10.18.2023

Peanut butter balls stuffed with hazelnut covered by chocolate

 
INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup butter, softened (salted or unsalted)
  • 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
  • Melted chocolate, for dipping 
  • Half cup of whole hazelnut
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, use a handheld mixer to cream the peanut butter and butter together until well combined. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Form the batter into tablespoon-sized balls and insert one hazelnut inside each ball, then place on the baking sheet. Chill for at least 20 minutes.
4. Melt chocolate, and dip balls into the chocolate. Let it cool for 30 minutes.

Chicken alla Parmigiana

 


Ingredients

For The Chicken:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper to season
  • 3 large chicken breasts halved horizontally to make 6 fillets
  • cups  breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic or onion powder
  • 1/2 cup olive oil for frying

For The Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 14 ounces (400 g) tomato puree (Passata)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

For The Topping:

  • 8 ounces (250 g) mozzarella cheese sliced or shredded
  • 1/3 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil or parsley

Instructions

For The Chicken:

  • Preheat oven 430°F | 220°C. Lightly grease an oven tray (or baking dish) with non stick cooking oil spray; set aside.
  • Whisk together eggs, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Add chicken into the egg, rotating to evenly coat each fillet in the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes (or overnight night if time allows for a deeper flavour).
  • When chicken is ready for cooking, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder together in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken into the breadcrumb mixture to evenly coat.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Fry chicken until golden and crispy, (about 4-5 minutes each side).
  • Place chicken on prepared baking tray / dish and top each breast with about 1/3 cup of marinara sauce. Top each chicken breast with 2-3 slices of mozzarella cheese and about 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with basil or parsley. 
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and melted, and the chicken is completely cooked through.

For The Sauce:

  • Heat oil in a medium-sized pot. Fry onion until transparent (about 3 minutes), then add the garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  • Add the tomato puree, salt and pepper to taste, herbs and one whole carrot. Cover with lid to simmer for about 8 minutes, or until sauce has thickened slightly. Taste test and adjust salt and pepper, if needed. Remove carrot before serving.

9.03.2023

Red wine Apple pie


1 cup red wine

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cinnamon stick

1 stick cinnamon

pinch salt

2-3 medium apples, sliced (better to use granny smith)

1 tbsp butter

1 rectangular pie crust (you can make your own or buy it already made)

1. Place wine, sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and place apple slices in the liquid. Let simmer gently in the poaching liquid for 5 minutes. Remove apples from the liquid, place in a bowl and let cool. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble tart.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the crust out on lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Top with the apples, coming just 2-3 inches from the edge. Twist the edges to create a little crust. Brush butter on the crust if you want to make it look nice.


3. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

4. Cool completely before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream and extra poached apples, drizzle the poaching syrup over the top.



Italian meat loaf

 

  • 1 small onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • carrot, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 pounds minced beef mix (or use 1½ pounds 85% lean ground beef plus ½ pound ground pork)
  • ⅔ cup  bread crumbs
  • ¾ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella
  • ¾ cup marinara sauce, plus more for serving

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Place the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until the vegetables are minced. (Alternatively, you can mince all of the vegetables by hand.)

    In a bowl large enough to hold all of the ingredients, whisk the eggs with the basil, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar.
  • Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the minced vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Do not brown. Let cool until just warm.
  • Add the meat, bread crumbs, cheese, and cooked vegetables to the egg mixture and mix with your hands until evenly combined.
  • Form the meat mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf shape directly on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the marinara sauce evenly over top, letting it drip a bit down the sides.
  • Bake for 65 for 70 minutes. Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes inside the oven. Add mozzarella and oregano on top while is resting. Scrape any fat away from the edges of the meatloaf , then use a wide spatula to transfer the meatloaf to a cutting board or serving platter. Slice and serve with more marinara sauce on the side, if desired.

    Serve with fresh basil as a decoration.









Mac and cheese with pumpkin, bacon and walnuts

1 pound of pasta (macaroni, shells, or any short pasta)
4 tbsp of butter
1/4 cup of flour
1 cup of milk
1 cup of heavy cream
Nutmeg
Black pepper
2 cups of cooked and mashed butternut squash
8 oz of sharp cheddar cheese
6 slices of cooked and crispy bacon
1/4 cup of walnuts
1/4 cup of bread crumbs
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
1 tbsp of fresh chopped rosemary or sage
Extra cheese to grate (optional)
Four amaretti cookies (optional)

1.To create the roux, melt the butter and cook the flour until it turns a light yellowish color and smells nutty.

2. Combine the warm milk and stir until it thickens, then add the cream, squash, cheddar, black pepper, and herbs. Taste the sauce and add salt if needed.

3. Boil the pasta and combine it with the sauce in a large baking dish.

4. In a frying pan, sauté the garlic with walnuts and bread crumbs in olive oil or butter.

5. Spread this mixture on top of the pasta and bake it for about 40 minutes.

6.03.2023

Chicken with pancetta and Capers served with Prosecco sauce

1/2 Cup Smoked Pancetta, Chopped

1 Pound Chicken Breast Fillets

Salt and Pepper

Olive Oil

1 cup prosecco + 1 tbsp flour

3 Tablespoons Butter, Softened but Not Melted

1/2 Cup Capers

2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped



1 - Cook pancetta and capers in a skillet until brown. Then remove it.

2 - Season chicken with salt and pepper.

3 - Using the same frying pan cook the chicken

breasts. Cook on high heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Combine the capers and pancetta.

4 - Add prosecco with the flour. Scrape the

bottom of the pan to create a nice gravy.

5 - Remove from heat, add softened butter (Optional) to create a creamy sauce. Top with chopped parsley.


2.24.2023

InVINtions Carnival party menu


 




Sagu


Wine pearls tapioca balls (Brazilian Sagu)


Ingredients
• 150 g tapioca pearls
• 700 – 900 ml water
• 300 ml red wine
• 150 g sugar, approximately
• 3 dried cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 15 pitted dried prunes, optional

Preparation method
1. In a thick bottomed saucepan bring the water to the boil with the “sagu”, the cinnamon and cloves. Reduce the heat and cook over low heat for 20 – 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until almost all pearls become clear, almost transparent. Add more water, if necessary.


2. Add the wine, the sugar and cook until all the pearls are clear, almost trasparent. If you like, add prunes cut into small pieces. It takes about 15 minutes. Once cooled, it hardens a bit.


3. Discard the cinnamon and cloves.


4. Pour into a serving bowl or on individual dessert bowls and serve cold. You can serve “sagu” with pastry cream, English cream or eggnog.


5. Store in fridge.

Yield: 6 – 8 servings.

2.22.2023

Cooking Classes in Pismo Beach, California

We are very happy to announce that we will be on the beautiful town of Pismo Beach in California. On our stay we will be organizing two classes.

Dates 
March 9th 2023 starting at 6pm
- Grissini with Parmigiano, garlic and oregano
- Ravioli stuffed with pears, served with Parma ham on a prosecco and walnuts sauce
- Risotto with Saffron served with a Slow cooked beef stew with wine 
- Tiramisu
Price per person USD100


March 10th 2023 starting at 6pm
- Focaccia with Rosemary
- Gnocchi stuffed with mozzarella served with authentic Bolognese sauce
- Chicken wrapped in prosciutto stuffed with pears served with prosecco and porcini mushrooms sauce
- Ricotta cake with figs and almonds
Price per person USD100

Payment in cash, Paypal or bank transfer. Unfortunately we do not accept Venmo.

2.15.2023

Easy Four Cheese Sauce

-2 cups of whole milk
-1 cup heavy cream
-2 tbsp butter
-4 tbsp flour
-2 cups of four cheese mix (grated)
- teaspoon of nutmeg
- teaspoon of white pepper
- Salt to taste

1. Combine all ingredients on a big jar with a lid exept the four cheeses.
2. Close the lid and shake like you are making a cocktail. More you shake the better.
3. Pour all the mix on a pan on medium heat and cook for until the sauce gets thick.
4. Combine the cheese and serve it.

1.19.2023

Limone Sauce




  • 40 g (2 1/2 tablespoons) of butter
  • 1 lemon, large size
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley1/2 tablespoon of coarse salt

1. Wash the lemon and then grate the zest, avoiding the bitter white part. Squeeze out the juice and set aside.

2.  Place the butter, oil and grated lemon zest in a large non-stick pan. Remember to save some of the zest to add at the end.

3. Melt the butter and sauté it. Stir well with a wooden spoon and add the lemon juice. Finally add the garlic clove. Simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in 1.5 liters (7 cups) of water with 1/2 tablespoon coarse salt.

Take a look at the cooking time of the spaghetti on their package. Halfway through cooking, drain spaghetti and place in skillet with lemon sauce.

Spaghetti should be very much al dente, practically still raw, and finish cooking in the pan with the sauce.

5.  Add a ladleful of the starch-rich cooking water. Finish cooking the spaghetti in the pan, stirring well. If necessary, add a little more water.

Serve hot with more lemon zest and a little chopped parsley on top



Quick and easy truffle sauce


Serves six

- 90g/3.2oz black truffle paste or three or four black truffles
- 1 cup parmigiano cheese, grated or 1 cup taleggio cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream or mascarpone
- 1/2 cup white wine
- Salt and pepper to taste

1. On medium heat combine wine with truffle paste and let it cook for three minutes.
2. Add cream and let cook for another three minutes.
3. Combine cheese, salt and pepper and mix vigourosly.
4. Toss pasta and stir it very well. You might need to combine some pasta water in order to make the sauce a bit thiner.
5. Serve with shaved truffles on the top of each plate.

Antique spicy sausage ragu with red wine and Cognac

Ingredients for six servings:

- 4 Italian Spicy sausages (out of casing)
- 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1/2 cup tomato paste or 2 cups of passata
- 1 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup cognac 
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 cup Mascarpone or heavy cream (Optional)
- Crush red pepper flakes (Optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon (Optional)
- Fresh parsley 

1. On a big heavy bottom pan, cook the garlic, cinnamon, pepper flakes and sausages on olive oil.
2. Using a wood spoon break the sausages in smal pieces.
3. Combine Cognac and light the pan on fire! Watch your eyebrows, facial hair and anything flammable!
4. When fire is off, combine red wine and cook until all eevaporates.
5. Add the tomato paste and two cups of water and let it cook on low heat until it reduces in half.
6. If adding cream or mascarpone, combine it and turn of heat.
7. Serve with pasta or polenta with fresh parsley on top.

1.08.2023

Soups

 

Lentils and chestnuts soup


Avgolemono (Greek lemon and chicken soup)

Carrot and Ginger soup


Pasta e Fagioli

Harira (Moroccan Soup)

White beans, chicken and sausages soup

Thai soup

French Onion Soup


Coconut, cashew and lime soup

Tunisian fish soup

Vodka Sauce with Smoked ham

 


Ingredients

17 Oz (500g) Pasta
1/4 cup olive oil
2 medium shallots (or one onion), diced
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup vodka
2/3 cup Greek yogurt + 1/2 cup warm water
2/3 cup grated parmesan
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped smoked ham
Fresh parsley (Optional)

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
  • In a large saute pan, add the olive oil and diced shallots. 
  • Saute for 3-4 minutes, then combine ham and cook for another 5 minutes,
  • Pour in the vodka in and light on fire, 
  • Add in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes to bring out the flavors.
  • Combine the greek yogurt,
  • Add in the parmesan, red pepper flakes, and salt.
  • Let simmer for a couple of minutes. Leave as is or blend until completely smooth, adding more water if necessary.
  • Stir in the cooked pasta. 
  • Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil, parmigiano, and red pepper flakes

Sauces

 

Vodka Sauce


Chickpeas, spinach and lemon sauce

Bolognese Sauce

Amatriciana

Putanesca


Chickpeas pasta with Spinach, lemon and rosemary


¼ cup olive oil

1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish 

½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper, or ¼ to ½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional) 

Black pepper 

1 large shallot, finely chopped 

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 

1 cup Greek Yogurt

1 (6-ounce) bag baby spinach 

12 ounces spaghetti or bucatini 

½ cup finely grated Parmesan 

Lemon wedges, for serving

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. 

2. In a wide, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the chickpeas, rosemary and Aleppo pepper, if using. Season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until chickpeas start to caramelize at their edges and pop, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer about half the chickpeas to a bowl. Reserve for garnish. 

3. Reduce the heat to medium, add the shallots and garlic to the skillet, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are softened, about 3 minutes. Add the Greek Yogurt and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir in the spinach and season to taste with salt and pepper. 

4. Add the pasta to the boiling water and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the pasta until a couple minutes short of al dente according to package instructions, about 5 minutes. Do not drain the pasta, but using tongs, transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the sauce. Add 1 cup pasta cooking water and the Parmigiano, and cook over medium-high, stirring vigorously with the tongs, until the sauce is thickened and the noodles are al dente, about 2 minutes. Add a splash of pasta water to loosen sauce, if needed. 

5. Transfer to bowls, and top with reserved chickpeas, rosemary and black pepper. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges for squeezing on to and lots of fresh cracked black pepper! 

Orange Fragrant Goulash

 


1 kilo 2 lbs stewing beef cut into bite-sized pieces
1 kilo 2 lbs yellow onions finely sliced or minced
2-3 Tbs Hungarian paprika sweet or a mixture of sweet and spicy
Red wine or Beef Stock
One sprig of fresh rosemary, a sprig of fresh thyme (or marjoram) and a bay leaf tied into a bundle
2-3 Tbs tomato paste
Zest on one orange (Just zest, not the white part)
Lard or olive oil 
Salt and pepper

  • In a large braiser or sauté pan, melt two large dollops of lard. (If using olive oil, heat up enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Add the onions and orange zest and gently sauté them, turning often, until translucent and quite soft and reduced by at least half. 
  • Raise the heat to medium and add the beef. Sauté the beef until browned lightly, taking care not to burn the onions. Season with salt and pepper, and then sprinkle over the paprika, stirring so that all the beef pieces are covered. Continue sautéing the beef and onions for just a few moments more.
  • If using, add a good pour of red wine and simmer until the wine has evaporated. 
  • Now add enough water (or broth) so the beef is nearly covered, along with the tomato paste if using. Nestle the herb bundle in among the beef pieces. 
  • Cover and braise for 2-3 hours, until the beef is tender and the onions have completed melted. Remove the herb bundle.
  • The cooking liquid should have reduced into a dark and unctuous sauce, abundant but full of flavor. Add water or broth as needed if things seem to be drying out too much. If, on the other hand, the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered until it has reduced to the right consistency. Taste and adjust for seasoning. 
  • While you can serve your goulash immediately, it is better after a good rest of several hours. Or, even better, overnight. 

Bread, Focaccia and Pizza

 

Traditional Pizza

Sage and Honey Focaccia

Traditional Pizza recipe



For the dough:


4 cups (500g) Strong flour 
1 tsp (5g) salt
1 1/2 tbsp (10g) fresh yeast
1,4 cups (325ml) warm water

For the Tomato sauce:

1 cup of tomato pelati (tinned tomatoes for pasta)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 garlic clove
1 pinch of crushed red pepper
1 tsp dried oregano

For the toppings:

(Margherita)
1 ball of mozzarella
2 tbsp Parmigiano cheese
Fresh Basil leaves

(Parma ham and arugula)
1 ball of Mozzarella
2 tbsp Parmigiano cheese
4 slices of Parma ham
1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Olive Oil


Making the pizzas:

1. First make the dough. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the yeast mixture, mixing well until you obtain a dough. Place dough on a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes. Cover with a cloth or cling film and leave to rest in a warm place for at least 30 minutes until the dough has doubled in size.

2. Preheat the oven to (430F) 220 degrees centigrades.

3. T
ake the dough, knock it back, then divide into two pieces, cover each with a cloth and leave to rest in a warm place for a further 30 minutes.

4. Combine all the ingredients for the tomato sauce on a blender or mixer and mix until is all blended.

5. 
Meanwhile prepare the toppings. For the Margherita. Roughly chop the mozzarella.

6. S
prinkle some flour onto a clean work surface and with your fingers spread each piece of dough into a roughly round shape with a border, make the dough as thin as you can but be careful not to tear it. Sprinkle some semolina or flour onto 2 large flat baking trays and place the pizza bases on them.

7. D
rizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over each base. On one, spread the tomato sauce evenly over, sprinkle with parmesan, add a few basil leaves over and top with mozzarella.

8. O
n the other base, arrange mozzarella and parmesan all over, top with Parma ham.

9. P
lace both pizzas into the hot oven and bake for 8 - 10 minutes.

10. I
n the meantime, toss the arugula in a little extra virgin olive oil and balsamic.

11. 
Remove the pizzas from the oven, top the Parma ham pizza with rocket and serve immediately.