Italian Chicken Pastina

This Pasta Dish is really Good , I got the recipe online and it was the first Chicken pasta dish that i found really nice , i add some spices to it and i skipped using the Bread Crumbs .

Ingredients:

1 Cup Pastina pasta (or any small pasta) 
2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 Cup cubed chicken breast 

1 Clove garlic, minced

1 Can diced Flavored tomatoes with juice 

1 Cup shredded mozzarella

1/4 Cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/4 Teaspoon  salt

1/4 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/8 Teaspoon ground ginger 

1/4 Teaspoon of paprika

1/4 Cup cheese mix

1/4 Cup grated Parmesan

1 Tablespoon butter, plus more for buttering the baking dish

 Steps:

1- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Drain pasta into a large mixing bowl.

3- Meanwhile, put the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Add the onions and garlic, stirring to combine, and cook until the onions are soft and the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Put the chicken mixture into the bowl with the cooked pasta. Add the canned tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, parsley, salt, ginger, paprika and pepper. Stir to combine. Place the mixture in a buttered 8 by 8 by 2-inch baking dish. In a small bowl mix together the cheese mix and the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over the top of the pasta mixture. Dot the top with small bits of butter. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Home made Calzone

Calzones are a favorite in any house, not only for a relaxed weekend dinner but also for wrapping up, freezing, and eating for lunches or Dinners all week ...

This recipe is so Simple and Tasty !

Ingredients:

For The Pizza Dough:

2    Cups of all-purpose Flour

2    TBS powdered Milk 

1    Teaspoon Salt 

1    TBS Yeast 

1    TBS Olive Oil

1    TBS Sugar

Warm water to gather the Dough

For the Filling :

Tomato Sauce ( Can )

Fresh or Dried Garlic 

2 Cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese 

 Mushrooms as needed 

Pepperoni as needed 

Salt 

Black pepper 

2 TBS Dried Oregano 

Egg yolk 

Steps:

1- Form your Pizza Dough : add the sugar on the Yeast in a Bowl Mix with 1/4 Cup of warm water and let it rest to Foam , then in an other Bowl pour the Flour with the salt and the Olive oil and the powdered Milk Mix and Add the Yeast Form and Mix with some more warm water to Form your Dough then  let it aside to Rise for 1 hour Covered in Plastic Bag in warm Place .

2- After your Dough is Ready Divide it on equal 2 balls , Rub some Flour on Each so You can Roll Each one in Circle using a Rolling pin , put it on your Oven pan with a non stick paper on , Then in the Half of it pour some tomato Sauce , sprinkle some salt Black pepper and some Dried Garlic on , add Mushrooms , then the 1 Cup Mozzarella cheese , sprinkle 1 TBS dried Oregano and then Add the pepperoni on the Top .

3- Fold the other half of the Dough over the Filling and Close the edges by folding with your fingers or using a fork .

4- Brush the Top with the Egg Yolk and using a toothpick make a little holes on the Top to allow the air to circle in your Calzone and not form bubbles while Cooking.

5- Cook in The oven on 350 F for 30 min or Until the Top is Golden Brown. 

Enjoy!

Italian Cookie

These Cookies are the Favorite of This Year , Very Easy to make and Delicious !

Ingredients:

1    Stick of Butter 

1/3  Cup Sugar

1      Large Egg (Separated)

1/4  Teaspoon Vanilla 

1,25 Cup All Purpose Flour 

1/2   Teaspoon Salt 
1       Teaspoon Baking Powder

1     Cup Coconut 

5     TBS Jam

Steps:

1- Make sure the butter is at room temperature before you begin. Mix or "cream" together the butter and sugar. To do this use either a mixer or a fork to whip the butter and sugar together until it forms a soft, light yellow mixture.

2- Separate the yolk and white of the egg. Set the white aside and add the yolk to the butter and sugar mixture. Also add the vanilla extract. Whip or mix the ingredients together again. 

3-  In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, Baking powder and salt. When they are well combined, add them to the butter mixture. Stir everything together until the cookie dough is evenly mixed. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

4- After the dough has refrigerated, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Divide the dough into portions approximately 1 tablespoon each, and shape them into balls.

5- Place the shredded coconut in a bowl. Dip each ball of cookie dough in the reserved egg white and then coat in coconut. Place the coated cookies on the baking sheet. Press a finger into the top of each to make a dent. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of jam into each indentation.

6-  Bake the cookies in the preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until the coconut is golden brown on the edges. Allow the cookies to cool so they can solidify .

Enjoy! 

Parmesan stuffed Puff Pastery

Parmesan , cream cheese with Jalapenos and  bell peppers give this recipe a different and Unique Flavor .

Ingredients:

1    Package cream cheese (8 Oz) at room temperature

1/4 Cup Parmesan 

5 or more sweet bell peppers ( red , orange and yellow) Diced

1    Jalapeno seeded and diced 

Salt 

Black pepper

1/8 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder

2  Packages of Puff Pastry sheets 

1  Egg ( yolk and white divided)
Sesame seeds

Steps:

1- mix the diced Jalapeno , bell peppers and the Cream cheese with the Parmesan , adding the garlic powder , salt and pepper to Taste.

2- divide the puff pastry sheets on long sheets , and cut each one on equal squares .

3- add one Teaspoon of the filling Mixture in each square  , brush the edges with the egg white and once you fold it in from of a triangle press the edges with fork .

4- Brush with egg yolk , and sprinkle with some sesame seeds .

5- Preheat the oven on 350 Degree F and Bake for 20 - 25 min , watch it carefully until it puff and brownish on the top.

(use non stick parchment paper)

Enjoy!

Spanish Rice Pudding (Aroz Con Leche)

This is a typical and very popular dish that is served in households all over Spain. It is rich and sweet with a touch of Orange & Cinnamon  flavor.

Ingredients:

1               Cup regular Rice 

2               Cups water

1               Cup Milk 

1               Cup Heavy Cream

1/2 & 1/4 Cup Sugar 

Zest of one Orange peel

1               Teaspoon Salt 

cinnamon to garnish

Steps:

1- Place the rice in a large saucepan with the water, and salt let it boil then lower the heat and cook, covered, until most of the water has been absorbed.

2- Stir in the milk, and sugar, stirring constantly, over low heat until the mixture thickens.

3- Add the Heavy Cream and stir , let it Boil over low Heat , Add the Orange Zest , let thicken little bit .

4- Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 to 20 minutes.

5- Garnish with ground cinnamon ans some Orange Zest if desired.

Enjoy !

Italian Focaccia Pizza

Focaccia , pronounced as "FOKATCHA".  It is an Italian light flat-bread, made from a soft and sticky dough enriched with good and strong olive oil. Traditionally, the oil is sprinkled over the dough before baking, it is easy to make and seriously good!

Ingredients:

2 Cups all-purpose Flour 

3 TBS olive oil 

1 TBS sugar 

7 gr dried yeast 

1 Teaspoon Salt

Some warm water enough to form a wet and sticky dough 

Topping:

some chicken Breast fingers cooked with the Onions in olive oil seasoned with salt ans black pepper.

4 - 5  cherry tomatoes cut into halves 

1/2 Cup pizza tomato Sauce 

Baby spinach leaves

black olives 

mozzarella & cheddar cheese 

Dried oregano

Steps:

1- I used a mixer with a bread hook to make this bread.  Combine the flour, salt and yeast and knead everything together,  adding gradually water.

2- Knead for at least 5 minutes, then add sugar and oil and keep kneading for another 10 minutes.

3- Adjust the dough's consistency with additional water as needed. 

The dough should be wet and sticky.

4- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl, and allow the dough to rise For 1 Hour , at room temperature, until it's nearly doubled in bulk.

5- After it rise Put some Olive oil in your Hand & Gently deflate the dough and you can feel how the dough can be easily stretched, and becomes elastic and smooth.

6- Preheat the oven to 395 F

7- Shape the dough into a ball and slap it onto a greased baking sheet, then roll it out (or push it out with your hands) into a rectangle.  Dip your fingers into olive oil and press into the dough to make deep dents all over the top.

8- Spread the tomato sauce over the dough, & Dot it with the remaining ingredients.

9- Drizzle with a few drops olive oil and 

finish topping 

with mozzarella and cheddar

 cheese Also sprinkle with some Oregano.

10- let rise for an other 15 min Then  

bake for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

A simple mushroom spinach pizza

much better than takeout pizza! i made this recipe as a quick Dinner for tonight it was a hit!

Ingredients:

1    Cup mushroom, sliced

1/2 Cup Spinach Chopped

1    Cup Mozzarella shredded cheese 

1/3 Cup finely shredded parmesan blend

1/4 Cup cheddar cheese shredded 

  Pizza Sauce (Got the one Ready from The store)

  Homemade Pizza Crust (Click Here)

  Italian herbs

Steps:

1- Preheat the Oven at 400F 

2- Top the crust with The Tomato Sauce , Then the Sliced Mushrooms and the Chopped Spinach.

3- Add the Mozzarella Cheese , the Finely shredded Parmesan blend , and the Cheddar Cheese .

4- Sprinkle with some Italian herbs and cook for 10-15 min 

Enjoy!

Pasta with Italian Meatballs

Nothing better than those Classic Italian-American style meatballs, huge, pillowy soft and loaded with herbs and cheese, mixed with ground beef on your pasta Dish with savory tomato Sauce.

Ingredients:

For ten Meatballs:

1/2 Pound ground beef 

3   TBS Ground Bread Crums 

1/3Cup grated parmesan cheese

1   Small Egg

1   Teaspoons salt

1/2Teaspoon Black pepper

1   TBS chopped fresh parsley

2   Teaspoons black pepper

1   TBS chopped Onion 

1   Small Garlic clove, minced

About 1/2 cup of flour for dusting

1/4 cup olive oil.

For the Tomato Sauce:

1  Can tomato Sauce 

1  Clove Garlic Minced

1  TBS Basil finally Chopped

1  Teaspoon Salt 

1   Pinch of Black Pepper

Steps:

1- In a large bowl, combine the beef, grated Parmesan, eggs, salt & Black Pepper, parsley,  black pepper, garlic cloves , Onion and the bread . Mix it well with your hands until it barely combines. Don't overwork the mixture or it will become tough.

It is OK to have some discernable bits of bread or meat in the mix, better that than overworked meatballs. 

2- Wet your hands and form the meatballs. A traditional size for this sort of meatball is 2-3 inches across, but you can make them any size you want. Once you roll the meatball in your hands, roll it in the flour to give it a good coating. Set each one on a baking sheet as you work. You might need to rinse your hands a few times as you make the meatballs.

3- When all the meatballs are formed, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on at least two sides. & Don't worry about the center getting cooked through, as you will finish these in the sauce.

4- Once all the meatballs are browned, remove them and Put the minced Garlic in the remaining Oil of the meat balls , once cooked little bit pour the tomato Sauce and let thicken little bit then add the Basil and the meatballs , Salt and black Pepper to taste and Cover ,let simmer on low heat for 15 more min.

5- Serve on pasta, and garnish with some cheese and green onion if you want.

Meatballs Sandwich

Meatballs in tomato sauce with melted cheese on a lightly toasted baguette.

Delicious and not messy at All!

Ingredients:

for the Meatballs:

1    Lb Ground Beef

1/4 Cup Bread crumbs 

1    Egg

1    TBS Dijon Mustard 

1    Teaspoon Paprika

1    Teaspoon Garlic powder

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

For the Marinara Sauce:

1    Cup sliced Mushrooms

1/2 Cup sliced Onion

1/2 Cup Sweet red pepper

2    Cloves of garlic Minced 

1    Cup Tomato sauce

1    Teaspoon Italian herbs ( or the Herbs of your Choice)

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Mozzarella Cheese & Baguettes to Form your Sandwich.

Steps:

1- In a Bowl Combine the Ground Beef , Bread Crumbs , Egg , Mustard , Paprika , Garlic , Olive Oil , Salt and Pepper.

2- Form balls with 1 Teaspoon and 1/2 of Ground beef mixture for each.

3- In a Pan Cook the meat balls on 1 Tbs Olive Oil till they are Golden Brown then remove them.

4- In the same pan Cook the Mushrooms , sweet red Pepper , Onion , Garlic then add the tomato sauce and the meatballs Bring to Boil,  reduce the heat and Cover and let cook for about 15 min.

5- in your Bread Sandwich put the meat balls then pour some of the Sauce over them and Mozzarella Cheese , put it in the oven to toast and to allow your cheese to melt.

Enjoy!