Sage-Rosemary Chicken Breast on a Balsamic Reduction

This is a delicious recipe and all mine.  My family loves this one. I think you will too. 

Sage-Rosemary Chicken Breast on a Balsamic Reduction

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dry sage
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 4 oz tomatoes italian style*
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Marinate the chicken with the rosemary, sage, oregano, salt and pepper, preferably overnight.
2. Butterfly the chicken breasts for even cooking; then, if you desire, cut it in half. 
3. In a large skillet, cook the chicken in the olive oil over medium heat until golden brown, add the onions and let it cook until slightly brown.  
4. Add the balsamic vinegar, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the vinegar has reduced to 1/4 cup.  
5. Add the tomatoes and cook approximately 5 minutes more.  Serve. 

Buon Appetito!

*In the market you can purchase a Can of Italian Style diced tomatoes.  

Tomato Penne and Meatballs with Cilantro sauce

Tomato Penne

This is a fresh and delicious dish suitable for a summer day.  This is an old recipe, I don't know how it came to me but I made my adaption to it.

Tomato Penne

Ingredients:

• 1 Pound of Penne Pasta
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 cups of plum tomatoes, quartered 
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper                         
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1. Directions:

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente.  
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the garlic, and cook stirring, until golden, about a minute.  Add the plum tomatoes, oregano, crushed red pepper. Reduced the heat to low, and cook stirring, until tomato juices run.
3. Add the penne, basil and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese and toss to combine.  
4. Serve with more cheese if you like. 

   Meatballs with Cilantro sauce

Meatballs with Cilantro sauce

This recipe is mine, my family loves it.  I hope you like it as they do.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 2 Tablespoons of dry oregano
• 2 Tablespoons of Smoked Paprika
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup Bread Crumbs Italian Style or Panko
• 1/2 cup Canola oil to fry
• 1 garlic clove 
• Bunch of cilantro 
• Canola oil

Directions:

1. Marinate the ground beef with the oregano and smoked paprika (preferably a day ahead)
2. Add the egg to hold it together, bread crumbs and form into little meatballs
3. Heat the canola oil in a large skillet and fry the meatballs until done.  
4. Meanwhile, use a pestle and mortar to mash the garlic until a puree is form, add the cilantro and continue to mash, add a little bit of canola oil.
5. Carefully remove meatballs from the skillet and serve with the cilantro mixture on top. 

These two dishes are very easy and delicious.  Please let me know if you make them, what do you think of it. You can also vary these recipes to your preferences, please share what you discover.

Buon Appetito!

TRI-OMG Baguette Sandwich

Sandwiches are an easy way to prepare a meal when you are in a hurry.  Now, there are sandwiches, and there are sandwiches.  My hubby is the one that gives my sandwiches a proper name.  

TRI-OMG Baguette Sandwich 

This one I made on a multi-grain baguette.  I hope you like as he did!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Multi grain baguette 
• 1/4 cup Ricotta-Garlic Mayonnaise
• 4 slices of Muenster Cheese 
• 3 slices of Hard Salami
• 2 slices of Pastrami
• 2 slices Turkey Ham
• Couple of leaves of basil
• bunch of Spring Mix Lettuce
• 1/2 Tomato thinly sliced
• Sliced Pickles 

Preparation:

1. Spread the mayonnaise on each side of the baguette, top with the muenster cheese and microwave it for 25 seconds or until the cheese is melted.
2. Top the baguette with the lettuce, basil, tomato, pickles, turkey ham, hard salami and pastrami. 
3. Slice it diagonally for good looks.

and enjoy...

                                    

Very easy and very delicious.

Buon appetito!

Basil Pesto

Pesto is easy to make, once you learn, you will NEVER buy pre-made pesto again.  The good thing about making pesto is that any herb -cilantro, parsley, etc.- will do and you can serve it over your favorite pasta, stuff chicken with it, soups and even as a spread.  It is simply delicious.

Whole Wheat Penne Pesto

Basil Pesto

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2-4 garlic gloves (this is up to your preference)
• 3 cups of fresh basil, stems removed
• 1 cup of Parmesan Cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Toast the pine nuts, this step is optional, but the difference in flavor is amazing
2. Put basil in a food processor or blender with the pine nuts, 1/2 a cup of cheese and garlic.  Process until well chopped.  (To be more traditional you could use a pestle and mortar).
3. Gradually add the oil until smooth. Stir in salt and pepper.
4. Put on a bowl or over your favorite pasta. 

See, very easy and very delicious.   Please do try this recipe and let me know what you think of it.  

Buon Appetito!