Cuisine: Cheese

Pasta with Broccoli Rabe, Bacon, Bread Crumbs, & Manchego

Pasta with Broccoli Rabe, Bacon, Bread Crumbs, & Manchego a taste of Italy! Pasta di Gragnano is imported from Gragnano, Italy, which is a small town south of Naples that's reputed to be the birthplace of dried pasta. This is where Pasta di Gragnano produces this unique line of bronze-died pasta made with local wheat. The name itself implies a location and style of production, much the same way that a DOC wine appellation does. To be called pasta di Gragnano, the pasta must be produced in a legally defined area in and around the Bay of Naples and it must be made by mixing durum wheat with the calcium poor water of the Monti Lattari. The dough is forced through rough bronze forms and dried at low temperatures in the mountain air. The result is a high quality product with plenty of surface area to absorb the flavor and liquid of the sauce with which it is served.

By Leslie Blythe

Asparagus Gratinato with Grana Padano

Asparagus Gratinato with Grana Padano is delicious and easy to roast. Grana Padano is one of the most popular cheeses of Italy. The name comes from the noun grana, which refers to the distinctively grainy texture of the cheese. Though similar to Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano is inexpensive because areas producing the cheese are bigger. Grana is less crumbly, milder and less complex than Parmigiano Reggiano.

By Leslie Blythe

Hash Brown Potato Quiche

You had me at hash browns....

I received a flyer in the mail from Ralph's/Krogers supermarket and there was this recipe for Hash Brown Potato Quiche. What is wrong with this? Nothing! Paula Deen has a version (which makes complete sense). I have merged the two recipes. A some green chillis would not go amiss in this recipe.

By Leslie Blythe

Asiago Panko Crusted Pork Chops

These Asiago Panko Crusted Pork Chops are delicious! The combination of the asiago cheese and panko bread crumbs make the perfect crust. I served them with carrots glazed with orange juice and potato hash. If you like pork chops, you've got to try these.

By Leslie Blythe

Chicken Stuffed with Asparagus & Provolone

This Chicken Stuffed with Asparagus & Provolone is a great dinner party entrée to impress your guests. It's super easy and you can make it ahead and put it in the refrigerator without the bread crumbs.

By Leslie Blythe

Viva la Chicken

My friend Suzanne gave me this recipe years ago. I'm not sure why it's called Viva La Chicken! I made this for my school hot lunch program last week. Some kids raved about and some were not so thrilled.

By Leslie Blythe

Freekeh Salad with Apricots, Grilled Halloumi & Zucchini

Freekeh Salad with Apricots, Grilled Halloumi & Zucchini is a delicious and healthy salad that is perfect for a summer meal. Freekeh is a whole grain that is high in fiber and protein, and it has a nutty flavor that pairs well with grilled zucchini and halloumi cheese. The apricots add a touch of sweetness, and the scallions, pistachios, and parsley provide additional flavor and texture.
The salad is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. If you don't have halloumi cheese, you can substitute feta or another type of salty cheese. You can also add other vegetables to the salad, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or peppers.

By Leslie Blythe

Corn, Scallion, and Potato Pizza

I had this Corn, Scallion, and Potato Pizza in New York city a few years ago. They called it Farmer's Pizza. It's really delicious. You can make this on store bought pizza dough or you can make your own dough.

By Leslie Blythe

Roasted Corn with Lime and Manchego Cheese

My friend Jessica sent me this recipe a few years ago. I finally got around to making it! I have no idea why I waited so long. I will serve corn like this all the time. I roasted the corn earlier in the day, cut it off the cob and put it in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator. This makes it very fast to put together.

By Leslie Blythe

Caprese Omelette

Caprese Salad in Italian: Insalata Caprese, meaning "Salad of Capri", is a simple Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, seasoned with salt, and olive oil. It was made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag: red, white, and green. In Italy, it is usually served as an antipasto (starter). Using the same ingredients, I made this Caprese Omelette for breakfast.

By Leslie Blythe