Category: Recipes

Super Sweet Sunday! Dessert Ricotta Ravioli With Strawberry Sauce!

A great dessert is an essential, and the best part, of Sunday dinners. You know, everyone falls asleep on the couch with full bellies of spaghetti and meatballs and wake up to round 2!! Ding, ding, ding! If you are my brothers, it means another round of spaghetti and meatballs. But, for everyone else, it is coffee and a decadent dessert! I made this one today!

Amazing! Sweet ricotta filling!!
Amazing! Sweet ricotta filling!!

Dessert Ravioli With Ricotta Filling in a Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients:

Filling:
3 cups ricotta cheese
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp.vanilla extract

Strawberry Sauce:
4 cups fresh strawberries diced
1/2 cup rum
1/2 cup sugar

Dough:
31/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
3/4 cup water

Directions:
Start with the filling:
Stir together the ingredients in a mixing bowl and refrigerate

The Strawberry Sauce:
Combine strawberries, rum and sugar in a saucepan on medium heat. Let cook 15- 20 minutes. It will bubble and simmer. Shut of heat and let it sit until ready!

Strawberries will cook down! Have kids? The rum cooks off! No worries!
Strawberries will cook down! Have kids? The rum cooks off! No worries!

The dough:
In a mixing bowl combine the flour, eggs, and 3/4 cup of water. Gradually add the water until the mixture is forming a solid ball.

 

Using a KitchenAid mixer? Switch to the dough hook before adding flour!
Using a KitchenAid mixer? Switch to the dough hook before adding flour!

Powdered sugar rolling surface. Make 2 inch round balls and roll them in powdered sugar. With a rolling pin, roll out ball into a circle. Spoon filling onto circle. Close the ravioli by folding circle in half. Pressing dough edges together and securing with a fork press! Make sure they are closed all the way around!

Be careful not to overfill! It will ooze out and will open while cooking !
Be careful not to overfill! It will ooze out and will open while cooking ! Press firmly around the edges. The dough will adhere together securing the filling inside! Press firmly around the edges. The dough will adhere together securing the filling inside!  Yes, I’m totally old school. A simple fork gets it done…every time!

Drop no more than 4 ravioli at a time into a pot of boiling water. After they float back to the surface, allow them to cook another 4 minutes. Remove very gently with a slotted spoon and place on a cooling rack to drain and cool.

Ravioli 101! When they float they are nearly done! Give it another minute!
Ravioli 101! When they float they are nearly done! Give it another minute!

Serve the ravioli with a spoon of strawberry sauce, a drizzle of chocolate, a scoop of ice cream and don’t forget a dollop of whipped cream!!!

Get creative!! My mind is racing- mascarpone cheese, Caramel sauce…Enjoy!

Ciao!

20 Minute Gourmet Pasta Tossed In A Pan Sauce! Open a bottle of wine…You Got This!

This recipe is great! I never add more than 2 veggies!  Peppers an spinach tonight!

Get home at 5 and have nothing prepared for dinner? We are all there multiple times per week! Relax, my 20 minute pasta dish is healthy, easy and quick!! Best part…It looks like you have cooked all day!

Yep...20 minutes!
Yep…20 minutes!

20 Min.Gourmet Pasta in Pan Sauce

Ingredients:
2 cloves of garlic presses
2 tbsp olive oil
1 35 oz. can LaValle whole tomatoes
Salt/pepper
Choose what you have in the fridge! If none – move on there is nothing wrong with a pan marinara sauce! Today, I have a pepper and a bag of spinach.
1 pepper chopped
1 cup fresh spinach
1 pack Mushrooms sliced
1/2 cup Italian olives sliced
1 zucchini sliced
1/2 cup Pepperoni
Etc.

1 lb. of your favorite pasta- farfalle for us today!
Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions:

Put hot water in a stock pot on the stove, add 3 pinches of salt and bring to a boil.
Heat your largest frying pan on medium/low heat.
Add olive oil
Add garlic
Stir with wooden spoon- remember no brown- if it is crackling it is too hot!

If garlic burns throw it out and start over! Start over med/low heat.
If garlic burns,  throw it out and start over! Start over med/low heat.

Add peppers (raw veggies) put a lid on and cook 5 mins.
Add can of tomatoes.
Salt and pepper
Put a lid on and let it cook. Totally fine to boil and bubble. You want to quickly cook the veggies and let the flavors mix together.

Chop up tomatoes as you stir . We like to have some chunks of tomato!
Chop up tomatoes as you stir . We like to have some chunks of tomato!

When water is at a rapid boil add pasta and follow directions and cook until al dente. Perfectly chewy!

Add some salt to the hot water. Wait for a rapid boil! Relax, you have time!
Add some salt to the hot water. Wait for a rapid boil! Relax, you have time!

Strain pasta in a strainer over the sink. Take advantage of the pore opening steam facial!!

I love it! Freshen up for dinner! Blot with a paper towel!
I love it! Freshen up for dinner! Blot with a paper towel!

Add a few spoonfuls of sauce in a serving bowl and coat pasta so it doesn’t stick. Mix in spinach last!

This recipe is great! I never add more than 2 veggies!  Peppers an spinach tonight!
This recipe is great! I never add more than 2 veggies! Peppers and spinach tonight!

Serve with a nice ciabatta! I happened to have one in the freezer! OR Make a quick garlic toast in your toaster! Toast bread, butter it and sprinkle on garlic salt and Italian seasoning!

Always add freshly grated Parmesan !! Enjoy!
Always add freshly grated Parmesan !! Enjoy!

Is Your Parmesan A Fugazi? Kraft’s Mouth Watering Artichoke Recipe With One Major Substitution!!

I clicked on an ad while perusing the web that shows a video of gorgeous artichokes being prepared with a lemon Dijon drizzle and fresh Parmesan…O wait!! What? This is a Kraft commercial/recipe/ad showcasing their “100% grated Parmesan cheese” packaged in a plastic tube and does not need refrigerated!! What????

Time to research!

As Larry Olmsted tells us in his Forbes magazine article “Most Parmesan Cheeses in America are Fake, Here is Why,” real Parmigiano Reggiano from Parma, Italy , has 3 ingredients- milk, salt and rennet.

Photo from Forbes article! This is real Parmesan -reggiano cheese!
Photo from Forbes article! This is real Parmigiano- Reggiano cheese!

Moms, take the kids! You can all make your own cheese at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center in the Kitchen Works exhibit called “Say Cheese”!! We have made mozzarella many times!

Unrefrigerated, fugazi cheese also contains three other ingredients, cellulose powder, potassium sorbate, and cheese cultures, which are not found in real Parmigiano-Reggiano!! Fake cheese is illegal in Europe! Is that why the food is worlds more amazing in Europe? Real cheese!!

Did you know they have a Parmigiano Reggiano museum in Parma, Italy, where there is an entire room dedicated to the infiltration of fake cheeses!!

Photo courtesy of Forbes article. Kraft is not the only company making fake cheese!
Photo courtesy of Forbes article. Kraft is not the only company making fake cheese!

Parmigiano -Reggiano is known for its purity. It tastes amazing and is full of healthy vitamins because of this purity! It is the cheese of choice for astronauts in space! So why buy it with chemicals that will do who knows what to our bodies?
Yes, it SHOULD be illegal in America, too.

Here is the article from Forbes…

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/11/19/the-dark-side-of-parmesan-cheese-what-you-dont-know-might-hurt-you/

So here is Kraft’s super amazing artichoke recipe…

)

And here is mine….
Exactly the same BUT with one super amazing substitution…

Sprinkle with real, freshly grated Parmesan!!! From PennMac!!…or your local authentic Italian grocery store!

Enjoy!

Ciao!

Grocery Run in Pittsburgh’s Strip District! Authentic Fresh Mexican Groceries at Reyna Foods! Plus Say “Chihuahua Cheese”!!

I stopped at Reyna Foods today to pick up my missing Crockpot Chicken Tacos ingredients! I was not surprised to find fresh homemade ingredients at a reasonable price! I make weekly stops in the strip to stock up on all of my fresh produce, meats, and cheeses!

Reyna foods carries huge bags of fresh tortilla chips and a variety of homemade salsas and guacs!! Entertaining the girls? Couples? Whip up some margaritas  and mojitos to accompany the chips and dips! Apps and drinks done! Ole!
Reyna foods carries huge bags of fresh tortilla chips and a variety of homemade salsas and guacs!! Entertaining the girls? Couples? Whip up some margaritas and mojitos to accompany the chips and dips! Apps and drinks done! Ole!

I definitely grabbed their fresh tortillas, black beans and a #7 guacamole (wow is it hot!)

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I know I’m having tacos for dinner BUT I cannot avoid stopping at Edgar’s for a pork taco!!!! The best in the ‘Burgh!!

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Diamond Find!! I picked up a bag of these sweet peppers for $1.99 at PennMac!!

Great price!! Diamond find!!  PennMac is a great place to find produce deals!!
Great price!! Diamond find!!
PennMac is a great place to find produce deals!!

At PennMac I also learned that the white soft perfectly meltable Mexican cheese you get at ElCampesino is called Chihuahua! Buy a brick at the PennMac cheese counter-shred for taco night and freeze for next time!

I hope you were able to pick up your “out of stock” ingredients and enjoyed my crockpot chicken tacos for dinner!!

The chicken a apart with a stir and a mix!!
The chicken falls apart with a stir and a mix!!
I forgot the sour cream after all! O well next time!
I forgot the sour cream after all! O well next time!

If you missed kicking Monday’s ass it’s ok! Order a pizza and try this recipe any day of the week!! Enjoy!!

 

Kick Monday’s Ass!!! Get dinner done early and get more done today!!! Try my super easy Crockpot Chicken Tacos!!

I love to use my crockpot! It is an amazing feeling to have dinner cooking by 9am! Start early in the morning, throw everything in and it is ready by dinner time! We are never home during the day, so I feel comfortable leaving the crockpot cooking!!

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Don’t have every ingredient when you start? No problem! Neither do I most of the time! Just start with your base and your meat and get it cooking! We cannot stand mushy overcooked veggies in this house, so it is better to add the fresh veggies later! Add them at 4 when you get home and dinner is ready by 5:30!

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Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Ingredients:

Crockpot
1-2 lb.boneless skinless chicken breasts- frozen or fresh!
1 cup salsa
1/4 cup taco seasoning
1 onion chopped
1 pepper chopped
1 22oz. can diced tomatoes
1 14oz. can black beans

Non Crockpot ingredients:
10 Taco shells soft/hard
1 c.Shredded iceberg lettuce
1/2 c.Shredded Mexican cheese
1/2 c.Diced tomatoes
Sour cream

Recipe:
Put salsa, diced tomatoes, chicken chopped onions and taco seasoning in crockpot.
Set time for 6 hours on high.
Add peppers, black beans and all other crockpot ingredients in last 1-2 hours.
Let cook.

Serve in shells with your favorite toppings!

Feel free to add hot salsa, hot sauce or Cayenne pepper to make it spicy!

Enjoy!

Father, Son, Holy SHRIMP!- Try my Friday Menu! Panko Parmesan Zucchini Fries, Roasted Red Pepper and Pineapple Quinoa Coleslaw and OldBay Steamed Shrimp!

Why do we eat cheese pizza every Friday during Lent? Why do we wear our black blouse, silver jewels, favorite jeans and boots every time we don’t know what to wear? We are content-it is easy- everybody will eat it. There are many awesome alternatives! Have you ever tried quinoa??

Let me share with you a quick, delicious menu! Panko Parmesan Zucchini Fries, Roasted Red Pepper and Pineapple Quinoa Coleslaw and OldBay Steamed Shrimp!! Voila!
 

Panko Parmesan Zucchini fries

Ingredients:
2 zucchini peeled and cut into 1/2 inch thick rectangles
2 eggs
1tbsp milk
1c.flour
2c.Panko bread crumbs
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

 

Directions:
Beat eggs and add milk
Set up your assembly line- zuchinni strips – beaten egg bath-flour, Breadcrumbs

Cut zucchini in half or leave long for long fries!
Cut zucchini in half or leave long for long fries!

Dip and dunk each stick!

Assembly line

Shake on your Parmesan!

Shake it on be generous!
Shake it on be generous!

Place on an untreated stoneware pan or a jelly roll pan sprayed with Pam.
Bake for 15mins at 400 degrees- flip for 10 mins. Until golden brown

Zucchini fries

Roasted Red Pepper and Pineapple Quinoa Coleslaw
Ingredients:
1/2 jar Mancini red peppers chopped

I use these for everything! Great as a Pizza topping!
I use these for everything! Great as a Pizza topping!

1/4 c.quinoa
1 bag coleslaw mix
1 can crushed pineapple
1tbsp. Spicy mustard
1tbsp. Olive oil
salt/pepper

Directions:

Boil quinoa for 10 mins.in 2 cups of water and then simmer for 15 mins

Boil and simmer with lid for 15 mins. Turn off heat until liquid is absorbed!
Turn off heat and let sit until liquid is absorbed!

In a large bowl mix coleslaw mix , red peppers, quinoa with spicy mustard, olive oil mixture

Add salt and pepper to taste!

Slaw

Old Bay Steamed Shrimp
I use equal parts beer- yes beer! – white vinegar and water! Excellent recipe!! Cook only until pink!! Once the water is at a boil throw in thawed shrimp!! Love love love!!!

Shrimp

Old Bay shrimp!
http://www.oldbay.com/Recipes/Shrimp/Appetizers/OLD-BAY-Steamed-Shrimp-with-Cocktail-Sauce.aspx

Miss Bella and I visited Penn Ave Fish Company today! We found the freshest seafood and a wonderful surprise!!! The best fish tacos I have found, yet..spicy!!! Sushi bar and a dining room if you visit for lunch. Just walk in and buy fresh fish!

Penn Ave Fish Company

Obsessed Right Now! Tory Burch and Fontina Cheese!!

I am in love!!!! Mama got some new shoes! Finally, I’m learning!! Why do we go every Spring to Macy’s sale and then TJMaxx and then DSW and buy 3 pair of flip flops on sale for $30-$40/ pair only to actually wear one pair ever on our feet all summer???? That’s $90! Let me introduce you to the Tory Burch thin enamel flip flop in khaki…

Tory Burch Thin Enamel Flip Flop Khaki
Tory Burch Thin Enamel Flip Flop Khaki

$50!! Get one pair now before Spring-in khaki! (They sell out fast!) You will love them! These flip flops compliment all of the current trends- maxi dresses, high lows, skinny jeans, spring summer sundresses, rompers…love, love, love. And you will, too!! OK, on to the cheese and totally delicious fontina white pizza recipe!

I am also obsessed with fontina cheese right now! It’s meltability (is that a word?) is incredible! which is why I recently began experimenting with fontina on pizza!
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Use to make mouth watering grilled cheese, paninis, even shredded beef sandwiches!! Here is my favorite recipe so far!

Fontina Fabulous -White Pizza
Ingredients:
Uncooked 12″pizza shell-Yep I do! ; )
2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic
2/3 cup of shredded fontina cheese
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella
Salt/pepper/basil/ rosemary/or your favorite Italian seasoning

Directions:
Preheat oven with pizza stone @ 375 degrees
Press garlic and mix with olive oil
Brush shell with oil/garlic leaving 1/2inch on outside edge untouched
Add shredded fontina, mozzarella

Bake for 10-15 mins until golden brown and cheese melted!

 

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Always top off with freshly grated Parmesan!! Enjoy!

A Must Have…Great Sauce!

Hello World!! All women need a great handbag, a great pair of pumps, and a phenomenal sauce! A delicious, super easy sauce is the key to happy stress- free entertaining! Start the sauce in the morning, boil some pasta, make a salad, pick up a loaf of fresh ciabatta and Voila! After realizing that my grandma’s sauce is impossible to replicate, I decided to make my own! I stripped it down and learned from countless episodes of “sauces gone wild.”

I realized I was burning my garlic! Pitch it and start over if this happens because it totally ruins the taste! No brown! I always use San Marzano tomatoes. Why? Their taste is absolutely incredible! The low acidity gives you a bold, rich flavor as opposed to a sour tasting sauce.  Red Pack will not cut it, the extra $2 is so worth it!!

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www.pennmac.com

I love the selection of tomatoes at Pennsylvania Macaroni  (you will find I get all of my fresh ingredients here) located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District! Or online!

So here is the most basic (still totally delicious) recipe:

Ingredients:
2cloves of garlic chopped
2tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion chopped
2 cans of whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 can water
4-5 basil leaves chopped
Salt/pepper
 
Directions:
Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat add onions and sauté
Add garlic and press with a wooden spoon to release flavors
Cover pan with basil, ground pepper and sprinkle with salt.
Add 2 cans of tomatoes, 1 can tomato paste and 1 can of water to a stock pot and stir well
Add contents from frying pan
Cook on low- medium heat covered with the lid slightly propped.
 

Cook a pound of pasta. Add one spoon of sauce to serving bowl and coat to avoid pasta sticking together!

Always top off with freshly grated Parmesan!! Enjoy!