Orzo with Fresh Rainbow Carrots and Ginger

Orzo with Fresh Rainbow Carrots and Ginger

4-5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Zest and juice of 2 limes

1 piece of fresh ginger, grated finely (use based on your taste)

Sea salt and black pepper

4-5 rainbow carrots, grated large

1 pound orzo pasta

2-3 tablespoons minced fresh basil

In a small bowl, add the oil, zest and juice of limes, grated ginger, salt and pepper. Add the grated carrots and mix well.  Refrigerate about 30 minutes. Taste before adding the pasta, adjust seasoning as needed.

Cook the orzo in water or vegetable broth until al dente. Strain and cool. When ready transfer to a large bowl; add the dressing and fold. Lastly, add fresh basil on top and serve. 

While at the market, I couldn't resist these beautiful rainbow carrots; I quickly put them into my basket. I was immediately inspired by their vibrant colors. I have made many recipes using rainbow carrots; this is one of the recipes that can be served warm or at room temperature. 

Read more »

Eggplant-Tomato Salad (Salad Zalouk) Alba’s Way

Salad Zalouk - Eggplant Tomato Salad

1 pound small eggplants, cut in small cubes 

3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3-4 large cloves garlic, minced

1 large shallot, minced

2-3 large tomatoes, diced
Pinch red pepper flakes

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon Raz el hanout, optional
Zest 1 large lemon

30-35 pitted green olives

25-30 capers in brine, drained
Juice of 1 lemon

Fresh basil

Boil the egg plant in hot salted water, about 30 minutes on medium-low heat. Strain and cool.

In a large skillet, add the oil, garlic, and shallot. Cook on low heat until golden. When ready, raise the heat to high and add the chopped tomatoes.  Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add the spices, salt, lemon zest, olives, and capers. Cook about a minute.  Add the eggplant; cook on low heat about 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. When ready to serve, add the lemon juice and fresh basil, and fold.  

Easy and extremely flavorful….. Salad Zalouk, is a spicy eggplant dish, usually served as an appetizer or side dish with fish or meat. My version is a fusion of Moroccan and Sicilian.  I use the same spices; however I add the olives and capers so it mirrors the caponata.  I also don’t mash the eggplant as in the traditional recipe; I like mine chunky, with some texture. 

Read more »

Fennel Cheese and Lemon Fritters

Fennel Cheese and Lemon Fritters (Fritelles)

3 medium fennels, stalks removed

2 large eggs, beaten

Sea salt

Black pepper

2 cups grated Pecorino cheese

Zest of 2 lemons

2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Cook the fennel in hot boiling salted water.  Cook until just tender.  Strain well and allow to cool. From the core, cut in half first. From the core cut into 1/3 inch slices. Dry well with paper towel.

Place the beaten eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl add the Pecorino cheese and zest together.

Dip the fennel slices in the eggs first, then in the cheese and zest mixture.  Add the oil to a large skillet and cook on medium heat until golden on the bottom. Turn once and cook the other side to golden. Be sure the slices are about 1/2 apart for best results.

 

fennel

Fennel is delicious eaten raw because it is refreshing to the palate. It can be served to whet the appetite if eaten as an appetizer with vinaigrette or simply sprinkled with salt.  Boiled or steamed with butter, and covered with grated Parmigiano, it makes a great side dish.  This recipe is served as an appetizer or side.  I make extra, so I can have leftover snacks.

Read more »

Cannellini and Avocado Hummus

Cannellini Avodado Hummus

1 small can of cannellini beans, strained

Juice of 1 lemon

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons tahini

½ teaspoon ground cumin

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 ripe avocado, peeled cut in large pieces  

2 tablespoons water

Salt to taste

1/3 cup toasted almonds

In food processor add cannellini beans, lemon juice, oil, tahini, ground cumin, and red pepper flakes; pulse a few times. Add the avocado and pulse again. It should be a thick cream. If it is too thick, add a little water. Taste for seasoning and add salt as needed. Drizzle a little extra olive oil on top and the toasted almonds. 

Read more »

Cotolette alla Valdostana

Cotolette alla Valdostana (Chicken Cutlets from Valle D'Aosta)

8 thin slices chicken breast

4 paper thin slices of Prosciutto or rosemary ham

4 thin slices Fontina cheese

2 eggs, beaten

3 cups breadcrumbs

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

2 lemons cut in quarters

1 bunch Italian parsley

valleys and mountain - Valle D'Aosta, Italy

Gently pound the chicken slices between two pieces of wax paper to flatten evenly.  This flat type of meat is called cotolette (cutlets).

Lay a piece of the chicken on a working area; season with salt and pepper. Add one slice of ham and one slice of cheese on top.  Cover with another slice of chicken on top.   Repeat the process three more times.  

Add 1 ½ tablespoons of oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Drizzle remaining oil when adding the other pieces of chicken.  The oil should be added gradually as needed, not all at once.

Place the beaten eggs in a dish.  In another dish mix the breadcrumbs and grated cheese. Begin by dipping the chicken in the egg on both sides.  Next, dip in the breadcrumbs shaking off any excess breadcrumbs.  When the butter and oil is hot, place a few pieces of coated chicken in the hot pan.  Let the chicken become golden on the bottom first before turning. When golden on both sides, transfer to a platter lined with paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

Squeeze with fresh lemon juice and top with minced parsley.

Valle D'Aosta, Italy

 If you want to prepare a special and enchanting dish, try my “Cotolette alla Valdostana ". It is delicious and perfect for those who love to try regional Italian recipes to bring to the table with a bit of tradition. This dish is liked by adults and children alike because the cutlets are stuffed with ham and sweet Fontina cheese. Simply serve with potatoes and a healthy lettuce salad.

The cutlets can be made with beef, veal, or turkey breast!

Read more »

Baked Ziti and Fontina

Baked Ziti and Fontina

1 pound ziti                           

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided                                

1 cup heavy cream                                                                  

2 cups buttermilk                                          

2 cups shredded Italian Fontina cheese                              

Salt and black pepper to taste

Pinch freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, divided

2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley

Fontina Valdostana 

Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter a deep baking dish. Cut 5 tablespoons of butter into tablespoon portions. Cut remaining 3 tablespoons of butter into 1/2 inch cubes.

Cook the pasta according to package directions, less 3 minutes of al dente. The pasta is going to continue to cook in the oven, so you don’t want to overcook it. Drain, add 5 tablespoons of butter, mix well and set aside.

Warm the cream and buttermilk in a small pan on low heat.

When the pasta is ready, pour in the warm cream and buttermilk, and fold in the Fontina until it starts to melt. Add the grated nutmeg, 1 cup grated cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spread the pasta mixture into the buttered baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and grated cheese. Scatter the 3 tablespoons of cubed butter over the top. Bake 20-22 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned. When ready, sprinkle fresh parsley over the top, and serve hot. 

Valle D'Aosta, Italy

Fontina (DOP) is made in the Valle D’Aosta region of northern Italy.  It is the smallest region in Italy, with neighboring France and Switzerland, and surrounded by the Alps, green valleys, fresh water streams, and lakes. All of these elements are significant to the cows that roam free most of the year, except the coldest months of the year. These cows eat only the greenest grass, flowers, and drink the freshest water from the streams. Therefore, the milk that is produced is the very finest.  Fontina is made from whole raw cow’s unpasteurized milk. It takes about 3 months to age.  Only the perfect cheeses get the DOP seal of approval.  Please don’t mistake imitation Fontina wrapped with a red wax with this fontina from Valle D’Aosta. It doesn’t come with wax wrapper. Though it costs a lot more, it’s worth every bite, after all the Valdostani have been making it this way for over 500 years. 

Read more »

Yogurt Carrot Sauce, No Mayo Required!

Yogurt Carrot Dip-Sauce

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 medium whole carrots, cleaned and coarsely grated
1 large onion, peeled and coarsely grated
3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1/4 teaspoon Harissa sauce
1 large container Greek yogurt, strained overnight in refrigerator
Pinch salt & black pepper
1 teaspoon sweet paprika

In a large skillet warm the oil on medium heat.  When hot, add the grated carrots, onion; cook 7-10 minutes or until soft and somewhat golden. Add the garlic and cook about a minute. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin and pepper flakes. Cook about a minute.  Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. You can add more spices to taste.

While still in the skillet, smash the mixture with a spatula. By smashed the mixture it will become creamier and more flavorful when added to the yogurt. When ready, add this warm mixture in a bowl with the yogurt and mix well. decorate with paprika and black olives.

Organic carrots fresh from the farm

This colorful carrot sauce/dip is a classic Turkish easy to make recipe.  Serve with pita bread, cucumbers, meats, and fish. Serve with grilled bread, other meze dishes, or as a side dish for grilled meat and fish. 

Read more »