Chef Chuck's Risotto with Rosemary and Potatoes

 

Risotto con Rosmarino e patate

A creamy risotto made with diced potatoes, white wine and earthy rosemary.  While in Italy, I visited Canossa school in the Brescia area where the culinary students served me a wonderful lunch. One of the courses was this dish which I enjoyed very much, it was  an experience I will never forget.

Risotto with Rosemary and Potatoes

1 3/4 cup arborio rice or carnaroli rice

3 tablespoons butter

1 potato, diced

1/4 of a onion, diced

1/2 cup white wine

4 cups vegetable broth, warmed

3/4 cup parmigiano cheese, grated

2 teaspoons rosemary, chopped

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

drizzle of olive oil

In a large pan heat half of the butter and saute potatoes and onions for a few minutes.  Add rice and toast for 2 minutes, slowly add broth one ladle at a time.  Always stirring, this process will take about 20 minutes.  Add the remaining butter, cheese, rosemary and parsley.  Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Chef Chuck's Baked Shrimp with Potatoes

Patate e Gamberi Gratinati


This was a unique blend, shrimp and potatoes, baked together with garlic, butter and olive oil whats not to love. A perfect side dish, appetizer or even a light meal. Dip your shrimp into all those flavored juices, serve with a green salad and crusty bread.

Baked Shrimp and Potatoes

2 dozen medium shrimp, peeled
2 medium potatoes
2 garlic cloves, sliced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
panko breadcrumbs
1 or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
salt and pepper


Wash and boil potatoes in salted water for about 25 minutes, or until a knife comes out easy.
Drain and cool, peel and slice thin. Peel shrimp and clean, oil baking pan arrange shrimp and potatoes. In a small frying pan saute butter, olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper for a minute or two. Pour over dish and add 1 tablespoon of water, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes, broil for 2 more minutes.

Chef Chuck's Potato Pancakes with Pine Nuts

Frittatine Patate e Pinoli


Potato pancakes can be served as crispy appetizers or a vegetable side dish. Fried to a golden brown, these small pancakes are made with potatoes, sauteed onions, freshly grated parmigiana cheese, organic eggs and buttery pine nuts. A simple vegetarian recipe that you can enjoy making with the whole family.


Potato Pancakes

3 potatoes
1 onion, diced
4 eggs
1 cup parmigiana cheese, grated
4 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon butter
olive oil


Boil potatoes till fork tender. Meanwhile brown onions in 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Toast pine nuts in a small dry frying pan for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and mash potatoes, add all other ingredients and let rest for 10 minutes. Heat a frying pan, add a little olive oil and form small pancakes, fry on both sides till golden brown. Makes about a dozen. Serve with a marinara sauce or a hot sauce.

Chef Chuck's Baked Sausage and Potatoes

Salsiccia e Patate al Forno

A comfort dish for tonight, baked sausage, potatoes, onions and red roasted peppers, baked in just a half hour. The aromas were intriguing, the taste was sweet, spicy and hot, and those crispy potatoes were delicious.

Baked Sausage and Potatoes


2 hot sausage links
4 potatoes, sliced thin
2 large onions, sliced thin
red roasted peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
plus 1 tablespoon butter for pan
salt and pepper
parmigiana cheese, grated


Saute onions in 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter until golden brown. Butter an oven proof pan, layer potatoes on bottom and sides overlapping . Remove casings, layer sausage on top of potatoes. Next layer is the onions, then slices of peppers. Arrange a top layer of potatoes, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle a generous amount of cheese, salt and pepper. Bake at 450 degrees for 25 minutes. Serves 2

Chef Chuck's Roman Style Stuffed Tomato

Pomodori Ripieni di Riso


These Roman style tomatoes are stuffed with rice, garlic, herbs and capers. Drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and baked to perfection. The potatoes help keep the tomatoes in place. A delicious appetizer or a tasty side dish, these tomatoes can be served hot or cold.


Stuffed Tomatoes
4 organic tomatoes
1 cup rice, cooked al dente
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon parsley
1 tablespoon capers
2 potatoes, peeled and sliced
salt and pepper
olive oil


Wash tomatoes cut bottoms off, using a teaspoon remove pulp. In a food processor combine pulp, garlic, basil and parsley, blend well. Place pulp in a bowl add cooked rice, capers, salt and pepper. Fill each tomato with rice mixture, place tomato lids on. Peel and cut potatoes, arrange around tomatoes, this will help the tomatoes stay in place. Drizzle olive oil over tomatoes and potatoes. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Chef Chuck's Zucchini and Potato Soup

Zuppa di Zucchine e Patate

A zucchini and potato soup filled with garden vegetables and pasta. Another great way to use all those zucchini's from the garden. A healthy and tasty meal, to enjoy on these cooler evenings.


Zucchini and Potato Soup
5 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, sliced
4 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 zucchini, cut in chunks
3 medium potatoes, cut in chunks
4 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
red pepper flakes
parmigiana cheese
2 cups short pasta

In a large pot add olive oil and saute onions and celery for 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, zucchini potatoes, salt and pepper for an additional 3 minutes. Pour in vegetable broth cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add parsley, red pepper flakes, and parmigiana cheese. Cook pasta till al dente, add to soup when ready to serve.

Chef Chuck's Potato Sausage Croquettes

Crocchette di Patate e Salsiccia


Potato and sausage croquettes are tasty appetizers. The parmigiano cheese made the potatoes so creamy and buttery. A touch of sage with Italian sausage is a pleasant additive. Crunchy on the outside and smooth on the inside.


Potato Croquettes
3 potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 sausage links
3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon fresh sage
4 ounces parmigiano cheese
2 eggs
1 cup panko breadcrumbs


Boil potatoes till knife tender drain and mash with butter, milk, salt and pepper set aside. In a pan heat olive oil and brown sausage, then add garlic and sage. In a processor, combine potatoes, sausage, cheese and 1 egg. Process till all combined and blended well. Make croquettes dip in scrambled egg then breadcrumbs, fry in 350 degree oil, till golden brown. Drain on towels salt and serve. Makes about 12-15, medium size.

Chef Chuck's Creamy Roasted Asparagus Soup

Zuppa Di Asparagi Arrosto


Creamy Roasted Asparagus Soup
This smooth and creamy soup sets the springtime mood. The deep roasted flavors came as no surprise, lunch in the sun! The additive of mascarpone cheese was a prefect blend of tranquil heaven, so healthy for all to enjoy!


1 bundle of organic asparagus
2 potatoes cubed
3 garlic cloves
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups of vegetable broth
3 tablespoons of mascarpone cheese
1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, chopped
salt and pepper to taste


Cut asparagus ends off and place on a baking pan with whole garlic cloves, skins on. Drizzle with olive oil. In separate pan put cubed potatoes and also drizzle with oil, salt and pepper both pans. Roast pans in oven on broil until edges are blackened, turn vegetables occasionally. Rough chop parsley and all veggies, then peel garlic, add to stove top pot. Add vegetable broth, bring to a simmer. Then place mixture in blender with mascarpone cheese and blend to a smooth consistency.

Chef Chuck's Green Bean and Potato Salad

Insalata di Patate

Green beans and potato salad has been a summer time staple my whole life. My Mom made this salad a lot, during our back yard barbecues. I like a light coat of dressing because you are able to enjoy the flavors of these fresh organic vegetables.


Green Bean and Potato Salad

1 pound fresh green beans
1 1/2 pounds red potatoes
1 red onion, sliced
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar or
red wine vinegar
salt and pepper


Place whole potatoes in a large pot of salted water, bring to a boil and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes, drain, cool and cut in quarters. Trim and snap green beans, steam and cool. Combine potatoes and beans in a large bowl add onions, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Add oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to your desire.

Chef Chuck's Baked Potatoes and Mushrooms

Funghi e Patate al Forno

This potato and mushroom dish is first steamed then baked with fresh herbs, white wine and parmigiano cheese. The combination of fresh herbs from the greenhouse gave my recipe an earthy flavor. Use your favorite mushrooms, I used baby portabellas. The aroma of white wine filled the kitchen, inviting me back for more.


Baked Potatoes and Mushrooms
4 large organic potatoes, sliced thin
8 ounces organic mushrooms, sliced thin
1 tablespoon butter plus
butter for coating dish
2 tablespoons extra
virgin olive oil
1 onion, sliced thin
1 cup parmigiano cheese, grated
1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup white wine
salt and pepper to taste


In a large pan heat butter and olive oil add onion, mushrooms, potatoes, salt and pepper cover and on medium heat steam for 10 minutes. Butter a baking dish and layer potatoes, then onions, mushrooms, herbs and a little cheese. Last layer arrange potatoes, pour wine over top and sprinkle grated parmigiano cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes, serve hot.

Chef Chuck's Italian Potato Soup

Minestra di Patate

A hot bowl of fresh organic vegetables, tomato sauce, parmigiano and mashed potatoes makes this soup so enjoyable on a cool evening. By mashing the potatoes and then adding them to the soup makes this soup thick and so comforting. I serve this with my homemade bread, this is one of our favorite soups to make, enjoy.

Italian Potato Soup
4 large potatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons organic butter
2 celery stalks diced
2 carrots, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 cup broccoli, small florets
3 garlic cloves, sliced thin
4 cups organic vegetable broth
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
parmigiano cheese


Peel, cut and boil potatoes in salted water, drain and mash with a ricer or masher. Melt butter and olive oil in a large pot saute celery, carrots, onion, broccoli and garlic about 5 minutes. Add broth, sauce, sage, mashed potatoes, salt and pepper and bring to boil then simmer for 25 minutes. Grate cheese on top of each bowl and serve with hard crusty bread.

Chef Chuck's Pork Chops and Peppers

Braciole di Maiale

Fork tender pork chops, just like Mom used to make. I gave Mom a call this morning to let her know that her recipe was going to be my next post. She was excited and went over the whole recipe again, wow, I'm so lucky to have her! The vinegar flavors released from the peppers complimented the pork chops and the potatoes so well. Another simple, yet fantastic, Italian dish.

Pork Chops and Peppers

2 organic pork chops, bone in
1 jar, 16 ounce sweet cherry peppers,
drained, remove seeds, cut in half
2 potatoes, thinly sliced
1/2 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Let meat rest till room temperature. Wash and pat dry chops, salt and pepper both sides. In a large frying pan heat butter and olive oil brown pork chops 3 minutes on each side. Add sliced potatoes over top cover with lid and simmer for 30 minutes. Then add vinegar peppers and simmer an additional 15 minutes with lid on.

Buon Appetito

Chef Chuck' Sausage Potato Bread

Pane  con Salsiccia e patate


A savory and flavorful bread, perfect for Sunday dinner. I decided to try something new today, so I used hot Italian sausage, thin slices of sauteed potato and sweet red onion. Imagine dunking your bread into the leftover sauce on your plate, and there you have my creation.

Bread
1 cup warm water

1/2 tablespoon dry yeast
1/2 tablespoon sugar

2-2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tablespoon salt

Add 1/2 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 ball of dough. Dust a cutting board with flour and knead dough for 3 minutes. Transfer to large bowl, lightly coat with olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and layer small towel on top. Let rise in a warm area for 1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours. When dough becomes 2-3 times it's original size, take out and spread onto flour dusted cutting board and form into about 10"x14".

Sausage filling:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 hot Italian sausage links
1 small potato, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
pecorino cheese, shaved

In a frying pan add olive oil and brown sausage, remove and set aside. Cook potatoes and onions for 3 minutes, add sausage. Spread mixture on half of dough then fold over and seal by pinching edges. Brush on egg whites and bake at 475 degrees on a stone or baking sheet for about 15 minutes. Dough may be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in refrigerator up to 2 days.

Chef Chuck's Pesto Tuna

Tonno


This tuna steak must be very fresh, and at least one inch thick. Be sure to preheat the pan, so it sears the tuna, this technique seals in the moisture and flavor. Fresh yellow fin tuna is a lean meat, with a large flake. This is one tender tuna. The pesto adds another element of flavor.


Seared Tuna
1 fresh tuna steak
extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
cracked black pepper
3-4 tablespoons pesto


Preheat a heavy frying pan over high heat for about 3 minutes. Rub olive oil on both sides of tuna, and then season with salt and pepper. Sear 2 minutes on both sides. Heat pesto and drizzle over finished tuna. Serves 2


Roasted Potatoes


4 large russet potatoes
extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
salt and pepper


Cut potatoes in medium size pieces, place on baking sheet and coat with olive oil. Sprinkle sage, salt, pepper and mix. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes then toss and continue cooking 15 more minutes, or until golden brown.

Chef Chuck's Lemon Chicken with Potato

Pollo al Forno con Patate

Tonight I was in the mood for some good old chicken. This recipe has been around for a long time and very simple to make.You will find that I make many different chicken dishes, but this evening lemon with potatoes won! The lemon adds a light touch. The potatoes have a outer crunch, but a smooth creamy inside. We are achieving two things of greatness with one lemony potato! Lets not forget the main event the chicken that was tender and moist separated easily from the bone with full flavor, topped with fresh flat leaf parsley.

I find in my life and in cooking, the simpler the better!

Baked Lemon Chicken with Potatoes

Chicken thighs and drumsticks

flour to coat chicken

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup vegetable broth

juice of 1 fresh lemon
3 potatoes cubed

fresh flat leaf parsley

Wash chicken place in large bowl salt and pepper and coat with flour. In a large fry pan melt butter and 1 tablespoon oil and brown chicken on both sides. Place in a large baking dish with potatoes drizzle chicken and potatoes with oil and lemon juice, broth, salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove chicken cover with foil and broil potatoes for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Serves 4

Parmigiano Potato Pie

Patate Pleasure!


These old spuds have been cultivated since 200 BC. A satisfying side dish, that everyone loves. This can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner or even snack time! The light yet creamy potatoes are delicious and the sage is so aromatic. A great combination of flavors so simple and so good.


Parmigiano Potato Pie

4 large potatoes thinly sliced
1 cup parmigiano cheese, grated
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons Italian bread crumbs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon fresh sage leaves chopped
salt and pepper to taste


Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a buttered pie plate arrange one layer of potatoes and top with small pieces of butter, salt and pepper, sage, a sprinkle of bread crumbs, 1/3 cup of cheese, a drizzle of olive oil and a drizzle of heavy cream. Repeat 2 more layers. Bake for 35 minutes then broil for 3 minutes or till golden brown.

Sicilian Sausage and Potatoes

Salsiccia e patate alla Siciliana
I fell into this dish on the magical island of, Sicily. Guess where, a gas station! I have found some original recipes in the most wild places. The helpful man behind the counter offered me a taste, well that was it, I had fulfilled my every need! I talked to him about this simple recipe, and I found it was very close to my sausage and pepper dish. The difference was adding potatoes. The spicy Italian sausage has a way with the sweet onions and bell peppers. Well, of course a piece of focaccia bread goes great with this dish. This plate is a recorded richness in my heart!


Sicilian Sausage and Potatoes
6 Italian sweet or hot sausage links cut in 1 inch
3 large potatoes cubed
1 red bell pepper 1/2 inch slice
1 green bell pepper 1/2 inch slice
1 large red onion chopped
3 cloves garlic diced
3 cups tomato sauce
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons dry oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup water


In a large frying pan on medium heat add olive oil and butter brown sausage for 3 minutes. Add potatoes onions and peppers and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic, sauce, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, and water simmer with lid on for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.