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Braised Short Ribs

Ingredients:

  • 6 to 7 lbs. meaty beef short ribs
  • 2 T chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 T chopped fresh Thyme
  • 1 T Kosher salt
  • 1 T fresh ground black pepper – coarse
  • 1 halved carrot
  • 1/4 cup your favorite Oli+Ve single variety Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 T butter
  • 2 T flour
  • 1 bottle dry red wine of your choice

Preparation:
Arrange ribs in a single layer in a 15 x 10 x 2 inch glass baking dish. Mix rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Cover all ribs well with this mixture and refrigerate, covered, overnight. 

Let stand for 1 hour at room temperature. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy pot over medium high heat. Working in batches, add ribs to pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes per batch, adding more olive oil to pot by tablespoons as needed. Transfer ribs to large bowls. Pour off drippings from pot and discard. Add bottle of wine to pot and bring to simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Return ribs and juices to pot. Bring to boil. Cover and transfer to oven and braise until meat is very tender and almost falling off the bones (about 2 hours). 

Using a slotted spoon, transfer ribs to large bowl and cover tightly to keep warm. Skim fat. Boil remaing liquid until it reduces to 2 generous cups (about 20 minutes). This is your “gravy”. Serve.

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Balsamic Glazed Ham

Ingredients

  • 1  bone-in skinless smoked ham, shank or butt end portion, 6-8 lbs.
  •  1 cup Cinnamon-Pear Balsamic Condimento
  •   2 tablespoons Dijon or grainy mustard


Directions
 Preheat the oven to 325.
Line a large roasting pan with foil. With a sharp knife, score the fat all over the ham in a diamond pattern. Place the ham, cut side down, in the roasting pan and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, reduce the balsamic to 1/2 cup, by gently simmering it in a medium sauce pan set over low heat. This process should be done slowly, taking approximately 25-30 minutes to complete. When the balsamic condimento has become thick and syrupy and is reduced by half, remove from heat and whisk in the Dijon mustard.
After baking for an hour, remove the ham from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 350. Using a pastry brush, liberally apply the balsamic glaze all over the ham, paying special attention to working it in to the scored portions. Cover just the shank end with a small piece of foil to prevent it from burning. Return the uncovered ham to the oven and roast for approximately 35 minutes, or until the glaze has caramelized and the ham is golden brown. Serves 8

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BACON CHEDDAR SPINACH QUICHE WITH 100% EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL CRUST

FOR THE CRUST

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups white , whole wheat,  or all- purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup fruity, very fresh extra virgin olive oil such as Koroneiki or Manzanillo
  • 1/2 cup ice cold water

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 375.
  • Combine the flour and the salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine.
  • Blend the ice water and the extra virgin olive oil together well.
  • Pour into the food processor and pulse a few more times until the mixture comes together. On a floured surface roll out the dough and fit in to a 9″ diameter pie or quiche pan

FOR THE QUICHE FILLING

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 packed cups washed, dried and roughly chopped fresh spinach
  • 1/2 pound of bacon pre-cook weight, that has been diced and browned
  • 1 1/2 cups finely grated guyere cheese

DIRECTIONS

  • In a large bowl, thoroughly whisk together the eggs( reserving and setting aside one tablespoon of beaten egg) the cream and salt.
  • Layer the quiche in this order: chopped spinach, then the crisp bacon and finally the cheese.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the top
  • Brush the reserved tablespoon of beaten egg over the crust. Bake the quiche in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the crust is browned and the egg is set in the center and doesn’t jiggle. Allow to cool slightly or to room temperature and serve.
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Arancini Fried in Sicilian Ogliorola Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Ingredients
Part 1

  •  3 3/4 to 4 cups chicken stock
  • 4 tablespoons Ogliarola Extra Virgin Olive Oil or a FRESH, robust extra virgin with a “killer chemical composition” conducive to high heat cooking (Phenol Count <300, FFA .2< Oleic Acid <75)
  •  3/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 cup Carnaroli rice
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  •  1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  •  Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup cubed Fontina
  •  1/2 cup fully-cooked bulk Italian sausage meat, browned and drained

 Part 2

  • Ogliarola extra virgin olive oil for deep frying
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 cup dry bread crumbs
  • Tomato sauce, as accompaniment

Directions
Bring the stock to a simmer in a medium sauce pan. Cover and set aside to keep hot. In a heavy Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of the Ogliarola over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until transparent, about 4 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is opaque and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the white wine and cook, stirring, until absorbed. While continually stirring, begin adding the stock in 1/2 cup increments, allowing the liquid to become completely absorbed between additions. Cook until the rice is just tender and the risotto is still loose and creamy, about 20 minutes. Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, basil and salt and pepper and stir to combine well. Transfer to a mixing bowl or baking dish and allow to cool completely. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
Remove the chilled risotto from the refrigerator and stir in 1 of the eggs. Using a small scoop or large spoon, divide the risotto into approximately 3 tablespoon portions. Using your hands, form the portions into rough ball shapes. Press a hole into the center of each risotto ball and stuff the center with a cube of the cheese and the browned sausage. Press the opening closed and roll the ball between your hands until it is smooth. Set aside while you prepare the other arancini. In a large saucepan, heat 2 inches of oil until a deep-fry thermometer reads 360 degrees F.
Place the flour, remaining 2 eggs and bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. Season each with salt and pepper to taste. Using a fork, lightly beat the eggs. One by one, lightly dredge each risotto ball in the flour, then the beaten egg mixture, then the bread crumbs, so that each ball is completely coated.
Transfer to a plate or baking sheet until you are ready to fry the arancini. Fry the balls in batches, a few at a time, turning once during cooking so that they are evenly browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer to paper-lined plates to drain, and then serve immediately. Serve with a garnish Parmesan cheese and some tomato sauce.

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Chicken Salad with Grapes, Almonds and Broccoli

Ingredients:

   Salad
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
6 (4oz.) chicken cutlets (1/4-1/2″ thick)
1 (5oz) package mixed greens
broccoli florets
red seedless grapes (halved)
green seedless grapes (halved)
roasted almonds (spread on baking sheet, single layer, and bake at 350 degrees until browned)

  •  Preheat oven to 425
  •  Whisk together eggs and 3T water in a bowl.  Place breadcrumbs in separate bowl.
  •  Dip Chicken in egg mixture and dredge in breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to adhere
  •  Place on aluminum foil-lined baking sheet
  •  Bake 15 minutes or until chicken is brown and done

   Dressing

  •  1/2 cup Serrano Honey balsamic
  •  2 T honey
  •  1 T Dijon mustard
  •  1/2 t kosher salt
  •  1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
  •  1/2 cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

Combine all ingredients in a jar with lid and shake.

Modified recipe from Southern Living Magazine (September 2015 issue)