Tag Archives: Italian Recipes

Tuscan Lasagna

Tuscan Lasagna brings the flavors of the hills of Italy to your meal.

TUSCAN STYLE LASAGNA is a fantastic party dish that is easy to prepare! Made with a white cream sauce instead of tomato sauce, this flavorful meal promotes the Fall/Winter foods utilizing mushrooms, nuts and thyme. A big hit at any party, or for a classical holiday dish. Enjoy!

Servings 12. 9×13 pan.

Directions:  Preheat oven to 400 F (180 C)
Preparation 15 minutes. Bake time 40 minutes.

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped\
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 cups sliced portabella or porcini mushrooms
  • 1/2 Marsala wine
  • 250 g of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
  • 5 cups milk
  • 1/4 tsp thyme  (dried)  or 1tsp freshly chopped thyme
  • 12 oz or (375 g) FRESH Mozzarella (cut into small cubes)
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds
  • Entire box of Barilla Lasagna

Step by step creating the base of the Tuscan Cream Sauce

Wash and chop mushrooms.  Over medium heat, place large sauce pan add olive oil, onion and salt.Saute for 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and Marsala, stir all ingredients together with wooden spoon.

Add Philadelphia and milk to mushroom and onions to make cream sauce.

Place into pan Philadelphia Cream and milk. Stir, incorporating all ingredients about 5 minutes. Add thyme herb, mix well with a wooden spoon. Turn off stove remove cream from heat.

Build lasagna by placing 1 1/2 cup (3-4 ladles) of sauce into bottom of baking pan.

  • First layer 3 lasagna sheets into pan side by side. Add 1 cup (2 ladles) of sauce on top of  first lasagna layer. Add mozzarella 1/2 cup cheese and 1/8 cup of almonds.
  • Second layer side by side 3 more sheets into pan. Add 1 cup (2 ladles) of sauce on top of  lasagna. Add mozzarella 1/2 cup cheese and 1/8 cup of almonds.
  • Third,  layer side by side 3 more sheets into pan. Add 1 cup (2 ladles) of sauce on top of lasagna. Add mozzarella 1/2 cup cheese and 1/8 cup of almonds.
  • Fourth, layer side by side 3 more sheets into pan. Add 1 cup (2 ladles) of sauce on top  lasagna layer. Add mozzarella 1/2 cup cheese

Loosely cover dish with aluminum foil and place into oven. Allow to bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and allow to bake without foil for another 20 minutes.  Let sit for 15 minutes before serving. May be made 1 day in advance and stored in refrigerator. Next day, add 1 cup milk slowly around edges of lasagna, cover with aluminum foil. Bake in oven to reheat for 20 minutes on 400 F or 180 C.

By Kimberly Crocker-Scardicchio
Eat Know How Cooking Class

Turmeric & Saffron to Cleanse & Heal Body

Turmeric cleanses the body

Go for it….Spice up your life!  Scientific research has revealed what the people of India have known for centuries! Turmeric and Saffron, whether combined with pharmaceuticals, or taken by themselves, cleanse the skin and cure what ails you; both spices functioning as natures prized antibiotics.

Turmeric and its cousin Saffron contain a polyphenol called “curcumin”, an  antioxidant that is associated with reducing nutrition related pathologies. They are bland tasting, turmeric has a rich yellow color that we associate with “Curry”  and saffron is orange and string-like. These wonderful seasonings are slowly taking on the health importance that they deserve.

Studies have determined that “Curcumin” impacts health as an: “antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other chronic illnesses.

The positive impact of the medicinal properties are mediated through the regulation of various:  transcription factors, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases, and other enzymes”, states The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. They further attest curcumin to be the “Spice of Life” saying that, “Curcumin exhibits activities similar to recently discovered tumor necrosis factor blockers (e.g., HUMIRA, REMICADE, and ENBREL), a vascular endothelial cell growth factor blocker (e.g., AVASTIN), human epidermal growth factor receptor blockers (e.g., ERBITUX, ERLOTINIB, and GEFTINIB), and a HER2 blocker (e.g., HERCEPTIN).”   All evidenced in the country of India which has been duly of having lower occurrences of heart disease and cancer.

Saffron comes from the crocus flower

Many comparisons have shown that individuals who leave India are diagnosed with a health disease, not otherwise documented in previous family history, after moving into a western society.  Duly noted, the main difference in dietary intake was a lower to “no” amounts of turmeric being consumed in their meals.

Turmeric is not as costly as saffron and is readily available with other herbs and seasonings in stores, or in 300 mg capsule form in the vitamin and mineral grocery isle.

Introducing turmeric into meal preparation is very easy to do. 1 teaspoon added to rice, pasta, potato’s, soups and vegetables are good ways to switch from the salt shaker to a healthier spice that heals and makes your body work and function better. Saffron is more costly and commonly used in the Italian dish Risotto Milanese, however, it also provides the same healing benefit as its close relative.

MANY HOME REMEDIES USING TURMERIC

  • With a few grains, turmeric’s antiseptic properties help to heal cuts, wounds, kitchen burns and abrasions. Make a paste of Turmeric and Raw Honey; 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon turmeric.  Adjust amount to wound, apply to wound and cover with a gauze. 3 x’s/day.
  • Gently rub a small dusting of turmeric onto area of face to reduce facial hair growth. Massage into skin with a dampened tea bag.
  • A mixture of 1 teaspoon turmeric and 1/4 cup yogurt rubbed onto the abdomen to reduce stretch marks during pregnancy. Rinse off after 5 minutes.
  • Added 1/4 teaspoon to individual meals through out the day, keeps various diseases a bay.
  • Mixture of 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon mustard oil rubbed into gums to combat gum infections. Rinse with warm water.
  • Accredited for reducing anemia and sore throats by eating a paste made of 1 teaspoon raw honey & 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric. 3 x’s/day.
  • Stop diarrhea by drinking, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric to 1 glass of water
  • Sick with an infection? Combine: glass of milk  and stir in 1/2 teaspoon turmeric , 1 teaspoon honey. Drink this natural antibiotic 2 times a day.
  • Medicinal use for pathologies have duly noted an intake of 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric  3x’s a day inhibits growth of tumors, improves function of pancreas, reduces incidence of heart attack.
  • Combat GERD or “Acid Reflux” by consuming 1/8 teaspoon turmeric (a 300 mg capsule) before dinner. Also consider Fast Relief: Fennel Seeds Combat Digestive Problems and

Gas Pains Drink Lemon Water

  • Heal Acne by combining in a bowl 1/2 tsp water, 1/4 tsp turmeric and 1/8 tsp salt. With a cotton ball gently dab a small amount of  paste onto acne and allow skin to absorb ingredients overnight. In the morning, gently cleanse to remove and refresh skin.
For modern western medicine practices, the excitement around the ancient asian spices brings hope on the horizon for how meal preparation can enhance an individuals overall health. The many benefits of polyphenol curcumin are continuously being researched: Inflammation, Arthritis, Irritated Bowel Syndrome, Kidney Disease etc. Present studies  have shown that curcumin inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells in cultures, human and animal studies. Curcumin’s many strengths and limitations are being seriously explored and are bringing new opportunities to healing ones body.
By, Kim Crocker-Scardicchio
Recipes

Lentil Soup
Replace the Salt Shaker
Chicken Curry
Pork or Beef Roast with Vegetables
Risotto Milanese
Spices to Lower Inflammation
Health Benefits of Saffron

References
 1.  Food Chem Toxicol. 2011 Aug;49(8):1834-42. Epub 2011 May 6.
 Safety Assessment of a Solid Lipid Curcumin Particle Preparation: Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies.
 Dadhaniya P, Patel C, Muchhara J, Bhadja N, Mathuria N, Vachhani K Soni MG.
 Pre-Clinical Department, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Dholka 387 810, India.
 website:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=benefits%20turmeric%20body
2  .Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Aug;25(4-5):519-34.
 Curcumin: The Potential for Efficacy in Gastrointestinal Diseases.
 Irving GR, Karmokar A, Berry DP, Brown K, Steward University of Leicester, Department of Cancer Studies, Room 503, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK.
 website:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22122768
3. J Fam Pract. 2011 Mar;60(3):155-6.
 Clinical Inquiry. Does turmeric relieve inflammatory conditions?
 White B, Judkins DZ.
 Oregon Health & Science University, Family Medicine, Portland, USA.
 website:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21369559
4.  Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2011 Oct 25. [Epub ahead of print]
 Curcumin and its Formulations: Potential Anti-Cancer Agents
 Zhu HL, Ji JL, Huang XF
 zhuhl@nju.edu.cn.    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22044005
5. Nutr Cancer. 2010;62(7):919-30.
 Curcumin, the golden spice from Indian saffron, is a chemosensitizer and radiosensitizer for tumors and chemoprotector and radioprotector for normal organs.
 Goel A
 Aggarwal BB
 Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
6. Curcumin; Indian Solid Gold http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17569205

Vegetarian Lasagna

An alternative to the otherwise meat lasagna. This vegetable lasagna is deliciously popular, healthy and reduced in calories.

1 medium onion thinly sliced
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
2 28 oz tomato sauce or 2 bottles 700 ml tomato sauce
2 tsp salt
3 Zucchini peeled, cross sliced thin and lightly salted (set aside while working)
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 cup Roasted Peppers ( Follow recipe Roasted Peppers )
Fresh Mozzarella 3 cups sliced
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

  • In a medium size pan, sauté onion in olive oil for 5 minutes on medium low.
  • Add tomato sauce, salt, milk (helps to reduce acidity of sauce which comes from the processed seeds.)
  • Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

Assembly Lasagana

In a deep roasting pan, pour three ladles of sauce to thoroughly cover the bottom of pan.
Place a layer of pasta add three ladles of sauce Place Zucchini on top of sauce, also add a layer of Mozzarella
Place a layer of pasta. Add three ladles of sauce, also add a layer of Mozzarella.
Place a layer of pasta, then three more  ladles sauce, add mushrooms.
Place a layer of pasta layer with three ladles of sauce, add mozzarella.
Place a layer of pasta and four ladles of sauce and layer on roasted peppers.
Top off with mozzarella slices and Parmesan Cheese
Lightly Cover pan with aluminum foil, leaving space between cheese and foil.
Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Remove foil and allow to bake for another 10 minutes.

Remove from oven, let stand for twenty minutes so that ‘everything is’ congeals’ a bit before dividing into the portions.

Florence Italy’s Peposo

A very simple Italian recipe that anyone can make!  Place ingredients into a pot and allow the savory flavors come together. This recipe has been handed down through the generations from a small town of Impruneta on south side of Florence.  Many Florentines will gladly tell a story of their family’s recipe, or  how it was linked to the construction of the beautiful Basilica in the center of Florence, or how it was tied to the Medici family, when they where amongst the few that could afford the spices to make the dish during the years of 1300-1700.  Either way, you can learn how to bring a piece of Florence, Italy to your table and enjoy this delightful stew.
May be served with roast potato’s, rice or pasta!
Preparation 5 minutes. Cooking time 3 1/2 hours.
Serves 8.
  • 4 1/2 pounds (or 2 kilo’s) cubed roast beef, roast pork, or roast wild boar
  • 1 onion minced
  • Three cloves of Garlic, peeled and left whole
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup olives
  • 1/4 cup capers
  • 4-6 whole Cloves
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) or more, to taste, freshly ground pepper
  • 1 quart (1 liter)  of stewed or peeled Roma tomatoes
  • Coarse sea salt to taste
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) Chianti or similar dry red wine

Place meat and onions and garlic into a pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Allow to brown for about 10 minutes. Add wine and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Add olives, capers, peppercorns, cloves and stewed tomatoes into cooking pot. Place cover and REDUCE temperature to low heat. Allow to simmer for another 3 1/5 hours. Peposo is finished when the meat is fork tender.

Risotto with Artichokes

Divine in taste. Creamy rice with a pleasant lemony after taste that fills your senses.  Excellent winter food.

Serves 4. Preparation 20 minutes. Cooking time 20 minutes.
Ingredients

5 Artichokes
4 cups of water
2 lemons
May be prepared and refrigerated up to 24 hours ahead of time.

Risotto
6 cups of water combined with 3 vegetable buollion cubes or may use vegetable brodo.
1 medium onion (peeled) diced into small pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp butter
1/2 cup prosecco or white wine
300 grams of Rice
2 tsp Salt
1/2 c. Parmesan Cheese

Fill pan with 4 cups of water. Cut 2 lemons in half and squeeze juice of lemons into water, place lemons also into water. (Place each completed artichoke immediately into water to prevent browning!) Peel artichokes one leaf at a time removing green hard leaves until yellow/pinkish/light green leaves are reached. They will be tender in touch as opposed to the harder green leaves. Cut off 1/2 inch from tip of artichoke, cut and discard stem too. Cut artichoke in half, with a knife gently place into center of artichoke, remove small hairs and center leaves. Immediately, place artichokes into water to prevent browning. Place pan of artichokes onto high heat and allow to boil for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and pour contents into a colander and allow to drain for a minute. Discard lemons. Slice artichokes lengthwise into thirds, set aside.

On high heat, in a large pan combine water and bullion cubes to make Broth for risotto, bring to a boil and turn off heat.  Set aside.

In a large frying pan on medium heat, add oil, butter and onion, allow to saute` for 5 minutes. Add Prosecco or White Wine stir into onion. Add Rice. With a wooden spoon stir well in order to integrate all ingredients. Add salt and 4 ladles of Broth and stir into rice. Add Broth as rice absorbs broth, always stirring! After 5 minutes of stirring rice, add in artichokes. Contine to add in broth for a total of 15 minutes.  Taste risotto to check for doneness of rice.  Rice should be slightly resistent but not soft. Remove from heat, add parmesan and stir to combine. Stir in 2 more ladles of broth. Place Risotto into dishes and serve immediately.