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Showing posts with the label italian

SANDRA'S SOURDOUGH and AVOCADO PANZANELLA

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It's terrific how these pickled red onions become so crispy while being refrigerated in this flavorful brine giving you a delicious sweet-salty vib... Servings: 4 Prep: 10 Mins. Toast bread cubes: 12 Mins. Let stand: 10 Mins. Sourdough Baguette (recipe) INGREDIENTS Panzanella: 2 cups cubed sourdough baguette (measure after cubing) 2 cups chopped tomatoes (measure after chopping) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1/4 cup sliced pickled red onions 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Final addition: 1 avocado, cut into 1/2" cubes METHOD Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Arrange the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until lightly toasted, about 12 minutes. Pickled Red Onions (recipe) Meanwhile, place chopped tomatoes in a colander placed over a bowl, and toss them with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Let stand 10 minutes to allow excess liquid to dra...

SANDRA'S ALASKA HEARTY FALL VEGETABLE LASAGNA (Downsized)

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You'll never miss the meat with this hearty veggie lasagna, it's full-flavored and scrumptious, especially when served with sides of warm and crispy garlic bread and a garden salad tossed with a freshly made vinaigrette... Servings: (4-6) Prep: 20 Mins. Bale: 1 hour INGREDIENTS White Sauce 1-1/2 cup 2% low-fat small curd cottage cheese 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan, plus more for topping 1 large egg, beaten 1 garlic clove, minced 1/2 teaspoon dry onion granules 2 tablespoons freshly julienned basil (from my garden) 1 teaspoon dry Italian herb blend 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Pasta 10 Curly Edged dry pasta noodles, broke in half and cooked according to pkg directions (only for 12 minutes) --drain, then pull apart using tongs to cool slightly Saut�ed Vegetable mixture 2 tablespoons Olive Oil 4 mini bell peppers: 2 orange, 2 red, diced ( from my garden ) 1/4 yellow onion, diced 2 medium zucchini, cut in half length...

SANDRA'S SNICKERDOODLE BISCOTTI DIPPERS

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So satisfying with a nice cup of tea while dipping these tasty jewels, or coffee, or hot chocolate...it's a win-win! Also, a perfect tiramisu making substitute vs lady fingers... Yields: 3 doz (appx) Prep: 15 Mins. Bake/Stand/Re-bake: Bake 30 Mins/Stand 15 Mins/Re-bake 10 Mins. INGREDIENTS Cream Wet 2/3 cup granulated sugar 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Sift Dry 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1/4 teaspoon salt Brush tops of logs (just before baking) 1 egg, beaten Sprinkle Mix (just before re-baking) 3 tablespoons white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon METHOD Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together 2/3 cup sugar and butter for 5 minutes on low speed. Add in 2 eggs and vanilla, and continue to cream for 2 minutes longer. ...

SANDRA'S OVEN-ROASTED TOMATO BRUSCHETTA

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The mouth-watering scents while roasting are second to none, which provides for a super flavorful appetizer served hot, room temperature or cold... Yields: (Appx. 1-1/2 cups) Serves: 10-12 (i.e., 2/person) Prep: 5 Mins. Roast: 1-1/2 Hrs. INGREDIENTS Sandra's Homemade French Bread Recipe [Click here...] 2 (14.5-oz cans) organic stewed tomatoes, drained 3/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon ground) 1/4 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons granulated garlic 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Finishing addition: --1-1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, to finish topping --Shredded Parmesan, for serving garnish -- Prepared toasted baguette slices (See 'Tip' below)             [Click here for Sandra's Homemade French Bread recipe ] METHOD Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper; spray with cooking spray. Place drained tomatoes ...

MAX'S ALASKAN MOOSE-SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE SPAGHETTI

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A comfort-food dish that you and your family are bound to love as much as my husband Max and I do... Servings (8 to 10) Prep: 20 Mins. Cook: 2 Hrs. INGREDIENTS: Sauce: 1 lb (or so) moose, venison, or beef burger 1 lb (or so) ground Johnsonville Sweet Italian Sausage 3 ribs celery, finely chopped 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped 1/2 of a large red bell pepper, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 (29-oz can) tomato sauce, plus --1 (16-oz. can) tomato sauce 1 (16-oz. can) Italian Stewed Tomatoes, do not drain but chop tomatoes 3 to 4 tablespoons honey, to taste 1 tablespoon dried sweet basil 1 tablespoon dried parsley, or a small bunch of chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb seasoning Finish: --Balsamic Vinegar Serve with: --12 oz. prepared thin spaghetti, according to package directions --Freshly grated parmesan --Loaf of prepared garlic bread METHOD In a large, heavy-bottom pot, brown the burger and sausage, then drain. Add the remaining ingredients, in the ord...

SANDRA'S COMFORTING PENNE with VEGGIES

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Had a craving for a meatless dinner this evening  so created this recipe using on-hand ingredients,  which 'fit the bill' to perfection... Servings: (6) Prep: 10 Mins. Cook: 25 Mins. INGREDIENTS 1/2 lb. penne pasta, prepared according to pkg. directions 2 tbsp. light olive oil 2 tbsp. unsalted butter 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped 6 crimini mushrooms, halved and sliced 1 garlic clove, minced 2 zucchini, cubed 1 (15 oz. can) diced Italian seasoned tomatoes, undrained 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 teaspoons dried basil 2 teaspoons worcestershire 2 teaspoon balsamic Small squirt of agave (or honey) 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Finishing: 2 tablespoons. unsalted butter Freshly grated parmesan cheese METHOD Begin preparing pasta according to package directions, except cooking shy by a couple minutes (pasta will finish cooking in sauce).  When draining, reserve 1/2 cup hot pasta liquid; set aside. Heat olive oil ...

SANDRA'S 15-MINUTE INDIVIDUAL ROMA PIZZA

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When faced with preparing lunch for myself today, this is the end result; a flavorful mini roma pizza that turned out fabulously well.... Serving: (1) Prep: 5 Mins. Bake: 10 Mins. INGREDIENTS: Roma Pizza: 1 (7� round) store-bought Mama Mary�s Gourmet Pizza Crust 2 teaspoons, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EEVO), divided 2 tablespoons, crumbled goat cheese, divided 2 Heaping teaspoons, Jarred, basil pesto sauce 4 Jarred, kalamata olives, quartered lengthwise 2 Jarred, halve sliced sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, roughly chopped 4 Jarred, marinated quartered artichokes in olive oil, quartered Greens (to wilt over hot pizza): Small handful, baby spinach and arugula mix Slight drizzle with: EEVO, Balsamic Vinegar, Agave ~ Including a bit of Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper ~ Toss and set aside. METHOD: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place pizza crust atop baking sheet.  Brush surface, including edges, very lightly with EEVO. Leave �� edge of crust free of toppings, while smearing inside crus...

SANDRA'S MAGNIFICENT 4-CHEESE LASAGNA (Serves 6)

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A smaller lasagna recipe version I created for families  consisting of fewer members. I also made a double batch; one for this evening, and another for the freezer... Prep: 30 Mins. Bake: 45 Mins. Servings: (6) INGREDIENTS Feel free to double the recipe to make it crowd-size,  or a second batch for the freezer as I did! Sauce: 1 lb. extra-lean moose burger --(Or, venison, beef, elk, caribou, buffalo, etc.,  including the option to add Italian sausage, if preferred) 1 small yellow onion, chopped 1 small orange bell pepper, chopped (or your desired color) 1 garlic clove, minced Pinch of red pepper flakes 1 (24 oz. jar) prepared marinara sauce 1 cup water --(You need the addition of water so your sauce is a bit looser  when using no-bake lasagna noodles,  as they absorb quite a bit liquid while baking) 1 teaspoon  Italian herb seasoning 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Cheese Mixtu...

SANDRA�S SUMMER CUCUMBER-ONION-RED BELL PEPPER SALAD

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A wonderful refreshing, light and healthy summertime salad that�s a great accompaniment to any barbecue or main dish...   Servings: (4) Prep: 10 Mins. INGREDIENTS 1 cucumber, peeled, cut in quarters lengthwise, then into �� chunks � small yellow onion, thinly sliced � red bell pepper, cut into �� pieces � teaspoon freshly chopped oregano (or 1/8 teaspoon dried) 1 teaspoon freshly chopped sweet basil (or � teaspoon dried) 1 tablespon red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste METHOD Add all ingredients to a small glass/ceramic (non-reactive) bowl, and toss to combine.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes prior to serving to allow flavors to meld.  Toss a final time, and serve. ~ Enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tip:  I made this salad with what I had on hand today, although feel free to also include fresh tomato wedges and kalamata olives if you wish, just increase the amount of red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and herbs,...