Pasta Fazool

I love facebook! It's such a fun way to connect with people. You may be asking yourself,  What does that have to do with Pasta Fazool? Well, tonight I asked the question - What is it called in your family - Pasta Fagioli or Pasta Fazool. Pasta Fazool is the hands down winner. Nanny always called it Fazool but as I got older I was "corrected" by someone who calls it Fagioli. I don't have to worry anymore, my facebook friends have given me permission to call it by the name I grew up with - Fazool! Thank you! If you aren't already a follower come check out my facebook page by clicking HERE. Please feel free to get involved in the conversations, it's fun!  I also have another hobby so if anyone is looking for some home decorating and design tips please follow me HERE.  I don't have a ton of followers there but would love to get some conversation going so don't be shy!

Tonight I made a version of Rachael Ray's Pasta Fazool but changed somethings around.  You can see her original recipe here.  Below is how I made it with some changes. The recipe is pretty basic but the addition of the cheese rind and the crushed red pepper gives it great depth. You can make this spicy if you like,  I just like a little kick and just to clarify - a little kick for me is nonexistant to Steve and probably most people. 

Pasta Fazool


Ingredients:

1 medium onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
4 cloves garlic,  minced
1 8 oz can delmonte tomato sauce
approx 3 cups of chicken broth
1 packaged of diced prosciutto or pancetta
2 - 15 oz cans of cannelini beans
2 bay leaves
pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
salt and pepper, to taste
5-6 basil leaves
1 rind parmigiano reggiano (optional)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 pound of orrechiette pasta or any small shape


Directions:

In a large saucepan saute prosciutto in extra virgin olive oil.  When browned add onion, garlic, carrot and celery.  Season with salt and pepper and lower heat.  Sweat the veggies until the onions are translucent.  Add bay leaves, italian seasoning, red pepper, delmonte, 1 can of beans drained and 1 can drained and rinsed  (You want some of the starch to thicken the sauce but not too much) and the chicken broth.  Cover and let mixture come to a boil, then add the basil and cheese rind if you are using it. Let cook for 10 minutes or so or until veggies are tender.  Taste and adjust seasoning according to your taste.

In another pot cook pasta in boiling water.  When pasta is just under al dente add to saucepan using a slotted spoon.  (Some of the starchy water will fill the pasta and help create a tasty thick sauce).  Toss the pasta with the beans and sauce and let cook a minute until pasta is al dente.

Enjoy!


Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Pasta Fazool

I love facebook! It's such a fun way to connect with people. You may be asking yourself,  What does that have to do with Pasta Fazool? Well, tonight I asked the question - What is it called in your family - Pasta Fagioli or Pasta Fazool. Pasta Fazool is the hands down winner. Nanny always called it Fazool but as I got older I was "corrected" by someone who calls it Fagioli. I don't have to worry anymore, my facebook friends have given me permission to call it by the name I grew up with - Fazool! Thank you! If you aren't already a follower come check out my facebook page by clicking HERE. Please feel free to get involved in the conversations, it's fun!  I also have another hobby so if anyone is looking for some home decorating and design tips please follow me HERE.  I don't have a ton of followers there but would love to get some conversation going so don't be shy!

Tonight I made a version of Rachael Ray's Pasta Fazool but changed somethings around.  You can see her original recipe here.  Below is how I made it with some changes. The recipe is pretty basic but the addition of the cheese rind and the crushed red pepper gives it great depth. You can make this spicy if you like,  I just like a little kick and just to clarify - a little kick for me is nonexistant to Steve and probably most people. 

Pasta Fazool


Ingredients:

1 medium onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
4 cloves garlic,  minced
1 8 oz can delmonte tomato sauce
approx 3 cups of chicken broth
1 packaged of diced prosciutto or pancetta
2 - 15 oz cans of cannelini beans
2 bay leaves
pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
salt and pepper, to taste
5-6 basil leaves
1 rind parmigiano reggiano (optional)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 pound of orrechiette pasta or any small shape


Directions:

In a large saucepan saute prosciutto in extra virgin olive oil.  When browned add onion, garlic, carrot and celery.  Season with salt and pepper and lower heat.  Sweat the veggies until the onions are translucent.  Add bay leaves, italian seasoning, red pepper, delmonte, 1 can of beans drained and 1 can drained and rinsed  (You want some of the starch to thicken the sauce but not too much) and the chicken broth.  Cover and let mixture come to a boil, then add the basil and cheese rind if you are using it. Let cook for 10 minutes or so or until veggies are tender.  Taste and adjust seasoning according to your taste.

In another pot cook pasta in boiling water.  When pasta is just under al dente add to saucepan using a slotted spoon.  (Some of the starchy water will fill the pasta and help create a tasty thick sauce).  Toss the pasta with the beans and sauce and let cook a minute until pasta is al dente.

Enjoy!


Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Chicken Breasts with a Mustard Caper Pan Sauce

This dish (and others like it) is the reason why I have all clad pots.  To sear and to make pan sauces.  When I first started watching the food network I became obsessed with getting those little browned bits stuck to the pan so I could look and feel like a professional Chef when I deglazed the pan.  Seriously, it was like a little girl who plays house and dreams of what life will be like. Instead of dreaming about the house and the husband and the babies I dreamt of the kitchen and the deglazing and the sauces. I tried making a pan sauce in my mom's non stick pans and that only lead to disappointment. Luckily I have a mom who loves me and wants to make me happy so she bought me a set of all clad pans.  It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.  Thanks Mom!

Here is a simple dish that uses very few ingredients.  I actually coated the chicken in flour (before I had a clue that I was making that sauce) which was unnecessary.  So I am not going to put that step in the directions.  This is one of those made up as I go along recipes so I don't have exact ingredients.  Hopefully you'll be able to wing it.  :-) I made just enough for two but you can certainly make this for four or more.  If you want more sauce just add more chicken stock a little at a time and reduce it until it thickens and you have the amount of sauce you want.  You do not need a ton of sauce though because it is packed with flavor and a little goes a long way.

Chicken Breasts with a Mustard Caper Pan Sauce

Michele Brigante

Ingredients:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
approx 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 -2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 generous tablespoon of dijon mustard
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 teaspoons of capers
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper, to taste


Directions:

Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Heat 1 tablespoon of oil and the butter in a saute pan (stainless steel will work best) over medium heat. Saute chicken on both sides then remove to a plate.  If the pan is dry add a little more oil and the garlic. Do not let garlic burn or it will taste bitter (lower the gas if necessary).  Cook the garlic for a minute and add flour.  Allow flour to cook for 1 minute and stir.  Turn gas up again if you lowered it an add stock while stirring with wooden spoon or whisk.  Add mustard and capers and season with pepper.  Taste it before you add salt and adjust salt and mustard accordingly.  If you want your sauce to thicken reduce it further, or if you want more sauce add a little more stock and let it reduce.  Add parsley.  When your sauce is done add the chicken to the pan with and toss to coat.  Cover and let it cook for another 5-10 mins (depending on the thickness of your chicken) so chicken is cooked through. 

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Chicken Breasts with a Mustard Caper Pan Sauce

This dish (and others like it) is the reason why I have all clad pots.  To sear and to make pan sauces.  When I first started watching the food network I became obsessed with getting those little browned bits stuck to the pan so I could look and feel like a professional Chef when I deglazed the pan.  Seriously, it was like a little girl who plays house and dreams of what life will be like. Instead of dreaming about the house and the husband and the babies I dreamt of the kitchen and the deglazing and the sauces. I tried making a pan sauce in my mom's non stick pans and that only lead to disappointment. Luckily I have a mom who loves me and wants to make me happy so she bought me a set of all clad pans.  It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.  Thanks Mom!

Here is a simple dish that uses very few ingredients.  I actually coated the chicken in flour (before I had a clue that I was making that sauce) which was unnecessary.  So I am not going to put that step in the directions.  This is one of those made up as I go along recipes so I don't have exact ingredients.  Hopefully you'll be able to wing it.  :-) I made just enough for two but you can certainly make this for four or more.  If you want more sauce just add more chicken stock a little at a time and reduce it until it thickens and you have the amount of sauce you want.  You do not need a ton of sauce though because it is packed with flavor and a little goes a long way.

Chicken Breasts with a Mustard Caper Pan Sauce

Michele Brigante

Ingredients:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
approx 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 -2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 generous tablespoon of dijon mustard
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 teaspoons of capers
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper, to taste


Directions:

Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Heat 1 tablespoon of oil and the butter in a saute pan (stainless steel will work best) over medium heat. Saute chicken on both sides then remove to a plate.  If the pan is dry add a little more oil and the garlic. Do not let garlic burn or it will taste bitter (lower the gas if necessary).  Cook the garlic for a minute and add flour.  Allow flour to cook for 1 minute and stir.  Turn gas up again if you lowered it an add stock while stirring with wooden spoon or whisk.  Add mustard and capers and season with pepper.  Taste it before you add salt and adjust salt and mustard accordingly.  If you want your sauce to thicken reduce it further, or if you want more sauce add a little more stock and let it reduce.  Add parsley.  When your sauce is done add the chicken to the pan with and toss to coat.  Cover and let it cook for another 5-10 mins (depending on the thickness of your chicken) so chicken is cooked through. 

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Caramelized Onion and Olive Tapenade Pizza

This is a very easy and crowd pleasing pizza! It's pizza so it's casual but the ingredients are a little more special so it can be considered a little more fancy if you want it to be. By keeping a few things on hand in your pantry you can make a quick pizza any day.  This doesn't take any skill at all, you aren't really cooking just combining ingredients.  You can make your own pizza dough if you have the time, I just go to a pizzeria that I like and I buy their dough. You don't even need to have sauce for it to be considered a pizza, at least not in my book.

For this pizza I used caramelized onions, shredded italian blend cheese and trader joe's olive tapenade.  It's made up of mostly kalamata olives and it is delicious!

Caramelized Onions

Ingredients:

One large or 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
approx 1 tablespoon of EVOO and 1/2 tablespoon of butter
salt, pepper and a tsp of sugar

Directions:

Heat large saute pan over medium heat, add butter and oil, add onions, toss to coat in oil.  Allow onions to cook, tossing occasionally but not constantly.  Just like mushrooms you want them to get some color before you stir them.  Once the onions start to soften add salt, pepper and sugar and toss.  You do not want your onions to burn but instead turn a golden brown.  Lower heat if necessary.  Onions will cook for about 30 minutes. 

To assemble Pizza:

Stretch dough with your hands and place on an oiled cookie sheet.  Spread with olive tapenade, shredded cheese and top with caramelized onions. 

Bake at 400 degree for about 20 minutes or until pizza is crispy and golden. 

Caramelized Onion and Olive Tapenade Pizza

This is a very easy and crowd pleasing pizza! It's pizza so it's casual but the ingredients are a little more special so it can be considered a little more fancy if you want it to be. By keeping a few things on hand in your pantry you can make a quick pizza any day.  This doesn't take any skill at all, you aren't really cooking just combining ingredients.  You can make your own pizza dough if you have the time, I just go to a pizzeria that I like and I buy their dough. You don't even need to have sauce for it to be considered a pizza, at least not in my book.

For this pizza I used caramelized onions, shredded italian blend cheese and trader joe's olive tapenade.  It's made up of mostly kalamata olives and it is delicious!

Caramelized Onions

Ingredients:

One large or 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
approx 1 tablespoon of EVOO and 1/2 tablespoon of butter
salt, pepper and a tsp of sugar

Directions:

Heat large saute pan over medium heat, add butter and oil, add onions, toss to coat in oil.  Allow onions to cook, tossing occasionally but not constantly.  Just like mushrooms you want them to get some color before you stir them.  Once the onions start to soften add salt, pepper and sugar and toss.  You do not want your onions to burn but instead turn a golden brown.  Lower heat if necessary.  Onions will cook for about 30 minutes. 

To assemble Pizza:

Stretch dough with your hands and place on an oiled cookie sheet.  Spread with olive tapenade, shredded cheese and top with caramelized onions. 

Bake at 400 degree for about 20 minutes or until pizza is crispy and golden. 

Ciambella with Summer Berry Compote

Psst - anybody still out there? I sure hope so. It's been a long time. I know, I'm sorry. It is not easy balancing everything I'm working on these days but I am going to really try to start blogging again more regularly. So I'm going to get right to it.

This weekend I made a Ciambella with a Summer Berry Compote for my dinner group. It's a ring shaped cake but it tastes more like a cookie. It tastes similar to the anisette cookies that I make, a one baked biscotti (so it's technically not a biscotti because that means twice baked.) This dessert could not get easier. In fact, I made this years ago and it was one of the first Mario Batali recipes I ever tried. It all gets done in the food processor and pretty much just gets thrown together. That's the kind of dessert I like to make since we all know how often I ruin desserts! lol

The only changes I made to this recipe was that I left out the blackberries. I think it was just as good with the raspberry, blueberry combo. I think I will brush it with an egg wash next time. Just so it looks shiny and pretty. It is pretty rustic looking and I think if I cooked it longer it would have dried it out.
Let me know if you try this!

Ciambella with Summer Berry Compote
by Mario Batali


Ingredients:

1 pint blueberries
1 pint blackberries
1 pint raspberries
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
8 tablespoons cold sweet butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice plus 1 tablespoon
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup cold milk


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium saucepan, combine berries, lemon juice and sugar. Place over medium heat and cook until just boiling, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Place flour, sugar and baking powder in a food processor and pulse quickly to blend. Add cold butter and pulse quickly until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. In a separate bowl, beat egg, almond extract and milk until smooth. With food processor going, add liquid all at once and blend 10 to 15 seconds, until just forming a ball. Remove dough from processor to a well-floured cutting board. Shape the dough into a log about 14 inches long and 1-1/2 inches tall. Grease a cookie sheet with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and lay the log in a round in center. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until light golden brown. Remove and allow to cool to room temperature. (I served it cold which I liked better than warm or room temp) Cut into slices about 1-inch thick, top with 2 tablespoons of berry compote and serve.


Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Ciambella with Summer Berry Compote

Psst - anybody still out there? I sure hope so. It's been a long time. I know, I'm sorry. It is not easy balancing everything I'm working on these days but I am going to really try to start blogging again more regularly. So I'm going to get right to it.

This weekend I made a Ciambella with a Summer Berry Compote for my dinner group. It's a ring shaped cake but it tastes more like a cookie. It tastes similar to the anisette cookies that I make, a one baked biscotti (so it's technically not a biscotti because that means twice baked.) This dessert could not get easier. In fact, I made this years ago and it was one of the first Mario Batali recipes I ever tried. It all gets done in the food processor and pretty much just gets thrown together. That's the kind of dessert I like to make since we all know how often I ruin desserts! lol

The only changes I made to this recipe was that I left out the blackberries. I think it was just as good with the raspberry, blueberry combo. I think I will brush it with an egg wash next time. Just so it looks shiny and pretty. It is pretty rustic looking and I think if I cooked it longer it would have dried it out.
Let me know if you try this!

Ciambella with Summer Berry Compote
by Mario Batali


Ingredients:

1 pint blueberries
1 pint blackberries
1 pint raspberries
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 tablespoons sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
8 tablespoons cold sweet butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice plus 1 tablespoon
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup cold milk


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium saucepan, combine berries, lemon juice and sugar. Place over medium heat and cook until just boiling, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Place flour, sugar and baking powder in a food processor and pulse quickly to blend. Add cold butter and pulse quickly until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. In a separate bowl, beat egg, almond extract and milk until smooth. With food processor going, add liquid all at once and blend 10 to 15 seconds, until just forming a ball. Remove dough from processor to a well-floured cutting board. Shape the dough into a log about 14 inches long and 1-1/2 inches tall. Grease a cookie sheet with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and lay the log in a round in center. Place in a preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until light golden brown. Remove and allow to cool to room temperature. (I served it cold which I liked better than warm or room temp) Cut into slices about 1-inch thick, top with 2 tablespoons of berry compote and serve.


Click here for a printable version of this recipe.