Experience Umbria!

Tortino with Dandelion Greens
Makes 2 servings

Ingredients
1 pound dandelion greens
4 eggs
2 tablespoons unbleached flour
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
6 cloves garlic very thinly sliced lengthwise
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions
Core and wash the greens thoroughly

In a bowl whisk together the eggs, flour, and salt and season with pepper.

In a skillet with a lid, combine the garlic and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and warm over medium heat until the garlic is softened and lightly colored, about 6 minutes.

Add the greens and toss to coat in the oil Raise to heat to medium, cover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally until greens are wilted and sweet, about 8 minutes. Drain and let cool.

Preheat a broiler

Add the cooled greens to th egg mixture and mix well.

In a 10 or 12 inch skillet warm the remaining olive oil over medium heat. When it is hot enough to make the eggs sizzle, pour mixture into the pan and use the back of a wooden spoon to even out mixture

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook very gently on the bottom for about 7 minutes

Remove from top of the stove and slide the pan onto a rack about 9 inches from the broiler element. Leave the door ajar

Cook until golden on top about 5 to 7 minutes

Remove and let cool and serve

Fried Chicken Marinated in Sage, Rosemary and Garlic
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
4 bone-in chicken thighs
3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon finely minced sage or 1/4 teaspoon crumbled dried sage
1 teaspoon finely minced rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon crumbled dried rosemary
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
3 eggs
corn oil for frying
sea salt

Directions
Rinse the chicken pieces and dry well.

In a large bowl combine chicken, garlic, sage, rosemary, and olive oil using your hands to work the herbs into the meat.

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours up to overnight. Set the chicken out at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking.

Spread out the flour on a sheet of waxed paper.

Beat the 3 eggs in a wide bowl

Pour the corn oil to the depth of about 1 inch in a large skillet and warm over medium heat until oil sizzles with a drop of water.

Just before frying; Lightly dredge each piece of chicken in the flour. Dip the chicken piece into the beaten egg to coat then dredge it lightly in the flour again.

Slip the chicken pieces into the hot oil, piece by piece. Do not over crowd

Fry until golden and thoroughly cooked to the bone about 10 minutes. transfer to a paper towel

Pork Stuffed Celery
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients
1/2 cup unbleached flour
1 cup whole milk

1 small onion, peeled and quartered
1 stalk celery, quartered
1 carrot, quartered
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 1/4 pounds plum tomatoes, fresh or canned, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup dry red wine
salt to taste
1 pound sweet Italian sausage casings removed
8 stalks celery, washed, dried, and trimmed, and cut in half lengthwise
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese

Directions
To make batter:
Whisk the flour and milk together in a bowl until smooth. Cover and let thicken for several hours

To make the sauce:
Use a chef's knife and Corey chop the onion, celery, and carrot together.

Heat olive oil in a saucepan until it begins to shimmer.

Add the minced vegetables and cook over low heat until they are soft.

Stir in the red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute more.

Stir in the tomatoes, wine, and salt. Cover the pan, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. The sauce can be made several days ahead.

For the filling:
Divide the sausage among the celery stalks, stuffing it into the cavity of each piece. Be sure to press in well

Preheat oven to 350 F Have ready a baking sheet with paper towels

Heat the vegetable oil in a sauté pan until it is 375 F Use a thermometer

Pour the batter into a shallow bowl, Coat each celery stuffed piece with the batter and fry quickly in the oil, a few at a time turning the pieces once.

Cook until sausage turns gray. transfer the celery to the paper towels to drain.

Layer the celery in each of two 9 x 12 inch baking dishes, Divide the sauce between the 2 dishes, spooning it evenly over the top of the celery

Divide the chesses and sprinkle over the top of each dish.

Cover the dishes with foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or just until the celery is tender

Serve hot with some of the juices from the dish.

Shrimp Soup with Orzo
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
1/2 cup orzo
2 1/2 pounds plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 stalks celery thinly sliced
1 small onion, minced
1/4 cup minced parsley
4 cups hot Chicken broth
2 teaspoons celery salt
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
freshly ground pepper
1 pound small cooked shrimp

Directions
Pour orzo into a saucepan and cover with 3 cups of cold water, Bring to a boil and cook about 15 to 20 minutes Drain and set aside

Place the tomatoes in a food processor, food mill, or blender and puree until smooth. Pour the pulp into a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl. Press pulp with spoon to release its juice. There should be about 2 cups of tomato juice. If not, add water and set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a 2-quart saucepan and stir in the celery, onion, and parsley.

Cook until vegetables soften

Pour in the chicken broth, reserved tomato juice, celery salt, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat and cook the mixture, covered, for 5 minutes.

Stir in the orzo and shrimp

Cook over low heat for 3 or 4 minutes do not let the soup boil or the shrimp will become tough

Tagliatelle with Olive and Mushroom Sauce
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
1/2 pound mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
3/4 cup black olives, pitted
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 pound tagliatelle
salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions
Lightly fry the mushrooms oil until tender, then blend with garlic, olives, and parsley in a food processor.

Cook the tagliatelle in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain.

Meanwhile, heat the olive mixture, adding salt and ground hot red pepper.

Mix with the tagliatelle and serve with a bowl of cream and parmesan

Olive Oil Cake
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon fine salt
3 large eggs -- room temperature
1 1/4 cups whole milk
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange liqueur -- rum, brandy or whisky
1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil -- plus more for oiling pans
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 teaspoons anise seed
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves -- divided
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
6 tablespoons lemon or orange marmalade
2 fresh rosemary sprigs -- for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil 2 (10-inch) round cake pans.

In a non-reactive saucepan, reduce the orange juice over medium heat to 1/4 cup. Add salt, stir, and let cool.

Lightly beat eggs with paddle attachment in standing mixer on high for 1 minute until frothy. Add milk, sugar, liqueur, olive oil, reduced orange juice, lemon zest, anise and 1 teaspoon rosemary. Mix for 1 minute until well blended. Mix in the flour, baking soda and baking powder until well blended and smooth.

Pour half of the mixture into each oiled cake pan. Bake for 1 hour. Place on a rack to cool. Run a knife around the edges and place it on a plate. While the cake is still warm, smooth 3 tablespoons of marmalade onto the top of each cake. Sprinkle remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary evenly over both cakes. Garnish center with rosemary sprig. Cut each cake into wedges and serve.


[archived wine tasting recipes/includes/copyright.htm]