Simple Tomato Sauce

Yield: about 3 cupsCook Time: 30-45 minutes

28 oz. (800g) canned whole peeled tomatoes or crushed tomatoes 
2 fresh plum tomatoes, seeds removed and diced
1 whole garlic clove, finely minced
4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Fresh basil, about 6-10 leaves
Salt to taste

Place the tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil in a saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a gentle simmer. 
At this point, sprinkle some salt into the sauce, but be cautious because the sauce will thicken, and you can addd more seasoning later if needed.

Simmer the sauce, partially covered, for about 30- 45 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency. In case the sauce becomes too thick, feel free to add some water to thin it down and cook it for longer if necessary. I like to zap it with an immersion blender for a smoother consistency. 

Once the sauce has cooled down, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze. 
I like to store it in a mason jar and use an electric Mason jar vacuum sealer to seal the lid for extended storage in the refrigerator.

Peruvian Black Beans

Great side for a simple meal of Peruvian Chicken, Peruvian Green Rice and Aji Verde Sauce!

1 16 oz can black beans

1/2 small onion, chopped

1 large minced garlic cloves

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp ahi amarillo 

Add all ingredients to a pot and simmer for 30 min.

Pappanozza

This recipe comes from @pastagrammar and is my new favorite summer side dish, wonderful with a roasted or grilled chicken or fish. Best eaten at room temperature or cold, it’s a simple Sicilian delight!

4 large peeled potatoes, quartered

2 large red onions, halved and sliced into half moons

Salt

Pepper

1 minced garlic clove

Olive Oil 

Wine Vinegar 

Place the potatoes and onions in a large pot and cover with water. Boil until they are very tender. Drain.

Mash the potatoes and onions until coarse lumpy but smooth. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil and one minced garlic clove.

Sprinkle with a little wine vinegar to taste and top each serving with a sprinkle of olive oil. 👌🏼

Alabama Baked Beans

This recipe is our favorite baked bean recipe, and is modified from the Weber Grill Out! Cookbook. I cook it stovetop, it also can be finished off on the grill. 

4 slices diced bacon

1 small onion, chopped 

1 small green pepper, chopped 

2 16 oz cans pork and beans with tomato sauce, slightly drained

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbs cider vinegar

2 tbs Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp dry mustard

Cook the bacon in a medium skillet until crisp; remove and reserve. 

Cook the onion and pepper in the bacon drippings until tender. Stir in all remaining ingredients and simmer on medium low heat until it’s at the consistency you like. 

If you prefer to finish on the grill, spoon into a foil pan and heat on the grill until bubbly.

Beet and Feta Salad

• 2 Boxes Trader Joe’s cooked baby beets, beets, quartered

• ¼ cup minced shallot

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

  1/4 c olive oil 

  2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  salt and pepper to taste

  ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

  Place beets, shallot and parsley in a large bowl. Whisk dressing ingredients and lightly dress the salad before serving. Save remaining dressing. Top with feta cheese. 

Egg Pasta Dough

 This easy pasta dough recipe is one of my favorites and can be cut into whatever you like. I made pappardelle 8” long, 1 1/4” wide. It was delicious, but we decided we prefer tagliatelle because the thinner noodles are easier to eat.                                  

Egg Pasta Dough

200 grams 00 flour

2 extra large eggs

Mix in a stand mixer with the dough hook until the dough comes together. Knead for 5-10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and rest on the counter for at least 30 minutes. Cut into four pieces, covering the dough as you work with each piece. Roll or shape as desired and sprinkle finished pasta with semolina flour so it doesn’t stick. Cook for 2-3 minutes in salted boiling water and drain well.

I roll pasta dough to #6 on my Ampia pasta machine for noodles, finer for stuffed pasta. Nothing beats fresh homemade pasta👌🏼

Cinnamon Roll Hack

Cinnamon Sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tube cinnamon rolls

Preheat oven to 375°. Sprinkle the bottom of each cinnamon roll and place in a greased baking pan. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar and pour the heavy cream over the rolls. 

Bake for 17-19 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes before icing. 

Stromboli

Preheat oven to 400°.

1 ball pizza dough (or frozen bread dough, thawed)

1/2 lb sliced provolone cheese

1/2 lb sliced sandwich pepperoni or dry Italian salami

2 cups grated mozzarella 

Combine:

2 eggs, scrambled

1 tsp dried parsley

1 tsp dried oregano

2 tbs grated Parmesan

Salt and pepper to taste

Italian seasoning (link in the blog)

Roll the dough into a large thin rectangle. Brush half of the egg mixture onto the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border all around. Top with grated mozzarella, then meat of choice, then provolone. Feel free to add additional meats.

Carefully roll up jelly roll style, brushing the seam with the egg mixture and pinch to seal and tuck the side ran under. Brush the top with the egg mixture and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Bake in a 400° oven for 35-40 min until the stromboli is golden brown on top. Cool for ten minutes before slicing into rounds; serve with marinara sauce or pizza sauce for dipping.