Monday, April 17, 2017

Zia Giovannina's Chicken & Rice

Proverbio Italiano of the day:

"Ogni cosa a suo tempo."


Meaning: everything at it's proper time. We say this all of the time at our house, to remind us that eventually all things happen in God's perfect timing.

This Riso e Pollo dinner brings back memories of my sweet great Aunt, Zia Giovannina. 

Everytime we would visit her house, she would make this chicken and rice dish, and would serve it in these brown glass dishes. She would recount stories, and she'd hold my cheek between her two fingers as she'd smile and tell me how big I'd gotten. 

I remember Zia Giovannina turning on her Cappuccino/Espresso machine, and the room would fill with this delightful coffee bean aroma. I see her smile and sweet laugh every time we make this dish at home. I hope you enjoy. 

 Ingredients 


2 pieces chicken breast cubed
2 cups yellow grain rice
4 cups water
1 onion
1 tbsp. olive oil
salt to taste
1 cube/bag chicken base
1 cup tomato paste or sauce (whichever you prefer)
1/4 cup white cooking wine


let's make it



1. Cut up onion and sauté it in olive oil in high pot over medium heat.
2. Chop up chicken breasts into cubes. Place them in pan to begin cooking.
3. Place 1 cup tomato paste/sauce and mix with chicken pieces. 
4. Add white wine and rice. 

5. In another pot, add 4 cups of water and chicken base and bring to boil. 

6. With a small ladle, pour scoops of hot chicken base mixture into other rice mixture. Mix all together.

7. Place lid over pot and cook on low heat for 20 minutes.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

I wanted to make an easy appetizer dish the other day, and stumbled upon an easy recipe of Mozzarella Sticks. I mean who doesn't love mozzarella sticks right?! These are wayyy better than any you may buy at the frozen section at your local super market. Buon Appetito!


Ingredients


8 oz mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
hot pepper flakes (if you like)
salt to taste
Parmesan cheese 
vegetable oil for frying


let's make it

1. Begin by slicing the mozzarella cheese into long thin pieces. Place on side. 


2. Pour the flour into a dish, and take mozzarella pieces one by one and dredge them into flour.


3. Then mozzarella pieces into beaten eggs, and roll into breadcrumbs. 


4. Place mozzarella sticks on a wire rack as you finish all of the pieces. 


5. This part is VERY important: freeze the mozzarella sticks for about 30 minutes. I didn't the first time because I think I'm a rebel... and the cheese fell out during the frying. 


6. Heat up oil in a deep pan, about 3 inches. 


7. Once oil is hot, begin frying mozzarella sticks until golden brown. 


8. Drain on paper towel. Serve with Marinara Sauce, or ketchup if you prefer.