Courses Archives: Main Dish

Black-Eyed Peas and Pancetta Minestrone

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Black-Eyed Peas and Pancetta Minestrone
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Servings Prep Time
6/8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
30 minutes overnight soaking
Servings Prep Time
6/8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
30 minutes overnight soaking
Black-Eyed Peas and Pancetta Minestrone
Yum
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
6/8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
30 minutes overnight soaking
Servings Prep Time
6/8 people 15 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
30 minutes overnight soaking
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup cubed pancetta
  • 1 medium garlic clove
  • 1 large Onion finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery finely chopped
  • 4 cups washed green spinach leaves kale, cabbage or swiss chard can be used
  • 1 1/2 cups dried black-eyed peas soak overnight in water
  • 6 cups chicken stock vegetable, beef can be used
  • 3 sprigs parsley chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. In a pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the pancetta, onion, celery, garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, until the vegetables are softened, 10 minutes.
  2. Add the soaked black-eyed peas and stock, bring to a boil. Add the parsley, bay leaf. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat until the black-eyed peas are tender, 25 minutes.
  3. Add the spinach or whatever green you are using and cook for 5 additional minutes. Discard the bay leaf. Season and serve.
Recipe Notes

Finish with olive oil. You can add some cooked small pasta or rice to the finished dish. Freezes well

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Black lentils, Feta, Avocado and Pistachio Salad

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Black lentils, Feta, Avocado and Pistachio Salad
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Servings Prep Time
6/8 people 30 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
6/8 people 30 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Black lentils, Feta, Avocado and Pistachio Salad
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Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
6/8 people 30 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
6/8 people 30 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Ingredients
  • 4 cups puy lentils
  • 1 large avocado
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta
  • 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 4 tbsp pomegranate seeds
  • 1/2 cup toasted pistachios nuts
  • 1/2 lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp pistachio oil avocado oil or regular olive oil can be used
  • 2 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Cook the lentils in salted boiling water for 12/15 minutes. Drain and set aside in a large bowl to cool.
  2. Add to the lentils the avocado peeled and chopped, the crumbled feta, the spinach leaves, the pomegranate seeds and gently toss.
  3. Combine the lemon juice, the pistachio oil, the balsamic vinegar with salt and pepper and pour on the salad. Toss again.
  4. Sprinkle the pistachios, parsley and mint on the salad. Taste for seasoning and serve.
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Roasted Tomato Sauce

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Roasted Tomato Sauce
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Servings Prep Time
8/12 servings 10 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Servings Prep Time
8/12 servings 10 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Roasted Tomato Sauce
Yum
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8/12 servings 10 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Servings Prep Time
8/12 servings 10 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Ingredients
  • 2 lb full flavor ripe tomatoes
  • 4/6 peeled garlic cloves
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bunch basil leaves
  • salt and pepper
Servings: servings
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven at 350F
  2. Halve the tomatoes and arrange them in an oven proof dish lined with parchment. I like them tightly packed but not on top of each other.
  3. Season with the salt, drizzle the olive oil evenly. Scatter the garlic and basil on the tomatoes.
  4. Roast for 45 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and lightly charred. Pass through a sieve or a food mill and discard the seeds and the skins. Use immediately as a great pasta sauce or preserve in zip lock bags and freeze.
Recipe Notes

The seeds and skin of the tomatoes are best removed as they can cause allergies and irritate the stomach.

Tomatoes cook and taste better if the pepper is added after cooking.

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Meat Sauce

bolognese-silvia-baldini

Meat Sauce
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Recipe by Silvia Baldini — I make meat sauce every week. It's our to-go meal. We use it on pasta, veggies, polenta and mashed potatoes. I like to mix veal, pork and beef and I slow cook it for a couple of hours.
Servings Prep Time
12 people 20 minutes
Cook Time
1 to 2 hours
Servings Prep Time
12 people 20 minutes
Cook Time
1 to 2 hours
Meat Sauce
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Print Recipe
Recipe by Silvia Baldini — I make meat sauce every week. It's our to-go meal. We use it on pasta, veggies, polenta and mashed potatoes. I like to mix veal, pork and beef and I slow cook it for a couple of hours.
Servings Prep Time
12 people 20 minutes
Cook Time
1 to 2 hours
Servings Prep Time
12 people 20 minutes
Cook Time
1 to 2 hours
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onions
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrot
  • 1/2 cup grounded prosciutto or mortadella
  • 1 pound double ground veal
  • 1 pound double ground beef
  • 1 pound double ground pork
  • 1/2 tsp grounded cumin
  • 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
  • 1 small glass red wine
  • 2 tbsp tomato concentrate
  • 1 16-ounces large can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken or beef stock
  • 1 bouquet garni tie bay leaves, parsley, rosemary, basil, thyme together
  • salt and pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Warm a couple of table spoon of olive oil in a large heavy bottom pan. Add onion, celery and carrots. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until soft but not browned. Add prosciutto/mortadella and keep cooking for an extra 10 minutes on a low flame. Rise the heat to medium high add veal, pork and beef. Cook stirring occasionally until browned.
  2. Add wine, cook the alcohol out for a couple of minutes on a low the flame.
  3. Season with a sprinkle of nutmeg, cumin, salt and pepper. Add tomato concentrate and cook for a couple of minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, stock and the bouquet garni.
  4. Cook on slow heat for at a couple of hours or until the sauce is nicely reduced and compact. Taste for seasoning and discard the herbs before serving or freezing.
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Tarragon Aioli

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Tarragon Aioli

Course Appetizers, Breakfast, Main Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 table spoon fresh tarragon minced
  • 1/2 clove garlic
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Whisk mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons oil, tarragon, vinegar, minced garlic, and lemon juice in small bowl to blend well. Season aioli with salt and pepper.

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