Chef Chuck's Pizza

Pizza con Peperoni e Cipolle
A simple yet scrumptious pizza the whole family will enjoy. Why order out when you can make this at home with the family! I used tipo 00 (double zero) flour, San Marzano type tomatoes from Italy, the best mozzarella you can obtain, and fresh basil. All these fine ingredients, result in the flavors of a true classic Italian pizza. This is the Emile-Henry pizza stone, which really enhanced the cooking, it can be used on top of gas or electric stove, in the oven, or on the barbecue.


Chef Chuck's Pizza (Pizza with Pepper and Onion)

Dough
4 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar


Toppings
San Marzano tomato sauce
Buffalo mozzarella
red and yellow bell peppers
white onion
fresh basil


Prepare dough by combining 2 cups warm water, about 110 degrees, with the yeast and sugar. Let rest for 7 minutes, add olive oil and vinegar. Place in food processor, along with the flour and salt. Combine until a ball forms. Knead dough till smooth, place in a oiled bowl, cover and let rest in a warm spot for 2 hours or until it doubles. I used a third of the dough to make each pizza. I like it thin, add just a splash of sauce, thin slices of mozzarella and your toppings. Preheat oven and stone to 525 degrees, using a pizza paddle slide pizza onto stone and cook for about 10 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 
Makes 3 pizzas.

Chef Chuck's Pesto Pasta Salad

Insalata di Pasta al Pesto

A summery pasta salad made with homemade pesto, radiatore pasta and all freshly picked vegetables, from my gardens. This unique shaped pasta absorbed the pesto, a fusilli pasta also would work well. Radiatore meaning radiator, looks like short thick grills.



Pesto Pasta Salad
12 ounces radiatore vegetable pasta
1/2 cup pesto
zucchini slices, thin cut in half
carrots sliced thin
onions, sliced thin
beets, sliced thin
peas
tomato, cubed
mozzarella cubed
fresh oregano
salt and pepper
olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Pesto
2 cups fresh basil
3/4 cups parmigiana, grated
1/2 cup pine nuts
2-3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 cup olive oil


Put all ingredients except olive oil in a food processor slowly drizzle in olive oil till all ingredients are combined. For this recipe you will need 1/2 cup, store the rest tightly covered in the refrigerator.


Cook pasta till "al dente", rinse in cold water to stop the cooking, drain well, set aside. Mix in the pesto. Add all vegetables, mozzarella, oregano, a drizzle of olive oil and the balsamic vinegar with the pasta. Salt and pepper to taste.

Chef Chuck's Pork Medallions

Medaglioni di Maiale


Tender breaded pork medallions, sweet basil, garden tomatoes and soft mozzarella all together is a symphony. The tenderloin is a lean cut so the juice from the yellow cherry tomatoes and the smooth mozzarella gives moisture to the medallions.


Pork Medallions
1 small pork tenderloin
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 tablespoons flour
1 egg, beaten with salt and pepper
1/2 cup breadcrumbs, panko
cherry tomatoes, sliced thin
fresh basil leaves
mozzarella cheese, sliced thin
salt and pepper to taste


Bring pork to room temperature this takes about half an hour, cut pork in 3/4 inch slices. Lightly dip in flour, egg and then breadcrumbs. Heat olive oil and saute garlic for 1 minute, discard garlic. Brown pork 3 minutes on each side place on a broiler pan. Top with a slice of tomato a basil leave and a slice of mozzarella. Broil on top rack till cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Salt when warm and serve. Makes 8 medallions.

Chef Chuck's Pesto Shrimp Pizza

Pesto Gamberetti Pizza

Basil pesto shrimp pizza, is a wonderful way to continue on bringing some more flavors from your garden! With all that basil around we must find great avenues for its use. There are many ways to indulge in pesto. Pesto pizza is one great way, just add a little shrimp for a recipe to enjoy!


Basil Pesto Shrimp Pizza
2 cups fresh basil
3/4 cups parmigiano cheese, grated
1/2 cup pine nuts
2-3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
Toppings: 6 shrimp


Put all ingredients except olive oil in a food processor, slowly drizzle in olive oil till all ingredients are combined.


Dough
1 cup warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
2-3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Add 1 tablespoon of yeast to warm water and sugar, stir. Let sit for 7 minutes (until foamy). Pour into mixer bowl, set to a medium speed, add olive oil. Mix in one cup of flour at a time with salt until it forms into a ball of dough. Dust a cutting board with flour and knead dough for 3 minutes. Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil, transfer dough and cover with plastic wrap and layer towel on top. Let rise in a warm area for 1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours.

Makes 1 pizza.


On a floured board work dough to desired shape, transfer to an oiled baking pan spread pesto evenly on dough and add shrimp. Bake at 475 degrees for 13-15 minutes.

Chef Chuck's Lemon Basil Ice

Limone Ghiacciato al Basilico

A cool summer time treat, lemon basil ice is so refreshing. Served in half a lemon makes a distinctive presentation, which somehow enhances the lemon flavors!


Lemon Basil Ice
3 cups water
2 cups sugar
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, bruised
pinch of salt


In a small sauce pan heat 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar and basil leaves to a simmer. Stir to dissolve sugar, remove from heat add lemon juice, salt and 1 cup cold water. Strain liquid, pour into a large deep pan and place in freezer. Scrape with a fork and serve in lemons or a dessert cup.
Tip: Can use 1 cup sugar, to decrease sweetness.

Chef Chuck's Basil Pesto

Pesto di Basilico


Homemade Genovese basil pesto with fresh picked basil, and homegrown garlic, has the ultimate flavors. Pesto is great for pasta's, spreads or in soups. Freeze pesto in ice cube trays then store in plastic bags, use 1 or 2 cubes when making soups or stews. The authentic way of making pesto is with the mortar and pestle.


Basil Pesto
2 cups fresh basil
3/4 cups parmigiana, grated
1/2 cup pine nuts
2-3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 cup olive oil


Put all ingredients except olive oil in a food processor slowly drizzle in olive oil till all ingredients are combined. Store in refrigerator, will cover 1 pound of pasta.