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Rabbit hunter’s style

Rabbit can be used to make just about any chicken dish but there are many recipes specifically for rabbit in Italian cuisine. Rabbit hunter’s style is one of those dishes in Italy that has as many versions as there are cooks. This recipe is ‘in bianco‘ which means with no tomato sauce. It loosely resembles the Ligurian style rabbit, but without the pinoli (pine nuts).

prep time 30 min     cook time 50 min
ingredients for 4
  • 1 rabbit (about 1,3kg – 1.5kg), cleaned, cut into pieces
  •  olive oil
  • 2-3 garlic cloves peeled and gently squashed
  • 3-4 anchovy fillets
  • a few capers
  • handful of olives (taggiasca, Gaeta or other)
  • sage, rosemary
  • peperoncino optional
  • 150 ml dry white (or red) wine
  • 100 ml white wine vinegar
  • salt

1. First wash in running water and then soak the rabbit pieces in water (some add half a glass of white wine vinegar)  for 30 minutes. Rinse the rabbit pieces, pat them dry and season with salt.

2. In a deep frying pan (wide enough to accommodate all the pieces of rabbit without over crowding) warm the olive oil with a couple of plump cloves of garlic for a few minutes. Add the rabbit pieces and cook, turning frequently until they are nicely browned and golden – wear an apron as the oil splatters and spits somewhat.

3. Add rosemary and sage, anchovy fillets and peperoncino if using and and turn the pieces around so they are all coated.

4. Add the vinegar and cook for a minute or two, or until the powerful acrid smell has subsided somewhat.

5. Then add the wine and allow the wine to sizzle and bubble energetically for a few minutes. Cover the dish, turning down and regulating the heat so that the dish simmers gently.

6. Allow the rabbit to braise in the wine for 45 minutes to an hour, turning from time to time and adding some water or broth as needed to keep things moist but not soupy.

7. About halfway through, add the olives and some capers.

BUON APPETITO!

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Lemon cheesecake

My absolute new favorite! I’ve always loved cheese cakes and this tops them all. If you are a lemon lover like me, this will become your favourite.

prep time 15 + 10 min     refrigerating time 4h or more
ingredients
for the crust
  • 200g Digestive biscuits, crumbled
  • 100g unsalted butter,  melted

for the filling

  • 250g double cream/heavy whipping cream
  • 300g lemon yogurt
  • 200g full fat cream cheese (Philadelphia)
  • 10g gelatine sheets
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 100g caster sugar

for the topping

  • 100 ml lemon juice (2 lemons)
  • 100 ml orange juice
  • 70g caster sugar
  • 15g corn starch
for decoration
  • 2 lemons, cut into slices

1. Line a 26 cm round springform pan with a parchment paper on the bottom.

2. Crush the biscuits in a bag with a rolling pin or in a food processor into a fine crumb. Mix the melted butter into the crumbs and press into the pan. Refrigerate for 15 min.

3. Place the gelatine sheets in a bowl of cold water.

3. Whip the cream. In another bowl beat yogurt, cream cheese and sugar.  Then beat the cream into the filling.

4. Pour the juice of 1 lemon in a small pan, squeeze the gelatine sheets and add to the lemon juice and place on stove top on low heat for a 1 minute until the gelatine melts. Add this to the cream filling.

5. Take the crust pan from the fridge and spread the cream filling over the biscuit base, and then leave to set in the fridge fully for at least 3 hours. Or 1 hour in the freezer.

6. After 3 hours when the cake is set, mix in a small pan or pot for the curd the lemon and orange juice, sugar and corn starch. Keep stirring for 3-4 minutes on low heat until the curd starts to thicken. It will turn bright yellow. Turn off the heat.

7. Keep stirring while the curd cools down. Take the cake from the fridge and pour the curd on top, move the pan slightly in a rotatory movement for the curd to set evenly. Place once again in the fridge for 1 hour.

8. Open the springform pan and carefully slide the cake onto a serving plate or tray. Decorate with lemon slices cut into halves.

BUON APPETITO!

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Briam

Briam, Greek roasted vegetables, is an example of how you can transform the simplest ingredients with no effort into a mouthwatering dish. Briam falls under the category of Greek dishes called ‘ladera’ meaning dishes prepared with only olive oil, no addition of other fat. Make sure to use some good quality extra virgin olive oil.

prep time 15 min     cook time 90 min
ingredients 5-6
  • 1/2 kg zucchini
  • 1/2 kg eggplant
  • 1/2 kg potatoes
  • 2 onions
  • 3-4 carrots
  • 1/2 kg ripe tomatoes or a can (400g) of peeled tomatoes
  • 100g extra virgin olive oil
  • parsley, mint and/or oregano
  • salt and pepper

1.  Preheat the oven to 180 C.

2. Wash and cut the zucchini and eggplant into 1,5cm rounds. Then quarter the eggplant rounds.

3. Peel and cut the potatoes into 1 cm rounds and quarter, or cut into chunks.

4. Peel and quarter the onions. Peel and cut the carrots into thick rounds.

5. Wash and halve the tomatoes if using ripe ones.

6. Place the veggies into a  large baking pan so the veggies are not layered too deep. Or use two pans. Season with salt, herbs and pour the oil on top. Mix with a wooden spoon or use your hands.

7. Place the pan in the oven covered with an aluminum foil for the first 45 min.

8. Uncover and let cook for the remaining 45 min. If need be, you can raise the oven temperature to 200 C for the last 10 minutes. If using two baking pans, change their place about half way through.

9. Serve as a side dish or a main with a chunk of feta and some good crusty bread.

BUON APPETITO!

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Apple yogurt cake

This apple cake is healthy and delicious. The yogurt makes it super moist and  yummy. Some people have been known to add a scoop of vanilla ice-cream on top. But even without it is delicious.

prep time 15 min     cook time 45-55 min
ingredients
  • 3 eggs
  • 150g granulated sugar
  • 80g vegetable oil
  • 125/150g vanilla yogurt (or plain)
  • 100g cornstarch
  • 250g flour
  • 16g (1 Tbsp) baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2-3 apples

for icing

  • 8g cornstarch
  • 125g water
  • 25g granulated sugar

1.  Preheat the oven to 180C.

2. Grease and flour a round 26cm pan.

3. Beat the eggs and sugar until the mixture has turned very pale yellow.

4. Keep beating adding oil, yogurt and cornstarch.

5. Mix the dry ingredients and add to the batter. Mix well.

6. Peel the apples. Dice half of one big apple or if small, a whole apple and mix into the batter. Slice the remaining apples.

7. Pour the batter into the cake pan and decorate it with the apple slices.

8. Bake at 180C for 45-55 min or until a toothpick comes out clean.

9. Make the icing mixing the ingredients in a small pan and heat it on the stove for a few minutes until it clears and starts to thicken. Brush it on top of the cake.

BUON APPETITO!

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Coconut curry chicken soup

Curry and coconut are one of the most sublime combinations out there. I love that this coconut curry chicken soup can be a light yet filling lunch as a simple bowl of soup, or a more hearty dish when ladled over rice or noodles. You can also substitute some veggies with others and make it totally new.

prep time 10 min     cook time 25 min
ingredients for 4
  • 400 g chicken breast, shredded or cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 carrots, cut into rounds
  • 2 potatoes, diced
  • 1-2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • grated ginger
  • 2-3 Tbsp green curry paste
  • 1 l chicken or vegetable stock
  • curry powder
  • turmeric
  • salt
  • 1 can (400g) coconut milk
  • parsley (or coriander)
  • handful of pumpkin seeds to garnish
  • optional: fresh spinach leaves, snow peas, white buttons, bell peppers

1. In a heavy bottom soup pot over medium heat sauté the onions until translucent. Add garlic, ginger and curry paste and stir to combine.

2. Stir in carrots and potatoes, cook for about 3-5 min. Add stock, curry powder, turmeric, salt and the chicken, cook for 10 min or until your chicken is done.

3. Add coconut milk and cook for additional 3 min. Check the seasoning and add chopped parsley ( or coriander).

4. Serve as is or over basmati rice. Add pumpkin seeds onto your plate.

Tip: substitute chicken with salmon and parsley with dill and voilà:

BUON APPETITO!

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Carrot cake

This is not your typical American style carrot cake with cream cheese filling and frosting. But just as delicious and easy to make and a healthy choice with lots of carrots.

prep time 10 min     cook time 50 min
ingredients
  • 4 eggs
  • 175 g sugar
  • 100 ml/g vegetable oil
  • 100 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 300 g flour
  • 16 g baking powder
  • 200 g peeled and grated carrots
  • powdered sugar to garnish

1.  Preheat oven at 180 C. Line the bottom of a 24cm (9″) springform pan with parchment paper.

2. Squeeze the orange. Measure the flour and mix it with the baking powder.

3. Beat the eggs and sugar, add the oil and orange juice. Add the flour in 3 batches continuing to beat. Add the carrots and mix with a spoon.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place in the oven for 45-50 min until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.

5. Let cool in the pan. Once cooled, transfer onto a serving plate and decorate with powdered sugar and some flowers, preferably the edible kinds. I used flowers from my garden. 🙂

BUON APPETITO!

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Red pepper sauce with pasta

This pepper sauce is as easy as it gets and is delicious. There’s no need to use any kind of dairy cream to make it creamy. Just add a little bit of the starchy boiling pasta water and voilà.

prep time 10 min     cook time 25 min
ingredients for 3
  • 300g pasta of your liking, I used rigatoni
  • 1 big red pepper, sliced
  • 1/2 onion
  • 5-6  cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • handful of pinoli
  • extravirgin olive oil
  • salt
  • fresh basil
  • grated Parmigiano

1. Wash and cut the pepper into thin slices. Slice the onion thinly, place it in a large pan with a little bit of oil  and cook on medium heat for a few minutes. Add the pepper slices, tomatoes, some salt and a little bit of water (half a glass) and let simmer about 20 min.

2. In the meantime cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.

3. Take a few slices of pepper for garnish. Blend the rest of the sauce with an immersion blende adding the pinoli and some oil. Pour the blended sauce back into the pan. Add some pasta water.

4. Drain the pasta, pour it into the pan with the sauce and mantecare (toss with grated cheese for a few minutes while the pan is still hot).

5. Serve adding basil leaves, some more grated Parmigiano and a few pepper slices onto your plate.

tip: you can roast the pinoli in a hot pan without oil for a few minutes and add them on your pasta instead of blending them with the sauce.

tip: you can substitute the red pepper with a yellow one.

BUON APPETITO!

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Lentil salad

Delicious and super healthy Greek style lentil salad with feta cheese and yummy vegetables. This could be eaten as a side dish or a light vegetarian meal. The lentils are simmered until cooked and then coated with an oil and red wine vinegar dressing. So good. Lentils are a wonderful source of protein.

prep time 15 min     cook time 20 min (lentil cook time)
ingredients for 4
  • 400 lentils, picked and rinsed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2-3 red and yellow peppers, roasted and sliced
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 200 g cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • half a cucumber, sliced or chopped
  • handful fresh parsley or dill, chopped
  • optional: handful of fresh mint, chopped
  • 10 kalamata or other olives, pitted and sliced
  • salt and pepper
  • 200 g feta cheese, crumbled
  • for the dressing:
  • 6 tables extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 tables red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • salt and pepper

1. Rinse the lentils and cook them in a pot with water, add a bay leaf and salt. Cooking time varies for different varieties of lentils.

2. Cut the peppers into strips or slices, place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, sprinkle some oil on them and bake them in preheated oven to 200C for about 20 minutes until softened.

3. Whisk the oil, vinegar, minced garlic, salt and pepper for the dressing.

4. When the lentils are cooked, drain them in a colander and let cool for a few minutes. Once cooled, place them in a large serving bowl and toss with dressing. Add chopped onions, roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives and crumbled feta andmix . Add the herbs right before serving.

BUON APPETITO!

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Tozzetti alle mandorle

Tozzetti, cantucci or cantuccini are twice baked hard almond biscuits. The biscuits are oblong-shaped made hard and crunchy through cutting the loaf while still warm and fresh from baking in the oven. The name biscotto comes from bis-cotto ie. cooked twice. They are usually served with a dessert wine Vinsanto but they go well with a good Passito or Malvasia.

After the recipe ingredients there’s a link to La pasticceria di Chico where I got the recipe years ago. There’s a video and English “subtitles”.

prep time 15 min     cook time 25 min + 10 min
ingredients for 50/60 biscuits
  • 125g butter, room temperature
  • 200g sugar  Edit: I’d use less, max 175-180 g
  • 100g powdered sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 5g salt
  • grated zest of half a lemon (biological)
  • dash of vanillin
  • 15g aniseed ( I used 8g which was enough for me)
  • 200g raw almonds ( I used half almonds half hazelnuts)
  • 500g flour
  • 15g baking powder

https://www.lapasticceriadichico.it/2013/08/tozzetti-alle-mandorle.html?m=1 

BUON APPETITO!

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Grilled eggplant

Grilled eggplant or aubergine is a fabulous dish, serve it warm as a side dish, cold as an antipasto or chopped in a salad. Eggplants are in season in summer but you can find them all year round in most places. Eggplants can be tricky, using too much oil they become slimey, leaving them too thick gives them an unpleasant texture. The key is salting which draws out the bitterness and leaves them less “spongy” hence they absorb less oil.

prep time 5 min + salting time     cook time 20 min
ingredients
  • 2 medium size eggplants
  • salt
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • parsley

1. Cut the eggplants crosswise into about 0,5cm thick slices, place them in a colander and sprinkle some salt on them. Put a plate and a weigh on top and let sweat/degorge for 20-30 minutes. Rinse them quickly and pat dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

2. In the meantime prepare a mix of oil and parsley in a serving dish.

3.  Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and grill eggplant slices until tender and slightly charred, about 2-3 minutes per side.

4. Grill a small patch at a time and place the grilled slices directly in the dish with the oil and parsley mix or you can brush the slices with the mix.

Tip: you can add thinly sliced garlic into the mix

BUON APPETITO!