Italian Recipes

Italy is famous for its Pizzas and Pastas. But there is much more to the Italian food than this. Here are a few mouth-watering Italian recipes that will take you immediately to Italy and will make you realize what you have been missing so far...

Italian Stuffing

This is a stuffing that can be used during thanksgiving or any other family celebration.

Ingredients

• White Bread cut into pieces - 1 loaf
• Eggs (beaten) - 6
• Diced Prosciutto - 1 Cup
• Diced Pepperoni - 4 Ounces
• Diced Salami - 1 Cup
• Cubed Mozzarella Cheese - 16 Ounces
• Parmesan Cheese - ½ Cup
• Fresh Parsley - 2 Tablespoons
• Chicken Broth - 2 Cups

Preparation

• In a large bowl, place all the bread cubes and sprinkle enough chicken broth to moisten the bread.
• Add salami, prosciutto, eggs, mozzarella, pepperoni, parmesan and parsley to the bowl. Mix the entire mixture well.
• Place the mixture in a bowl or a casserole dish.
• If you plan on using a casserole dish, then bake the mixture after covering it with an Aluminum foil at 375 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes.
• Your Italian stuffing for about 8 people is ready!

Gnocchi

Gnocchis are Italy's answer to dumplings. They can be served both as a side or a main dish and can be made in many varieties. Here is a very simple potato, egg and flour recipe which can be either when you are entertaining or having wholesome dinner with your family.

Ingredients

• Potatoes - 2
• Egg - 1
• Flour (all purpose) - 2 Cups

Preparation

• In a large pot, add water and salt. Heat the pot till the water starts boiling.
• Peel the potatoes and add them to the pot.
• Boil the potatoes till they are tender but firm. This will take about 15 minutes.
• Mash the potatoes in a bowl and add the egg and the flour.
• Knead the mixture till it is smooth and evenly mixed. Make small portions of the dough into long ropes. On a floured surface, cut these pieces of dough into half-inch pieces.
• In a large pot, add water and salt. Heat the pot till the water starts boiling. If you using the same pot as earlier then ensure that you change the water.
• Drop in the gnocchi and let it boil this they have risen to the top. This will take about 3 to 5 minutes.

Sausage and Spinach Risotto

Ingredients

• Fresh Spinach - ½ Pound
• Chicken Broth - 6 Cups
• Finely Chopped Italian Sausage - ½ Pound
• Minced Onion - 1
• Minced Garlic - 2 Cloves
• Arborio Rice - 2 Cups
• Dry White Wine - 1 Cup
• Grated Parmesan Cheese - 1 Cup
• Unsalted Butter - 5 Tablespoons
• Salt - 1 Teaspoon

Preparation

• Heat the chicken broth and keep it hot over a low flame.
• Remove the stems of the spinach and wash it properly under cold water. In a medium-sized pot, add water and salt. When the water starts boiling, add the spinach and cook till the spinach is tender. It should take about 3 minutes. Drain the water and chop the spinach finely.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium flame. Add the onion and garlic when the butter starts foaming. Cook for a few minutes till the onion turns golden brown in color.
• Add the sausages to the saucepan and stir for sometime. Break the sausage apart with a large spoon and cook till the sausage turns brown in color.
• Add the rice in the saucepan and stir it with the sausages for a minute and then add the spinach and wine. Stir the entire mixture till the broth has been completely absorbed.
• Continue the process of cooking and stirring the rice, adding broth as and when required for about 20 minutes.
• Add the required seasoning and stir in the remaining butter and a third of the cheese. Mix well.
• At this time the rice should be moist, creamy and should be of a slightly loose consistency.
• Sprinkle the rest of the cheese and serve immediately.

I hope that you have an excellent time while preparing the recipes above and your family and you enjoy the food as much as I have enjoyed compiling the recipes for you. Happy eating!