Cooking with Fr. Andrew

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

On this show, Father Umberg and I cook in memory of our dear friend, Mari Lou Ollier. The lasagna recipe is her’s.

Print Recipe

Lasagna

Author: Kathryn Raaker

Ingredients

  • 1 lb sweet or hot Italian sausage
  • 1/2 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 15 oz container ricotta or cottage cheese
  • 3/4 lb mozzarella cheese sliced
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seed
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 4 cups canned tomatoes undrained
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 2 6 oz cans tomato paste
  • 12 oz box lasagna noodles
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Saute onion, garlic and meat in pan, stirring frequently until browned. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon salt, basil, fennel, pepper, and half of parsley; mix well.
  • Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and ½ cup water mashing tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Bring to boiling; reduce heat; simmer, covered and stirring occasionally, until thick 1 ½ hours. In a kettle bring 3 quarts of water and l tablespoon salt to boiling. Add lasagna, 2 or 3 at a time. Return to boiling, boil uncovered and stirring occasionally about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander. Preheat oven to 3750. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, remaining parsley, and salt; mix well. In the bottom of 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish, spoon 1 ½ cups sauce. Layer with 6 lasagna noodles, lengthwise and overlapping, to cover. Spread with half of the ricotta mixture, top with a third of mozzarella. Spoon I ½ sauce over cheese; sprinkle with ¼ Parmesan. Repeat layering, starting with 6 lasagna noodles and ending with 1 1/2 cups sauce sprinkled with parmesan. Spread with remaining sauce; top with rest of mozzarella and parmesan. Cover with foil, tucking around the edge. Bake 25 minutes· remove foil· bake uncovered 25 minutes longer, or until bubbly. Cool 15 minutes before serving.

Arugula Orange Salad
Print Recipe

Fr Umberg’s Orange Glazed Arugula Salad

Course: Main Dish, Side Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 Medium Navel Orange
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp Sugar
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 15 oz box Baby Arugula
  • 1/4 cup pecans
  • 2 Tbsp (1/8 cup) craisins

Instructions

  • In a small skillet pour the olive oil and heat up till hot then add your orange zest
  • Spread the zest around the skillet let boil for a few seconds and turn off heat add sugar, salt, and Balsamic Vinegar. Let it cool to room temperature then add the pecans and craisins. Put the Arugula in a bowl add dressing mix well and serve or refrigerate for 30 min.

Italian Cooking with Christine Simolke

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

In this episode of The Chef, You and I, Kathryn and her guest, Christine Simolke prepare some Italian dishes. They also discuss Christine’s new book, Children of Italy.

Print Recipe

Peppers Siciliano from Patsy's Restaurant NYC

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil plus 2 Tbsp. for drizzling
  • 4 cloves garlic optional
  • 4 roasted red bell peppers sliced
  • 1 Tbsp chopped anchovies with oil
  • 2 Tbsp capers rinsed and drained
  • 18 kalamata olives chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Chopped basil or 1/2 tsp. dried
  • Pinch dried Oregano
  • 1/3 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • Loaf of Italian bread sliced and toasted

Instructions

  • Preheat broiler. Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, if using, sauté, add peppers, sauté for 2 minutes. Add anchovies, capers, olives, basil, oregano, broth & wine. Stir until blended & cook 3-4 minutes. Add salt & pepper. Place spoonful of mixture on toasted Italian bread. Sprinkle each with breadcrumbs & drizzle with olive oil. Broil on low for 2-3 minutes, until topping is golden.

Print Recipe

Antipasto Salad - Vegetarian

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 large head Romaine lettuce chopped
  • 2 roma tomatoes seeded and chopped
  • 1 16 oz jar jar pepperoncini or friggitello pickled peppers
  • 16 black olives or kalamata olives
  • 1 English cucumber peeled & chopped
  • 4 oz mozzarella or provolone cheese cubed
  • Fresh basil and parsley chopped
  • 1 15 oz can can chick peas drained, Garbanzo

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Mix salad Ingredients in a large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients in a pint Mason jar, shake to combine. Pour over salad and toss.

Print Recipe

Pasta Bean Soup (Pasta e Fagioli)

Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 4 cloves Minced Garlic optional
  • 4 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 15 oz cans Cannellini beans or pinto beans
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cup vegetable or chicken broth + more
  • 1 1/4 cup Ditalini pasta
  • 1 tsp Basil dried or 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh
  • 1 tsp Oregano dried (optional)
  • 2 tsp parsley
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

  • In olive oil, cook onion, garlic, celery over medium heat until lightly browned. Add beans, tomatoes & broth. Add seasonings (basil, oregano, parsley, garlic or regular salt, pepper. Cook for 30 minutes, bring to a boil & add pasta. Stir and check pasta at 8-10 minutes, may need slightly longer for your taste. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Print Recipe

Cooked Apples w/ Raisins & Pecans

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 Apples (Honey Crisp Fuigi or Granny Smith
  • 1/4 cup Butter
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped Pecans
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar

Instructions

  • Core, peel and slice apples. In a large skillet, melt butter and brown sugar. Add apple slices. Sprinkle with raisins, pecans and brown sugar. Cook for several minutes.

Option:

  • Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Lower calorie option:

  • Omit butter and brown sugar. Spray skillet with cooking spray to brown Apples. Substitute Splenda or other sugar substitute in place of brown sugar.

Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Tuna

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Wonderful tasty variation of Meatless Pasta great lunch or entree!

 

Print Recipe

Tuna Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Comfort Foods, Italian
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
  • 1 29 oz Diced tomatoes
  • 2 29 oz Tomato Sauce
  • 2 Large Cans Tuna- Water Packed
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Oregano
  • 1 1/2 to 2 Tablespoons basil leaves or ground basil
  • 1 Medium Onion -Chopped finely
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
  • 3 Medium Bell Peppers ,Red, Green, Yellow If you do not have three colors then use 2 green peppers
  • 1 12 oz Package of Tri-Colored Routini
  • 1 12 oz Package of Campanella Pasta
  • 12 Ritz Crackers-Crushed

Instructions

  • Heat Large Pan on top of Stove on medium add Olive Oil, Garlic, Onion, pepper, diced tomatoes let sizzle then turn down to simmer and stir let it simmer for about 5 minutes then gradually add the dry ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain Tuna and add to Sauce stir until there are no clumps about two minutes. Simmer for about 2 minutes and add pasta to sauce and stir. Add Dozen Crushed Ritz Crackers to the sauce. Serve with Romano Parmesan Cheese.
  • Fill large pan with at least 8 quarts of water boil the water then add all dry pasta and cook pasta till minute less that directions on box. Drain Pasta.

Father Andrew’s Italian Wedding Soup

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

This is absolutely healthy wedding soup made by Father Andrew the pastor from our St. Joe’s Church.

Print Recipe

Father Andrew's Italian Wedding Soup

A wonderful rich delicious Wedding Soup
Prep Time1 minute
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time46 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Comfort Foods, Italian
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1/2 pound Mild Italian Sauage
  • 1/2 pound Lean ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1/8 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 Teaspoon Basil
  • 1 1/2 Cup Plain bread Crumbs

Stock for Wedding Soup

  • 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
  • 1 1/2 Packages Frozen Chopped Spinach
  • 1/2 cup chopped cooked Chicken Splinter Chicken
  • 3 Med Eggs - beaten
  • 2 tablespoons Romano Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

Meatballs

  • In a large Bowl add Italian Sausage and Ground Beef use fork and chop meat mixture, add spices, mid then add egg and mix thoroughly, then add dry bread crumbs mix until mixture seems a little dry not wet. Then take an break up meat into small pieces about size of grape and then roll into meatballs with your hands. Heat up skillet and lightly brown meat.

Soup stock

  • Use large soup pot turn on medium heat and add Virgin Olive Oil heat and then add minced garlic until it sizzles. Add 2 quarts of chicken stock and let boil on medium heat. Add Meat balls stir let cook for minute and then and chopped spinach. Pour eggs in a ribbon swirl let egg mixture cook for few seconds then take fork go back and forth separates egg . Let mixture simmer on stove. Chop up chicken in small pieces then push down on chicken separate until it looks like splinters then add to soup mixture. Then stir let cook for one minute. Spoon into individual bowls and add Parmesan Cheese.

Father Andrew’s Italian Wedding Soup

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Print Recipe

Father Andrew's Italian Wedding Soup

A wonderful rich delicious Wedding Soup
Prep Time1 minute
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time46 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Comfort Foods, Italian
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1/2 pound Mild Italian Sauage
  • 1/2 pound Lean ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1/8 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 Teaspoon Basil
  • 1 1/2 Cup Plain bread Crumbs

Stock for Wedding Soup

  • 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
  • 1 1/2 Packages Frozen Chopped Spinach
  • 1/2 cup chopped cooked Chicken Splinter Chicken
  • 3 Med Eggs - beaten
  • 2 tablespoons Romano Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

Meatballs

  • In a large Bowl add Italian Sausage and Ground Beef use fork and chop meat mixture, add spices, mid then add egg and mix thoroughly, then add dry bread crumbs mix until mixture seems a little dry not wet. Then take an break up meat into small pieces about size of grape and then roll into meatballs with your hands. Heat up skillet and lightly brown meat.

Soup stock

  • Use large soup pot turn on medium heat and add Virgin Olive Oil heat and then add minced garlic until it sizzles. Add 2 quarts of chicken stock and let boil on medium heat. Add Meat balls stir let cook for minute and then and chopped spinach. Pour eggs in a ribbon swirl let egg mixture cook for few seconds then take fork go back and forth separates egg . Let mixture simmer on stove. Chop up chicken in small pieces then push down on chicken separate until it looks like splinters then add to soup mixture. Then stir let cook for one minute. Spoon into individual bowls and add Parmesan Cheese.

Kathryn’s Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese Appetizer

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Print Recipe

Kathryn’s Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese Appetizer

Course: Appetizer
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 large Plum (Roma) Tomatoes sliced
  • 8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella cheese sliced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh Basil leaves finely chopped

Instructions

  • Place tomato slices, alternating with mozzarella slices, on a large serving platter. Combine oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. Drizzle over tomatoes and mozzarella; sprinkle with basil.
    Tomato and Mozzarella appetizer

CROS Initiative Dinner Party-Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Kris Brannock, a professional blogger, helps Kathryn prepare a Tomato and Mozzarella Salad.

Print Recipe

Kathryn’s Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese Appetizer

Course: Appetizer
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 large Plum (Roma) Tomatoes sliced
  • 8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella cheese sliced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh Basil leaves finely chopped

Instructions

  • Place tomato slices, alternating with mozzarella slices, on a large serving platter. Combine oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. Drizzle over tomatoes and mozzarella; sprinkle with basil.
    Tomato and Mozzarella appetizer

Kathryn wraps up the show by serving a dinner she prepared for the ladies.

CuchinoPro Pizzelles

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Print Recipe

CuchinoPro Pizzelleses

Servings: 60 Pizzelles

Ingredients

  • 6 large Eggs
  • 2 cups Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Sticks Unsalted Butter melted and cooled
  • 7 cups Flour
  • 4 Tbsp Baking Powder
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp anise seeds (optional)

Instructions

  • Makes a HUGE batch Beat eggs and sugar, add cooled melted butter, vanilla and anise seed. Sift flour and baking powder and add to egg mixture. Batter will have dough like consistency. Heat pizzelle iron, place about 1 tablespoon of batter on grid just behind the center of the pattern. Bake until golden brown, about 30 to 40 second. Remove and cool on rack. Repeat with remaining batter.

IHH 2015-Part I: Olive X-Press

by ⋅ Leave a Comment

Kathryn continues her adventures at the 2015 International Home & Houseware Show in Chicago. Kathryn meets Joe Farley who demonstrates the shows Kathryn Raaker their olive press from Olive X-press. In addition, Joe explains their organically treated olives will stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to 24 months.

Olive X-press. www.olivexpress.com