The familiar filled cheese ravioli is a favorite with almost everyone. Here is my variation, using some wonderfully fresh ricotta for a local Italian market (or you could make yourself…a future class!). You can make this triangular shape or the traditional square ravioli. Basic pasta Ingredients: 4 eggs 1 tsp olive oil 1 pinch salt [...]
Here I have used a blend of all purpose and semolina is durum wheat, higher in gluten, that is ground into a coarse texture. It is used in all dried, machine made pasta. I have often used it with all purpose, but decided to try it out in my own “shaped” pasta. these little farfalle [...]
Basic pasta recipe Ingredients: 4 large eggs 1 tsp olive oil 1 pinch salt 2 1/2- 3 cups all purpose flour method: mix eggs and oil in food processor. Add 2 cups of the flour, gradually add more until mixture resembles couscous. Add a little water if too dry. Mix in bowl with your hands. [...]
Ingredients: 1 package of dry yeast 1 cup warm water (110°) 1/2 tsp sugar or honey 3 cups flour (and more for kneading 2 cups all purpose, 1 cup whole wheat) 1 tbsp olive oil (plus 1 tsp) 1 tsp fine sea salt 2-3 cups caponata (see recipe) 1 cup ricotta ½ cup grated romano [...]
My grandmother always made her pizza in a large rectangular baking pan, thick and chewy. During visits to Sicily our cooking teacher was Anna Tasca Lanza who book “The Heart of Sicily” offers some wonderful recipes and memories. I have adapted her “sfincione” recipe here. It is surprising to find eggs and butter in a [...]
ingredients: 1 package of dry yeast 1 cup warm water (110°) 1/2 tsp sugar or honey 3 cups flour (2 cups all purpose, 1 cup semolina) 1 tbsp olive oil (plus 1 tsp) 1 tsp fine sea salt makes a large round (12-14”) or rectangular (9×12”) or make into you own sizes and shapes 4-6 [...]
Sicilians do love eggplant, and bit of vinegar to add depth. Ingredients: 4 tbsp olive oil 1 lbs whole chicken cut into pieces (or thighs, substitute game hens, cut in half) 6 cloves garlic chopped salt and pepper 2-3 oz pancetta or prosciutto 1 yellow onion, thickly sliced 1-2 bulbs of fennel, diced 1-2 [...]
This is one of my favorite quick dishes. Even in winter you could grill outside, but a stove top grill is perfect for grilling chicken. Prepare chicken by cutting to be “butterflied” or about ½ inch thickness for a quick cook, keeping it tender. Then add a quick sauté of vegetables with white beans for [...]
pan roasted herb crusted chicken with blood oranges, arugula This is my adaptation of a traditional Sicilian chicken with breadcrumbs. Traditionally a whole chicken or or chicken pieces are cooked in a heavy or cast iron pan, breadcrumbs pressed on, cooked in the pan with a little vinegar herb mixture, then served over a salad. [...]
This very intense, full flavored mousse, is made without eggs. Ingredients: 3.5 oz bittersweet chocolate, cut into pieces 2 tbsp hazelnut liqueur 2 tbsp espresso, or very strong coffee 6 oz + 2 oz for topping heavy cream (more for topping) 1 tbsp hazelnut syrup (or other syrup, vanilla or maple would work) 1/4 cup [...]
