Italian Recipes

Italian Recipes

Read on for some fabulous Italian recipes…

Italy is famous for its Pizzas and Pastas. But there is much more to the Italian food than this. Here are a few mouth watering Italian recipes that will take you immediately to Italy and will make you realize what you have been missing so far…

Italian Stuffing

This is a stuffing that can be used during thanksgiving or any other family celebration.

Ingredients

• White Bread cut into pieces – 1 loaf
• Eggs (beaten) – 6
• Diced Prosciutto – 1 Cup
• Diced Pepperoni – 4 Ounces
• Diced Salami – 1 Cup
• Cubed Mozzarella Cheese – 16 Ounces
• Parmesan Cheese – ½ Cup
• Fresh Parsley – 2 Tablespoons
• Chicken Broth – 2 Cups

Preparation

• In a large bowl, place all the bread cubes and sprinkle enough chicken broth to moisten the bread.
• Add salami, prosciutto, eggs, mozzarella, pepperoni, parmesan and parsley to the bowl. Mix the entire mixture well.
• Place the mixture in a bowl or a casserole dish.
• If you plan on using a casserole dishm then bake the mixture after covering it with an Aluminum foil at 375 degrees for 35 – 45 minutes.
• Your Italian stuffing for about 8 people is ready!

Gnocchi

Gnocchi’s are Italy’s answer to dumplings. They can be served both as a side or a main dish and can be made in many varieties. Here is a very simple potato, egg and flour recipe which can be either when you are entertaining or having wholesome dinner with your family.

Ingredients

• Potatoes – 2
• Egg – 1
• Flour (all purpose) – 2 Cups

Preparation

• In a large pot, add water and salt. Heat the pot till the water starts boiling.
• Peel the potatoes and add them to the pot.
• Boil the potatoes till they are tender but firm. This will take about 15 minutes.
• Mash the potatoes in a bowl and add the egg and the flour.
• Knead the mixture till it is smooth and evenly mixed. Make small portions of the dough into long ropes. On a floured surface, cut these pieces of dough into half-inch pieces.
• In a large pot, add water and salt. Heat the pot till the water starts boiling. If you using the same pot as earlier then ensure that you change the water.
• Drop in the gnocchi and let it boil this they have risen to the top. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes.

Sausage and Spinach Risotto

Ingredients

• Fresh Spinach – ½ Pound
• Chicken Broth – 6 Cups
• Finely Chopped Italian Sausage – ½ Pound
• Minced Onion – 1
• Minced Garlic – 2 Cloves
• Arborio Rice – 2 Cups
• Dry White Wine – 1 Cup
• Grated Parmesan Cheese – 1 Cup
• Unsalted Butter – 5 Tablespoons
• Salt – 1 Teaspoon

Preparation

• Heat the chicken broth and keep it hot over a low flame.
• Remove the stems of the spinach and wash it properly under cold water. In a medium sized pot, add water and salt. When the water starts boiling, add the spinach and cook till the spinach is tender. It should take about 3 minutes. Drain the water and chop the spinach finely.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium flame. Add the onion and garlic when the butter starts foaming. Cook for a few minutes till the onion turns golden brown in color.
• Add the sausages to the saucepan and stir for sometime. Break the sausage apart with a large spoon and cook till the sausage turns brown in color.
• Add the rice in the saucepan and stir it with the sausages for a minute and then add the spinach and wine. Stir the entire mixture till the broth has been completely absorbed.
• Continue the process of cooking and stirring the rice, adding broth as and when required for about 20 minutes.
• Add the required seasoning and stir in the remaining butter and a third of the cheese. Mix well.
• At this time the rice should be moist, creamy and should be of a slightly loose consistency.
• Sprinkle the rest of the cheese and serve immediately.

I hope that you have an excellent time while preparing the recipes above and your family and you enjoy the food as much as I have enjoyed compiling the recipes for you. Happy eating!