Marcela Hazan's Pancetta Frittata

When I think of Italian food I don't always think of pasta.  I think of really simple fare. Dishes with a handful of ingredients. I think of things like a frittata. A simple egg dish with no more than five ingredients and no fussy presentation.

Marcela Hazan's Pancetta Frittata is probably one of the most simple yet delicious frittata I've ever made. It is simply 1 cup of pancetta cooked until it gets some color, 6 eggs, 6 tablespoons of Parmigiano-Reggiano, butter, and salt and pepper. It is so simple it doesn't call for herbs, so I didn't try to jazz it up and make it look fancy. It doesn't need to look fancy. It's peasant food at best, but you could entertain with it. It's easy and simple and Super Italian, our IHCC theme for this week, and it is absolutely creamy and delicious.

Do yourself a favor and make this simple dish sometime during this Easter season. It's perfect for an Easter Brunch and it is great served hot, warm, and room temperature. 

This is the epitome of the simple food we need to eating more.

Pancetta Frittata

Adapted from Marcela Cucina

by Marcela Hazan

Serves 4 as main or 8 as appetizer

1 cup finely chopped pancetta

6 eggs

6 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

salt and black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon butter

Turn on your broiler. Put the chopped pancetta in a small skillet, turn on the heat to medium, and cook, stirring from time to time, until it becomes deeply colored and has shed much of its fat. Do not let it become crisp. Lift the pancetta from the pan using a slotted spatula in order to separate it from the liquefied fat, and put it into a medium-sized bowl. Discard the fat in the pan.

To the bowl with the pancetta, add the eggs, grated Parmesan, salt, and liberal grindings of pepper to the bowl and mix thoroughly with a fork or whisk.

Put 1 tablespoon of butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet, turn on the heat to medium. Do not let the butter become colored, but as soon as it begins to foam, pour the egg mixture into the pan. Turn the heat down to very low. When the eggs have set and thickened, and they are creamy only in the center of the pan, run the skillet briefly under the broiler. Take frittata out the moment the surface of the frittata has set, but not browned. 

Super Italian @ IHCC!

How Sweet Eats Parmesan Broccoli Roll {A Great Vegetarian Dish}!!

When you spring clean your home, you can't forget about your pantry, fridge, and freezer! I find it so much fun to make a game out of cooking up all the bits and bobs in my kitchen. That's where this recipe for How Sweet Eats Parmesan Broccoli Roll comes into play!

I had one roll of puff pastry, loads of broccoli, tons of garlic, and bits and bobs of cheese leftover. One thing about me is I WILL HAVE CHEESE AT ALL TIMES. When How Sweet Eats shared this recipe I knew it was time to put all those things together to create one flaky, crispy, buttery, cheesy, garlicky, veggie-filled puff of pastry. I mean, it really doesn't get better than this!

 

Parmesan Broccoli Roll

Adapted from How Sweet Eats

by Jessica Merchant

Serves 2-4

2 tablespoons olive oil

8 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups broccoli florets, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed

1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, for topping

1 egg + 1 teaspoon water, beaten for egg wash

Note: Jessica of How Sweet Eats notes that she likes to use full sheet puff pastry but I use Pepperidge Farms and adapt the size of the puff pastry to my recipe. I may not be able to use all the filling, but I will save it for later or make two rolls.

Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add in the broccoli with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until slightly softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the pepper flakes. Slice the puff pastry in half lengthwise. Keep one piece on the parchment paper. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on the one long sheet of puff pastry, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Top with the broccoli in an even layer. Sprinkle the Parmesan on top. Use the egg wash to brush the border of the puff pastry. Place the other slice of puff pastry on top, pressing down the edges to seal. Slice a few slits in the top to let steam escape. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and puffed. Remove and let cool slightly before sprinkling with Parmesan. Slice and serve!

Spring Cleaning @ IHCC!
 

 

 

How Sweet Eats Creamy Feta Dip with Jalapenos

 I am always looking for any excuse to eat feta cheese and naan bread. They are two ingredients that I never tire of. I happened to have all the ingredients on hand for this, so I felt like giving it a try.

A brick of feta cheese mixed into olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, roasted and diced jalapeno pepper, and caramelized garlic. When you slather this creamy feta dip and jalapenos on some warm fluffy naan bread you have a very comforting winter appetizer! I would make this again and add kalamata olives, tomato,some oregano or parsley. Delicious!

 

Creamy Feta Dip with Jalapenos

Adapted from How Sweet Eats

by Jessica Merchant

Serves 4-6

2 bricks of feta cheese (8 ounces) each

3 whole jalapeno peppers

1/4 cup olive oil + tablespoon

1 bulb garlic

the juice of half a lemon

the zest of half a lemon

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400F. Chop the top off the garlic bulb and drizzle it with a teaspoon of olive oil. Wrap it in foil and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until garlic is golden in color. At the same time, brush the jalapenos with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Either grill or roast them - I stuck them in the oven with garlic and just watched until they were charred. Remove both from the oven and let cool. Once jalapenos are cooled, remove skins, cut in half and discard the seeds. Chop into small pieces. Don't touch your eyes!

In a large bowl, crumble the feta bricks (crumbling the bricks yourself works best, but if you can only find crumbled feta that is fine). Add chopped jalapenos, the zest of half a lemon, and the juice of half a lemon. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of the bulb directly into the feta. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and mash with a fork. You want the feta to be a bit "wet" -- I can best describe it as a cross between a spread and a dip. There is no right or wrong - make it however you'd like. Taste the feta and season with salt and pepper. Serve with pita chips, warm pita or naan, or spread it on sandwiches. Store it in the fridge for up to one week - I find that I like it best at room temperature, so allow it to sit out for about 30 minutes before serving. We also think it would be great with some kalamata olives. 

January Potluck @ IHCC!

Erin French's Pecorino Puffs

Life, at least for me, has been ALL ABOUT THE CHEESE lately! I have been craving cheese every.single.day!

And bread. Sometimes I just want cheese and bread.

So, when I saw these Pecorino Puffs in Erin French's Big Heart Little Stove cookbook I had to make them!

So quick. So easy. You simply bring the butter, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg o a boil, then add the flour and stir for about 30 seconds. Transfer mixture to a food processor, or just a mixing bowl, and stir in the eggs one at a time. Add the cheese and you're all set!

Easy peasy. I used a cookie scoop to measure them out and scooped the batter onto the parchment paper. The recipe was perfect and they baked up warm and cheesy in 12 minutes!

We loved them. They are light, airy, cheesy, fluffy and such a good snack with pepperoni and/or salami. I will be making them again! 

Pecorino Puffs

Adapted from Big Heart Little Stove

by Erin French

Makes 24

1 cup whole milk

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter

1 teaspoon salt

freshly ground black pepper

a few grates of fresh nutmeg

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 large eggs

1/2 cup grated Pecorino cheese

Note: I cannot usually be bothered to bring out big kitchen appliances like blenders and food processors, so I skipped that part of the recipe. I simply put my batter into a bowl and stirred the eggs in one at a time, followed by the cheese and it was perfectly fine!

Preheat the oven to 400F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, butter, salt, a few grinds of pepper, and the nutmeg and bring to a slow boil over medium heat. Give the pan a stir and continue stirring as you add the flour. Stir vigorously for about 20 seconds, until the dough comes together. Increase the heat to high and stir just long enough to cook off the raw flour, about another 10 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat.

Transfer the dough to the bowl of a food processor. With the processor running, add the eggs one at a time, waiting until each egg is ewll incorporated before adding the next. Add the cheese and pulse until combined.

Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a plain round tip. Pipe dollops of the batter about 1 inch tall and 1 inch wide onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake until puffed and golden about 12 minutes. Serve immediately. 

Appetizers You Crave @ I Heart Cooking Clubs
 

 

Giada's Grilled Lamb Chops

 My son had a lamb dish at a restaurant and kept talking about it over and over so I decided to try my hand at grilling lamb chops. 

I chose Giada's recipe for Grilled Lamp Chops because I had just harvest all my herbs and have been trying to use them up. This recipe was so simple. You make a paste with garlic, rosemary, thyme, cayenne, salt, and olive oil. Then you marinate the chops in that paste for an hour. After marinading the chops, you allow them to come to room temperature and then you grill them for just 2 or 3 minutes per side.

This couldn't be any easier. The paste really flavors up the chops and they are tender. juicy, and succulent! We really enjoyed these!

Grilled Lamp Chops

Adapted from Food Network

by Giada De Laurentiis

Serves 4

2 large garlic cloves, crushed

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

pinch cayenne pepper

coarse sea salt

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

6 lamp chops, about 3/4" thick

In a food processor, or mortar and pestle, add the garlic, rosemary, thyme, cayenne, and salt. Pulse until combined. Pour in the olive oil and pulse into a paste. Alternatively, grind with a mortar and pestle until you have a paste. Rub the paste on both sides of the lamb chops and let them marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Remove from refrigerator and allow the chops to come to room temperature; it will take about 20 minutes.

Heat a grill pan over high heat until almost smoking, add the chops and sear for about 2 minutes. Flip the chops over and cook for another 3 minutes for medium-rare and 3-1/2 minutes for medium. 

Simple Is Best @ I Heart Cooking Clubs!
 

Giada's Fried Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms {A Fun Summer Appetizer}!

 So I was finally able to score some beautiful zucchini blossoms at the farmer's market and I was able to buy enough to make two recipes! The first recipes I was shared was Ina Garten's Zucchini Flower and Leek Frittata (click here for that) and also this recipe for Giada Delaurentiis' Fried Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms!This is a pretty simple recipe but it does require some finesse and preferably....small hands! You've got to open up these delicate zucchini flowers, remove the stamen, rinse and fill with the cheese mixture below, then twist the flowers to seal.

The cheese mixture is a combination of goat cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, basil, green onion, and salt and pepper. I think you could simply some of that by buying different flavors of goat cheese and/or cream cheese and make the filling your own if you like! 

Then you make a simple tempura batter consisting of flour, salt and sparkling water and VERY CAREFULLY dip the stuffed flowers in the tempera and fry them in the oil. This takes some finesse and tender loving care, but is overall easy. 

I liked this fried zucchini flower recipe so much better than Ina's Zucchini Flower and Leek Frittata. The texture of the zucchini flowers in the frittata was somewhat soft, hard to cut, and maybe a little slimy or less than pleasing. The texture in Giada's Fried Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms was way better. I loved the light crispy batter on these zucchini flowers and they were really tasty dunked in some marinara. Now for the ultimate question: Would I try to source zucchini flowers again? Would I make this recipe again? No, I don't think so. While I enjoyed cooking with zucchini flowers and trying two different recipes, it's not something that I loved or would seek out and make again. But, I am very happy to have tried it and crossed it off my list!

Fried Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Adapted from Food Network

by Giada De Laurentiis

Makes 8

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup sparkling water

3/4 teaspoon salt, plus extra for seasoning

1/3 cup (2 ounces) goat cheese, at room temperature

2 tablespoons (1 ounce) cream cheese at room temperature

2 teaspoons heavy cream

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves

1 green onion, finely chopped

black pepper

8 zucchini blossoms*

vegetable oil, for frying

Optional: marinara sauce for dipping

*Cook's Note: Zucchini blossoms can be found at farmer's markets and specialty grocery stores. As an alternative, try using baby bell peppers. Cut off the tops and remove the seeds. Fill with the cheese mixture and dip the cut end in flour before dipping in the batter. 

 In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, water, and salt until smooth. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, basil, and green onion. Mix until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons filling into each blossom. Close the blossoms and gently twist the petals to seal.

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350F (if you don't have a thermometer a cube of bread will brown in about 1 minute.) Dip the stuffed zucchini blossoms in the batter and allow any excess batter to drip off. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Allow the cooked blossoms to drain on paper towels.

Season with salt and serve with your favorite marinara sauce or vinaigrette.

 June IHCC Potluck @ I Heart Cooking Clubs

Mark Bittman's Roasted and Buttered Pecans

 The other day on Instagram, I watched someone shop their kitchen and create some really amazing dishes. So, I went through my pantry, fridge, and freezer and wrote down lists of things to make. I made some biscuit mixes I'd been saving, I made a Cheeseburger Macaroni, and I made a Jambalaya. Then I found a perfectly new bag of pecan halves, so I made these Roasted and Buttered Pecans.

Roasted and Buttered Pecans are as simple as can be, but they are a total treat that everyone loves. You can eat them as is, or add them to your morning oatmeal and/or a salad. 

Bittman says to roast the nuts at 450F for about 10 minutes, shaking and rotating the nuts every few minutes. I found my pecan halves only needed about 4 minutes. The roasting time will depend on the type of nuts you roast, so just watch them closely.

                                                               Roasted Buttered Pecans

Adapted from How To Cook Everything 

by Mark Bittman

Serves 4-6

2 cups (about 1 pound) unsalted nuts

1 tablespoon peanut oil or melted butter

salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preheat the oven to 450F. Toss the nuts in a bowl with the oil or butter, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast, shaking occasionally, until lightly browned, checking every few minutes as nuts can burn quickly. Cool before serving, they will crisp as they cool. 

 

Michael Symon's Shrimp with Pineapple Glaze

 
Symon said this Shrimp with Pineapple Glaze was one of his favorite summertime grilling recipes so I wanted to give it a go. 

The pineapple glaze consisted of pineapple juice, sherry vinegar, brown sugar, jalapeno, ginger, crushed garlic, toasted coriander and cumin seeds. I was a little worried the pineapple glaze would be too sweet, but it was actually on the mild side, both sweet and smoky.

We enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'd make it again. It's hard to beat a good buttery garlic shrimp!

Shrimp with Pineapple Glaze

Michael Symon's 5 in 5 

by Michael Symon

Serves 4-6

1 cup pineapple juice

1/4 cup sherry vinegar

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 jalapeno (split lengthwise)

1 garlic cloves, smashed

1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger

1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted and ground

1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground

24 medium shrimp (about 1 pound) shelled and deveined 

salt and pepper

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for the pan

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Put a nonreactive large saucepan over high heat and add the pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar, jalapeno, garlic, ginger, coriander and cumin. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow to reduce until thickened while the shrimp is cooking, about 4 minutes.

Thread 3 shrimp onto each of 8 skewers (if wooden, soak in water about an hour before), season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Put the skewers on the grill, cover, and cook until the shrimp turn pink, about 2 minutes per side (I found that this took less time than the recipe called for).

Remove the shrimp from the grill and put them on a platter. Strain the pineapple glaze into a bowl, brush it on both sides of the shrimp, and serve.

Light & Easy @  IHCC

{Game Day Eats} Chicken and Bacon Ranch Puff Pastry Pizza

In my last post, detailing my favorite top ten recipes of the year, I shared that the puff pastry pizzas from Jessica Merchant's How Sweet Eats blog were our all-time favorite recipes of the year. I am crazy for the Zucchini, Lemon and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Pizza, but my family loves the classic Pepperoni Puff Pastry Pizza, so I thought I'd try another classic flavor this time around: Chicken and Bacon Ranch Puff Pastry Pizza.

Look, the trickiest thing you have to do here is remember to thaw the puff pastry the day of or the night before making this. Topping the pizza is easy peasy! These puff pastry pizzas are mostly one pan dishes that are mess-free, quick, easy, and super delicious. 

I made this version for my husband to enjoy on Superbowl Sunday. The puff pastry is topped with ranch dressing with chives and dill, then shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and then more ranch, dill and scallions. My husband thought it was very good, perfect for game day, and that all the flavors were balanced. The puff pastry bakes up all high around the toppings and is so crispy and flaky. Give it a try!

Chicken and Bacon Ranch Puff Pastry Pizza

Adapted from Everyday Dinners

by Jessica Merchant

Serves 2-4

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1/3 cup ranch dressing

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/2 teaspoon dried chives

2/3 cup cooked and shredded chicken

3/4 freshly grated Cheddar cheese

2 scallions, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until it just begins to crisp. Do not cook all the way or it will burn in the oven! Scoop the bacon out with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to remove excess grease.

Place the sheet of puff pastry on the prepared baking sheet. Spread 1/3 cup of the ranch dressing on the puff pastry, leaving a 1-inch border on the edges. Sprinkle the dried dill and chives along the edges. Scatter the chicken and cheese over the ranch dressing. Sprinkle the bacon on top.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and drizzle with the remaining ranch and sprinkle with the scallions and fresh dill. Puff pastry is best served shortly after making.

Game Day Eats @ I Heart Cooking Clubs
 

 

Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

 

Dates are highly underrated.

I think I spent about 35 years on this planet before I ever had a date. Why? I don't know. Maybe they weren't readily available in the 80's or 90's or maybe nobody knew what to make with them. Or maybe people just overlooked them and only stumbled on delicious date recipes recently. Or maybe everyone knew and I just missed out for years.

Whatever the case, you should put dates on your holiday menu! They are like nature's candy. Sweet and chewy and they go perfectly with some tangy goat cheese all wrapped up in some crispy, salty bacon with a little hot honey drizzled over them. 

These Hot Honey Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are somewhat of a texture and explosion: chewy, crispy, creamy, sticky, sweet, cheesy, and salty. If you love dates, then these are for you!

Hot Honey Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates

Adapted from How Sweet Eats

by Jessica Merchant

Serves 10-20

2o Medjool dates

10 slices bacon

4 ounces goat cheese

hot honey, for drizzling

Preheat the oven to 400F. Slice the dates open lengthwise (do not cut the entire way through!) and remove the pits. Stuff the inside of the dates with some of the goat cheese. 

Cut each slice of bacon into half or thirds (depending on the length of your bacon). You want a length of bacon that will wrap around your dates without overlapping (overlapping bacon won't cook well). Secure with a toothpick. Place the dates on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy clean up.

Bake for 10 minutes, then flip the dates over using tongs and bake for 10 minutes more, or until the bacon is crispy and crunchy on all sides.

Remove the dates and drizzle with hot honey. Serve immediately! 

 

Festive Snacks @ I Heart Cooking Clubs

Ina's Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

 My son and I had spring break last week. At the very last minute, we decided to take a trip to Charleston, SC. We saw all the sights: Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, the Naval & Maritime Museum at Patriots Point, Sullivan Island, Downtown Charleston and the historic area South of Broad, the Pineapple Fountain, The Slave Mart Museum, The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, Rainbow Row, Charleston City Market, King Street, James Island, Folley Island and more!

We also ate all the things: World Famous Barbecue at Lewis Barbecue, a local place called Home Town BBQ, all the biscuits at Callie's Hot Little Biscuit, and all the fresh fish and seafood at Ellis Fish Camp Restaurant.

It didn't matter where we went to eat, there was sure to be some Pimento Cheese! It was on biscuits at breakfast, with barbecue for lunch and dinner, and it was also at the fish and seafood restaurants. Charlestonians love their pimento cheese! 

I came home obsessed with all things Charleston and decided to make Ina Garten's Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread in honor of our trip. When I was reading through the comments on the Food Network site, I had to laugh out loud because at least one or two people mention South Carolina, Charleston, and pimento cheese. Apparently they go just together.

While Ina's recipe isn't the most traditional Pimento Cheese, it is spectacular in both flavor and consistency! Pimento cheese can sometimes be one note - just cheese that spreads. Ina's version is FULL OF FLAVOR from the addition of pimentos, pickled jalapenos, and a heavy dose of garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt. It is simply what makes this recipe absolutely incredible!

I have had my share of Pimento Cheese and none hold up to Ina's recipe. Ina's recipe below is simply THE PIMENTO CHEESE you need to try! Serve it at your next party or potluck - you won't be sorry!

Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread

Adapted from Food Network

by Ina Garten

Makes 1 quart

10 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup masyonnaise

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon celery seed

1 cup pickled jalapenos, chopped

6 ounces piquillo pepper, chopped (or regular pimentos can be subbed)

5 cups shredded Cheddar (approximately 1-1/4 pounds)

1 to 2 tablespoons Sriracha

Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery seed. Mix in the pickled jalapenos, piquillo peppers and grated Cheddar. Add the Sriracha and combine. Taste and add more mayonnaise and Sriracha, if necessary. Chill before serving. 

Welcome Claudia Roden @ IHCC!