Author Archives: Andy

Spaghetti With Black Truffles and Sausage

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Ingredients:

  • 1 pound spaghetti chitarra (or linguine)
  • 2 black truffles
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ anchovy filet
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 1 shallot
  • 2 Italian sausages
  • 8 ounces vegetable stock
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup Parmigiano, grated

Instructions:

Total Time: 1 hour. Serves: 4

 Clean the truffles with a brush to remove any excess dirt. Finely chop the truffles (reserve a small piece for shaving on top).

Add ½ cup of olive oil and the anchovy to a small pot. Simmer on low heat and break up the anchovy with a small whisk. Add the chopped garlic and thyme and continue to simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chopped truffles and promptly remove from heat. Set off to the side and let cool.

Finely chop the shallot.

Remove sausage from casing. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in medium skillet and add the sausage, and then break it up into small pieces. Sauté until golden brown. Add shallots and continue to sauté. Deglaze with vegetable stock and reduce slightly. Add the cooked truffles and season with salt and pepper.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente. Strain the spaghetti and add to the sauce. Add butter and the toss spaghetti over medium heat until it is a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and toss with grated Parmigiano. Finish with freshly grated black truffle.

Serve Immediately.

 

Roast Chicken With Radishes

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Ingredients:

  •  1 (4- to 4 1/2-pound) roasting chicken
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 1/2 pounds radishes, preferably mixed heirloom, trimmed and scrubbed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Place the chicken, breast side up, in a roasting pan or ceramic baking dish just large enough to hold the chicken and radishes, and sprinkle the cavity liberally with salt and pepper. Put the lemon and thyme in the cavity. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wings under the body. Cut any larger radishes in half so they are all about the same size and place around the chicken.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Brush the chicken and radishes all over with the melted butter and sprinkle them both liberally with salt and pepper.

Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and thigh. Cover the pan or baking dish with aluminum foil and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Carve the chicken and serve with the radishes and pan juices.

 

Rigatoni con Ragù alla Napoletana (Gravy and Braciola)

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  • Ingredients
  • 4 slices of beef, preferably rump steak (about 6 ounces each, sliced or pounded thin, to about 1/4″)
  • 4 slices bacon or pancetta
  • 4 slices salami (Genoa or other Italian variety)
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 ounces Pecorino, Parmigiano or provolone cheese, grated or cut in small pieces
  • 1/4 cup Italian flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 28-ounce cans Italian peeled tomatoes, puréed
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 pound rigatoni (or penne)

Instructions

Boil the eggs until hard. Let cool, cut into small pieces, set aside. Finely chop the salami, garlic, and parsley and mix together.

Pat dry the beef slices. Lightly salt and pepper the top side of each. Line them up on a work surface. Place a slice of bacon on the center of each. Evenly spread the salami mixture on top of the bacon, evenly distribute the egg and cheese. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

Starting with the narrower end ([of the beef)], carefully roll up each slice, tightly, and fasten with tooth picks.

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the braciola, carefully turning until each side is lightly brown. Add the wine and cook for a few minutes, then add the tomatoes, and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and cook for about 2 hours, stirring, frequently and carefully.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook the pasta until al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package directions), drain, and add to a serving bowl, lightly coat with ragu. Serve immediately with additional sauce and a sprinkle of Parmigiano.

Serve the braciola on a separate platter.

Pappardelle with Mushrooms

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Ingredients:

1 pound of pappardelle (or penne)
1 onion, finely diced
1 pound of mushrooms (porcini or you a choice)
1/2 cup of dry white wine
1/2 cup of olive oil,
12 ounces of mild Italian sausage, de-cased (optional)
one 28 ounce can of peeled Italian tomatoes, puréed
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated

In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the onions in olive oil until lightly golden. Add the sausage and break apart with a fork. When the sausage is lightly browned, add the white wine and allow to evaporate.

In a separate skillet, heat some olive oil and add the mushrooms, cooking until they are render liquid and then reduce. Add the sausage mixture. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook for about 30 minutes until reduced

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente (one minute less than the package instructions). Drain and add to the skillet with the mushrooms. Mix well. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmigiano.

Possible additions or substitutions: add 1 cup of peas to the skillet 5 minutes prior to ending the cooking. Or add 1/2 cup of heavy cream when the tomatoes are added. Or, substitute 6 ounces of pancetta, cut in thick strips, in lieu of the sausage. 

Roasted Chicken Provencal

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Ingredients:

4 chicken legs or 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 teaspoons of kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 to 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons herbes de Provence
1 lemon, quartered
8 to 10 cloves of garlic, peeled
4 to 6 medium-size shallots, peeled and halved
1/2 cup of dry vermouth
4 sprigs of thyme, for serving

Heat oven to 400°. Season The chicken with salt and pepper. Put the flour in a shallow pan, and lightly dredge the chicken in it, shaking the pieces to remove excess flour.

Swirl the oil in a large roasting pan, and place the floured chicken in it. Season the chicken with herbes de Provence. Arrange the lemon, garlic cloves and

shallots around the chicken, then add the vermouth to the pan.

Put the pan in the oven, and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, then baste it with the pan juices. Continue roasting for another 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is very crisp and the meat cooked through.

Serve in the pan or on a warmed platter, garnish with the thyme. 

Maple Roasted Carrot Salad

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Ingredients:

  •  2 pounds of carrots (preferably with leafy tops).
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil.
  • 1/4 cup of pure Grade A maple syrup.
  • 2/3 cup dried cranberries.
  • 2/3 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges).
  • 3 tablespoons of sherry wine vinegar.
  • 2 garlic clothes (grated).
  • 6 ounces of baby arugula.
  • 6 ounces of goat cheese.
  • 2/3 cup Marcona almonds (roasted, salted) Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste).

 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F

 2. Trim and scrub the carrots. If the carrots are more than 1 inch in diameter, cut them in half lengthwise. Cut the carrots in large diagonal slices 1-inch wide x 2 inches long ( they may shrink when they are roasted) and place in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt and a 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Toss well and transfer to two sheet pans. (If you use just one, they will steam instead of roasting). Roast for 20 minutes, tossing once, until the carrots are tender.

 3. Transfer all of the carrots to one of the sheet pans, add the maple syrup, toss, and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges are caramelized. Watch then carefully! Toss with a metal spatula and set aside for 10 minutes.

 4. Meanwhile, combine the cranberries and orange juice in a small sauce pan, bring to a simmer, then set aside for 10 minutes

 5. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Place the arugula in a large bowl and add the carrots, cranberries (with their liquid) goat cheese, almonds and the vinaigrette. Toss with large spoons, sprinkle with salt, and serve at room temperature.

Tip: Delicious with squash and other root vegetables

Roasted Chicken with Potatoes, Arugula, Garlic & Yogurt

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Ingredients:

  •  1 1/2 pounds of chicken thighs and drumsticks
  •  1 1/4 pounds small Yukon Gold potatoes, halved and cut into 1/2 inch slices
  •  2 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt, more as needed
  •  1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, more as needed
  •  2 tablespoons of harissa (or use another thick hot sauce, such as sriracha)
  •  1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  •  4 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
  • 2 leaks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  •  1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest (from 1/2 a lemon)
  •  1/2 cup of plain yogurt (do not use Greek yogurt)
  •  1 small garlic clove
  •  2 ounces of baby arugula
  •  Chopped fresh dill, as needed
  •  Lemon juice, as needed

Preparations:

Combine chicken and potatoes in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together harissa, cumin and 3 tablespoons of oil. Pour over chicken and potatoes and toast to combine. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to eight hours in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine leaks, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil. 

Heat oven to 425°. Arrange chicken and potatoes on the large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Roast 15 minutes. Toss potatoes lightly. Scatter leaks over pan. Roast until chicken and potatoes are cooked through and everything is golden and slightly crisped, 25 to 30 minutes longer. 

While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Grate garlic it’s over yogurt and season to taste with salt and pepper

To serve, spoon yogurt over chicken and vegetables in the pan. Scatter arugula and deal over mixture. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice and serve.

 

 

ASPARAGUS WITH PROSCIUTTO AND EGG

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  • 3 large eggs;
  • 1 & ½ ounces of Prosciutto, preferably San Daniele, in about two thin slices;
  • ¼ cup of dry bread crumbs;
  • 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil;
  • 1 & ½ pounds medium-thick asparagus, peeled and ends snapped off; and
  • Salt and ground black pepper.

 Place eggs in a pot of water, bring to a boil, and remove from heat, cover and let sit for 6 minutes. Yolks will be set but not fully hard. Remove from the pot and set aside. Roll up the Prosciutto and cut into chunks and place in a food processor with the breadcrumbs and pulse until fairly fine.

 Heat 2tablespoons of oil in a skillet, add the Prosciutto mixture and sauté on medium heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Bring a pot of water large enough to hold the asparagus to a boil, add the asparagus, reduce heat to medium and cook until asparagus are tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain, season with salt and pepper and cover to keep warm. Peel eggs and chop them and mix them in a bowl with the remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

 Arrange the asparagus on a serving plate, scatter Prosciutto crumbs over them and spoon on the eggs.

 

Ragu Michelle’s

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Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 ounces’ butter
  • 6 ounces’ prosciutto, thickly sliced, and cut into strips
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 8 ounces’ mushrooms, any variety, sliced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 12 ounces’ peas, thawed if frozen
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano
  • 1 pound fettuccine

 Instructions:  Cook Time: 30 minutes, Serves 4-6

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

In a large skillet over medium heat sauté the onion in the butter until it is golden brown. Add the prosciutto and cook for 1 or 2 minutes, then add the wine, and cook for an additional minute.

Next add the mushrooms and allow them to render their liquid. When their liquid has mostly been reduced, slowly add the cream, salt and pepper and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes, Peas should be added during the last couple of minutes. Cook the pasta until al dente (about 2 minutes less than package directions), drain, and add to cream mixture. Remove from heat and mix in the Parmigiano.

Serve immediately with a sprinkle of Parmigiano and fresh black pepper.

 

Bolognese Tagliatelle alla

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Ingredients

  • 1 onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3/4-pound ground beef – 20 percent fat is best
  • 1/4-pound ground pork
  • 3 slices prosciutto, finely chopped
  • 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 pound tagliatelle (or spaghetti)

Instructions: Cook Time: 2 hours Serves: 4-6

In a large, heavy-bottom pot over medium heat sauté the onion, celery, carrot and bay leaf in the olive oil until onion is translucent. Add ground beef, pork, and prosciutto to the sautéed vegetables and use a wooden spoon to break up the meat. When meat is nearly cooked, add tomato paste and stir to fully incorporate. Add white wine and simmer until the wine evaporates. Add the crushed tomatoes and 1/2 can (from the tomatoes) of water. Bring the sauce to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook, uncovered for approximately 2 hours. Add salt to taste.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook the tagliatelle until al dente (about 2 minutes less than package directions). Drain, add to the Bolognese sauce and stir to combine. Serve immediately.