Tag: Parmigiano Reggiano

Linguini Bolognese!

My family style sauce is a San Marzano base with basil and lots of garlic. I often add ox tail, pork bones, meatballs, and/or sausage to infuse the sauce with flavor. Winter comfort or a perfect Sunday supper, a hearty pasta is probably my kids’ favorite meal!

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A traditional Bolognese does not contain tomato products, but I love the flavors of tomato with the chunky, thick sauce. Here is my recipe…

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Linguini Bolognese
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup carrots , finely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped (optional)
1/4 tsp. Dried oregano
1/4 tsp. Dried thyme
2 tbsp. Tomato paste
3/4 cup white wine
2 cans whole San Marzano tomatoes
I cup Parmigiano Reggiano + topping
1-1 1/2 lb. linguini
Salt to taste
Salt/pepper
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. spicy Italian sausage

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Directions:
In a large , deep pan cook onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
Brown meat with herbs
Add meat, tomato products, and wine to the pan.
Cook pasta until al dente, drain, and top with Bolognese.
Finish with fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

I am proud to be the US Ambassador for Parmigiano Reggiano -Parma, Italy. The only Parmesan!

Chicken and Sausage Ricotta Parmesan!

Even during busy weeks I cook delicious meals for my family by keeping the ingredients simple! We have had chili the last two weeks, once per week, because it is easy and I can throw it together and let it cook while I’m working.

I always have ricotta and parmesan cheeses in my refrigerator, what a great combination. So the possibilities begin with, I can make a lasagna, manicotti… This time I wanted to try layers of our favorite flavors!

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Brady wanted chicken and Bella wanted sausage. Brady has always loved Italian sausage, but since we have run out of the Signorino family sausage stash, he won’t eat the bought stuff. Spoiled?

I decided to make a layered dinner with chicken, sausage, ricotta, tomatoes, and basil. Only a salad on the side. It was delicious! I used my traditional breading, panko breadcrumbs, parmigiano reggiano, herbs, salt and pepper. Its perfect! Here is the recipe…

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Chicken and Sausage Ricotta Parmesan
Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb. thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 lb. spicy Italian sausage
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano + fresh grated for topping
salt/pepper
1 tbsp. basil, finely chopped or dry 1-1/2 tbsp.
1 tbsp. garlic olive oil
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
1/2 cup fresh diced tomatoes, or roasted tomatoes
Parsley for garnish

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Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a pie plate, mix Panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, salt/pepper and chopped basil.
Rinse and dry chicken breasts.
Dip into egg, and coat with breadcrumb mixture.
Meanwhile, remove sausage from casing and brown and drain.
Using the same pan, brown breaded chicken breasts until golden and almost cooked through.
Top chicken breasts with a layer of ricotta, sausage, and tomatoes.
Bake for 6-10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees.
Remove and top with fresh grated parmesan and parsley.

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Enjoy!
Ciao!

I am happy to be representing Parmigiano Reggiano from Parma, Italy as their US Ambassador. Remember, Parmigiano Reggiano is the only parmesan = )

Spicy Roasted Eggplant Linguini!

I always make Eggplant Parmesan when I have an eggplant. Lately, I have been roasting eggplant and squash in the oven with olive oil and salt and pepper, it is delicious!
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These roasted vegetables can be ingredients or stand alone as a side dish! In this pasta dish, the roasted eggplant is garnished with red pepper flakes, oregano and Basil, fresh tomatoes, and of course the fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano.

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Adding the red pepper flakes to the pasta dish adds a new layer of flavor without being overwhelmingly spicy. Here is the recipe…

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Spicy Roasted Eggplant Linguini
(Serves 4)
1 large Eggplant
2 tbsp. Olive oil +1/4 cup
Salt/pepper
1 tsp. Oregano
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 Roma tomatoes, wedged
2 tbsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp. Fresh basil, finely chopped plus some for topping
1 lb. linguini, fresh or dry
Parmigiano Reggiano, fresh grated

Directions:
Preheat oven 425degrees.
Slice Eggplant and place in a single layer on an inset cookie sheet.
Salt/pepper and let sit for 20 minutes.
Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes until softened and starts to brown.
Meanwhile, sautéed garlic and onion in a pan with olive oil.
Add tomatoes, Basil, pepper flakes and oregano. Let it bubble until it thickens.
Remove Eggplant and continue to simmer 10 minutes.
Being a pot of water to boil, cook pastas until al dente and drain.
Add 1/4c cup pasta water and incorporate pasta into pan with the sauce.
Top with red pepper flakes, Basil, parsley, and fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano.

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Enjoy!
Ciao!

Remember, always use fresh Parmigiano Reggiano, the only real Parmesan cheese from Parma, Italy.

Parmesan Princess is a proud US Ambassador Parmigiano Reggiano.

Stitch Fix Me, Please!!

Stitch Fix included this cute styling card to give dress up and down the items! To see them in outfits!
I hope I love it, too! My stylist: Darien!
I hope I love it, too! My stylist: Darien!
I waited two long, excruciating days to open my first Stitch Fix so I could share this fun, new experience with some girlfriends!
I waited two long, excruciating days to open my first Stitch Fix so I could share this fun, new experience with some girlfriends!

Here are the basics:

What is Stitch Fix?
Stitch Fix is an online personal styling company for women!
1. You fill out your style profile online.
2. Your personal stylist sends you an assortment of items.
3. You try on at home and keep what you like and send back the rest!

What does it cost?
$20 styling fee.
If you buy anything the fee is removed! Plus, there are no shipping or return charges.

Keep the entire fix and get 25% off the total!!

I will use any excuse to have wine, good cheese, try new recipes, and laugh with the girls!

My first Stitch Fix was the perfect excuse to try some new recipes!! I made a garlic kale tomato white pizza, feta and onion mini fillos, and  asparagus and bacon quiche!
My first Stitch Fix was the perfect excuse to try some new recipes!! I made a garlic kale tomato white pizza, feta and onion mini fillos, and asparagus and bacon quiche!
And of course a spectacular cheese platter of Parmesan Reggiano and Parrano!
And of course a spectacular cheese platter of Parmesan Reggiano and Parrano!

I have never had a stylist or anyone for that matter choose clothing/accessories for me. I style myself. I love to shop, especially a great sale!
So my expectation for Stitch Fix is to have someone choose clothes for me that I would never pick for myself and wow me!! My goal is to keep the entire box and take 25%off!!

I couldn't wait to hear everyone's opinions of the online service, my Stitch Fix stylist's picks, and if the items worked for me!
I couldn’t wait to hear everyone’s opinions!!So I opened the box!

[caption id="attachment_1241" align="alignnone" width="243"]We couldn't believe the box was so small!! I am petite! And, it is 5 items and includes accessories! We couldn’t believe the box was so small!! 5 items including accessories!

 

Item #1
Kut From The Kloth
Marquis Striped French Terry Dolman Sweater

I have to admit I was totally bummed! A sweatshirt-y looking, big looking, jail looking striped top was NOT what I had in mind!!!
I have to admit I was totally bummed! A sweatshirt-y looking, big looking, jail looking striped top was NOT what I had in mind!!!

So I tried it on…

Super cute! I was totally surprised! I asked the girls "how much how much is it?" They decided not to tell me and make this more interesting. They asked me to make decisions to keep or send back with cost out of the equation! Ok, fun!
Super cute! I was totally surprised! I asked the girls “how much how much is it?” They decided not to tell me to make this more interesting. They asked me to make decisions to keep or send back with cost out of the equation! Ok, fun!

I put this top on the keep pile!

Item #2
Liverpool
Carolyn Colored Cuffed Denim Short

Pastel purple shorts? Oh, Darien... I only wear pastel purple at Easter.
Pastel purple shorts? Oh, Darien… I would only wear pastel purple at Easter, but I haven’t since the late 80’s.
Of course the girls loved the shorts! I couldn't get over the pastel purple.
Of course the girls loved the shorts! I couldn’t get over the pastel purple.

I put the purple shorts on the sending back pile.

Item #3
Collective Concepts
Esten Button-Up Sleeveless Blouse

Of course, I absolutely love it because I already own it!!
Of course, I absolutely love it because I already own it!!

So, I put the cute top I already own on the sending back pile.

Item #4
41Hawthorn
Ivy Tulip Print Tab Sleeve Blouse

Love this blouse! I love this style of blouse so much I have 5 more just like it!!
Love this blouse! I love this style of blouse so much I have 5 more just like it!!

I put the printed blouse on the keep pile because if it is inexpensive…I want it!

Item #5
Pomelo
Lydia Faceted Stones Long Necklace

Nope, nope, nope…no photo needed. Brassy yellow gold with big fake blue stones. I think my camera would have broken!

The Price Reveal:

My entire merchandise total is $240.00.
If I keep everything? $165.00

My keep pile?
$68 tulip printed blouse
$38 striped sweater

$106!! Just for those two items?
I didn’t LOVE them and LOVE the price so I sent the entire box back!!!
This experience cost me $20. It was so fun!

What we loved…

EVERYTHING FIT ME PERFECTLY!
This is bizarre, right?

Stitch Fix included this cute styling card to give dress up and down the items! To see them in outfits!
Stitch Fix included this cute styling card to give ideas to dress up and dress down the items! To see them in outfits!

What we hated…

The items didn’t go together. No outfits were created with these items.

The box is really only worth the money if you keep the whole fix and get the 25% off!

I hope you enjoyed sharing my first Stitch Fix experience with me! I will get another!! Darien figured me out! He sent me 2 items I already have in my closet!

I encourage you to totally try it! Why not? Worst case scenario is $20!
Here is the link:
Http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?reffer_id=3691311
Please share your experience, too!

The kids and I were shopping at H&M Saturday and look what I found for $17.95 What a coinkydink ; )
The kids and I were shopping at H&M Saturday and look what I found for $17.95 What a coinkydink ; )

Ciao!

This Stitch Fix post was entirely the opinions of ParmesanPrincess and friends! Stitch Fix did not reimburse me or give me any free clothes for writing about their company!

 

 

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…

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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!