HOW TO: THE PERFECT BAKED POTATO

Baked potato in the oven, totally worth the wait.

Who doesn’t love a good baked potato. It is so versatile. You can serve it with just about any meal. Steak, pork, chicken, fish, or ham, let’s face it, it goes with pretty much everything. So, let’s assume you are making a great steak on the grill (maybe even Italian Crusted Filet Mignon). So how do you prepare your baked potato? If you said or even thought about the microwave, please slap yourself twice across the face. Now, repeat the last step. Ok, now you are thinking straight. You know that oven you barely use?? Please turn it on to 400 degrees. Thanks. If you want a GOOD baked potato, you must cook it in the oven. I know it takes longer, but it is so much better. As a matter of fact, once you go oven baked potato, you can never go back.

Prep Time: 1 Min

Bake Time: 1 Hour

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Medium to Large Russet Potato
• Smart Balance Butter
• Italian Seasoning
• Fresh Ground Pepper
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Optional, sour cream (only optional because I don’t like it)

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Scrub potato with a vegetable brush.
• Place potato on baking sheet and bake at 400 for 1 hour. Turn potato over at 35 minutes.  When potato is done, it should be crispy on the outside but soft to the squeeze.
• Remove potato, slice down middle and squeeze potato.
• Add 1 tbsp, smart balance butter.
• Garnish with fresh ground pepper, italian seasoning, and grated parmesan cheese.
• Top with sour cream (only if you like, yuk…I don’t).

Related posts: Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast; Italian Crusted Filet Mignon

NUTELLA SHORTBREAD COOKIES

The homemade version of a “Milano” cooking using nothing but a shortbread cookie and Nutella spread.

Ok, I had a very busy day today. Almost didn’t have time to write a blog, but I did really want to get one done tonight. As we were having a very late dinner, we had to do something quick. We were both in the mood for some chocolate for dessert. We were drinking some wine and thought some chocolate would go well with it. However, we didn’t have any. When I looked in the pantry, I said “Hey, we have Nutella!” But what could we do with it??? For some odd reason, I bought some Pecan Short Bread cookies at Wal-Mart the other day (that’s what happens when you go shopping hungry). Then, I remembered my love for those Milano cookies. You know the shortbread cookies with the chocolate in between. Yeah, I am addicted to those. I can’t be permitted to keep them in the house. So, this was our take on making these at home. One shortbread cookie with Nutella spread on it. Oh boy, they are so good. They can be made for a fraction of the price by making them yourself. Also, there is virtually no effort required for some deliciousness. Who wouldn’t like that??? There you go a great dessert in 5 seconds. I’m not sure it can be done any quicker!

Prep Time: 5 seconds

Cook time: none

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Box of Pecan Shortbread Cookies (I used Great Value cookies from Wal-Mart)
• 1 Jar of Nutella

DIRECTIONS:

• Spread the Nutella on to the flat side of the cookie.
• Serve.

HEALTHY PASTA

Who says pasta can’t be both healthy and tasty?

Healthy pasta, isn’t that an oxymoron?  Guess what, it can be done.  Guess what also, you don’t have to give up pasta in order to eat healthy. The secret to having “Healthy Pasta” is to add some other ingredients so you are not eating 3 cups of pasta for your meal.  Also substitute, whole wheat pasta for regular pasta and you take it one step further.  This recipe is loaded with flavor as well, and it won’t disappoint the taste buds.

There you go, finally a healthy pasta that tastes good too.  One last thing to note, this recipe is pretty easy as well.  It can be prepared and ready to eat in around 45 minutes.  Perfect for quick, easy dinner on a work night.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:  35 minutes

Total Time:  45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Medium Onion, Diced
• 3 Cloves Garlic, Pressed and Minced (use your OXO Steel Garlic Press)
• 1 Med to Large Zucchini, sliced and halved.
• 1 Box of Frozen, Chopped Spinach
• 1 Can Cannelloni Beans, rinsed.
• 16 oz of Petite Diced Tomatoes
• 1 Bunch Fresh Basil, chopped
• 2 Tsp Fresh Ground Pepper
• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Cup Dry, Red Italian Wine
• 1 Large  Chicken Breast
• 1 Box Whole Wheat Pasta
• 1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

• Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil until soft in large skillet.
• Add fresh ground pepper, basil, diced tomatoes, zucchini, and red wine.
• Return to boil, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
• Pound chicken breast thin, and grill.  Slice into thin pieces.  Do you have a OXO Good Grips Meat Pounder?  If not, get one.  It’s the secret to tender chicken.
• Meanwhile cook pasta according to instructions on box, al dente.
• Defrost spinach, add to sauce mixture along with chicken and rinsed beans.  Warm through.
• Once pasta is done, combine pasta, sauce, and parmesan cheese into the pot you cooked the pasta in.  Stir well and cook over low heat for 2 minutes in order to blend all ingredients and properly bond the sauce to the pasta.
• Serve in Italian Pasta Bowls.

8 Servings

NOTE:  When cooking whole wheat pasta, I’ve noticed most boxes cooking times appear to be inaccurate.  It seems as though the pasta is very mushy if you cook it to the manufacturer’s instructions.  I recommend going 2 minutes less and see what it tastes like.  Remember when you cook the pasta with the sauce at the end, the pasta will continue to cook.  The last thing you want is over cooked pasta.

What Every Kitchen Needs: PASTA BOWLS

Rosanna Pasta Italiana pasta bowls. Photo courtesy of Amazon.com.

In this column, we will highlight items that every kitchen needs in
order to function.  These items will make your kitchen function to its true potential, save time, and also intrigue guests.  In addition, these items would make wonderful gifts for that person in your life who loves to cook and/or entertain.  Enjoy!

Please tell me you are not serving your pasta on plates.   Presentation is a very important part of every meal.  Not only do these bowls look great, but they have some Italian recipes on them as well.  I’ve seen many pasta serving bowls that don’t have any designs on them,  BORING!!!  There’s a time to be formal, but not when serving a fun pasta dish such as Pasta Diavalo.  These beautiful bowls will really take your pasta dish to the next level.  But, make sure not to throw your white plates away as they make a great saucer for the pasta bowl.

The Rosanna Pasta Italiana Pasta Bowls sell on Amazon.com for less than $30.  This set of 4 inscribed pasta bowls would make a great addition to any kitchen.

Related:   http://3gitalian.com/2012/08/12/pasta-diavalo-spicy-pasta/

PHOTO WORTHY FOOD – OLIVES OR EGGS??

Olives or eggs??? Served at a street cafe in Milan on Via Buenos Aires.

So what are they eggs or olives?  They don’t quite look dark enough for olives, but you’ve never seen eggs quite that shade of green.  Maybe they are pickled???  We got these served to us at a street cafe in Milano, Italy.  They were quite delicious.  They paired very well with a glass of Prosecco.  Well, I guess we should let everyone know.  These are indeed OLIVES for those who are dying to know.  I am typically not a huge fan of olives, but these were pretty good.  Triplo G Chef Geri, a big olive fan, devoured them.  I’m not sure why, but everything seems to taste better in Italy.  When I sat down for a glass of Prosecco that day, I would never have imagined that I was about to be served Photo Worthy Food!!!

Have you had a great meal that you want to share with everyone?  Maybe you prepared it yourself, or you enjoyed a great meal at a restaurant.   If so, we’d love to see it and post it on our website.  So, please take a picture and submit it to us at triplogitalian@yahoo.com.  Please include your first name, location, what it is, and why you took the picture.