Basic Italian Bread

Source Image from Foodnetwork

Biga:
1/2 Teas. Active Dry Yeast
1 Cup Lukewarm water
2 Cups Unbleached, All−purpose Flour
Mix the yeast and water together, and then slowly start adding the
flour, mixing well. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room
temperature for up to 6 hours. Refrigerate overnight.

Bread:
2 Cups Warm Water (about 90 degrees F.)
1 Pkg. Active Dry Yeast
5−6 Cups All−purpose, Unbleached Flour
2 Ts.

Salt
Place the water in a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast overtop and mix well. Let sit 10 minutes until bubbly. Add the biga, flour, and salt and stir with a wooden spoon (or mix with your hands) until everything is mixed. The dough will be fairly wet and sticky at this point. Cover and let stand in a warm spot for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in volume. 

Punch down the dough, folding it over on itself two or three times, cover and let rise once more until doubled, about 1 hour. If you choose, you could refrigerate your dough at this time and leave it overnight to prepare the next day.

Turn out your dough onto a floured baking sheet, and without overworking it too much shape into one large or two smaller round or oval shaped loaves, using as much extra flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Slash across the tops of the loaves with a serrated knife or razor just prior to baking.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and place a casserole dish with boiling water on the lower oven rack. Bake your bread 30 minutes, turn the baking sheet around, and reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake for another 30−45 minutes. At this point your bread should be golden brown and should sound hollow when you tap the bottom. Allow the bread to cool to room temperature and serve.

Focaccia Versiliese


Ingredients:

2 Teaspoon dried yeast
1 Cup warm water
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon rosemary, chopped
4 sage leaves, torn
3 1/2 Ounce olives, pitted
2 Tablespoon garlic, minced
2 Cup unbleached all−purpose flour
1 Cup corn flour
2 Teaspoon salt
2 Teaspoon olive oil

How To:
Stir the yeast into a alrge mixing bowl with the water & let proof for 10 minutes. Stir in the olive oil, rosemary, sage, olives & garlic. Using a wooden spoon, mix in the flours & salt & stir until the dough is thick & smooth. Knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is firm & elastic.

Set the dough in a lightly oiled container, cover with plastic wrap & let rise until doubled. Turn the dough onto an oiled 10 1/2" X 15 1/2" baking pan & stretch it to fit. If it won't fit, let it rest for 10 minutes & try
again. Cover with a towel & leave until it has half risen, about 30 minutes.

30 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 400F. Just before baking, dimple the top of the dough with your fingertips & sprinkle with some extra salt & 2 ts of oil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden. Slide off baking sheet onto a rack & let cool for a few minutes before eating warm or at room temperature.

VARIATION: Focaccia Dolce. Substitute 2 oz raisins & 1 oz pine nuts for the olives, herbs & garlic. Soak the raisins in warm water for 30 minutes before using & toast the pine nuts.

Italian Tomato Sauce


Ingredients:
2 − 28 ounce cans diced or ground tomatoes or whole tomatoes NOT packed in puree or sauce
3 tablespoons high−quality olive oil
1 large, thick pork chop or 1−1/2 pounds beef chuck, steak preferred
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1/2 cup red wine
1−1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons fresh basil or Italian parsley, chopped
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

How To:
If using whole tomatoes, drain them, reserving the liquid and chop. Reserve tomatoes and juice in a bowl.
In a nonreactive Dutch oven, heat the olive oil. Season the chop with salt and pepper and brown over medium−high heat on both sides, about 8 minutes total. Remove meat and set aside. Reduce heat to medium−low, add the onion and carrot and saute until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute
for 1 minute. Return the meat and any accumulated juices to the pot and add the wine. Bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 3 minutes.

Add the reserved tomatoes (if using crushed or minced tomatoes, just add them directly from the can) and the salt and bring back to a simmer. Reduce heat to low to maintain a slow simmer, partially cover, and cook until the meat is tender, about 45 to 55 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat. Remove meat and keep warm. Raise heat to medium and continue cooking sauce for about 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.

Stir in the basil and/or parsley and add freshly ground black pepper to taste (the sauce will be salty at this point; it will taste fine once added to pasta). Slice the meat and serve with pasta and sauce.

Fettucini Romano Ala Fratelli


Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
3 Cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 Cup White wine
3/4 Cup Half−and−half
1 Cup Romano cheese, grated
1 pound dry spinach fettucini, Cooked
Chopped parsley for garnish

How To:
Add the olive oil to a hot 10" pan. Add the garlic, and saute over high heat for about 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer for about 2 minutes. Add the half−and−half, and allow the sauce to come back to the simmer. Add the Romano cheese, and stir until smooth, about 2 minutes.
To serve: Add the pasta to the pan and toss until coated. Portion onto two plates, and garnish with some chopped parsley.

Basic Polenta


Ingredients:
9 Cups Water
1 Teaspoon Salt
3 Cups Cornmeal; coarse−grain

How To:
Bring water to a boil in a large heavy pot. Add salt and reduce heat until water is simmering. Take cornmeal by the handful and add to water very slowly, controlling the flow to a thin stream through your fingers. To avoid lumps, stir quickly with a long handled wooden spoon while adding cornmeal.
If necessary, stop adding cornmeal from time to time and beat mixture vigorously. Cook, stirring constantly, 20 to 30 minutes. Polenta will become very thick while cooking. It is done when it comes away cleanly from the sides of the pot. Pour polenta into a large wooden board or a large platter. Wet your hands and smooth out polenta evenly, about 2 inches thick. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes or until polenta solidifies. Cut cooled polenta into slices 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Place slices in individual dishes. Serve hot, covered with your favorite sauce. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Variation: Fried Polenta (Polenta Fritta): Prepare polenta and let cool completely. Cut cooled polenta into slices 2 inches wide and 6 inches long. Pour oil about 1 inch deep in a large skillet. Heat oil until a 1−inch cube of bread turns golden almost immediately. Fry polenta slices on both sides until light golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot. It is importent to insure the oil is hot enough, otherwise the polenta will absorb oil and your polenta will be greasy and unpalatable.

Antipasto



Ingredients:
1/2 Pound sliced Genoa salami
1 slicing tomato
1 large white onion
2 roasted red bell peppers
1 Pound sliced provolone
2 cans black pitted olives
1 can baby corn on the cob
1 small jar of Pepperoncini peppers
2 stalks of celery
1 can of rolled anchovies
extra virgin olive oil

How To:
Use a long platter, and arrange in the following order:
Salami, provolone, tomato, onion, red peppers, and achovies. Put the baby corns and olives in the center of tray. Take and cut in half celery sticks. Then slice each again length wise. Arrange celery sticks in between each antipasti. Sprinkle some salt lightly on everything. Then drizzle olive oil on everything. Let the antipasti sit covered in the refrigerator till ready to serve. Sitting helps enhance the flavors.

Caffe Di Cioccolata



Ingredients:
1/4 c Instant espresso
1/4 c Instant cocoa
2 c Boiling water
Whipped cream
Finely shredded orange peel or ground cinnamon

How To:
Combine coffee and cocoa. Add boiling water and stir to dissolve. Pour into demitasse cups. 
Top each serving with whipped cream and shredded orange peel. Serves 6 to 7.

Cafe Vienna Look-alike



Ingredients:
1/2 c Instant coffee
2/3 c Sugar
2/3 c Non-fat dry milk
1/2 ts Cinnamon
1 pn Cloves
1 pn Allspice
1 pn Nutmeg

How To:
Blend in blender until very fine powder. Use 2 teaspoons per cup

Cafe Royale



Ingredients:

3/4 c Hot Strong Coffee
4 ts Brandy
1 Sugar Cube

How To:
Pour coffee into warmed mug. Float 2 teaspoons brandy on coffee. Put remaining 2 teaspoons brandy into a tablespoon with sugar cube. Warm spoon over hot coffee. With a match, carefully ignite brandy in teaspoon. Slowly lower spoon into coffee to ignite floating brandy. Wait 1 minute after flame has died before drinking.

Cafe Alva Cocoa




Ingredients:
Amaretto coffee beans
1 tb Vanilla extract
1 ts Almond extract
1 ts Cocoa powder
1 ts Sugar

How To:
Brew coffee. Add flavourings, 1 tsp. chocolate and sugar per cup. Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate and red candy sprinkles, and a chocolate- covered strawberry on top.

Cafe' Mexicano



Ingredients:
1 oz Coffee liqueur
1 ts Chocolate syrup
1 ea Hot coffee
1/2 oz Brandy
1 ea Dash ground cinnamon
1 ea Sweetened whipped cream

How To:
Combine coffee liqueur, brandy, chocolate syrup and cinnamon in a coffee cup or mug. Fill to the top with hot coffee. Top with whipped cream.

Cafe De Ola



Ingredients:
8 c Water
2 sm Cinnamon sticks
3 Whole cloves
4 oz Dark brown sugar
1 Square semisweet chocolate or Mexican chocolate
4 oz Ground coffee

How To:
Bring the water to a boil, then add the cinnamon, cloves, sugar, and chocolate. When the liquid comes to a boil again, skim off any foam. Reduce the heat to low and make sure the liquid does not boil. Add the coffee, and let it steep for 5 minutes. Serve the coffee in an earthenware pot with a ladle.

Cafe Con Miel



Ingredients:
2 c Prepared coffee, (fresh, instant, or decaf)
1/2 c Milk
4 tb HONEY, more or less to taste
1/8 ts Cinnamon
Dash nutmeg or allspice
Dash vanilla

How To:
Heat ingredients in a saucepan, but do not boil. Stir well to combine. Serve as a light adessert.

Cafe Cappuccino Mix



Ingredients:

1/2 c Instant coffee
3/4 c Sugar
1 c Nonfat dry milk
1/2 ts Dried orange peel(1 bottle)

How To:

Mash orange peel with a mortar and pestle. Stir ingredients together. Process in a blender until powdered. Use 2 Tablespoons for each cup of hot water. Makes about 2 1/4 cups of mix.

Cafe Au Cin




Ingredients:
1 c Cold strong French roast coffee
2 tb Granulated sugar
ds Cinnamon
2 oz Tawny port
1/2 ts Grated orange peel

How To:
Combine and mix in a blender at high speed. Pour into chilled wine glasses.

Cafe Au Lait Luzianne



Ingredients:
2 c Milk
1/2 c Heavy cream
6 c Louisiana coffee w/chicory




How To:
Combine milk and cream in saucepan; bring just to a boil (bubbles will form around edge of pan), then remove from heat. Pour small amount of coffee in each coffee cup. Pour remaining coffee and hot milk mixture together until cups are 3/4 full.
NOTE: Skim milk can be substituted for milk and cream for those who are counting
calories.

Louisiana Cafe Au Lait




Ingredients:
2 c Milk
Sugar
1 c Louisiana coffee with chicory

How To:
Put milk in saucepan; bring to a boil. Pour hot freshly brewed coffee and milk simultaneously into cups; sweeten with sugar to taste.

Cafe Au Lait ( Coffee with Milk )




Ingredients:
1 c Milk
1 c Light cream
3 tb Instant coffee
2 c Boiling water

How To:
Over low heat or in double boiler, heat milk and cream till hot. Meanwhile, dissolve coffee in boiling water. Before serving, beat milk mixture with rotary beater-till foamy. Pour milk mixture into one warmed pitcher or server, and coffee in another. To serve: Fill cups from both pitchers at the same time, making the streams meet en route. Makes 6 servings.

Buttered Rum Coffee



Ingredients:
1/3 c Ground coffee
1/4 ts Freshly ground nutmeg
1 1/4 ts Rum extract
1/8 ts Liquid butter flavouring

How To:
Place coffee and nutmeg in a blender or food processor fitted with a steel blade. In a cup, combine remaining ingredients. With processor running, add flavorings. Stop processor and scrape sides of container with a spatula. Process 10 seconds longer. Store in a refrigerator. Yields: Mix for eight 6-ounce servings

Black Forest Coffe




Ingredients:
6 oz Fresh brewed coffee
2 tb Chocolate syrup
1 tb Maraschino cherry juice
Whipped cream
Shaved chocolate/chips
Maraschino cherries

How To:
Combine coffee, chocolate syrup, and cherry juice in a cup; mix well. Top with whipped
cream, chocolate shavings and a cherry.

Arabian Coffee



Ingredients:

1/2 litre (about 1 pint) water
3 tablespoons coffee
3 tablespoons (or more) sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Cardamom
1 teaspoon vanilla or vanilla sugar

How To:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until foam gathers on top. Do not pass through a filter. Stir it up before you serve it.

Amaretto Coffee / Variation

 
Ingredients:
¾ c Warm water
3 tb Amaretto
1 ½ ts Instant coffee crystals
Dessert topping; * see note

How To:
* Dessert topping should be in a pressurized can.
In a non-metal mug stir together water and instant coffee crystals. Micro-cook, uncovered, on 100% power about 1 1/2 minutes or just till mixture is steaming hot. Stir in Amaretto. Top with pressurized dessert topping.

Amaretto Coffee





Ingredients:
1 ½ c Warm Water
1/3 c Amaretto
1 tb Instant Coffee Crystals
Dessert Topping from a pressurized can

How To:
In a 2-cup measure stir together water and instant coffee crystals. Micro-cook uncovered, on 100% power for about 4 minutes or just till steaming hot. Stir in Amaretto. Serve in mugs. Top each mug of coffee mixture with some dessert topping.

Alpine Carnival

Ingredients:
2 tb Instant coffee
1 ts Vanilla
2 tb Brown sugar
1 ts Water
1 ½ c Boiling water
½ c Whipping cream, whipped

How To:
Divide instant coffee and vanilla evenly between two Spanish coffee glasses. In a small heavy saucepan, dissolve sugar in the teaspoon of water. Over medium heat, stir dissolved sugar until it reaches a full boil. Immediately remove from heat and stir in boiling water. Divide sugar mixture between coffee glasses and top with a dollop of whipped cream. Makes 2 x 6 oz servings.

Canadian Coffee


Ingredients:
¼ c Maple syrup; pure
½ c Rye whiskey
3 c Coffee; hot, black, double strength

Topping:
¾ c Whipping cream
4 ts Maple syrup; pure

How To:
Topping: Whip cream with maple syrup just up until soft mounds; set aside.
Divide maple syrup and whiskey among 4 warmed heatproof glass mugs or goblets. Pour
in coffee to 1 inch of top; spoon topping over coffee.

Alexander Espresso



Ingredients:
• 1 cup Cold water
• 2 tb Ground espresso coffee
• ½ Cinnamon stick (3" long)
• 4 ts Crème de Cacao
• 2 ts Brandy
• 2 tb Whipping cream, chilled
• Grated semisweet chocolate to garnish

How To:
Break out your espresso machine for this one or just make really strong coffee with a small amount of water. Break cinnamon stick into small pieces and add to hot espresso. Allow to cool for 1 minute. Add crème de cacao and brandy, and stir gently. Pour into cute demitasse cups. Whip the cream, and float some cream on top of each cup. For looks, garnish with grated chocolate or fancy chocolate curls. Multiply proportions by six and it's perfect for a party. 
Serves 2