Learning to make…Chicken Broth

Something I do well is simple chicken broth. I generally make it to use in risotto, or to make “pastina in brodo” (little pasta with broth). It is healthier, cheaper and tastier than the broth you buy. I was talking to my friend Amanda yesterday and I’ ve realised I’ ve never posted this recipe in the “Learning to make” section. So here it is, chicken broth – brodo di pollo.

Ingredients:
- chicken bones and skins. I' ve roasted a chicken ate the meat and reserved the carcasse for the broth.
- 1 carrot, peeled
- 1 potato, peeled
- 1/2 white onion
- 1 courgette
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 sage leaves
- a bunch of parsley
- salt and pepper
- a good splash of Olive oil
- 1 1/2 lt cold water

Method:
1) wash and peel all the veggies

2) add all the ingredients to a big pot
 
3) bring to the boil, then let it simmer on a low heat for a full hour, more if you have the time.


4) filter the liquid and use it for your risotto or other need. I like to also use the veggies in the risotto, mashed, for added low fat creaminess. Enjoy

 

Torta quasi integrale di fragole e mele

  1. O

Ecco la mia prima ricettina dolce. Diciamo che non e’  proprio il mio primo tentativo, troppo liquida la volta prima, quindi anche se questa versione non e’ proprio bellissima da vedersi, sono rimasta super contenta perche’ all’ assaggio era invece ottima. Buonissima per la colazione, eccetto che qui non si mangia il dolce la mattina. La vicina a cui ne ho dato una fettona mi ha fatto I complimenti, ma si sa, I vicini sono mezzi parenti…..poi mi ha detto che sono stata brava perche’ e’ difficile saper cuocere bene il rabarbaro…..sic sic….non ho avuto cuore di dirle che sono mele e fragole….se poi questo getta un’ ombra sulla bonta’ del mio dolce non lo so….se lo provate fatemi sapere! Eccovi la ricettina.

Ingredienti:
- 300 gr di mele tagliate a cubetti, io ho lasciato la buccia...no, non per le fibre, sono solo pigra!!
- 1 cestino di fragole pulite e affettate
- 2 uova
- 60g. Burro fuso
- 150g. farina OO
- 50g. Farina integrale 
- 150g. Di zucchero
- succo di un limone
- mezzo bicchiere di latte
- 1 bustina di lievito.

Procedimento:
1) irrorate le mele e le fragole col succo di limone
2) sbattete le uova in una ciotola con lo zucchero e il burro fuso


3) aggiungere la frutta, le farine e il lievito setacciato, e latte q.b.per rendere l' impasto omogeneo (per me mezzo bicchiere)


4) inburrate e infarinate una teglia (O fate come me, usate cartaforno), versate l' impasto e mettere in forno a 180 gradi per 40 minuti circa. Enjoy!


Con questa ricetta partecipo al contest Mystery basket di http://unafamigliaaifornelli.blogspot.com ospitato questo mese dal blog http//arbanelladibasilico.blogspot.com Continue reading Torta quasi integrale di fragole e mele

Summer Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

When the days are warm and sunny like today, I dont feel like staying indoors, even less to be cooking (or attempting to, as many of you pointed out my Aubergine Pie looked a bit burned….), so I open the fridge and proceed to empty its content in my version of a rice salad. My sisters laugh at it, but we quite enjoy it, it is very healthy with 6 or 7 different veggies, it can be vegan or vegetarian, just add only veggies and use Olive oil to dress. And let’s face it, very little cooking, minimum washing up, what’s there not to like….anyway try my “all goes in rice salad” , don’ t be put off by the long list of ingredients, it’s really very quick to do.

Continue reading Summer Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

Tagliata di pesce con sopresa!

Questa ricettina e’ di mia sorella Terry, e’ cosi’ semplice che forse posso prepararla perfino io (mia sorella e’ indecisa al riguardo). Secondo me si presta bene per occasioni mondane, se avete ospiti potete preparare prima e mettere in forno prima di servire. Mia sorella non era troppo entusiasta del contorno di fagiolini, forse un’ insalatina o una coroncina di riso venere funzionerebbe meglio. Ragazze provate e fatemi sapere che aggiorno. Ora vi lascio alla ricettina della sorellina!! Xxx

Ingredienti serve 1
- 3 filetti di branzino o di orata
- 4 zucchine piccole con fiore
- sale, pepe, limone
- olio evo
Servire con fagiolini lessi e pomodori o riso venere

Metodo:

1) affettare le zucchine e rosolarle in un filo d' olio con un pizzico di sale


2) condire I filetti di pesce con sale, pepe, olio e succo di limone


3) allinea (...come si dice in italiano??)una scodellina di alluminio con I filetti di pesce, 

4) riempi con le zucchine e I fiori rosolati


5) sigilla e servi stile cervice, oppure passa in forno ventilato a 180 gradi per  5 minuti


Buon appetito!

Snack #3: Pasta Omelette – Frittatina di pasta

This frittata is great for lunch boxes. In Southern Italy you can be sure it’s packed away for picnics or “scampagnate”, or why not even school trips. It just needs to be wrapped in foil to keep it warm. Kids usually like spaghetti frittata because the loose spaghetti will become crunchy when fried. Soo simple and quick to make,  budget friendly AND a great way to use leftover pasta. Perfect combo, so without further ado, let me leave you with this beautiful recipe.

Ingredients, serve 1
- about 50g of leftover boiled pasta any shape
- 2 eggs
- 1 big tbsp of grated parmesan or more if you like it cheesy
- salt and pepper
- oil to fry

Method:
1) scramble the eggs with the cheese and the seasoning

2) add the boiled pasta

3) heat some oil in a small frying pan 

4) add the frittata mix: all of it for a big omelette or in little batches for smaller ones


4) cook until golden on both sides and serve warm or cold. I like to eat it with a fresh tomato salad

Continue reading Snack #3: Pasta Omelette – Frittatina di pasta

Involtini alla messinese

Questa ricettina me l’ ha prestata mia sorella Virginia che e’ stata anche l’ esecutrice materiale, difatti non si e’ bruciato niente…io sono ancora ferma alle insalate (nella foto..), magari nel weekend ritrovo il coraggio di buttarmi su una pasta. Ma per il momento vi lascio agli involtini messinesi di Virginia. Se vi piace la carne meritano..

Ingredienti serve 4
- 1/2 kg fettine di carne
- olio d' oliva per friggere
Per il ripieno:
- 200gr di mollica di pane o pane grattugiato
- mezzo spicchio d aglio tritato
- 100 gr di parmigiano grattugiato
- 1 cucchiaino di sale
- 2 cucchiai di prezzemolo tritato
- 1 tazzina di olio d oliva per l' impasto
Metodo:
1) Mescola tutti gli ingredienti del ripieno

2) stendi le fettine su carta da forno o su un tagliere e aggiungi un cucchiaino di ripieno (di piu' per le fettine piu' grandi)



3) avvolgere e chiudere la fettina in modo che il ripieno non esca


4) friggere in un filo d'olio un minuto per lato


5) servire caldi con un' insalata verde se volete stare leggeri o un' insalata di patate e pomodori per un piatto piu' sostanzioso.Buon appetito.

Healthy snack #2 – Sardine su pane tostato

Dopo l’ esperimento (fallito) della mia Parmigiana di melanzaneAubergine pie  Parmigiana di melanzane ho deciso di ascoltare i numerosi inviti ricevuti, a cimentarmi con piatti piu’ alla mia portata…ebbene si’, lo ammetto, la mia parmigiana era bruciata, e non sapeva neanche’ di un granche’ io do’ la colpa alle melanzane ma e’ anche vero che invece di usare il sughetto mi sono confusa e ho usato la passata non cotta…ecco lo scheletro nell’ armadio….ed ora che e’ uscito, ricomincio il mio apprendistato dagli snack…ragazzi se sbaglio anche questi non ho proprio speranze. Allora iniziamo con delle belle sardine in scatola cosi’ non devo neanche lavarle…piu’ facile di cosi’….E’ anche uno spuntino dietetico ed economico! Vi  lascio alla “ricetta”.

Ingredienti serve 1
- una scatoletta di sardine al naturale
- pane (io una mini baguette)
- 2 pomodori maturi affettati
- olio d'oliva
- origano 
- sale, pepe e un ciuffo di basilico.

Metodo:
1) mettere sotto il grill le fette di pane
2) adagiare le sardine intere sul pane, aggiungere pomodori e condimento
3) Enjoy

 

Learning….to make healthy snacks: beginners Mackerel Salad

So after last week’s flop, with my Aubergine pie (yes I know it wasn’t supposed to be burned….but it really didn’t taste that….burned…), I’ ve decided to go back to the beginning, and to try healthy snacks first. With summer almost here it’s good to reduce the calories intake. I am starting with a mackerel salad. Although ….I find it is rather challenging to write about a salad…what do you say: wash the leaves?…. Well it might be a good point actually, I knew somebody in Australia during my student days, who never washed their vegetables…actually everybody I knew wasn’t :-)). I know why not use prewashed salad in a bag….well if you are into healthy organic than bagged salad won’t do it for you. Anyhow this is my low calories budget friendly tinned mackerel salad. It’s delicious, it helps if you are hungry…I  leave you to it. Next I’ ll share bruschetta. Enjoy!

  • Ingredients serves 2:
    – a tin of mackerel or any other fish
    – Half a lettuce head ( or a bag of mixed salad)
    – a handful of cherry tomatoes halved
    – a third of cucumber, peeled
    – one carrot sliced
    – a few radishes
    – Olive oil
    – salt and pepper

  • Method:
    1) in a bowl add all the ingredients, season and mix well
    2) eat with crackers or bread.

Aubergine pie – Parmigiana di melanzane

I have to admit for someone who is learning to cook, an aubergine pie might sound very ambitious….but that’s the beauty of this dish, it is fairly simple, it uses basic ingredients: sliced aubergines, flour, eggs, tomato sauce, cheese. In the south of Italy they sprinkle salt on the slices of aubergines, which is supposed to help drain the water naturally present in this vegetable…..no need to say that I totally skip this step, I don’t have the time, and at least with the aubergines we find here, I can’t tell the difference.

I have already shared step 1 of this dish: toss the aubergines in flour then dip it in whisked egg and cheese and fry it (Golden fried Aubergines).

Step 2 is to prepare a quick tomato sauce and to then layer the fried slices with sauce and cheese: delicious!! It’s great for guests: you can fry the slices ahead and assemble it just before eating, serving it with a mixed salad or roast potatoes/ chips.

I leave you to this traditional Italian dish, let me know if you like it. I want to try a “diet” version, so I’ll keep you informed if I do (well, if it comes out nice that is)

INGREDIENTS:
- 3 sliced and fried aubergines
- tomato sauce
- olive oil
- grated parmesan enough to sprinkle on the layers
- 1 fresh mozzarella sliced or grated mozzarella
- fresh basil
- salt

METHOD:
1) make a quick tomato sauce by heating some olive oil and adding a jar of tomato sauce, season and  let it cook for approx. 20 mins on low heat.
2) take a large frying pan and start layering: olive oil, tomato sauce, salt, aubergines, sprinkle of parmesan cheese


3) I like to cover the last layer with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil
4) cover with a lid and let it simmer on low heat just until it is piping hot and the mozzarella is melted
5) slice it and serve with a green salad, chips or roast potatoes
Buon appetito!

Quick Pasta with Aubergine and Ham

After making fried aubergines the other day, I still had one left in the fridge and I also kept the peeled skin from the 3 aubergines for the fried recipe, they are an excellent source of fibre. With some prosciutto in the fridge I needed to finish, I came up with this dish, we could call it pasta with leftovers really. It’s budget friendly as well, certainly under 5 euros, but most important it’s very tasty AND so quick and easy. I don’t have enough time to be able to spend hours in the kitchen, so my recipes need to be easy and simple but still be healthy, tasty and filling. If you are short of time but have a hungry crowd to feed then this  is the right recipe for you: an added bonus is that you don’t really recognize the vegetables, so with a little luck even the children will enjoy it. I leave you now to this easy pasta let me know if you’ll make it.

INGREDIENTS for 4 people:
- 500gr bow pasta (farfalle)
- 1 large aubergine cut in cubes (or use leftovers from other recipes)
- 200 gr of ham or prosciutto, chopped
- salt
- olive oil
- parsley washed and chopped

METHOD:
1) bring to the boil a pot of water, add the pasta and salt, and cook according to the instructions

2) while the pasta cooks, in a frying pan heat some oil, when it's hot add the aubergine and ham and season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid.


3) when the aubergine is soft turn off the heat

4) once the pasta is al dente reserve some of the cooking water and drain the pasta. Add it to the frying pan together with some of the reserved water but not too much you don't want it "wet"

5) finally add parsley and some more olive oil, stir well and serve

Enjoy!