Tag: European
Spaghetti all’Aragosta
Spaghetti all’Aragosta
Lobster pasta is very popular off the Almafi coast of Italy and all over the Mediterranean. If you’ve never cooked with lobster, don’t be intimidated. This recipe is easier than it looks and will impress whoever you’re cooking for. You can use either lobster tails or a whole lobster. The other great part of this recipe is that you create about a quart of lobster stock that you can use in multiple recipes.
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails 4-5oz each
- 3 tsp salt divided
- 1 lb fresh pasta spaghetti, bucatini, fusilli
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup shallots diced
- 8 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley chopped
- parmesan cheese to taste
- crushed red pepper to taste
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Split your lobster tails in half.
- Drop into a half gallon pot of boiling water.
- Boil for 5 minutes until tail meat is cooked through. Remove from the pot. Allow to cool. Remove the meat from the shell and dice. Place the shells back in the lobster stock and simmer until ready for use. Save the stock.
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook your pasta al dente according to your package instructions. Drain.
- Heat up 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté the shallots for 5 minutes. Season with 1 tsp of salt.
- Add in the garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Deglaze with the white wine. Scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the lobster and pasta. Add in a 1/4 cup of lobster stock.
- Stir in the cherry tomatoes and parsley. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat.
- Top with shredded parmesan and crushed red pepper. Serve with a lemon wedge.
German Bread Dumplings (Semmelknödel)
German Bread Dumplings (Semmelknödel)
Semmelknödel are a German bread dumpling that is served with just about any type of meat. The dumplings are traditionally made with a crusty bread rolls called Brötchen; but any type of crusty white bread will work. The cubed bread is mixed with milk, eggs, sautéed onion, parsley, and nutmeg. Mix bacon into the dumpling dough, creating Speckknödel. The dumplings are steeped in a pot of water until they expand to double the size. Whether baconed or baconless, the dumpling are always served with a ladle of gravy over the top.
Ingredients
- 12 oz crusty white bread rolls cut into cubes
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3/4 cup yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup parsley finely chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- beef gravy for serving
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions for 10 minutes. Let cool.
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, parsley, and seasonings.
- Mix in the bread cubes by hand.
- Roll into golf ball-sized balls.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Turn the heat to low. Add in the dumplings one at a time.
- Let the dumplings steep for 20 minutes. Lift each dumpling out with a slotted spoon.
- Serve the dumplings with beef gravy.
Polenta e Funghi
Polenta e Funghi
Polenta is a staple of Venetian cuisine and is commonly served instead of potatoes, rice, or bread. The pairing of a ragout over polenta is a popular combination, usually served as an appetizer, but can also be served as a main dish. This particular recipe is very simple but full of flavor; taking less than 10 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1 lb wild mushroom blend roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- parmesan cheese shaved
- parsley chopped
- cracked black pepper
Polenta
- 1/2 cup polenta
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Over medium heat, add the olive oil to a sauté pan and sauté the garlic for 1 minute.
- Add in the mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Toss in the butter and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat and season with salt and pepper.
- While the mushrooms are cooking, add the water, salt, and polenta in a pot over medium heat. Consistently stir with a whisk for about 5 minutes.
- Once the polenta has thickened, turn off the heat and whisk in the butter.
- Ladle some polenta in a bowl, making a crater. Spoon some of the mushroom ragout in the center. Top with shaved parmesan and chopped parsley. Season with cracked black pepper.
