Finally it’s tomato season, time to bring out the recipes. Basil goes hand-in-hand with luscious ripe tomatoes, and there is nothing better than fresh basil oil to complement the summer little jewels–SIMPLE.
Category: Italian
Baked Ziti
Shh…the sauce is a secret. Yes, truth be told, the sauce is the secret to my Baked Ziti with Sausage. Winter is upon us so let’s stay warm with a little jewel from my Family & Friends Cookbook.
Continue reading Baked Ziti
Perfect Pairing | Tuscany
It’s summer, the season to jet off to tour a charming estate in Tuscany, join me, lunch will be served on the terrace, a Perfect Pairing. Continue reading Perfect Pairing | Tuscany
Chicken alla Cacciatora
Big Night cooking…it’s all about the sauce. Chicken alla Cacciatora, yes, an old school classic, a simple, family-style way with a chicken. Bijouxs la dolce vita!
One of my favorite food movies is “Big Night” and I can’t help but think of it whenever I cook a family favorite, Chicken alla Cacciatora (chicken in honor of the hunter’s wife). Leave it to the Italians to create the most fabulously simple food and this recipe is no exception. What you will need is a chicken, an onion, garlic, a can of tomatoes and oh, yes of course a bit of white wine. Result? A tender stew with fall-off-the-bone chicken, plus a healthy serving of sauce to embellish rice or pasta. Simple right?
Cooking from the heart and memory is a joy. You might have grown up with a version of the dish too. This is a flexible recipe, that is, I adjust the oil needed based on the size of onion, adjust garlic to taste, etc. The technique works with other meats as well to create a substantial sauce for Sunday night. With only a 45-minute stovetop stew, a budget chicken becomes a memorable, family-style meal, sending off an aroma throughout the house that just begs the pot to be opened and tasted.
I serve Chicken alla Cacciatora family style on a large platter, extra sauce on the side, and a bowl of fluffy white rice with fresh parsley. Of course, this dish is even better reheated the next day, if you can wait.
Wishing you a big night from the Bijouxs.
Pork Chops alla Milanese
Oh, fickle February – yesterday you were sunny and warm, and today you are blustery with rain – a perfect day to tuck in with a warm, comforting meal. In the new kitchen I am relying on simple little jewels from the collection – supermarket friendly, quick and easy on the budget. Pork Chops alla Milanese – rustic simplicity, always a little jewel. Continue reading Pork Chops alla Milanese
