July 9th, 2010 by Andriy
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2 LARGE EGGPLANTS
1 Teaspoon SALT
3/4 Cup OLIVE OIL
2 CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED
2 ONIONS, CHOPPED
1 Pound PLUM TOMATOES, Quartered
3 CELERY STALKS, DICED
1 Pound CAN PITTED BLACK OLIVES
12 Ounce JAR OLIVE SALAD
1/4 Cup CAPERS
1/2 Cup PINE NUTS
1/4 Cup RED WINE VINEGAR
2 Teaspoon SUGAR
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
Wash and cube unpeeled eggplant. Salt and let stand 1 hour. Squeeze dry. Saute in oil until soft. Remove. Saute onions and garlic in same oil. Add tomatoes, olives, and celery. Cook until tender−−15 minutes. Add eggplant, capers, and pine nuts. In another pan heat vinegar and sugar. When dissolved, pour over eggplant. Season to taste and cook an additional 20 minutes. Serve hot or cold as relish with dinner or with french bread rounds as a buffet or cocktail dish.
July 9th, 2010 by Andriy
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2 Eggs; lightly beaten
1−1/2 Cup Bread crumbs
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
1 Garlic cloves peeled and halved
3/4 Cup Olive oil
20 Ounce Tomatoes, canned
1/3 Cup Tomato paste
2 Tablespoon Minced basil
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
1 Cup Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 Pound Mozzarella cheese; thinly sliced
Dip eggplant slices in eggs, then in bread crumbs seasoned with salt and pepper. Refrigerate 20 minutes. In a large saucepan, saute garlic in 2 tablespoons oil for 1−2 minutes. Remove garlic and add tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F. Brown eggplant in 1/4−inch oil in a large skillet. Drain on paper towels. Put a thin layer of tomato sauce into a baking dish and layer eggplant, sauce, Parmesan and mozzarella, alternately. End with mozzarella on top. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
July 9th, 2010 by Andriy
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2 Teaspoon dried yeast
1 Cup warm water
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon rosemary, chopped
4 sage leaves, torn
3 1/2 Ounce olives, pitted
2 Tablespoon garlic, minced
2 Cup unbleached all−purpose flour
1 Cup corn flour
2 Teaspoon salt
2 Teaspoon olive oil
Stir the yeast into a alrge mixing bowl with the water & let proof for 10 minutes. Stir in the olive oil, rosemary, sage, olives & garlic. Using a wooden spoon, mix in the flours & salt & stir until the dough is thick & smooth. Knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is firm & elastic.
Set the dough in a lightly oiled container, cover with plastic wrap & let rise until doubled. Turn the dough onto an oiled 10 1/2″ X 15 1/2″ baking pan & stretch it to fit. If it won’t fit, let it rest for 10 minutes & try again. Cover with a towel & leave until it has half risen, about 30 minutes.
30 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 400F. Just before baking, dimple the top of the dough with your fingertips & sprinkle with some extra salt & 2 ts of oil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden. Slide off baking sheet onto a rack & let cool for a few minutes before eating warm or at room temperature.
VARIATION: Focaccia Dolce. Substitute 2 oz raisins & 1 oz pine nuts for the olives, herbs & garlic. Soak the raisins in warm water for 30 minutes before using & toast the pine nuts.
July 9th, 2010 by Andriy
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9 Cups Water
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 Cups Cornmeal; coarse−grain
Bring water to a boil in a large heavy pot. Add salt and reduce heat until water is simmering. Take cornmeal by the handful and add to water very slowly, controlling the flow to a thin stream through your fingers. To avoid lumps, stir quickly with a long handled wooden spoon while adding cornmeal. If necessary, stop adding cornmeal from time to time and beat mixture vigorously. Cook, stirring constantly, 20 to 30 minutes. Polenta will become very thick while cooking. It is done when it comes away cleanly from the
sides of the pot. Pour polenta into a large wooden board or a large platter. Wet your hands and smooth out polenta evenly, about 2 inches thick. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes or until polenta solidifies. Cut cooled polenta into slices 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Place slices in individual dishes. Serve hot, covered with your favorite sauce. Makes 6 to 8 servings. Variation: Fried Polenta (Polenta Fritta): Prepare polenta and let cool completely. Cut cooled polenta into slices 2 inches wide and 6 inches long. Pour oil about 1 inch deep in a large skillet. Heat oil until a 1−inch cube of bread turns golden almost immediately. Fry polenta slices on both sides until light golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot. It is importent to insure the oil is hot enough, otherwise the polenta will absorb oil and your polenta will be greasy and unpalatable.
July 9th, 2010 by Andriy
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1/2 Pound sliced Genoa salami
1 slicing tomato
1 large white onion
2 roasted red bell peppers
1 Pound sliced provolone
2 cans black pitted olives
1 can baby corn on the cob
1 small jar of Pepperoncini peppers
2 stalks of celery
1 can of rolled anchovies
extra virgin olive oil
Use a long platter, and arrange in the following order:
Salami, provolone, tomato, onion, red peppers, and achovies. Put the baby corns and olives in the center of tray. Take and cut in half celery sticks. Then slice each again length wise. Arrange celery sticks in between each antipasti. Sprinkle some salt lightly on everything. Then drizzle olive oil on everything. Let the antipasti sit covered in the refrigerator till ready to serve. Sitting helps enhance the flavors.