spinach

Torta Rustica, ethnic treat

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torta_rustica

The Torta Rustica is an easy Cuban, Greek, or Italian dish that can be eaten for breakfast or lunch. The dish which is a complete meal consisting of carbohydrates, vegetables, and food from animals, is a fairly heavy meal and best eaten before late hours.

Gather together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup butter, diced 2 eggs, 4 tablespoons cold water, 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese, 4 ounces feta cheese, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 pound ham slices, chopped frozen chopped spinach, roasted red peppers, and 1 egg.

To prepare add flour, cornmeal, and salt and cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. Beat in eggs and cold water and mix it into the flour mixture until the dough forms. Shape2/3 of the mixture into a flattened round and repeat the process with the remaining 1/3 and place in the refrigerator.

In a separate bowl, mix the cheese, 1 egg, parsley, basil, and oregano until blended. In an 8 inch round baking dish rollout the dough mixture and place the flattened portion in the bottom of the pan. Use the remaining 1/3 to wrap in the round section of the dish and add the cheese mixture. Add the peppers in single layer and top with the mozzarella and press down. Cover with the remaining dough and seal the edges. Use the remaining egg to top the mixture and bake in an oven at 375 degrees F or until the crust is golden brown. Once done, cool, cut into wedges and serve.

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Italian Sausage Lasagna, sweet

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There is nothing like tasty Italian lasagna to tickle the taste buds. This is the Italian sausage lasagna (read here other news).

To make you will need 12 lasagna noodles, 1 poundsweet Italian sausage, 2/3 cupchoppedonions, 1/2 tablespoonminced garlic, 2/3 cupchopped parsley, 3 cans tomato paste, 1 cantomato sauce, 2 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoonsItalian seasoning , 1 1/2 teaspoonsdried oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoonsdried basil leaves , 1 poundpart-skim ricotta cheese, 1 packagechopped spinach, 1/2 cupgrated Parmesan cheese , 3eggs , 2 teaspoons garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper , and 3 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese.

First preheat an oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Then bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook for about 10 minutes.

In a saucepan over a medium flame, cook the sausages with onions, garlic, and parsley. Then add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, Italian seasoning, oregano, and basil and mix carefully. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes while stirring occasionally.

In a separate bowl, mix parsley, ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, eggs, garlic salt, and pepper. Spread some sauce in the bottom of the baking dish and layer with 4 noodles, 1/2 cheese mix, 1/3 remaining sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella.

Repeat and make last layer noodles, sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Cover pan with aluminum foil.

Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

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Eggs Florentine, breakfast with “glam”

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For a breakfast with a little more glam and prep time try Eggs Florentine. Eggs Florentine is poached eggs served on toasted sourdough bread with spinach and Hollandaise sauce.

To prepare you will need 4 eggs, 1 bunch of baby spinach, 3 tsp of white vinegar, 2 thick slices of sourdough bread, butter, Hollandaise dressing, 5 black peppercorns, 1 bay leaf, 2 egg yolks,2 tsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp of salt.

Make the Hollandaise sauce by combining the vinegar, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a saucepan over low flame. Allow to simmer until the mixture reduces to 2 teaspoons. Remove from heat,strain, and set aside.Use a heatproof bowl over a medium saucepan with water. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and bring the water to the boil.

As the water boils use egg yolks and vinegar and whisk until combined. When the water has boiled place the egg mixture over the saucepan and use a whisk to mix for 3 minutes until thick and has doubled in volume. Whisk the mixture and warm melted butter a few drops at a timeuntil incorporated. Mix lemon juice and add salt and pepper.

To prepare the eggs put vinegar in a frying pan with water and boil over a low flame. Break 1 egg into a saucer and use a large spoon to make a small eddy in the water. Then add egg in the middle and poach for 1 or 2 minutes. When cooked transfer to a plate. Cook spinach in water and drain. Toast bread and put on a plate. Add spinach, poached eggs and drizzle with hollandaise sauce.

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Chef’s Salad for you

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Salads can be an interesting way to enjoy a healthy meal with a difference. The Chef’s Salad combines a variety of protein with vegetables.

It needs 4 cups torn iceberg lettuce, 4 cups torn fresh spinach, 4 ounces cooked ham, chicken, or turkey, cut into bite-size pieces, 4 ounces Swiss or American cheese, cut into bite-size pieces, 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced, 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges, 1 small red sweet pepper, cut into bite-size strips, 1 cup croutons, and 1/2 cup bottled French salad dressing

Toss the greens in a large bowl, dividing them into four salad bowls. Arrange the meat, cheese, eggs, tomato, and sweet pepper on top. Sprinkle with croutons. Drizzle with salad dressing.

For variations there is the Italian Chef’s Salad made with 2 ounces cooked chicken and 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, no eggs, 2 ounces sliced pepperoni, one 6-ounce jar quartered marinated artichoke heart quarters, drained; and 1/4 cup sliced, pitted ripe olives.

For dressing, use a creamy Italian salad dressing. A Mexican Chef’s Salad will require cooked chicken, beef, or pork and cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese, no eggs, one 4-ounce can diced green chili peppers, drained, and 1/4 cup sliced pitted ripe olives. Use corn chips instead of croutons. 

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