Italian Sodas

Crushed Ice
Half & Half

Fill cup 2/3 full of ice and pour half and half to top of ice.

Flavored Syrup

Add a few tbsp. to taste of Syrup

Club Soda

Add soda according to personal taste

Top with canned whipped cream (opt)

Tricolore Insalata

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 head radicchio, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick

1 head Belgian endive, sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick

1 cup arugula

1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved into thin strips with a vegetable peeler

I used a salad mix that had all those types of lettuces.  Easy and better than the salads I had in Italy.  Ssh, don't tell the Italians I said that!!!

Breaded Ranch Chicken

3/4 c crushed rice Krispies
3/4 c Parmesan Cheese (NOT CANNED!!! I use Costco's)
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix

Combine in a bowl good for dipping chicken pieces in.

8 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (2 lbs.)
1/2 c butter, melted

Dip chicken in butter then roll in rice krispies mixture to coat.  Place in a greased 13 x  9 x 2 baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes or until juices are clear.

To make the main dish I made on Saturday, add a slice or two of black forest ham and drizzle Alfredo sauce over.  Buon Appetito!!!

Alfredo or Panna

This is not as authentic as I would like but since the Mad Cow scare they will no longer import the real Italian Panna that was my first of many loves in Italy.  This recipe was given to me years ago from my sis-in-law.  It is from cdkitchen.com and is called Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce.

1 pint heavy cream
1/4 c butter
2 Tbsp. cream cheese

In a saucepan combine.  Simmer until all is melted and mixed well.

3/4 c Parmesan cheese (NOT CANNED!!!  I buy a large bag of good Parmesan at Costco)
1 tsp. garlic powder (I know, I know this is wrong but it is what the recipe calls for.  I do use fresh as well but the powder works)

Add, simmer for 15-20 minutes on low.

Salt
Pepper

To taste.  Serve immediately. This will separate and curdle so be very careful. It does not like to be re-heated although I do it all the time

Tana's Recipes

Cajun Potatoes
8 Russet Potatoes
6 Hard Boiled Eggs
3 Scallions (diced)
3 stalks of celery (diced)
3 Tablespoons yellow mustard
1/4 cup canola oil
8 pieces of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
(or just use bacon bits like I do)
1/2 cup mayonaise
salt and pepper to taste
or use Tony's Creole Seasoning Salt
Boil Potatoes and eggs separately.  Peel potatoes and eggs and cut into chunks.  Place in a large bowl.
Add remaining ingredients and mash completely up with a potato masher, or an electric mixer. 
Refrigerate in an airtight container. 

Sushi Rice
2 cups medium or short grain rice
Prepare rice according to directions, or make rice in a rice cooker.
When rice is cooked and tender, add the following mixture and combine well.
(first combine these 3 ingredients until granules are dissolved)
4 tablespoons Rice Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon salt

The Salad Dressing that Changed my Life
3/4 cups sugar
1 and 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tsp. honey mustard
1 cup canola oil
Blend vinegar, salt, sugar and mustard until sugar and salt are dissolved.
Add oil and shake well.  Refrigerate.

Lime Cilantro Chicken
6-8 chicken breasts
4-6 garlic cloves, pressed
red wine vinegar or Sprite
chili powder
Lawry's seasoning salt
2-3 limes
cilantro
honey
Trim chicken breasts of any fat and extra skin and thaw completely.  Place in an air tight container.  Pour vinegar or
Sprite over chicken, enough for it to marinate in.  Allow to marinate in vinegar or Sprite overnight, or at least several hours.
Drain off liquid just prior to placing on grill.  Press garlic and rub into breasts on both sides.  The more, the better, don't be shy.
Sprinkle chili powder and seasoning salt all over chicken on both sides.  Chicken is now ready to grill.  Grill until chicken is cooked
through.  Remove from grill and dip in lime cilantro glaze and place back on grill until glaze is golden; watch it closely, it can easily
burned.
Lime Cilantro Glaze
1/2 cup honey
1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped
2-3 limes, juiced

Caprese

Tomatoes (home grown or vine ripe), sliced
Fresh Mozzarella (buffalo milk), sliced
Fresh Basil, torn
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Sea Salt
Pepper

Place tomato slices on plate, salt lightly.  Stack with a slice of cheese, salt lightly.  Sprinkle/ drop basil over all.  Use 2 parts olive oil to one part vinegar, drizzle over Caprese.  Use pepper if desired.  This was my personal favorite dish at the party.  I should have had two servings!!!

Tiramisu- Missionary Style

6 egg yolks
3/4 c. sugar

Whisk in a medium saucepan

2/3 c. milk

Whisk into egg mixture, cook over medium heat until it boils stirring constantly.  Gently boil for 1 minute.  Cool slightly.  Cover tightly, chill 1 hour.

1 1/4 c. heavy cream
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Beat til stiff peaks form.

1 lb. mascarpone (warning: not cheap!!!  I found it in the Walmart foreign cheese section. It was more than $3.00 for 1/2 pound)

Whisk into egg mixture until smooth.

2+ c. hot cocoa, room temperature (I made mine from scratch, here is the recipe link: http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/30258/Nestl%C3%A9-Toll-House-Hot-Cocoa/detail.aspx)

2 (3 oz.) pkg. ladyfingers (again I made mine from scratch. here is the link: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ladyfingers/)

Use a 7 x 11 glass pan.  Layer is the following order...
1.  Ladyfingers that have been dipped or dunked in cocoa
2.  Spread 1/2 mascarpone over fingers
3.  Spread 1/2 whipped cream over mascarpone
4. Grate chocolate with potato peeler
Repeat.

Chill 24 hours.  Buon  Appetito!!!

PS Remember I used Pirouette Cookies to line the edges.  This was only for show (and yumminess) it is completely optional.

Murder Mystery Party

I have tried to figure out how to do this upcoming dinner club.  I want to make this meal as authentic as possible.   I will provide the main course, dessert and the pasta, yes in Italy pasta is not the main course.  I think for the side dishes, I will need some things prepared and other just raw ingredients.  Here is what I am thinking for now...

Foccacia- Similar to the bread they served at Octavio's (is that the restaurant),  I have a recipe or you can buy this at Sam's club.  If you do buy this please ask me which one to buy.  I am sooo sorry, my mission turned me into an Italian food snob.

Ingredients for Italian Sodas (we will make them here)
Half and Half (half gallon, Sam's or Costco)
Club Soda (2 litter bottle)
Bag of crushed ice

Ingredients for Caprese (make it here)
Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella (must be this type, no substitutes sorry) Best quality and price is for a two pack at Sam's or Costco.
6 (more if small) vine ripe tomatoes (Really good quality, Italian food is all about quality of ingredients)
Fresh basil (again must be fresh)


Uncooked Pastas just bring them in the box
Bow tie or Farfalle (butterfly)
Gnocchi (you can buy good stuff at Sam's)
Ravioli (I  like frozen cheese filled, Walmart has great prices on these)


 Antipasto & Insalada
I am still working on these and will let you know.  


I think for me the best date will be April 28th.  Is that still OK for all of you?  Please let me know as soon as possible about the date and which food you will bring.  Plus I think with the meal being a 5 course meal and the mystery game I am thinking we should start at 6:00.  Will that work for you as well?
 

Lettuce Wraps February 2012

The recipe is from Top Secret.  I did not get it written down and it now cost money 79 cents to get the recipe.  Sorry!  Just goggle the recipe and tons come up.  Make sure it has a stir fry sauce to cook in.  I made one without and it was bland!!!

Chocolate Velvet Dessert March 16, 2012

1 1/2 c. chocolate wafer crumbs
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 c butter (no sub) melted

Combine, press 1 1/2 inches up into greased 9 inch springform pan. Bake 350 for 10 minutes.  Cool.

2 c. (12 oz) semisweet chocolate- melt stir until smooth.  Cool but not solidify.  Set aside.
6 egg yolks
1 3/4 c whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine without chocolate.   Beat well.  Gradually stir 1/3 of cream mixture into chocolate until blended.
Gradually stir in remaining cream mixture.  Pour into crust.

Place on baking sheet.  Bake for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set.  Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.  Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.  Refrigerate overnight.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

1/2 c butter, softened (no sub)- cream
3 c confectioners' sugar
3 Tbsp. baking cocoa- combine sugar and cocoa.  Add to butter mix well
3-4 Tbsp. milk- add just enough to achieve frosting consistency.

Pipe into center of dessert.  Refrigerate leftovers.  12-16 servings