Tag Archives: dinner

Spaghetti O’s Replica

This replica of Spaghetti O’s was inspired by Dena from Miciamammas that evokes memories of her childhood. Thank you Dena for sharing your recipe with us.

In Dena’s words:

“Growing up I used to always see SpaghettiO’s commercials. I used to beg my mom to get them for me but she never would. So, in college I had to try them myself and they were gross. That’s why I had to come up with my own recipe, because the processed store bought one was nice in theory but tasted horrible. And let me tell you, you guys are going to love this.
This recipe is easy. The meatballs cook up in minutes. Your kids will love it and It is great left over. Please checkout her Instagram profile for more details.

SpaghettiO’s with Mini Meatballs (Serves 6)
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
½ Ib. Ground Pork
¼ Ib. Ground Beef
¼ Cup Plain Bread Crumbs
¼ Cup, Plus 2 Tbsp. Pecorino Romano
1 Egg, Beaten
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Pepper
¾ tsp. Garlic Powder
3 tbsp. Chopped Fresh Parsley
3 tbsp. Olive Oil

Sauce
4 Garlic Cloves – Sliced Thinly
1 (28 oz.) can of Whole Tomatoes – Pureed
2 tbsp. Tomato Paste
1 tsp. Salt
3/4 tsp. Pepper
10 Fresh Basil Leaves- Chopped
1 Cup Pecorino Romano
1 Ib. Pasta – I use Anellini (little rings)”

Have you had this pasta shape known as “anellini” in Italian. 🇮🇹

For the complete recipe, please check out Dena’s website: https://miciamammas.com

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas

Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews &

Cultures

Food & Wine Blogger

Winner of Italian Wine “USA Blogger’s

Award”

WSET & Level 2 Certified Sommelier

Italian Wine Scholar 🇮🇹

Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka

Happy New Year 2025 to all my subscribers. Kicking off the New Year on a spicy note. Today, I am sharing my Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka. It is silky on the palate and sexier than Puttanesca. I crafted this recipe to replicate the famous dish from Carbone Fine Food. I recently had the original at their Miami location, and I was blown away. Mine is even better. 😀 You might ask why? It’s simple, I made it and I know what I put in it. 

 Ingredients: 

1 lb. Rigatoni

1 handful of salt for pasta water 

2-3 tbs. olive oil for frying 

1 hipping cup of chopped onions 

 1 hipping tbs. of garlic, chopped 

 1 tsp. Calabrian chili paste 

4 ounces tomato paste 

 1 cup vodka 

 2 cups heavy cream 

Salt to taste 

 3 tbs. butter 

 1/2 – 3/4 cup of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated Parsley or basil for garnish, optional  

Preparation: 

 1. Bring pasta water to a boil. Add 1 handful of salt. Cook the pasta al dente. 

 2. In the meantime, in a large skillet on medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Sauté the onions 2-3 minutes or until caramelized. Add garlic and chili pepper paste. Stir well. Add tomato paste, stir until it obtains a rust color. 

 3. Deglaze with the Vodka, lower the flame to medium. Reduce the sauce for 1-2 minutes. Lower the flame to low. Add the heavy cream and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir well. 

 4. Drain the pasta. Pour it in the sauce. Swirl in the butter and sprinkle the cheese. Mix well. Serve at once. The pasta should be glistening.  

Gina’s notes: if you don’t consume alcohol, alternatively, you can use some reserved pasta water instead of Vodka. 

If you can’t find Calabrian chili paste, use Thai red curry paste along with some crushed red chili pepper. Use your judgement. 

While I love using reserved pasta water, I didn’t feel like I needed it. The ratio of sauce was perfect for one pound of pasta cooked al dente. 

Wine pairing ideas: Demi-Sec champagne, full bodied Sangiovese-based Rosato or a Pinot Nero. 

I hope you will give this famous dish a try. Until then, Have a wonderful New Year from my kitchen to yours.

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Sommelier Level 2 
and WSET Level 2 certified.  
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures 
Italian Wine Scholar 
Salice Salentino-Italian Award Winning Wine Blog
Website: www.foodiewinelover.com
Email: gina@foodiewinelover.com

Savory Pork Chops with Caramelized Shallots

Decadent Pork Chops with Caramelized Shallots

Savory Pork Chops with Caramelized Shallots

Savory Pork Chops with Caramelized Shallots

 

These savory pork chops are perfect for either a weeknight or a special occasion, and will deliver flavors and convenience in just 15-20 minutes. They will make a wonderful addition to your recipe repertoire and wow your guests. Wear your favorite apron, and let’s get cooking!

Serves: 4
Level of difficulty: Easy to intermediate

Ingredients: 

4 bone-in pork loin chops 1/2 inch cut (1.1/2 lbs.)

2 teaspoons fennel seeds, coarsely ground*

1 teaspoon coriander 

Salt to taste 

1-2 tablespoons olive oil 

1/2 cup Rice vinegar (red wine will work as a substitute) 

1 medium shallot, finely sliced 

a squeeze of lemon juice 

Italian flat-leaf parsley for garnish 

Preparation: 

1. Season the pork chops on both sides with fennel, coriander, and salt.

2. In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add pork, and cook for about 3-4 minutes. Flip, and cook for 3 minutes or until internal temperature reaches a minimum of 145 degrees F. Remove and set aside on a platter. 

3. Add shallots to skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Deglaze with vinegar. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir well. 

4. Smother shallots over the pork chops. Sprinkle lemon juice. Garnish with parsley. 

Serve with a side of rice, potatoes, pasta, quinoa, or a carb of your choice. 

To keep it figure-friendly, serve it with a healthy salad or veggies. 

* Use a mortar and pestle to crush the fennel seeds. If you don’t have one, place the seeds in a small zip-lock bag, and lightly smash them with a mallet. 

I hope you will try this recipe and provide me with some feedback.  

Wine pairing suggestions: a slightly chilled medium-bodied red, Soave, Gavi, Sauvignon Blanc or a sparkling wine.

Happy Cooking & Sipping!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures: https://foodiewinelover.wordpress.com/product/cookbook/
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar Student (Unit 1 completed)
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
Brand Strategist

Gina’s Variation of Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Pasta is better inhaled like a vacuum cleaner. It’s so much fun!

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs

 

Spaghetti & Meatballs is a comforting Italian-American dish. It is not a traditional Italian dish because the Italians prefer to eat their pasta alone without the meatballs. Meatballs are known as “polpette” in Italian, and they are consumed as a tasty second course (secondo). I have many different versions of tomato sauce, and sometimes, I use Italian sausage for added richness. Today, I am sharing with you a simplified sauce that is rustic and is a crowd-pleaser. For a smoother sauce, simply pure’ the San Marzano tomatoes. This blog post is not sponsored, but I am using the brands that I like. There are times when I combine ground beef and pork, and in that instance, I don’t use the sausage. Alternatively, you can use ground turkey for a healthier version. I use seasoned breadcrumbs instead of the traditional slice of bread soaked in milk. Generally, I don’t use grated cheese, except in my Veal Meatballs with Pecorino. Put your apron on, and follow me in the kitchen. Don’t forget your glass of wine or cider! This recipe is crafted for 6-8 people depending on their appetite. You can easily divide the ingredients to feed fewer people.

 

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs

 

Ingredients for the meatballs

1 ½ lbs. ground sirloin
1 ½ lbs. ground chuck
3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon oregano
 ½ small onion, grated
1½ teaspoons sea salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 large eggs
½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs, Progresso brand
1 handful of flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish

Preparation:

Mix well all the ingredients by hand (I use a glove because I have long nails) and form the meatballs using an ice cream scooper with a spring. Spray a large tray and place the meatballs on there. Bake them for 10-12 minutes in a 350-degree oven, turning them once. You can also pan-fry them in olive oil for tastier meatballs but this process is less convenient. Set aside.

Ingredients for the Tomato Sauce: 

2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 (26.46 ounces) container of Pomi -strained tomato
1 (26.46 ounces) container of Pomi – finely chopped tomatoes
1 (28 oz.) Flora’s San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound of spaghetti
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano to taste (a lot)

Preparation:

In a large stock pot, on medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté the garlic quickly, and add the tomato paste. Stir constantly until it’s caramelized. Add the strained, chopped, and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a gently boil, stir occasionally. Add the meatballs. Lower the flame. Cover with lid tilted. Stir occasionally to avoid the sauce from sticking on the bottom. Allow 1½ to 2 hours until all the flavors marry beautifully. Toward the last 15 minutes, bring your pasta water to a boil. Add a handful of salt, and cook according to package directions. I like mine al dente so cook it for at least 1 or 2 minutes less. The best way to find out how you like it is to taste the pasta before draining it.

Mix the pasta with the sauce until every strand is coated. Serve with grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Garnish with parsley

Wine pairing suggestion:  Sangiovese-based wines such a Rosso Di Montalcino or Chianti Classico will work harmoniously with the acidity in the tomatoes.

Happy Cooking & Happy Sipping from Gina’s Kitchen!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures: https://foodiewinelover.wordpress.com/product/cookbook/
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar Student (Prep course completed)
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
Brand Strategist

Exotic Moroccan-Style Chicken Tagine

Chicken Tagine

Chicken Tagine

Chicken Tagine marinade
I am so fascinated with global cuisines that I jump from Italian pasta dishes, to Greek deliciousness, Middle Eastern delights, Caribbean flavorful dishes to other exotic cultures. Today, I am taking you on a journey (via my blog) to Morocco for a taste of My Chicken Tagine. A tagine is an earthenware pot in which this dish is traditionally cooked in.  Using preserved lemon is also part of the tradition, however in this recipe,  I used fresh lemon instead. No, I have not been to Morocco but I love the way they use aromatic spices in their dishes. Put on your apron and follow me in the kitchen for this delightful meal.

Serves: 6-8 Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Allow up to 2.5  hours from start to finish

Ingredients for chicken marinade:

  • 5-6 lbs. chicken thighs and legs, skinless
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger, grated
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. turmeric
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced + slices of lemon
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil for marinade

  • Remaining ingredients: 
  • 6 -8 tbsp. of olive oil for searing the chicken
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp. tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1.5 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup pimento-stuffed olives
  • 8 oz chickpeas
  • 1 large carrot, sliced
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins

    Preparation:

    1) Marinate the chicken for at least one hour,  with onions, ginger, cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt, pepper, cinnamon, lemon juice, olive oil.  Keep refrigerated for 45 minutes and keep at room temperature for 15 minutes prior to cooking it. Please keep your house cool.
    2) In a large tagine or Dutch-oven, over med-high heat, heat olive oil, and sear the chicken 2-3 minutes on each side. You will do this in batches and use more oil as needed. Remove and set aside.
    3) In the same pan, add the onions from the marinade, sauté for couple minutes, add garlic, sauté for 1 minute, tomato paste, 1-2 minutes till it’s rust in color. Stir constantly to avoid burning. Deglaze with the wine for 1-2 minutes.
    4) Add the chicken, broth, olives, chickpeas, carrots, raisins and lemon slices as seen in picture. Bring to a boil.
    5) Cover and simmer on low flame for 30 minutes. Remove cover, simmer for an additional 45 minutes. Serve with Moroccan couscous. Bon Appetit!

    Gina Martino Zarcadoolas – Foodiewinelover
    My Food, Wine & Travel Lifestyles
    WSET-Level 2 Wine Connoisseur
    Global Cuisines & Cultures Aficionado

Delicious Field Greens & Strawberry Salad

Field Green Salad, Rotisserie Chicken, Sourdough bread

Field Greens Salad, Rotisserie Chicken, Sourdough bread

imageNo one wants to cook during the hot days of summer. For this reason, I like to create different salads and pair them with a protein. Today, I picked up a rotisserie chicken and some sourdough baguette to go with my delicious salad. It’s easy and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. Recently, I started using a nice wooden bowl.  I prepare the dressing right in it, and then, I toss the salad. This way, you avoid more cleaning and save time.   Follow me in the kitchen and watch me whip a quick meal.

 

Warning: If you are allergic to nuts  or any type of seeds, omit the pumpkin seeds.

Serves: 4-6 as a side dish
Level of difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1  – 5-oz bag of mixed field greens
  •  1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  •  1 tsp. honey
  •  1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 organic strawberries, sliced
  • 1 handful of pumpkin seeds
  • 4.5 oz. garlic and herbs goat cheese, broken into pieces

Preparation:  
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk mustard, honey and balsamic vinegar. Slowly, pour the olive oil and continue whisking until it emulsifies. Drop the greens, strawberries, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese. Toss well.

I served it with 2 store-bought rotisserie chicken, (only 1 in picture)  and some sourdough bread.  My family smeared the goat cheese on the bread and it was divine.

Cook’s note: You can substitute pumpkin seeds for pecans or walnuts.  If you don’t like goat cheese, use another soft cheese of your choice.

Happy Tossing from My Kitchen to Yours!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
My Food, Wine & Travel Lifestyles

Shrimp Scampi, Oh-So-Yummy

Pasta is big in my family and there are so many ways to enjoy it. There is a variety of shape to choose from, and the recipes that you can create with them are endless. Today, I would love to share with you my Shrimp Scampi recipe, it is easy and delicious. You can use any size shrimp for this dish.

Shrimpscampi 004

Serves: 6 – 8
Difficulty level: Easy

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 lb of pasta, preferably linguine
  • 1.5 lb extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tbsp. olive oil + more for drizzling
  • 2 tbsp. butter + more as needed
  • 3/4 cup of dry white wine
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 head of garlic, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parsley for garnish
  • Pasta water, as needed
  • Grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, (Parmesan cheese)

PREPARATION:

1) In a large pot, bring water to a boil, and add desired amount of salt.  Drop the Linguine and cook according to package direction. There is NO need to add oil to the water, IF you’re going to stand there and give it a good stir once in a while. This will prevent the pasta from sticking together. I prefer al dente, it literally means, to the tooth.  It’s when the pasta is cooked on the outside but firm on the core. You get this result by reducing the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Use the package directions as a guideline. I recommend this method because the pasta will cook again in the Shrimp.

2) While the pasta is cooking,  season shrimp with salt and pepper. Over medium-high heat, in a large frying pan, heat the oil and 2 tbsp. butter, sauté shrimp for about 3-4 minutes on one side, turn them, add the garlic, and sauté for another 1-2 minutes. Those are extra-large shrimp and need more cooking time, for smaller shrimp,  cut the cooking time, otherwise, they will become overcooked and rubbery. Shrimp are considered cooked when they become opaque, and obtain a nice pink/orange color.

3) Deglaze with the wine and lemon,  simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Swirl in more butter for a creamy texture, and to add richness to the dish.

4) Drain the pasta (save some pasta water) and pour it in the shrimp, mix well. If you feel like the pasta is too dry, add 1/4 cup of pasta water. This step may not be necessary, please use your judgement as to the consistency you’re looking for.  Add a liberal amount of cheese and stir again until it’s melted. I use this method because everyone in my family loves cheese, otherwise, place it on the table.

5) Plate the pasta, garnish with parsley and drizzle with olive oil. You can serve it with a crostini, which is like a garlic bread, to dip in the sauce and wipe your plate clean. At my home, if the plate is not empty, I take it as my food wasn’t good enough. When someone asks for seconds, I know, I have a winner and it feels wonderful.

My family devoured this dish, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as they did.  It is such a simple recipe, quick and very flavorful. Go ahead, give it a try, you will like it!

Shrimpscampi 014

o-SOPHIA-LOREN-facebook

In closing, I’d like to leave you with Sophia Loren’s famous quote: “Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner.”

Wine pairing suggestions: A nice chilled unoaked Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or a lovely Verdicchio. The choice is yours.

Bon Appetit from Gina’s Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

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