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ITALIAN    ITALIAN      ItaliAN    ITALIAN     ITALIAN

ITALIAN    ITALIAN      ItaliAN    ITALIAN     ITALIAN

~~~~~~~~~~ CASSEROLES ~~~~~~~~~~
ZITI

Heat oven to 350^o.  Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking dish.
Layer in baking dish:
1 lb. ziti, cooked & cooled
1 lb. hamburger meat, cooked & drained,
seasoned with Italian spices.
1/4 c. onions, chopped
2 cups bell peppers, sliced; green, red, yellow, orange.
8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
8 oz. medium cheddar cheese, shredded
1 - 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
Pour over top of Ziti dish:
1 1/2 c. half and half
Cover and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove cover and add:
1/2 c. bread crumbs
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
1 tsp. parsley
Bake 30 minutes until bubbly.

~~~~~~~~~~  DESSERTS  ~~~~~~~~~~
Italian Cake

~~~~~~~~~~ MAIN ENTREES ~~~~~~~~~~

Information on  CARPACCIO 
Capaccio is a very thinly sliced raw (lean) beef or raw tuna garnished
with a sauce.  There are many varieties of sauces used which include,
(cooked) other fish and/or seafood, chicken, etc.
This dish is named after an Italian Artist, Vittore Carpaccio, who's use
of red pigments is quit prominent in his paintings. 

Crab Ravioli

In a medium high skillet saute until onions are clear:
1/4 cup Onion, chopped
1/4 cup Butter
Stir in the following and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly:
1  (3 oz.can) Mushrooms, chopped,
reserve liquid for sauce.
1 (7 1/2 oz. can) Crab meat
1/2 cup Cracker crumbs
2 Tblsp. Parsley, fresh
1/2 tsp. @ Salt and Pepper
Fill desired amount of crab filling in
Wonton wrappers, seal according to
package instructions and crimp with fork.
Cook according to package instructions.
SAUCE
In  a saucepan melt:
3 Tblsp. Butter
Add:
3 Tblsp. Flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
Milk + mushroom liquid to = 1 1/2 cups
1/3 cup Dry white wine
Cook until thick & bubbly.
 Pour over cooked ravioli and garnish with:
Fresh shredded Parmesean cheese
1/2 tsp. Paprika

~~~~~~~~~~  SOUPS  / STEWS  ~~~~~~~~~~
Minestrone

Fry until lightly brown:
1/4 lb. bacon, chopped
1/4 lb. Italian sausage, chopped
1/4 lb. ham, chopped
Add:
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup dried beans
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup long grain rice
1 onions, chopped
6 cups beef stock
Simmer until the beans are tender.
Skim off fat frquently.
Then add:
1 cup mixed green vegetables
[Lima beans, peas and green beans]
1/4 head  red cabbage, shredded
Simmer until thick and vegetables are soft.
Season with:
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. chili powder
Serve each serving with:
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Serves up to 6.

Copyright © 1999-2007 Elizabeth A. Murphy