Southern Italian Lemon cake with mascarpone and basil

1 big lemon lemon 

1 cup (250ml) olive oil , plus extra for greasing 

4 large eggs 

1 1/4 cup (250g) caster sugar 

2 1/2 cups (250g) ground almonds 

3/4 cup (100g) fine polenta 

SYRUP 

1/2 cup (150g) runny honey 

1 big lemon 

MASCARPONE CREAM 

1 cup (250g) mascarpone 

2 teaspoons icing sugar 

2 teaspoons vanilla paste

Few Basil or mint leaves

1. Place the whole lemon into a large deep saucepan, cover with cold water and a small heatproof plate (to keep the lemon submerged). Place the pan on a medium heat, bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, or until the lemon is soft. (You might need to top up with more water, if the water evaporates too much.) 

2. Take the lemon out and set aside to cool down, then cut it into quarters removing seeds. Place the lemon into a blender or food processor, then mix it with the olive oil until smooth. 

3. Preheat the oven to 160°C/325°F. Grease and line a deep 8 inches (20cm) cake tin or small individual cake tins.

4. Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl, then whisk in the lemon and oil purée, the ground almonds and polenta. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin(s), spread out evenly and bake for 40 to 45 minutes (20 minutes if you’re making individual cakes), or until risen and golden and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin, then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely. 

5. Meanwhile, make the lemon syrup: place the honey in a small pan on a medium-low heat and squeeze in the lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes, until the honey has melted. (You may need to add a splash of hot water if it looks too thick.) Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. 

6. To make the mascarpone cream, beat the mascarpone, icing sugar and vanilla together, then gently fold in the yoghurt and set aside. 

7. Tip the almonds into a small, dry frying pan and toast until golden. (Keep an eye on them, they burn easy).

8. To assemble the cake, place the sponge in the middle of the plate. Spoon the mascarpone cream on top making peaks and waves, then drizzle over the syrup and garnish with the toasted almonds, lemon zest and basil leaves.

Sausage bruschetta

 

• 3 Italian sausages
• 1/2 lbs (250g) of stracchino cheese or grated mozzarella
• Salt and pepper
• Fennel seeds, chilli peppers or any other spice or herbs you would like to add
• 1 baguette, sliced
  
  1. Take sausages out of casing. 
  
  2. On a small bowl combine the sausages, cheese and spices/herbs.
  
  3. Spread the meat on the top of the bread.
  
  4. Bake for 20/30 minutes or until bread is crunchy. Temperature 450f (230C). This recipe is also fabulous if using a barbecue grill or pizza oven.
  
  5. You can top the sausages with peppers, more cheese and any green vegetables.
  
  
  

The Best Roasted Chicken Ever

For the chicken:

- 1 big chicken
- 10 slices of bacon
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, lemon juice or red wine
- 1 garlic, chopped
- 1 tbsp dry thyme or 3 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp or 1 tbsp crushed red peppers (1 tsp for mild, 1 tbsp for hot)

For the stuffing

- 2 Italian sausages
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cup dried figs, dried plums or raisins 
- 1 cup walnuts or chestnuts
- 1 cup Asiago, Parmigiano or smoked provolone, grated 
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup red or white wine
- 1 tbsp butter, olive oil or pork lard

For the potatoes

- 5 big yellow potatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Fresh rosemary
- Oregano (dried or fresh)
-1 cup of Kalamata olives (optional)
- Salt and pepper

For the chicken:

1. On a small bowl, mix vigorously the oil, balsamic, garlic, honey, thyme, black pepper and pepper flakes. (Do not add salt if you are marinating, adding salt will result on a dry chicken).

2. Marinate the chicken overnight. (If using lemon marinate MAX 3 hours).

For the stuffing:

1. On a big casserole,cook the sausages with onion and garlic on the butter. Let it brown.

2. When sausage is cooked combine wine and let reduce. It will tale about 10 - 15 minutes.

3. Turn off the heat and combine all other ingredients.

4. Add the stuffing inside the bird.


Roasting the chicken: (You can do it using a normal oven or a barbecue)

1. Pre heat your oven on the maximum temperature as possible.

2. Start roasting the bird uncovered at 450F (230C) for 15 min. Place bacon strips on the top of the bird.

3. Reduce temperature for 350F (180C) for another 20 min.

4. Reduce temperature for 300F (150C) for another 20 min.

5. If chicken and bacon starts to be to brown, cover with a foil.

6. You have two ways to check if the chicken is cooked. One way is to cut with a knife a piece of the breast and check inside, It needs to be white not pink. More civilized way to check is with a thermometer.  Insert the thermometer inside the breast and the temperature needs to be 165F(75C) or more. This was you are 100% safe.

Roasting the potatoes:

1. Mix all ingredients and combine on a big baking dish. Possible the baking dish you will serve the chicken.

2. Bake the potatoes. Can be together with the chicken  on the same oven. But not on the same pan.

3. Add drippings of the chichen everytime you turn down temperatures. This is the secret for the potatoes to taste delicious!

Pasta and Fagioli

 

3 15 oz cans pinto or cannellini beans
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
5 oz pancetta or approx 5 slices bacon, diced
2 tbsp minced FRESH rosemary, thyme, basil or parsley
6 cups beef broth
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 ¾ cups small pasta shells, uncooked
Salt and pepper to taste
crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Parmigiano cheese

• In a large soup pot, heat olive oil. Add onion and pancetta and saute until onions are golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and herbs and saute about 4 additional minutes. Then combine the beans, the broth and cook for five minutes.
• Transfer the pot ingredients to a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. You can also use an immersion blender and that will be easier.
• Add the pureed mixture back into the pot.  Add salt, and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat.
• Taste, and add more salt if necessary.
• Serve, topped with red pepper flakes and cheese, if you like.

Limoncello and Strawberry Charlotte

24-26 ladyfingers

For the strawberry mousse:
½ lb (500 g) strawberries
¼ cup + 2 tbsp (75g) sugar
2 packets powdered Gelatine (14g)
1 ¼ cup (300 ml) whipping cream (30%)

For the limoncello syrup :
5 oz (150 ml) limoncello
1 lemon
¼ cup + 2 tbsp (75g) sugar

1 – Make the strawberry puree.

1.1 - Wash the strawberries and cut the tails off. Set aside about 15-16 strawberries (the best looking ones), and puree the rest in a blender. If needed, strain the puree through a fine meshed strainer to discard the seeds. 

1.2 - In a medium-sized sauce pan, heat up about a third of the strawberry puree with half of the sugar (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons/75g) and the gelatine. Boil for 1 minute, whisking continuously (to avoid lumps), until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has thickened slightly. 

1.3 - Remove from the heat, whisk in the rest of the strawberry puree, and set aside to cool to room temperature. 

2 – Make the soaking syrup. 

2.1 - In a small saucepan, heat up the limoncello with the sugar and the zest of the lemon. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. 

2.2 - Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. 

3 – Make the strawberry mousse 

3.1 - In a large mixing bowl, whip up the cream to a firm peak. Gently fold in the strawberry puree, using a spatula. Do not overmix: stop mixing where the mousse is evenly pink in color and no lumps are visible, but the mixture still has to feel airy and foamy. 

4 – Assemble the cake.

4.1 - Line an 8” round spring form cake pan with parchment paper (bottom and rims). Take 4 strawberries and cut them in halves. Take a ladyfinger and soak the flat side (the bottom) in the syrup. Place it against the side of the pan, rounded-side facing out and flat side (soaked side) facing inward.

4.2 - Repeat and arrange the ladyfingers all around the sides of pan, nice and snug to avoid gaps. You should use about 18-19 ladyfingers to fill the entire rim. 

4.3 - Place the rest of the ladyfingers in one layer at the bottom of the pan, (rounded-side facing down, flat-size facing up), nice and snug to avoid gaps. Pour half of the strawberry mousse inside the “ladyfinger mold” (this will also help keep the ladyfingers in place). Place the strawberry halves in one layer on top of the mousse. Ladle the rest of the mousse on top, and smooth it out with your spatula.

4.4 - Place the Charlotte cake in the fridge to set for at least 4 hours (preferably longer). You should be able to slice the cake for serving, so the mousse has to set until relatively firm (but not too rubbery). 

5 – To serve. 

When the Charlotte is chilled and set, carefully remove it from the springform mold, peel off the parchment paper from the edges and place on a serving tray. If chilled enough, the cake should be easy to work with. If it is too soft (and starts to fall), give it more time in the fridge before you try to unmold it. 

Optional: when on the serving tray, you can tie a ribbon around the Charlotte cake. Not too tight, but just enough to keep the cake together in case it has to sit at room temperature too long before slicing. Right before serving, slice the rest of the strawberries (10) in halves, and place them on top of the cake to decorate

Amaretto Cheese Cake

   

For the crust:

• 11 oz/ 300 g amaretti cookies
• ▢1/2 cup / 130 g butter, melted
  
  For the pie:
   
• 18 oz/ 500 g cream cheese or ricotta or both mixed
• ▢7/8 cup/ 200 ml heavy whipping cream, cold*
• ▢11 oz/ 300 g white chocolate, melted
• ▢2 oz/ 60 g amaretti cookies, crushed
• ▢
• ▢2 teaspoons almond extract or 2 tbsp Amaretto liquor
• Extra amaretti cookies for decoration
• ▢White chocolate shaves for decoration
• ▢
• 
  

• For the crust:

  • Crush the cookies to fine crumbs using a food processor.
  • Place the crumbs and the melted butter in a bowl. Stir very well until combined.
  • Press the mixture onto the bottom of a 7 inch/ 18 cm springform pan lined with a circle of parchment paper. Leave the pan in the fridge while preparing the filling.
    
    

    For the filling:

    • In a large mixing bowl combine cream cheese or ricotta, whipping cream, amaretto or almond extract. Beat with an electric mixer first at a lower speed and then at high speed until the mixture becomes thick and fluffy.
    • Start adding from the melted chocolate, 1-2 tbs at a time, while beating with the mixer at the lowest speed. When all the chocolate is absorbed, beat 15-20 seconds at high speed.
    • Using a rubber spatula fold the cookie crumbs into the filling.
    • Pour the filling into the crust. Smoothe the top with a spatula. Cover with cling film/ aluminium foil and let cool for until it gets firm. It will take minimum four hours if making a big pie. If using individual serving dishes the process will be quicker, about one hour.
    • Decorate with amaretti cookies and white chocolate, thinly cut into shaves with a large knife.
    • Use a wet knife to slice the cheesecake as it will be very creamy.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Venetian Cookies (Zaeti)

Zaeti

Zaeti is Veneto dialect for the Italian gialletti, literally “the little yellow ones”. They are buttery, crumbly polenta (maize or cornmeal) biscuits, plump with raisins and you will spot them in patisseries and bakeries in Venice, Padua and other Veneto towns.

There are many versions, more or less rich, but they all share a charming culinary humbleness, which is one of the key marks of genuine Italian cooking. 

Traditionally diamond-shaped, they can also be baked as rounds. They are rather soft when freshly  baked but they crisp up during the following days, always delicious – they are ideal biscuits for the winter months.

Zaeti

2/3 cup raisins or chocolate chips
2 tablespoons almond liqueur, port wine or Grappa
1 cup cornmeal - Polenta (The finest the better)
1 cup flour, plus more for dusting

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Powder sugar, for sprinkling 1. Combine raisins and almond liqueur in a small bowl. Let soak until fruit is plump, 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and egg yolk, lemon zest, and vanilla. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut butter into dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form. Add raisins and wet ingredients, gently stirring until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Shape into a flat square, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate 45 minutes or up to overnight.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to an 8-inch square, about 1/2 inch thick. Using a sharp knife, cut dough horizontally into 1-inch strips. Working with one strip at a time, cut crosswise on the bias into 5 equal diamonds (you should make 6 cuts). Reroll scraps once and form additional cookies, if desired. Transfer cookies to two parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced about 1 inch apart. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
4.Lightly beat reserved egg white. Brush tops of cookies with egg white and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until lightly golden around edges, about 22 minutes. Zaeti Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up for a month.

Piccata di pollo

2 lbs chicken cutlets, tenders or chicken breasts (halved horizontally) 

2 ½ tsp salt, divided 

½ tsp pepper 

1 cup flour for dredging 

10 tbsp butter, cut into pieces, divided 

4 tbsp olive oil, divided 

1 shallot, minced 

1 tbsp garlic, minced 

1 1/2 cups chicken stock 

1 lemon juiced (1 tbsp) 

2 tsp lemon zest 

2 tbsp capers, drained parsley, chopped, for garnish

1. Season the chicken with 2 teaspoons salt and pepper on both sides. Place the flour on a plate. Dredge the chicken in the flour and shake off any excess. Discard the flour when finished dredging. 

2. Heat 3 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet set over medium-high until the butter has melted. 

3. Working in batches, taking care not to crowd the pan, add ½ the chicken and sauté until golden brown, about 2 ½ - 3 minutes per side, until cooked through. Set the chicken aside on a plate when they finish cooking. 

4. Add 3 more tablespoons of butter and 2 more tablespoons of olive oil and finish cooking the 2nd batch of chicken. 

5. Add the shallot to the pan drippings and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute longer. 

6. Add the stock and simmer until reduced by half, about 4-5 minutes. 

7. Reduce heat to low, then stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, capers, lemon juice, and zest to taste. Season with remaining ½ teaspoon of salt. Garnish with parsley if using. 

8. Serve the chicken with the piccata sauce poured over the top of the pan-fried chicken, alongside your favorite pasta or salad.

Chicken with oranges and lemons

• 2 bone in, skin on chicken breasts, or other chicken parts
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 whole lemons, one juiced and one sliced
• 2 whole oranges, one juiced and one sliced
• 1 tablespoon rosemary
• 1 tablespoon sage
• 1 teaspoon, chopped garlic
• red pepper flakes, a good pinch
• 1 medium red onion, sliced
• ¼ cup of olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• salt and pepper to taste
• Optional ingredients (Black olives, Capers, Bacon, Parma ham)

1. Heat oven to 200C/400F.

2. Whisk together the olive oil, honey, lemon and orange juice, dried seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes, onion or garlic powder, salt and pepper.

3. Place chicken into a baking dish and pour mixture on top turning to coat all sides, at this point you can let it marinate for a little while if you have the time for even more flavor infusion.

4. Arrange the sliced citrus and onion all around and underneath the chicken.

5. Place fresh thyme and rosemary throughout and a good drizzle of olive oil.

6. Roast uncovered for about an hour or until juices run clear and chicken is fully cooked.

Main courses

Fish in a bag

                                

Piccata di Pollo

                                          

Baked chicken with leeks, ham and mascarpone

                                    

Chicken with Zaatar, served with chickpeas and yogurt

Chicken with Oranges and Lemons

North African Meatballs with couscous

Arrosto misto

Peposo (Tuscan wine stew)

                                                          

Ossobuco

Bigos (National Polish dish)

African Peanut stew

Afghan chicken

Orange Fragrant Goulash

Ossobuco

 

- 6 Thick Slices of Beef or Veal Osso Buco

- 2 Tablespoons Flour

- Sea Salt and Pepper

- 4 Tablespoons Olive Oil

- 1 Onion, peeled and chopped

- 2 Carrots, chopped

- 2 Celery Stalks, chopped

- 14 Ounces (Just under 2 Cups) Mushrooms, chopped

- 3 Cloves Garlic, peeled and chopped

- 2 Heaping Tablespoons Tomato Paste

- 1 Cup Red Wine (Super Tuscan)

- 2 Cups Good Quality Beef Stock

- 2 1⁄2 Cups Tomato Passata

-Risotto, Polenta or Mashed Potatoes for serving.

1. Place the osso buco onto a plate, season with sea salt and pepper and dust with flour

to coat. Place an cast iron oven (or heavy based saucepan) over high heat and add 2

tablespoons olive oil. Carefully add the meat in a single layer and brown on both sides

(approximately 5 minutes). Transfer to plate and set aside.

2. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan and add the onion, carrot, celery, mushroom

and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the vegetables are tender. Add the

tomato paste and cook for 3 minutes, continuously stirring. Add the red wine and

deglaze. Continue cooking until the wine is almost completely reduced.

3. Return the osso buco to the pan. Add the beef stock and tomato passata and bring to

a boil. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, put the lid on and

cook for 2 1/2 – 4 hours or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.

4. To thicken the sauce, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking. (You can add a zest of one lemon when the dish is finished, it is an optional ingredient).

5. Serve with a light risotto, polenta or mashed potatoes.

Baked Pasta

 Dill Cannelloni stuffed with sausages and leeks, served with parmigiano sauce

Dill Cannelloni stuffed with sausages and leeks with parmigiano sauce

 

For the Dough:

- 4 Eggs

- 4 Cups Flour

- 2 Tbsp. Dried Dill Weed

For the Filling:

- 4 Italian Sausages (Spicy or Sweet), no casings. Or, ground Italian Sausage.

Note: If you want to make it vegetarian, substitute 2 cups of cooked and squeezed

spinach and add an extra cup of provolone!

- 4 Cups Chopped Leeks

- 2 Cups Ricotta

- 1 Cup Smoked Provolone, Grated

- 1 Cup Parmigiano Cheese, Grated

- 1 Cup White Wine (either InVINtions Chardonnay or InVINtions Sauvignon Blanc)

- 5 Fresh Sage Leaves

- Salt and Pepper

For the Sauce:

- 1/2 Cup Butter

- 6 Cups Milk

- 1⁄2 Cup Flour

- Pinch of Nutmeg

- 1⁄2 Cup Walnuts

- 1⁄2 Cup Parmigiano Cheese

- Salt and Pepper

Making the pasta dough:

1. Pour the flour into a bowl, add the eggs, dill and salt to the middle and mix with a fork to blend

the ingredients together.

2. Knead the pasta dough with your hands until it is completely smooth and consistent. If the

dough is too dry, add some water. If it is too sticky, add some flour.

3. Lightly dust a table with flour. Remove the pasta dough from the bowl and place it on the table.

You will now be making pasta pieces (about 6 inches long with a thickness setting of no. 4.):

-Break pasta dough up into little pieces to feed through machine.

-Dough should never stick to your fingers.

-Set the adjustment knob to 1, and pass the pasta sheet through just once.

-Set the adjustment knob to 2, and pass the pasta sheet through once more, and so on until you

reach the desired thickness of no. 4.

-Cut the pasta sheet crosswise, into pieces about 6 inches long and dust them with flour. Let it

rest on the top of a clean table cloth.

Making the filling:

1. In a big frying pan, sauté the sage and sausages (without casing or comparable) until very well

cooked.

2. Add wine and let it reduce until evaporated.

3. Add leeks.

4. Let this mixture cool down before adding other ingredients.

Making the Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon

and stir until golden.

2. Gradually whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to just under a boil. Cook, whisking

constantly, until the mixture thickens for about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper and

nutmeg.

3. Remove from the heat, and combine the cheese and walnuts. If not using it immediately, let it

cool. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.

Putting it all together!

1. Place 3 Tbsp of the filling on the pasta sheet.

2. Roll it.

3. Place the rolled pasta in a baking dish with sauce.

4. Add extra sauce on the top.

5. Bake for about 1 hour at 380 degrees.