
Add pasta to boiling salted water. Let cook for 10-12 minutes. Drain water.
Pour gourmet Heinz ketchup onto pasta. Voila!!! Your girlfriend will love you long time.
If you REALLY want to impress her add one package of Kraft simulated cheddar to the mix. Guaranteed to impress her!! | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/23/2008 1:08:37 PM | Sicilian Chicken
This is a dish that was introduced to my family when I was young by an Italian family we met while traveling
Ingredients
5-8 chicken thighs
5 white onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced or minced
Fresh rosemary about 1-2 Tbspns (you can also use dried, just not as much)
1 cup good olive oil
1 cup white vinegar
salt
Fill a large bowl with water, salt to taste, add the white vinegar. Add the chicken to the brine and let it soak for about an hour or so. Pour the brine away and remove all the skin and fat off the chicken pieces.
In a large pot add olive oil, bring to med hi heat, quickly brown the chicken on all sides. Turn temperature down low.
Add the rosemary, onions and garlic on top of the chicken and cover with a lid. Cook for about an hour or until the chicken is tender and the onions have broken down to create your juices. Serve with fresh pasta and a salad. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/29/2008 5:46:57 PM | Traditional Carbonara
INGREDIENTS (4 people)
4 thick slices of pancetta - cut into bite size strips OR 1 pack (8 slices) of prosciutto (parma ham)
4 eggs
4 large dessert spoons of grated parmeggiano cheese
(you can use the freeze dried stuff in a container but fresh is better)
Single cream (although I don’t usually use this – I add a bit of warmed butter)
1 pack (500g) of GOOD QUALITY spag / fettucine etc…
Salt / pepper to taste
PREPERATION
1) I shan’t be podantic and tell you how to cook spaghetti…lol
2) Fry the meat with a tiny amount of olive oil – pancetta till slightly brown, prosciutto will take a couple of minutes till it changes colour then turn off, leave in pan to cool down
3) While the meat is cooking – in a large bowl break the eggs and add the cheese , bit of salt and pepper to taste and mix thoroughly. Add a bit of the cream if desired.
4) Cook the pasta to perfection….lol
5) Put the meat back on a small heat to warm gently (don’t let it cook more!! – must still be quite tender / soft)
6) Drain the pasta, but while it is still hot add it to the egg / cheese mixture and stir thoroughly to ensure all the pasta gets covered and the egg gets cooked.
7) Add the meat (remember it..lol) add with all the juices in the pan and stir in the pasta.
8) OPEN A BOTTLE OF WINE (IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY WHILE COOKING!) & ENJOY YOUR MEAL. | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/29/2008 10:32:27 PM | Carbonara is a terrific application, and easy to get right, so long as you do a couple of things to make sure the eggs cook sufficiently on the hot pasta. I put my unbroken eggs on the counter to warm up for a half hour or so. (I don't break them until I have to, to minimize the risk of contamination.) I let the cheese and cream warm up, too.
When the pasta's almost done, I quarter-fill a biggish plastic bag with hot water and lower the bag into the mixing bowl to warm it up. With everything that touches the pasta warmed up, all the heat from the pasta can cook the eggs.
Once I mix the eggs with the pasta, I cover the bowl with whatever lid or other bowl fits. If the kitchen is cold, I'll drape a kitchen towel over it.
The eggs don't get hard-done, btw, but they should be thickened and opaque.
I devised a Collards Carbonara a few years ago. It pleases people who love their greens. Just cook down a mizzle o' grizzle and toss them with the egg-bacon-cheese mixture, just like the pasta dish.
Oh! To answer OPie's OP again, Gina Lollobrigida.
Chores!
Vulf | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/30/2008 2:04:25 PM | It takes a Brummie to cook good Carbonara! My Fav! Trust me it is GOOD!!!!! - especially with a pint of Bank's Mild... LMAO 
Here's another one that's so easy.....
Papa Pomodoro (quick / chunky tomato soup)
Ingredients
5 tomatoes
2 onions
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch fresh basil
half a ciabatta (going stale) failing that a 1/3 french baguette is fine
4 tablespoons Grated Parmigiano Reggiano
salt
black pepper
Preperation
Finely cut onions sauté in olive oil until soft on medium heat
cut tomatoes into small cubes and add into the pan while stirring occasionally (it should look like a sauce)
add salt pepper
cut bread into small cubes and add to sauce to soften
sprinkle with parmeggiano and add chopped basil.
Remove from the heat and ready to serve! | |
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| What are some great italian dishes?
Posted: 5/30/2008 3:34:47 PM | My favorite Italian dish was Connie B when I was 17 years old and she was 15, such a young age to lose one virginity but hey so much for first loves back in the hood.
Oh sorry were talking about food here, I would say if you have a garden or get your hands on fresh herbs and TLC is the key for me, el dente is good for pasta, chicken parma rocks if you finish it off in the oven, yum. | |
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