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Scaloppine al Vino Bianco

Published by Monica

Scaloppine al vino bianco are usually made of thinly sliced veal rump but you can also use thinly sliced chicken breast. The addition of the white wine makes a delicate sauce that is hard to resist. A classic Italian dish that is easy and quick to prepare and will surely make everyone happy. Serve it with crusty bread or silky mashed potatoes & a light salad as a side. Ingredients: – 200 gr thinly sliced veal rump or chicken breast – Flour as needed– 3/4 cup white wine– A knob of butter– A drop of olive oil – Salt & pepper to taste Method: – In a frying pan add the butter and oil. -Meanwhile season some flour with salt and lightly coat the chicken with flour shaking off any excess. – Place the chicken in the pan and let cook for 3-4 minutes on both sides. – Add the wine and stir turn off the heat once a light creamy sauce will form. Buon Appetito!

Tomato & Ricotta Pasta Bake

Published by Monica

Everyone loves a good cheesy pasta bake, am I right? This one has a beautiful tomato sauce that will be mixed with cooked pasta and placed in the baking tray on top of which you will dollop a beautiful ricotta mixture that will just melt away…absolutely heavenly! You could use your favorite jarred tomato sauce although I always highly recommend making your own from scratch because it tastes so much better! Recipe is for 4-6 people Ingredients: For the tomato sauce: 8 ripe tomatoes, peeled & finely chopped (you can use a food processor) 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and left whole 1 teaspoon dried origano 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar A pinch of dried chilies, optional 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 500 gr of short shaped pasta (penne, fusilli etc…) Salt and pepper to taste For the ricotta mix: 2 cups ricotta 1 cup grated parmigiano 1/2 cup grated mozzarella Pinch of nutmeg A handful of fresh basil, finely chopped 1 egg yolk Salt and pepper to taste To Finish: 1 cup grated mozzarella …

Shrimps & Mango Bites

Published by Monica

Sweet shrimps and mango dressed in tangy lemon juice and zest….such a perfect combination! Add to them crunchy spring onions and for me that’s it! Wrapped in soft tortillas or crunchy taco shells, these are the perfect appetizer, if you try them, let me know! Recipe is for 6-8 people Ingredients: Shrimp marinade: 12 shrimps, shell removed and deveined The zest of one lemon 1 tablespoon of Olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika For the Mango Salsa: 1 large mango, peeled and cut into bite size cubes 3 spring onions, finely chopped 1/2 cup of cilantro, finely chopped The juice of 1 Lemon, more or less depending on your taste Salt and pepper to taste To Assemble: Mini Tortillas (If you dont find mini tortillas cut big ones using a round cookie cutter or a glass works just fine) Method: For the shrimps: In a bowl add the shrimps and all other ingredients and let marinade for at least 1 hour Heat a griddle pan till smoking hot and …

Labneh Dip

Published by Monica

Creamy lebanese tangy labneh dip is a must this holiday season and honestly any time this works perfectly! Super easy to make this dip is a beautiful starter, hope you give it a try!! Ingredients: 1/2 kg Labneh 1 big red bell pepper, charred, peeled and roughly chopped 1 cup sundried tomatoes in oil, strained very well and finely chopped (optional) 3 spring onions, finely chopped 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and chopped 1/2 cup green olives, pitted and chopped 3/4 cup fresh origano, finely chopped 1 tablespoon of Sumac Extra virgin olive oil Method: Cut the bell pepper in half, place on a baking tray skin side up, sprinkle some salt and drizzle some olive oil and place in the oven till skin in nice and charred. Take pepper out of the oven, place in a bowl and cover tightly with some plastic wrap and leave for about 15 minutes. This will make peeling the pepper much easier. In the meantime place in a bowl the Labneh, sundried tomatoes (if using), spring onions, olives …

Mulled Wine

Published by Monica

For the festive season this year I decided to spice up my favorite red wine and I loved it! Super easy to make this can be drank warm, at room temperature or over ice…so soooo good! Ingredients: A bottle of your favorite red wine 1 cinnamon stick 1 star anise 4 cloves The peel of an orange 1 cup pomegranate juice 1/2 cup apple juice 2-3 tablespoons of sugar 1 apple, sliced 1 orange, sliced Method: Add cinnamon, star anise, cloves, orange peel, pomegranate juice, apple juice and sugar to a pot, turn on the heat on low and stir till sugar is dissolved. Add the wine & warm it but be careful not to bring it to a boil otherwise all the alcohol will evaporate. Once nice and hot turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let the flavors infuse for at least half an hour, I left mine overnight. When ready to serve strain the wine and place it in a serving jug. Add to the wine the sliced apple and orange. …

My Spicy Tomato Jam

Published by Monica

My love for tomatoes is endless and everybody knows it! Every year I wait for mid September when tomato season is at its peak and I make different kinds of preserves and tomato jam is one of them. So good in cheese or steak sandwiches, serve it on a cheese board, spread it as a pizza base, in a burger, as a dip…This jam is so good that i am finding it really hard to describe its taste, you will have to do it and let me know !!! Make sure to weigh your tomatoes after you peel and deseed them. Ingredients: 600 gr ripe tomatoes, peeled, deseeded (you should have 500 gr left) and roughly chopped 1 big garlic clove, very finely chopped 1 red chilly, deseeded and very finely chopped 1 tsp grated ginger 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 tablespoons of regular sugar 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar A couple of fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs Salt and pepper to taste Olive oil 1/4 cup hot water Method: In a sauce pan on …

Spaghetti with Meatballs

Published by Monica

This is the type of food you can’t go wrong with because everyone simply loves a plate of spaghetti with meatballs…add to that the melting cheesy heart and you are all set! It is a tiny bit time consuming but totally worth it! I love these with crusty bread as well and even better i sometimes make meatball sandwiches that the kids absolutely love!! Recipe is for 4-6 people: Ingredients: 1/2 kg minced beef 1 egg 1/4 cup grated parmigiano 100 gr cubed mozzarella (about) 3 tbsp bread crumbs, you might add a bit more 2 slices of crust less bread, preferably a bit stale A bit of milk 2 tbsp chopped parsley 1 teaspoon dried origano Salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup of flour 500 gr of spaghetti A big jar of your favorite marinara sauce or better if you make your own Method: In a medium sized bowl add the bread and cover it with milk. Set aside till needed. In a big bowl add the minced beef, egg, breadcrumbs, parmigiano, dried …

Swirl Cake

Published by Monica

Spoonful by spoonful vanilla and chocolate swirl together to make this all time classic sponge cake. A 20 cm cake mold is needed for this recipe, if yours is bigger, then double the ingredients. It’s moist and amazing with coffee, give it a go and let me know in a comment <3 Ingredients: 3 cups of all purpose flour, sifted 3 teaspoons baking powder 3 large eggs, at room temperature 2 cups of sugar 1 cup vegetable or corn oil 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon of vanilla 2 tablespoons of cacao, sifted Method: In a large bowl sift together the flour and baking powder, set aside. In another large bowl sift the cocoa and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer place sugar and eggs and beat till doubled in size and pale in color. Add half of the flour and the oil, mix well. Add the other half of the flour and milk, mix till just combined. Pour half of the batter over the sifted cacao and stir to combine very well. …

Focaccia

Published by Monica

When I think of focaccia all that pops in my mind are memories of school days and eating a salty and oily focaccia during recess. I can hear the bell ringing, hear the voices of kids running fast to the cafeteria so they can secure their focaccia treat and my heart melts. This recipe is amazing. The dough is very wet so please don’t be tempted to add flour to it, just trust me and follow the recipe as is 🙂 As topping you can add just salt or get creative, some ideas: garlic and rosemary, garlic and cherry tomatoes, caramelized onions, olives…hope you give it a try! And please let me know if you do! Ingredients: For the dough: 450 gr all purpose flour 2 teaspoons instant yeast 2 teaspoons of sugar 1 tablespoon of salt 400 ml water 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, the best you can get your hands on For the Salamoia (brine): 1/3 cup water 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Method: In a bowl add the flour, yeast …

Pasta with Cilantro, Garlic & Veggies

Published by Monica

This pasta is light and fresh dressed in a cilantro and garlic mix and loads of your preferred veggies. I usually do this with boiled carrots and zucchinis but please feel free to use whatever veggies you love or have on hand! Comes together really quickly. Recipe is for 2. Ingredients: 200 gr whole wheat fusilli, or any pasta you have on hand or prefer 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped 3 small zucchinis, chopped into bite size pieces 2 medium carrots, chopped into bite size pieces Olive oil Salt and pepper Method: Place a pot filled with water and bring it to the boil. Add the pasta. Five minutes later, in the same water the pasta is cooking, add your chopped veggies let cook. When pasta is done drain and set aside. In a pan add olive oil and garlic. When the garlic starts getting fragrant add the cilantro and cook for about 5-7 minutes. Season well. Add drained pasta and veggies to the cilantro mixture. Mix well. Serve warm …