30 Minute Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
Posted February 28, 2007 – 7:11 pm in: 30-Minute Meals, How To, Italian, Main Dish, Pasta, TipsThe Simple Dollar offers five tips for preparing home-cooked meals, with minimum effort at the end of a busy day.
Prepare meals in advance.
Discover the crockpot.
Have regular “leftover” nights.
Use lots of items that require minimal preparation.
Eat extremely simple meals
The Simple Dollar » “I’m Too Tired To Cook” - At-Home Dining Solutions For The Overworked Family.
I find [...]
Which Olive Oil to Choose
Posted January 15, 2007 – 11:13 pm in: Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, TipsI’m always looking for recommended olive oils available in Canada. I’ll have to check these out and see what I think.
My personal favourites include Horia Extra-Virgin olive oil from Greece, which I get at the Bulk Cheese Warehouse in Saskatoon; Umberto’s Villa Delia Extra-Virgin olive oil from Italy, which I buy at Il Giarindo in [...]
Spaghetti al Caffe
Posted December 5, 2006 – 8:45 pm in: Beef, Italian, Main Dish, Mediterranean, PastaIngredients:
4 medium onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons. olive oil
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 can tomato sauce
12 oz. chopped mushrooms
1 can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
3/4 cup strong coffee
pinch of sugar (optional)
salt, pepper, oregano, and basil to taste.
Directions:
Heat large pot to medium high.
Put the oil in the pot, then add onions and garlic. Brown until golden.
Add [...]
Lemon Butter Chicken with Pasta
Posted November 10, 2006 – 9:50 am in: Italian, Pasta, PoultryIngredients:
Sauce:
Lemon Butter Sauce:
[...]
No Comments | Tags:Basic Italian Bread
Posted May 28, 2006 – 1:08 pm in: Baking, Bread, ItalianIngredients:
Biga:
1/2 Teas. Active Dry Yeast
1 Cup Lukewarm water
2 Cups Unbleached, All−purpose Flour
Mix the yeast and water together, and then slowly start adding the flour, mixing well. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for up to 6 hours. Refrigerate overnight.
Bread:
2 Cups Warm Water (about 90 degrees F.)
1 Pkg. Active Dry Yeast
5−6 Cups [...]
No Comments | Tags:Tortellini with Peas
Posted May 17, 2006 – 1:58 pm in: Italian, Main Dish, One Pot Meals, PastaNGREDIENTS:
1 9-oz. pkg. refrigerated or frozen tortellini pasta
2 cups frozen baby peas
3 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
PREPARATION:
Cook tortellini as directed on package. Meanwhile, place peas in a colander. When the tortellini is cooked and al dente, pour the contents of the pot over the peas in the colander. Return to the pot. Add butter [...]
Minestrone Soup
Posted May 14, 2006 – 6:50 pm in: Italian, SoupIngredients:2 large onions, diced3 medium carrots, diced2 celery stalks, diced150 ml (5 0z) olive oil2 large white (starchy) potatoes, diced2 bok choy, diced3 l (6.5 p) chicken stockparmesan crust1 400 g (14 oz) tin canellini beans1 400 g (14 oz) tin diced tomato3/4 cup small pasta shapessalt & pepper
Directions:In a large saucepan, saute the onions, [...]
Pappa Al Pomodoro
Posted May 5, 2006 – 9:39 am in: Italian, SoupYield: 4
Ingredients: * 1 x loaf day old Tuscan or country bread, cut into small pieces * 1 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling * 2 x celery stalks, finely chopped * 2 x carrots, finely chopped * 1 x onion, finely chopped * 5 leaves of basil * 28 oz can pealed [...]
Pesto, Roasted Corn and Blue Cheese Pizza
Posted May 1, 2006 – 3:29 pm in: Italian, PizzaYield: 2
Ingredients:
butter
2 ears of corn, husked
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup cornmeal or 1/4 cup flour
1 x 4 inch ball of prepared dough, let rise to room temp.
2 tbsp olive oil
4 oz store bought pesto
4 oz brie cheese, cut into thin slices
salt, and, freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saute pan over [...]
No Comments | Tags:Chinese Chicken Pizza with Hoisin Sauce
Posted April 30, 2006 – 8:07 pm in: Asian, Italian, PizzaYield: 2
Ingredients:
1 x 4 inch ball of prepared dough, let rise to room temp.
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
2 grilled skinless chicken, breasts, diced
4 scallions, finely, sliced
2/3 cup lightly packed cilantro, leaves, stems discarded before before measuring
1/2 red bell pepper, seeds and membranes discarded, sliced into thin strips
1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
salt, and, freshly [...]