Italian Recipe - Prosciutto with Fontina Pastries

This Italian recipe is great for an appetizer, or finger food for the game.  Entertain your guests with these exqusite pastries.  They are squares of puff pastry which are filled with cheese and ham and must be eaten hot. 

Ingredients 

375g already rolled puff pastry 

Dijon mustard 

120g Fontina 

100g prosciutto crudo, sliced 

Dash of olive oil 

Parmesan (Grated) 

Italian Cooking

1. Cut the pastry in half and roll one piece very thinly into a rectangle roughly 40 x 30cm. 
   
2. Cut the pastry into two long rectangles. 
   
3. Spread each one with some of the mustard, about 1 and a half to two teaspoons on each rectangle. 
   
4. Slice half the cheese thin and cover half of each pastry rectangle with it, but make sure a gap is left round the edge. 
   
5. On top of that put the pieces of ham, but make sure enough room is left for the second piece of pastry. 
   
6. Brush the edges of the pastry with olive oil, then fold the empty halves overs the ham and cheese, and press down the edges to seal them. 
   
7. Transfer the two squarish parcels to a baking sheet and repeat with the other half of the pastry.
8. Refrigerate for about half and hour. 
   
9. Remove the pastries from the fridge and brush them with oil again a grate parmesan on them. 
10. Bake them in an oven which has been preheated to 225C/ Gas Mark 7 for 10 to 12 minutes, until they have slightly risen. 
    
11. Check that they are crisp underneath, but if they are not, turn them over and cook for a few minutes longer. 
    
12. Eat instantly, while the cheese is still warm. 
    

When finished, this Italian recipe can double as both a small meal, or an appetizer for your guests.  Enjoy this with your friends for a football game, or for your christmas party.

Italian Recipe - Rigatoni Potato Bake

This great Italian Recipe is a hearty, mouthwatering melding of Italian sausage and potatoes.  Italian Recipes like this are the ultimate comfort food. 

Ingredients

1 Box of hamburger helper italian sausage and rigatoni flavor 

1 Box of scalloped potatoes 

2/3 Cup of milk 

1 tbsp Butter or margarine 

2 cups boiling water 

2 cups water 

1 lb. sweet Italian sausages 

1 cup Mozzarella cheese 

2 tbsp Italian spice mix (optional) 

Italian Cooking

This Italian Recipe is so easy to make.  It only takes about an hour, and it makes for an entire meal.

1. Brown sausage in large skillet 
   
2. Add contents of hamburger helper box 
   
3. Add 2 cups water 
   
4. Simmer on low for 10 mins. 
   
5. Heat 2 cups water in microwave until boiling. 
   
6. Pour contents of box of scalloped potatoes into bowl. 
   
7. Add 2/3 cup milk and 1tbsp butter or margarine to bowl of potatoes. 
   
8. Add boiling water to potatoes and stir until margarine or butter has melted. 
   
9. Set aside potatoes until hamburger helper is done. 
   
10. Preheat oven to 450 F 
    
11. When hamburger helper is done, pour into large 8x10 casserole dish. 
    
12. Pour potatoes over hamburger helper. 
    
13. Bake in oven at 450 F for 15 mins. 
    
14. Spread cheese over casserole. 
    
15. Bake until cheese is bubbling. 
    

When finished, you can season to taste with the Italian seasoning.  Use caution however, because this casserole will be hot.

This is an awesome Italian Recipe that will feed your family and not break the bank.  Give it a try after a hard Monday.

Italian Recipe - Chicken with Pesto Toasts

This great Italian Recipe incorporates a wonderful toasted bread with a very easy and tasty chicken.  The chicken is glazed and broiled, so its easy to prepare, and the toast is topped with pesto and almonds, making it a great side to accompany.

Ingredients 

8 boned or part-boned chicken thighs

extra virgin olive oil

1 2/3 cups diced tomatoes

1/2 cup of red pesto sauce

12 slices of French bread

1 cup fresh grated Parmesan 

1/2 cup of almonds, slivered

Italian Cooking

With only a few steps, this Italian Recipe is simple and easy.  Remember, make sure you're chicken pieces are cooked well while broiling.

1. Place the chicken in a flame-proof dish in a single layer.  Leave the skin on the chicken.  Brush the chicken pieces with the olive oil, coating well.  Place the dish in a broiler for about 17 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown.  The skin becomes crisp.
2. Using a skewer, make sure each piece of chicken is thoroughly cooked.  There should be no trace of pink in the juices.
3. Pour off any excess fat that may have come out during the broil.  Warm the diced tomatoes and half the pesto sauce in a small pan.
4. Pour the pesto and tomatoes over the chicken.  Broil for a few more minutes, turning throughout until the chicken is coated.
5. While you are doing that, spread the remaining pesto on the slices of bread.  
6. Then pull out the chicken, and arrange the bread over the chicken, pesto side up.  Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the bread, coating it lighly.  Scatter the almonds over the cheese.
7. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the bread is browned and the cheese is melted and bubbling. 

Serve the dish hot, and garnish how you like.  Remember to make sure your chicken is cooked well.  Many people do not like the increased fat content by keeping the skin on the chicken, but it keeps the juices in and crisps very well when broiled.

And thats it, another wonderful Italian Recipe your family will savor and enjoy.  This Italian Recipe is especially great for dates.

Italian Recipe - Balsamic Chicken

An awesome Italian Recipe, balsamic chicken is easy to make and a great main course.  It does involve marinating the chicken overnight, however, if you are pressed for time, a few hours will do.  Its generally served with rice, but you can serve it with penne as well.

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs with bones

1 cup red wine

3 tbsp white wine vinegar

2 garlic cloves minced

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

3 small white onions

1 tbsp butter

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp fresh thyme

Italian Cooking

This italian recipe is fairly straight forward.  You prepare the chicken, flavor the pan, and cook.  Here's how:

1. First, make a few slashes in the skin of the chicken.  Brush the chicken with the minced garlic and place in a plastic or glass dish.
2. Mix the white wine vinegar with the red wine, and pour over the chicken.  The chicken should not be submerged, but coated and seated in the mixture.  Salt and pepper if desired.
3. Cover and leave marinate overnight.
4. The next day, remove the pieces of chicken with a spoon, draining well.  Save the marinade.
5. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Halve the small white onions, and place open end down in the skillet.  Cook until they soften, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning until lightly brown all over.
7. Reduce the heat and add about half of the marinade.  Cover, and cook for 20 minutes, adding more marinade as necessary (mixture dries or gums up).
8. Once the chicken is tender, remove the cover, and add the balsamic vinegar and thyme.  Cook for another 4 minutes.

Thats about it.  Remove the chicken, and place over rice, penne, or a thicker noodle.  To help hold the chicken together, you can use ties, or wooden skewers.  Use the thick sauce in the pan as a dressing for the chicken. 

This is another great Italian Recipe your whole family will love.  Make it your family dinner this week!