Tag Archives: ricotta

Calzone My Way!

Calzone

Calzone is believed to have originated in Naples, Italy. They are delicious pizza pocket stuffed with a variety of ingredients like prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, ham, all sorts of cheeses, and veggies like red bell peppers and mushrooms. You can also add fresh or dried herbs to elevate the flavors and textures. In Naples, they love stuffing calzone with fresh seafood. Generally, calzone is made in individual-sized, this way they are easy to consume. Today, I am sharing a large family-sized calzone that is easier to put together, but requires the use of a fork and knife. By all means, use your hand if you want to!

1 lb. store-bought freshly baked pizza dough 
15 oz. whole-milk ricotta cheese 
1 cup mozzarella, shredded 
½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
4 ounces Prosciutto, shredded and chopped 
1 egg, beaten 
Marinara sauce on the side 

Servings: 4-6 with a salad or a side of veggies

Time: from start to finish – less than 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. 

Preparation: 

1.  Make sure you keep the dough at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to using. Cut the dough in half to create the top and bottom of the calzone. 

2.  Lightly knead and roll to flatten – about ¼ -1/2 inch thick. 
3. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, place one half of the dough.  
4. Spread half the ricotta on the dough. Add the mozzarella, Parmigiano (parmesan), and prosciutto. Finish with the remaining ricotta. 
5. Cover with the half dough. Pinch all around with a fork to seal together. Brush with the eggs. 
6. Bake on a lower rack for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

You will get a crusty dough. Cut with a serrated knife or a pizza slicer. 
Serve with the red sauce for dipping.

This recipe got a high rating and will become a part of my culinary repertoire.

Wine Pairing Suggestions: Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo or Aglianico,

Dough before kneading and rolling

Please let me know when you try this recipe. I would love to hear your spin and creativity.

Happy Spring from my kitchen to yours,

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

Easy Pasta Primavera

Easy Pasta Primavera

As you know by now, I love eating pasta. It is definitely my favorite starch and one of the most versatile food to prepare.  For us South Floridian, it feels like summer already but for most of you, it’s still springtime. The flowers are blooming, and some veggies are in season.  It’s Pasta Primavera time, a simple pasta dish made with fresh vegetables in a cream sauce. It’s easy and delicious.  You can use any pasta shape of your choice, but today I am using a small farfalle. They’re commonly known as bow-tie, and the meaning stands for butterfly in Italian.

Serves: 6-8 as a main meal Level of difficulty: Easy – It takes about 20  minutes from start to finish depending how fast you prep your ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. small farfalle pasta
  • 1/2 head of garlic, chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil + more to drizzle
  • 15 oz. whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 lb. asparagus, trimmed
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
  • Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup pasta water, (reserved)
  • 3-4 basil leaves, cut in chiffonade

    Preparation:

    1) In a large frying pan, on medium-high heat, heat up olive oil. Sautee onions for 2-3 minutes, add the garlic, and sautee until you smell the beautiful aroma. Set aside.

    2) Bring the pasta water to a boil. Add a handful of salt, and cook pasta according to package directions. About 5 minutes or so before the time is up, add the asparagus and cook in the same pot to save time. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup or so of pasta water.

    3) Turn the burner back on with the onions and garlic on low, drop the pasta, season with Italian seasoning and black pepper. Add the tomatoes and  asparagus. Slowly incorporate the ricotta, pasta water and basil.  Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Garnish with some veggies on top to make it enticing. Drizzle with olive oil.  Voila! It’s that easy!

    Wine pairing suggestions: Verdicchio , Gavi or a Sauvignon Blanc will work beautifully with this spring dish.

    Cook’s Tips

    You can use a variety of vegetables such as zucchini, green or red bell peppers. The choice is endless.  For a more flavorful version, roast the veggies in the oven, however, keep in mind, this recipe is meant to save you time. Put your own twist on it, and make it your signature dish.

    A recipe is to be used as a barometer, if you are on a salt-restricted or low-fat diet, cut back on the salt and use a part-skim ricotta cheese.

    Happy Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours,

Easy Pasta Primavera

Recipe by Foodiewinelover
Photo by Gina Martino Zarcadoolas for Foodiewinelover

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Pasta with Pancetta, Peas & Ricotta

Pasta with Pancetta, Peas & Ricotta

Pasta with Pancetta, Peas & Ricotta

Pasta with Pancetta, Peas & Ricotta

This is one of the easiest and most delicious pasta dish you will come across. I assure you, even if you don’t like peas, you will enjoy them  because they are bathing in the pancetta fat. I like to use a short pasta for this recipe. The last time I made this dish, I used a pasta shape called Fusilli that looks like a corkscrew. I sent my son shopping for me, and he told me he could not find the Fusilli but found Rotini instead. They are very similar in shape and look like corkscrews, except the Rotini is shorter.  Recently, a Facebook friend posted this dish on his profile, and it looked delicious. I tried it for Christmas, and it was a big hit. I made it again In January for my family. Sadly, this was the last time my dad was able to eat (food) my pasta. I will not get into personal details but this recipe has a lot of emotions attached to it. I am hanging on to hope that someday, soon, he will be able to taste my pasta again.  Let’s get cooking! Follow me in Gina’s Kitchen!

Level of difficulty: Easy – Serves: 4-6 as a main meal

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 lb. pancetta, sliced 1/2-inch thick, then chopped
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil, plus more to drizzle
  • 10 oz. frozen peas, thawed
  • 15 oz. ricotta, whole milk
  • 1 lb. Rotini or any short pasta or your choice
  • 1/4 cup pasta water, (save after draining pasta)
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup of Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan cheese)

Preparation:

1) In a large stainless-steel skillet, over medium-high heat, heat olive oil, brown the pancetta, for about 10 minutes, (do not over cook,  you don’t want them too crispy) add the peas, continue cooking while stirring for another 10 minutes or so, until you obtain a nice brown color like you see in the picture. At this point, turn the burner on the lowest setting.

2) Simultaneously, In a large pot, bring the pasta water to a boil. Add salt, and cook pasta according to package directions. I always cook mine al dente, meaning to the bite in Italian, (undercooked for 1-2 minutes) that is your choice, but I recommend it. Save some pasta water, and drain.

3) Add pasta to the pancetta and peas, slowly stir in the ricotta, the water, parmesan cheese, black pepper.  Please note, the burner is still on the lowest setting to warm up the ricotta. Stir it just enough to incorporate all the ingredients and remove quickly.  Drizzle with olive oil. Serve immediately while it’s piping hot.

My family had a feast, and my biggest joy in life is seeing them relish my food. This is what fuels me to keep cooking. My life has been hectic, but I am hoping to find more time in the kitchen.

I hope you will try this recipe, and when you do, please share your thoughts with me.

Pasta with Pancetta, Peas & Ricotta

Pasta with Pancetta, Peas & Ricotta

Wine pairing: I recommend a medium to full-bodied red wine with enough acidity to cut though the fattiness of this savory dish. A Chianti, Rosso, Super Tuscan, (and the list goes on) will make a superb pairing. I am not a huge fan of white wine but occasionally, I do enjoy a crisp one with certain meals.

Cook’s note:

1) The use of butter is an option, and you can add it at the end with the ricotta.  It will  make the dish creamier and add richness but it is also added calories. If you are on a low-fat diet, you may want to avoid it altogether and stick to the olive oil. I did not use butter and surprisingly the taste was amazing.

2) Regular bacon can be used instead of pancetta.

This dish is inspired by Timothy Eric DeMarco
This is the ratio and method that I used in my version of the recipe.
Photos by Gina Martino Zarcadoolas for Foodiewinelover

Happy Cooking!

Gina aka Foodiewinelover
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Strawberries, Chocolate & Cannoli Cream

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Strawberries, Chocolate & Cannoli Cream

I am friends with a lot of foodies, chefs and home cooks on Facebook. Every day, I see tons of wonderful dishes on my news feed. Once in a while, a recipe catches my attention and this one was one of them. If you are not into baking, you will love the simplicity of this delicious dessert made with fresh strawberries, chocolate & cannoli cream. Make it and you will wow your loved ones.

Serves 3-4 Level of difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 1 – 15 oz. container whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 capful of vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped chocolate (I used 70% cocoa)
  • 1/2 lb. of sliced strawberries.

Preparation:  

In a medium-sized bowl, blend the ricotta and sugar together with a spoon. Add the vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate. Mix well. Chill in the fridge for a few hours to let the flavor “ripen”. When it’s chilled enough, and almost ready to be served, slice the strawberries and set aside.

Place the cannoli cream in cups or small bowls, arrange the strawberries on top to make a beautiful presentation. Voila! The dessert is ready to be relished. My family loved it, and I hope yours will too.

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