Categories
Christmas Dinner Gluten free Main Rice Vegetarian

Romantic Champagne Risotto or Risotto allo Champagne

 

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of Champagne Risotto or “Risotto allo Champagne”

The Champagne risotto is a classic Italian dish for an exclusive dinner or occasion. The simplicity of the ingredients is enhanced by the taste of Champagne for a great result, very romantic dinner.

Risotto allo champagne is a classic first course, easy and quick to prepare, very elegant and tasty, perfect for an important occasion such as New Year’s Eve or a special romantic encounter.  The simplicity of the ingredients is enhanced by the champagne aromas that give a touch of romanticism and an aphrodisiac effect to this dish. Champagne sparkling wine can only be called so if produced in the region of France bearing the same name. We suggest complementing this risotto with a sparkling sophisticated flute of champagne.

Ingredients for 4 people

  • 400 grams of Rice
  • 30-60 grams of Butter
  • 1 Blonde Onion chopped
  • 1/2 bottle of Champagne
  • 1/2 glass of Cream
  • 500 ml of Vegetable Broth
  • 50 grams of Parmesan Cheese
  • Salt and Pepper as you prefer

Preparation

1. In a casserole heat the butter with the chopped blond onion until has softened, after few minutes pour the rice, fry, stirring, over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes and then add the champagne when it’s evaporated (about 3 minutes) lower the heat and add the vegetable broth warmed up, 1 ladle of the simmering broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Actually for this recipe, you can also use any good dry sparkling wine, Italian, French or otherwise. But we suggest using original Champagne.

2. Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1 ladle at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite, about 20 minutes total. Plan your timing well – it is very easy to overcook risotto!

3. The end of the cooking is critical for the final texture of the dish, so when the rice is nearly tender to the bite, but with just a hint of resistance – al dente, and the liquid you have added up to this point has been mostly absorbed, remove from the heat add the grated Parmesan cheese and butter to taste, about 30 g (2 tablespoons) add also the liquid cream if you wish, but you can also make the recipe without liquid cream for a light version. Let it stand for 1 or 2 minutes. Arrange the risotto on a serving dish, serve immediately.

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Categories
Christmas Dessert Eggs Vegetarian

Traditional Custard or Crema Pasticcera della Nonna

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of  Custard home-made or “Crema Pasticcera”

This is an easy and healthy option for a dessert at home with the family. It can be considered the basis for many Italian desserts, it never fails, good to fill a light sponge cake, a donut or simply eaten with a spoon: delicious. Ideal for children and adults and great for a healthy snack and genuine when prepared according to the tradition of my beloved great-grandmother.

Ingredients for 4 people

  • 4 Egg Yolks
  • 4 tablespoons of Sugar
  • 2 tablespoons of Flour
  • 1 Lemon peel (ideally organic – peel just the yellow part to avoid a bitter taste)
  • 1/2 LT of Milk

Preparation

1. In a bowl whisk 4 egg yolks with 4 tablespoons of sugar, it’s ready when it will be frothy and the eggs will look a bit pale with the sugar melted in, add the 2 tablespoons of flour and whisk for 1 minute.

2. Now pour the compose in a high pan (you can also just use a pan from the beginning) and spill half liter of milk cold, add the milk slowly and keep mixing it, cut the zest of 1 lemon and put into the custard, cooking over low heat for 15 minutes, keep mixing, turning gently with a spatula or a wood spoon, those do not stick to the mixture, forming an 8, so that the cream will stay liquid and not depositing on the bottom.

3. The cream is ready when it becomes from liquid to creamy and in general when the mixtue start boiling. Do not keep boiling just turn off the heat and enjoy warm or cold.

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Categories
Chicken Christmas Lunch Main

Guinea Fowl Stuffed with Sausage, Olives and Capers

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of “Guinea Fowl Stuffed with Sausage, olives, and capers or “Faraona Ripiena”

Stuffed guinea fowl is called the Queen’s Christmas dish. A classic refined dish and tasty main suitable for an important dinner.  Indulgent Sunday lunch or special occasion dish. A traditional Christmas recipe which combines culinary properties with the highly nutritious value of guinea fowl meat. Guinea fowl is leaner than chicken and has a slightly heartier flavor which makes it ideal for rich autumn and winter dishes featuring smoky bacon, earthy lentils and root vegetables, chestnuts, bitter chicory, and herbs like sage and rosemary. This festive game bird makes an ideal Christmas dinner.

Ingredients for 6 people

  • 1 kg 500 grams of boned Guinea Fowl
  • 100 grams of Bacon cut into slices
  • 200 grams of Sausage
  • 80 grams of Green Olives
  • 50 grams of dried Mushrooms already soaked
  • 4 Anchovies/Anchovies fillets
  • 1 Egg
  • 100 grams of White Bread
  • half a glass of Milk
  • half a glass of White Wine
  • 1 sprig of Rosemary
  • 1 sprig of Sage
  • 20 grams of Butter
  • 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt and Pepper as you prefer

Preparation

1. Wash the anchovies and remove the bones to have anchovy fillets, fry in a pan with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for 2 minutes at medium- low temperature. Add the sausage chopped into pieces, green olives, chopped dried mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Soften the white bread in a bowl with a bit of warm milk, then squeeze and knead with sausage, adding the whole egg.

2. On a big plate, reverse the guinea fowl meat side up, add salt and fill with the stuffing. Close it and sew it with a needle and cooking thread, then cover with slices of bacon and tie with kitchen twine.

3. In a skillet, brown the meat with the olive oil and butter, pour the white wine. Once browned, move the guinea fowl in a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 45 minutes.

Variation: A chicken can be used in place of guinea hens.

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Categories
Christmas Dinner Gluten free Veal

Delicious Veal with Tuna Sauce or Vitello Tonnato

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of  Veal with Tuna Sauce or “Vitello Tonnato Tradizionale”

The Veal with Tuna Sauce or Vitel Tonné is a very Italian dish typical of Piemonte cuisine. Tasty and very fresh ideal for a starter in a gala dinner or even in the summer as a main course. A popular starter,  “Vitel Tonné”, which despite the French resemblance, is a dialectal form of Italian Vitello Tonnato which is basically a carpaccio of veal meat with a rich tuna sauce. Simply one of the most beautiful and classic dishes of Italian cuisine. This beautiful veal dish is festive and tastes superb. You can eat Vitel Tonnè as a main dish, or as an appetizer, it is a very appreciated cold dish in Italy.

 Ingredients for 6 people

  • 1 kg 500 grams of Veal
  • 1 blonde Onion
  • 1 sprig of Celery
  • 2 cloves of Carnation
  • 1 Carrots
  • 5 stalk of Parsley
  • 2 leaves of Bay
  • Salt and Pepper as you prefer

Ingredients for the sauce

  • 300 grams of Tuna Canned
  • 3-4 Anchovies
  • 30 grams of Capers
  • 4 tablespoons of Mayonnaise
  • 1 Lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 sprig of Parsley
  • Salt and Pepper as you prefer

Preparation

1. Bring to a boil in a saucepan with salted water, onion, cloves, carrot, celery, parsley, bay leaf and peppercorns. Immerse the meat, previously tied with kitchen string and boil for about 2 hours. Once ready, drain and keep the broth, I recommend let cool wrapped in aluminum foil. Wipe the meat thoroughly, remove the wire and only when it is well-chilled cut into very thin slices and arrange on a serving platter.

Now we prepare the sauce

2. Rinse the capers, to remove the excess salt, wash and clean the anchovies, drained tuna oil. Blend all ingredients together slowly adding the meat broth, previously filtered, until a creamy consistency, cover the veal cut into slices with the sauce and decorate as desired with slices of lemon and parsley.

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Categories
Appetizers Christmas Dinner Eggs Main Vegetarian

Russian Salad or Insalata Russa

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of Russian salad or “Insalata Russa”

A typical recipe for a family Christmas dinner but you can prepare it anytime and maybe for a nice dinner with friends. This is a typical cold appetizer. A recipe grandmothers use every time there’s a family gathering or a special occasion. The Russian Salad flavor and texture  differs from the standard salads, as it uses boiled veggies rather than raw ones It is an easy a vegetarian dish.

Ingredients for 6 people

  • 3 large Potatoes, boiled, peeled and cubed
  • 4 Carrots peeled and diced
  • 200 grams of shelled Peas
  • 200 grams of green Beans boiled and cut in small pieces
  • 400 grams of Mayonnaise
  • 3 Eggs
  • 2 tablespoons of Mustard
  • Salt and Pepper as you prefer
  • “Prezzemolo” or Parsley to decorate

Preparation

1. Clean well the carrots and the potatoes, wash and chop into little cubes of the same size. Clean the green beans and cut them into small pieces.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add potatoes and carrot. Cook until potatoes are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Boil all the vegetables in salted water, add them when the water is at boiling temperature. Drain very well so that you eliminate all the water, pour into a bowl and mix the mayonnaise with the mustard, salt, and pepper.

3. In the meanwhile boil 3 eggs and once cooled, remove the shell and cut them in slices, you will need them to garnish the dish. Let the Russian salad rest refrigerated for 1 hour, decorate with the eggs and serve.

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Categories
Appetizers Christmas Dinner Eggs Vegetarian

Crème Brûlée with Parmesan Cheese

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of  “Creme Brulee with Parmesan” or Creme Brulee al Parmigiano

This is a savory version of the traditional Crème Brûlée, easy to make and flavored with Parmesan cheese. A revisitation of the classic french creme bruleé but with a salty taste all Italian. One of the simplest recipes to impress your guests.

Ingredients for 8 small pudding molds

  • 200 ml of Milk
  • 200 ml of liquid Cream
  • 6 Egg yolks
  • 60 grams of Parmesan Cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Nutmeg, Salt and Pepper as you prefer
  • 2 tablespoons light brown Sugar as you prefer

Preparation

1. In a saucepan heat the cream with the milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg and bring to boiling temperature. Turn off the heat and let it cool, meanwhile beat the 6 egg yolks and incorporate them into the mixture previously cooled, distribute into the small pudding molds and bake for 25-30 minutes at 90°.

2. Remove from the oven, let it cool, for a savory and sweet taste, sprinkle with the brown sugar and bake with grill mode for 1 or 2 minutes, based on the kind of oven.

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Categories
Christmas Dessert

Yellow Bread or Pangiallo Romano

 How to prepare the real Italian recipe of “Pangiallo

Yellow Bread or “Pangiallo” is an old and very traditional Holidays cake, which in Rome at Christmas should never miss. Pangiallo is one of the most ancient Christmas cakes from Italy. The Yellow Bread is a Roman speciality similar to the Tuscan panforte. And in spite of the name, it is more a dessert than bread. Some do add saffron to give to the dough a golden tint. Originated during the imperial age, it combines all the nuts, dried fruits, honey and spices you could think about. An elegant and delightful rich Italian cuisine experience.

Ingredients for 4-5 people

  • 300 grams of Flour
  • 20 g of Yeast
  • 30 g Candied Orange peel
  • 20 grams of Pine Nuts
  • 30 g shelled and peeled Almonds
  • 50 g of Raisins
  • Cinnamon, Saffron, Sugar
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Preparation

1. Place the flour on a pastry board, add the yeast dissolved in a sugar syrup and warm water, mix well. There should be a dough a little softer than the one of bread.
2. Combine orange peel, pine nuts, almonds, raisins (previously soaked in warm water), and a pinch of cinnamon. Knead and form a loaf to rise covered with a napkin, in a warm place for 12 hours.
3. Then prepare a batter with water, a tablespoon of flour, a little oil, a pinch of saffron. Spread this batter on the loaf and put in a moderate oven (180 °) for 40 minutes.

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Pangiallo-dolce-natalizio-del-Lazio-ricetta

 

Categories
Biscuits Cake Christmas Dessert

White Wine Baked Donuts Ciambelline

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of “Baked Donuts or Ciambelline with white wine”

If there is one thing that never fails on a Christmas table, and never fails throughout the year too, it is the White Wine Baked Donuts, dipping those wonderful donuts in a glass of red wine or in a sweet wine like a wonderful Passito from Pantelleria, will be just the perfect combination, unstoppable nibbling!

Ingredients

  • 125 grams of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 grams of White wine or Red Wine
  • 450 grams of Sugar
  • 1 kg ½ of Flour
  • 1 grated Lemon
  • pinch of Salt
  • Sugar for coating

Preparation

1. In a bowl mix well the following ingredients: sugar, oil, wine, then gradually add flour with a pinch of salt and 1 grated lemon, until it all comes together.

2. Transfer to a lightly floured flat surface and knead lightly until the dough becomes smooth, cut off a little piece of dough at a time, roll into a small chubby rope and bring the ends together to form a circle. Dip in sugar and place on greaseproof paper covered, bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until they reach a marvelous golden in color.

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Categories
Cake Christmas Dessert

Panettone with Mascarpone and Dark Chocolate

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of Panettone with a special mascarpone sauce and slices of dark chocolate on top

A luscious Italian dessert for a special Christmas dinner with friends, a wonderful recipe, very simple, easy.

Ingredients for 4 people

  • 4 slices of Panettone (Scarpato Panettone)
  • 3 Eggs
  • 200 grams of White Sugar
  • 200 grams of Mascarpone
  • 1 glass of Rum
  • slices of Dark Chocolate

Preparation

1. Slamming long 3 egg yolks with 200 grams of sugar until creamy off-white.

2. Add 200 grams of mascarpone and mix well, stretching with a glass of rum.

3. Finally add the beaten egg whites, stirring gently so as not to dismantle them. Pour into cups and refrigerate for a few hours. Cut the slices of panettone and cover with mascarpone sauce and slices of dark chocolate.

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Panettone with mascarpone sauce

 

Categories
Appetizers Christmas Dinner Gluten free Healthy Seafood

Smoked Salmon Salad with Orange and Rocket

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of Smoked Salmon with fresh rocket, orange and flaked almond or “Salmone Affumicato”

This delicious Italian appetizer is a very simple plate and quite quick to prepare, with the right mix of ingredients it results in a very nice and fresh option. Perfect as appetizer for a dinner with friends.

Ingredients for 4 people

  • 200 grams of Smoked Salmon
  • 2 Oranges bio
  • 1 Lemon bio
  • 50 grams of Flaked Almond
  • 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • peel of half Lemon cut into lozenges
  • grains of Pink Pepper just if you like
  • 50 grams of Rocket

Preparation

1. Arrange the slices of salmon on a plate, meanwhile in a bowl add the juice of half a lemon, the juice of 1 orange and a tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, stir well to emulsify.

2. In another bowl add the rocket and drizzle with the sauce, add small pieces of orange, cut into triangle and the flaked almond, let stand for 3 minutes, add the rocket over the salmon, sprinkle with the lemon peel, cut into lozenges and grains pink pepper.

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Categories
Christmas Dinner Pasta Vegetarian

Lasagna Pesto, Ricotta and Pachino Tomatoes

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of “Lasagna Pesto, Ricotta Cheese, and Pachino Tomatoes”

Lasagna is a kind of Pasta which is flat and thin, Ricotta is a fresh typical  Italian cheese and Pachino is a quality of tomatoes from Pachino, Sicily. The best of Italy, fresh, high-quality ingredients needed for this healthy vegetarian recipe.

Ingredients for 4 people

  • 250 grams of Lasagna or 1 Box of Barilla (Italian Brand)
  • 100 grams of grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 300 gr of Pesto
  • 400 grams of Ricotta Cheese
  • 600 grams of Pachino Tomatoes
  • Half Liter of Bechamel
  • Extra Virgin  Olive Oil
  • Salt, Pepper as preferred

Besciamella or Béchamel Sauce

  • 50 grams of Butter
  • 50 grams of Flour
  • Half liter of Milk
  • Salt, Pepper, and Nutmeg as you prefer

Preparation 1° Besciamella or Béchamel Sauce

1. Melt the butter in a pan add the flour and cook for 3 minutes; meanwhile bring the milk to a boil with salt pepper and nutmeg, stir in the butter and flour and simmer for five minutes.

THE SECRET: the bechamel is ready just when you put the spoon into the sauce and when you take out the sauce stays firmly attached to the spoon.

Preparation 2° The Tomato Sauce

2. In a pan, cook the Pachino tomatoes with 3 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Oil Olive, salt and half glass of hot water for 10 minutes, without restricting too much the sauce.

3. In a bowl mix the ricotta cheese with a bit of milk dissolved (half glass ) and pesto.

Preparation 3° The Lasagna Pasta

4. Cook the lasagna according to the instructions. About 8 minutes in 6 quarts of boiling salted water. Drain, rinse with cold water. Lay the individual lasagna noodles out on kitchen towels, very delicate, not touching between each other, so they do not stick together while you layer the casserole.

5. Start by placing a little bit of béchamel sauce on the bottom of the casserole, then build the 4 layers of lasagna, alternating pasta, béchamel sauce, Ricotta Cheese and Pesto, Pachino Tomatoes Sauce and Grated Parmesan Cheese and then again for 3 layers more. Finish the lasagna with béchamel sauce, Ricotta Cheese and Pesto, Pachino Tomatoes Sauce and Grated Parmesan Cheese.

6. Bake uncovered at 200° degrees until the lasagne is bubbling and the corners are getting brown; about 30 minutes…

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Lasagna Pesto, Ricotta Cheese e Pachino Tomatos

 

Categories
Christmas Lunch Pasta

Traditional Lasagna Bolognese or Ragu’

How to prepare the real Italian recipe of the authentic  Lasagna Bolognese or “Lasagna alla Bolognese”

A very traditional Italian recipe for the special celebrations or for a Sunday lunch with all the family. An authentic meatier recipe from the North of Italy. Ragu’ Lasagne are great to prepare as you can prepare them in advance and bake last minute.

Ingredients for 4 people

Ragu’ alla Bolognose (Bolognese Sauce)

  • 2 Carrots
  • 1 White Onion
  • 1 Stalk Celery
  • 1 glass of Milk
  • 1 glass of hot Water
  • 400 grams of different minced Meat (300 grams of beef and 100 grams of pork)
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3 tablespoons or more as preferred
  • 1 tube of concentrate Tomato
  • Salt and Pepper as you prefer

Bechamel

  • 50 grams of Butter
  • 50 grams of Flour
  • Half liter of Milk
  • Salt, Pepper and Nutmeg as you prefer

Ingredients

  • 100 grams of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 300 grams of Mozzarella Cheese
  • 250 grams of Lasagna or 1 box of Lasagna, like “Barilla” Italian brand

Preparation 1° 

Ragu’ alla Bolognese – Bolognese Sauce

Make the “soffritto” tasty fried base for the sauce, mixing finely chopped onion, carrots and celery in a pan with 3 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Oil Olive cook over medium heat until onion turns pale gold. Add the beef, the pork to the “soffritto” base, sprinkle with salt and pepper, increase the heat to high for 5 minutes after that reduce to medium and cook for 15 minutes until the water of meats is reduced. Add 1 glass of milk until to reduce it and after that add 1 tube of concentrate tomato with 1 glass of hot water, cook for 1 hour and half and reduce the heat to medium.

Preparation 2° 

The Béchamel Sauce

Melt the butter in a pan add the flour and cook for 3 minutes; meanwhile bring the milk to a boil with salt, pepper and nutmeg, stir in the butter and flour and simmer for five minutes.

THE SECRET: the bechamel is ready just when you put the spoon into the sauce and when you take out the sauce stays firmly attached to the spoon.

Preparation 3°

The Lasagna

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook the lasagna according to instructions. About 8 minutes in 6 quarts of boiling salted water. Drain, rinse with cold water. Lay the individual lasagna noodles out on kitchen towels, not touching, so they do not stick together while you layer the casserole. Start by placing a little bit of béchamel sauce on the bottom of the casserole, then build the 4 layers of lasagna, alternating pasta, béchamel sauce, Bolognese sauce, Mozzarella cheese and Grated Parmesan Cheese and then again for 3 layers more. End the lasagna with meat, béchamel sauce, and the grated cheese.

Bake uncovered at 200°degrees until the lasagne is bubbling and the corners are getting brown; about 40/50 minutes.

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lasagne