Garganelli With Veal Ragu

Garganelli with Veal Ragu

We make this hearty meat sauce with either veal (as here) or duck. Which of the two makes for a better ragu is often the subject of intense family debate. Both preparations pair beautifully with garganelli pasta—its tube shape and deep ridges creating the perfect vehicle for capturing the hearty sauce. If you can’t find dried garganelli, use penne rigate instead.

Ingredients:
3 1/2 - 4 pounds veal shoulder cut in 1 inch chunks

Salt and pepper

1/2 cup EVOO

½ cup diced fennel
½ cup diced carrots
½ cup diced yellow onion
1½ cups dry red wine
2 (28-oz) cans Italian plum (San Marzano) tomatoes
4 cups chicken stock
2–3 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
2–3 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1½ pounds dried garganelli or penne rigate pasta
Italian parsley leaves, finely chopped (optional)
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 300°F.

Pat the veal dry with paper towels, then sprinkle all over with salt and pepper. Warm ¼ cup of the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches if needed, add the meat and brown evenly on all sides, turning as needed, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Add the remaining ¼ cup olive oil to the pan, then add the fennel, carrots and onion. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the red wine and cook, stirring to scrape up any caramelized juices from the bottom of the pan. Continue to cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the tomatoes, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the stock, rosemary and thyme. Bring to a boil over high heat, add the veal, then remove from the heat. Cover partially, place in the oven, and roast until very tender, about 4 hours. Using two forks, shred the meat.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the garganelli and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Add the ragù and toss over low heat until the pasta is coated. Divide among individual serving bowls. Sprinkle each serving with parsley, if using. Serve with cheese at the table.

• 3½ – 4 lbs boneless veal shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Italian Lentil Soup.

 

Italian Lentil Soup

Lentils have been used in cooking since the early times of the Roman Empire.  This Soup is not only delicious, it is so easy to make

Ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion
2 medium carrots
2 to 3 garlic cloves
2 to 3 celery stalks

1/2 cup white wine
14 oz can crushed San Marzano.tomatoes 

2 cups lentils, rinsed and picked over
8 cups chicken broth

large bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

fresh basil leaves.

S&P to taste.

optional, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:

Heat large pan then add 1/4 cup olive oil.  Add onion and sauté until softened.  Add the minced garlic and cook for just 1-2 minutes more.  

Increase heat to medium-high, add 1/2 cup white wine, cook for additional minute or so.

Add the remaining cut vegetables, crushed tomatoes and lentils. Cook for 1/2 hour

Finally add 1 bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 4-5 basil leaves, and salt and pepper to taste.  As an option you can add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes.

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium.  Partially cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are soft.  Adjust the consistency of the soup by adding water.

Prosciuitto And Burrata Pizza

Prosciutto and Burrata Pizza

Burrata is fresh mozzarella that is stuffed with the threads of cheese that develop in the process of making the cheese.  This is authentic Italian Pizza.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
16 ounces pizza dough or my recipe of "Perfect Pizza Crust" published 6/3/2020.
1 28-ounce can whole peeled plum tomatoes in juice, such as San Marzano
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for crust
8 ounces burrata cheese
4 slices prosciutto
1 bunch fresh basil
Flour and/or cornmeal for rolling dough
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Place upside-down baking sheet or pizza stone on bottom rack of oven and preheat to 500° F or as high as it will go.

2. Remove dough from refrigerator and allow to warm to room temperature for approximately 20 minutes.

3. In a blender, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth.

4. Prepare a smooth flat surface (a cutting board, baking sheet, etc.) with generous amounts of flour and cornmeal. Flour hands and roll or stretch dough as thin as possible without overworking.

5. Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil and spread a thin layer of sauce on the rest. Break up burrata with hands and evenly distribute. Do the same with prosciutto.

6. Carefully open oven and slide prepared pizza onto hot stone. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until edges of crust are golden brown and cheese is lightly bubbling. Remove from oven and top with sprigs of fresh basil. Serves 2–4.