Tweet #pin-wrapper > a {background-image:none !important;} It's hard to believe it's the first of February. January has really flown by, and, as usual, I had to scramble to complete the Recipes to Rival challenge for the month. I was slow to check what our hostess, Tempera, who blogs at High on the Hog , had chosen for us to prepare. As a result, we are having meatless "Parm" twice this month. Last week I made a wonderful Baked Portobello Parmesan that you can read about here . Tempera selected a recipe by Mario Batali and I must say it, too, made a lovely meal. The only change I made was to cut ingredients for the recipe in half. Here is what Tempera had to say about the recipe she selected: "Somewhere in the world eggplant is in season. I know this because my local supermarket just got in some real beauties. So in celebration here is an Eggplant Parmesan recipe for one of my favorite Italian chefs." Here is Mario Batali's Recipe. Basic Tomato Sauce: Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 Spanish onion, chopped into 1/4-inch dice 4 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped 1/2 medium carrot, finely shredded 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled whole tomatoes Salt Directions: In a 3-quart saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add thyme and carrot and cook 5 minutes more, until carrot is quite soft. Add tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt and serve. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer. Eggplant Parmesan - Parmigiana di Melanzane Ingredients: 2 pounds (about 2 medium-sized) eggplant Salt 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup fresh bread crumbs, seasoned with 1/4 chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/4 cup pecorino 2 cups Basic Tomato Sauce, recipe follows 1 pound ball fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Directions: 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2) Wash and towel dry eggplant. Slice eggplant horizontally about 1/4-inch thick. Place slices in a large colander, sprinkle with salt and set aside to rest about 30 minutes. Drain and rinse eggplant and dry on towels. 3) In a sauté pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil until just smoking. Press drained eggplant pieces into seasoned bread crumb mixture and sauté until light golden brown on both sides. Repeat with all pieces. On a cookie sheet lay out 4 largest pieces of eggplant. Place 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce over each piece and place a thin slice of mozzarella on top of each. Sprinkle with Parmigiano and top each with next smallest piece of eggplant, then sauce then mozzarella. Repeat layering process until all the ingredients have been used, finishing again with the Parmigiano. 4) Place pan in the oven and bake until the top of each little stack is golden brown and bubbly, about 15 minutes. Tips: Fresh bread crumbs are required for the coating to stick without an egg wash. The oil must be HOT HOT HOT or the eggplant will not cook fast enough and will be a greasy soggy mess. The Mozzarella must be very thinly sliced or the eggplant tower will slide (it will still taste great)

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite... This is a wonderful dish that I love to make at least once during the Christmas holiday. If I were Italian and celebrated the Feast of Seven Fishes , I would include it in my menu for Christmas Eve. That would raise an eyebrow or two because the dish, like vodka sauce for pasta, is an Italian-American creation that is rarely served in Italy. Whatever the origin, mussels prepared in this fashion are a memorable, if messy, treat. Whenever I serve these, I cover the table with vinyl or oilcloth and distribute lobster bibs. It also helps to provide a large bowl or two to hold empty shells. Everyone at the table also receives two dish towels, one damp, the other dry. Only a crab boil is messier than this to serve to folks who eat with gusto. Believe me when I say, my folk have cornered the gusto market and these preparations are a necessity rather than an affectation. Once the mussels have been scrubbed and their beards removed, the dish can be made in minutes. Its heat, the alla diavola, comes from red pepper flakes, so you can manage it to your family's liking as long as you know their tolerance for heat. The dish has just three elements, a spicy red sauce, mussels and linguine. The mussels simmer in sauce and when they open they are served along with the sauce over piping hot linguine. I always serve this with a salad and the best Italian bread I can get my hands on. I do hope you'll try mussels prepared in this fashion. They really are delicious. Here's the recipe. Mussels Fra Diavola ...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite adapted from Gourmet magazine Ingredients: 12 garlic cloves, minced (1/3 cup) 3/4 to 1-1/2 teaspoons dried hot red pepper flakes 1/2 cup olive oil 1 (28-oz) can whole tomatoes in purée 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled 1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled 1/4 cup drained bottled capers 1/2 cup Kalamata or other brine-cured black olives, pitted and chopped 1/3 cup dry red wine 1 lb dried linguine 3 lb mussels (preferably cultivated), cleaned (see cooks' note, below) Directions: 1) Cook garlic and red pepper flakes in oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes with purée, tomato paste, herbs, capers, olives, and wine and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomatoes, until sauce is thick, about 15 minutes. 2) Cook linguine in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain in a colander. 3) While pasta cooks, increase heat under sauce to moderately high and add mussels, then cook, covered, until mussels just open wide, checking frequently after 3 minutes and transferring to a bowl. (Discard any mussels that remain unopened after 6 minutes.) 4) Serve linguine with mussels and sauce. Yield: 6 servings. Cooks' note: 1) Scrub mussels with a brush under cold water and scrape off any barnacles with a knife. Remove beard by pulling it from tip to hinge or by pulling and cutting it off with knife. 2) Tomato sauce, without mussels, can be made and refrigerated 2 days before serving. You might also enjoy these recipes: Salt Cod and Tomato Stew - One Perfect Bite Feast of the Seven Fishes - Italian Food Forever Broiled Mussels - Smitten Kitchen Sauteed Mussels with Garlic - The Housewife Diet Flexing My Mussels - Charm and Salt Moules Mariniere - One Perfect Bite Coconut Curry Mussels - Simply Recipes Spicy Mussels in White Wine - The Culinary Chronicles Mario Batali's Feast of the Seven Fishes - Epicurious

6 medium oranges 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 4 eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar 1 1/4 cups flour (high gluten preferred, such as bread flour) 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 Preheat oven to 350°F and oil a 9-inch round cake pan. 2 Remove zest from all oranges and juice from one. Set fruit aside for another use. 3 In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat eggs and salt together until frothy and light (about 2 minutes). 4 Slowly add sugar while continuing to mix (about 2 more minutes). 5 Sift the flour and baking soda together and gradually add to egg mixture. Mix about 1 more minute. 6 In a side bowl, mix olive oil, citrus zest and juice. Using a spoon, stir this into the egg mixture, just folding until all inches. 7 Pour batter into prepared pan and place in oven and bake 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. 8 Cool to room temperature, cut into wedges and serve.

3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour , for dusting 4 extra large eggs 1/2 teaspoon olive oil 1 Pile the larger amount of flour in the center of a large wooden cutting board or countertop. Make a well in the center and add the eggs, oil, and any flavoring agents you desire (herbs, spices, tomato paste, etc). 2 Using a fork, beat the eggs and oil together, slowly incorporating flour from the walls of the well. As you expand the well, keep pushing the outside of the mound up to maintain the well shape. 3 Once about half the flour is incorporated, the dough will begin to come together. From this point, start working the mass with your hands, using mostly the palms. 4 Once the flour is fully incorporated and the mass is cohesive, remove the dough from the board and scrape the board clean. Dust the board lightly with flour and knead for 6 minutes, dusting when necessary. The dough should be elastic, and a little sticky. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow to rest for 30 min at room temperature. 5 Roll out dough using a rolling pin or pasta machine. Cut into desired shapes and cook as required by the shape. Strand pastas like fettuccini, spaghetti and linguini only need to cook 2-4 minutes. For cannelloni, lasagne or ravioli, cook as per the recipe.

1 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup fresh rosemary needles , fresh 8 garlic cloves 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 -2 1/2 lbs flank steaks kosher salt fresh ground black pepper 4 ounces parmigiano-reggiano cheese 8 cups arugula , loosely packed sea salt aged balsamic vinegar (balsamico condimento) extra virgin olive oil , finishing-quality 4 porcini mushrooms 1 For the Beef: Combine the balsamic vinegar, rosemary and garlic in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until the rosemary is finely chopped. Add the olive oil and pulse until all the ingredients are combined. Season marinade with salt and pepper. 2 Place the steaks in a large bowl or nonreactive baking dish. Pour the marinade over and turn to coat them on all sides. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before grilling. 3 Preheat grill pan or heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. 4 Remove the steaks from the marinade, discard the marinade, and generously season the steaks with salt and pepper on both sides, using about one teaspoon of salt per pound of meat. 5 Put the steaks on the grill pan and cook until the meat is seared and deep brown on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a platter or cutting board and let them rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. Use a sharp knife to carve the steaks diagonally against the grain into 1/2-inch thick slice. 6 While the steaks are resting, use a large knife or mandoline to cut the wedge of Parmiagiano-Reggiano into very thin slices. Put the arugula in a large, wide bowl, sprinkle with salt and toss gently to distribute evenly. Drizzle the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat the leave. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or vinaigrette, if desired. 7 To serve plate steak with dressed arugula on the side. Drizzle with the balsamico condimento and olive oil. 8 Shave porcini mushrooms and Parmiagiano-Reggiano onto the dish. 9 For the Lemon Vinaigrette: Combine the shallots, lemon juice and zest, vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. Set the bowl aside for 5 to 10 minutes to marinate the shallots. Add the olive oil in a slow, steady, stream, whisking constantly to combine. Stir in the pepper. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or pepper, if desired.

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil light 1 sm red onion cut into crescents 2 x lean Italian sausage links crumbled 1 tsp fennel seed crushed 1/2 lb Tuscan cabbage or possibly kale leaves only     cut into 1/2-inch ribbons 1 x garlic clove finely minced 1 c. ready cut Italian Peeled Tomatoes with juice     seasoned with Basil and Oregano 4 ounce tomato sauce     salt and pepper to taste 1 sprg fresh thyme leaves only 2 c. rotini pasta dry measure 2 Tbsp. Parmigiano Reggiano freshly grated 2. Heat a Dutch oven or possibly 4 qt sauce pan with a non-stick surface. When warm, ass oil and onion and cook over medium heat till just softened, about five min. Add in crumbled sausage and fennel seed. Cook till red is gone. Remove from the pan; drain grease and use a knife to chop the meat into a finer crumb. 3. Meanwhile, return the pan to the burner. Add in the garlic and kale and cook over medium for 2 to 3 min or possibly till kale has wilted. Add in the seasoned tomatoes and the tomato sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cover pan and simmer over low heat for 20 to 25 min. 4. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions till just "al dente" and drain. Remove lid from pan and add in warm pasta. Toss to mix well and keep hot for about 5 min while you prepare a sale. Serve topped with freshly grated cheese. EACH: 638 cals, 27% from fat, Mario demonstrated this dish on television to introduce Tuscan Cabbage, also known as Cavolo Nero or possibly black cabbage. Similar to kale but it holds it's color: it will be dark green after cooking. Another tip: mix the pasta and sauce and heat together before serving. The dish is Mario's: simple home cooking, slightly undercooked with lots of color. My version added peeled tomatoes and herbs; used less oil and lean turkey sausage. NOTES : REVIEW: Classic pasta and tomato with the crunch and color of kale. With cheese, it was very comforting. Just a rustic and straightforwardone-pot meal. The Tuscan Cabbage didn't have much flavor: which was asurprise. Mario's show on Tuscan Cabbage and fact which it was available at Ralphs got me to try it. The recipe is Mario Batali's - very rustic, quickly cooked. Tri-color: white red and green. Except: I substituted lean turkey Italian sausage. After tasting it with just tomato sauce, I added herbs and some ready-cut tomatoes with juice. I also let it steep longer. The cabbage/kale was pleasant. It did not have much of a flavor or possibly it didn't compete with the tomatoes. I will use the other half lb. in a Tuscan potato soup.-Pat and Bob email to ELF, FareShare, MC

10 medium chicken drumsticks 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 cups medium shrimp , enough for about 5 per person 1 medium Spanish onion , cut into 1/4-inch dice 1/2 cup pureed ripe Tomato 1 teaspoon kosher salt , to taste 1 teaspoon saffron thread 2 tablespoons sweet pimientos (Spanish smoked paprika) 4 quarts chicken stock 2 cups bomba or other short-grain rice 1 lb manila clams , scrubbed 1 cup fresh peas 10 asparagus spears , stalks cut on the diagonal into 1/4-inch thick slices 1 inch piece sausage 1 Preheat an oven to 400°. Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet and season all over with salt and extra-virgin olive oil. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes and set aside. 2 In the meantime, heat a 14- to 18-inch paella pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and heat until smoking. Add the shrimp and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add the onion to the pan and cook until soft, about 8 minutes. Push the onions into the center of the pan and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the salt around the edges of the pan. 3 Add the tomato puree, stirring it into the onions, and cook for 3 minutes. Add the remaining salt, the saffron, pimentón and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add chicken stock, bring to a boil, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir well to distribute it evenly. Add clams, drumsticks, arranging them nicely throughout the pan. Then add the peas and asparagus and bring the stock back to a boil, and cook, without stirring, for 10 minutes. Taste for salt and add it if needed, then cook, again without stirring, for 10 more minutes, or until the liquid is almost completely absorbed and the pan starts to make a crackling noise (don't worry, this is what you want). 4 Remove from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

1/4 cup red wine vinegar 3 garlic cloves , minced 1 teaspoon dried oregano , crumbled 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon colman's dry mustard 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 grated orange, juice and zest of 2 small Japanese eggplants or 2 small italian eggplants 2 red bell peppers 2 yellow bell peppers 12 baby zucchini , with zucchini flowers or 4 small zucchini 2 medium red onions 6 scallions 12 spears pencil asparagus kosher salt 12 fresh basil leaves , cut into chiffonade (thin slivers) 1 Preheat a gas grill or prepare a fire in a charcoal grill. 2 In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin, mustard, pepper flakes, olive oil, and orange juice (reserve the zest for garnish). Set aside. 3 Cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Cut the peppers into quarters and remove the cores and seeds. If using baby zucchini, remove the blossoms and set aside; cut the zucchini lengthwise in half. If using small zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices (discard the first and last slice from each). Cut the onions into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Trim the scallions. Snap off the tough bottom parts of the asparagus stalks. 4 Place the vegetables on two large baking sheets. Brush lightly with some of the marinade and season lightly with salt. Place on the grill over medium-high to high heat (you will probably have to cook the vegetables in batches) and cook, turning once or twice, until tender and slightly charred on both sides: the eggplant will take about 8 to 10 minutes, the peppers 10 to 12 minutes, the zucchini 6 to 8 minutes, the onions and scallions 4 to 6 minutes,and the asparagus 5 to 7 minutes. Remove each vegetable from the grill as it is done and return to the baking sheets. 5 Cut the peppers into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Arrange the vegetables decoratively on a large serving platter and drizzle with the remaining marinade. Sprinkle with the orange zest, the zucchini blossoms if you have them, and the basil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

10 lamb shanks kosher salt black pepper 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 Spanish onions , chopped 5 carrots , peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces 6 leeks 2 cups dry white wine 1 cup tomato sauce 3 cups chicken stock, Brown 2 cups red grapes , Concord grapes, halved and seeded 1 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees 2 Rinse and dry the lamb shanks, and season them liberally with salt and pepper. In a very large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until smoking. Add the lamb shanks, 5 at a time, and sear until dark golden brown all over, 10 to 12 minutes per batch. Remove the shanks and set them aside. 3 Add the onions, garlic, carrots, and leeks to the pot and cook until softened, 8-10 minutes. Use only the white and light green parts of the Leaks only, trimmed, halved lengthwise, cut crosswise into thin half-moons, rinsed thoroughly, and drained. 4 Add the wine, tomato sauce, and sock to the vegetables and bring to a boil. Return the lamb shanks to the pot and bring back to a boil. Cover the pot tightly, place it in the oven, and bake for about 1.5 hours, until the meat is fork-tender. 5 Remove the pot from the oven, check the sauce for seasoning, and then add the grapes. Stir them in gently, and serve directly from the pot.