Friday, June 11, 2010

Weekend Guide :: 06.11.10



Hurry ! And purchase some of our all time favorite chef’s cookbook :: The Franks, or Frankie’s 457 and more, have come out with “The Frankies Spuntino : Kitchen Companion + Cooking Manual.” We can’t wait to try their simple and delicious Italian at home (their tomato sauce only has 5 ingredients !!).

If you haven’t been yet, embrace summer + try your first Luke’s Lobster Roll this weekend. They’ve long been good, but they were just awarded “Fan Favorite” at Tasting Table’s Claw Off. Sounds like the perfect weekend summer treat.

And don’t forget the 8th annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Square Park from 11am to 6pm. Pit Masters from around the world will be there to surprise your bbq palate and keep a smile on your face.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Rustic Italian Sunday Supper :: Penne Frittata with Basil and Ricotta

Our Penne Frittata was a huge hit. It is SO easy to make- and a great solution for leftover pasta. We opted for our fave ricotta - by the salvatore girls, it adds a creamy richness to this dish. bon appetite !



Penne Frittata with Basil and Ricotta
Makes one 10-inch frittata; Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients:
* 6 large eggs
* 1/2 c fresh ricotta cheese
* 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
* Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
* 3 cups cooked and drained penne rigate pasta (from 7 ounces dry)
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
* 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
* Garnish: fresh basil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk together eggs, milk, ricotta, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in cooked pasta and chopped basil.
2. Heat a 10-inch ovenproof skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium heat. Add oil; swirl to coat bottom and sides of skillet. Pour in egg mixture, and cook until edges are just beginning to set, about 2 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven, and bake until eggs are completely set, 10 to 12 minutes. Invert onto a plate, and re-invert onto a serving dish. Let stand for 5 minutes. Cut into wedges. Garnish with basil.

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living
Photography by Karen Mordechai
Shira Bocar pictured above: top left photo

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Rustic Italian Sunday Supper :: Herbed Flatbread



Herbed Flatbread
Makes 16

* 1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees)
* 1 teaspoon active dry yeast (from one 1/4-ounce envelope)
* 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface and hands
* 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for bowl
* Coarse salt
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 1 large egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
* Sea salt, for sprinkling
* 1/4 cup fresh rosemary or thyme (or a combination)

Directions

1. Place water in a medium bowl; sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, oil, 2 teaspoons coarse salt, and the sugar. Stir until dough forms.
2. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead with floured hands until smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let dough stand in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in volume, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Divide dough into 16 equal pieces; cover with plastic wrap. Roll out 1 piece to roughly 4 by 10 inches on a lightly floured surface; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash; sprinkle with sea salt and herbs. Repeat with remaining dough, arranging 4 pieces per sheet.
4. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until crisp and golden, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool on sheets on a wire rack.

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living
Photography by Karen Mordechai

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Sunday Suppers :: Warm Robiola Cheese with Pine Nuts, Olives, and Golden Raisins


After collaborating with Shira on the menu from our Rustic Italian Dinner, she took the ideas back to the MSL test kitchen to plan everything out. Guests were thrilled at how yummy everything was (as were we!) and also most- importantly, how doable they are for home entertaining everywhere.

This week we’ll be sharing these amazing recipes with you. First up is one of the definite stars of the show: Warm Robiola Cheese with Pine Nuts, Olives, and Golden Raisins. A perfect Italian appetizer, the Robiola Bosina a.k.a. "Due Latte” is an Italian soft-ripened cheese made from the pasteurized milk of Piedmont cows and sheep. We recommend serving this with a tall glass of prosecco. enjoy!

Warm Robiola Cheese with Pine Nuts, Olives, and Golden Raisins
Serves 10 to 12

* 1/2 cup chopped homemade or store-bought roasted red peppers
* 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
* 2 tablespoons chopped oil-cured black olives
* 2 tablespoons chopped golden raisins
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
* 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
* 8 ounces Robiola Bosina cheese (murrayscheese.com)
* Garnish: fresh oregano

Directions

1. Mix together peppers, pine nuts, olives, raisins, oregano, and oil. Let stand for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, let cheese stand at room temperature.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake cheese in an ovenproof serving dish until just starting to melt around the edges, 5 to 7 minutes. Top with relish. Garnish with oregano. Serve immediately. (Reheat cheese in oven for about a minute if it starts to set.)

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living
Photography by Karen Mordechai