20 Minutes or Less – Page 3 – Parmesan Princess

04
Sep
2015

Fried Heirloom Tomatoes!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Dinner, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Homemade Italian, Lunch, Recipes, Sides

Traditional Southern fried green tomatoes are actually tart, unripened red tomatoes, breaded and fried in oil. Their firmness makes them perfect for frying! I was given some gorgeous, solid heirloom tomatoes that were so sweet, not mushy at all, so I decided to fry them for a sweeter version. Of course topping them with parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a totally perfect mix of flavors!
Heirloom tomatoes are the best. Passed down from generation to generation, heirlooms’ taste will far exceed any tomato you find at the grocery store. Found in an array of colors, they all taste a bit different.

I made a Caprese salad last night using really ripened heirlooms. I’m not sure which ones tasted better yellow, orange, red/green striped, brown? They are all amazingly delicious!
Ok, back to frying them. So the trick is to use firm tomatoes, and fry them in a hot pan. This way the outside “crust” will be nice and crunchy.

Fried Heirloom Tomatoes
Ingredients:
2 firm heirloom tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 cup flour
1/2 tbsp. dried basil
1/2 tbsp. dried rosemary
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
2 eggs, whisked
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
3 tbsp. olive oil
salt/pepper
fresh grated parmesan cheese
fresh basil

Directions:

Add olive oil to pan and heat on high.

Mix flour, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder in a bowl.

Whisk eggs in a second bowl.

Add Panko breadcrumbs to a third bowl.

Prepare tomatoes by lightly salting slices, coating in flour, dipping in egg, and covering in breadcrumbs.

Add slices to pan, fry until golden brown on first side, then flip.

Remove slices, let oil absorb on a paper towel covered plate.

Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and serve!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

14
Aug
2015

Summer Zucchini Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Dinner, Healthy Living, Lunch, Recipes

Do you have zucchini coming out of your ears? I definitely do! It is that time of year when I have had enough- totally zucchini breads, zucchini boats, and zucchini breakfast-ed out! What else can you make? There is always the chocolate-zucchini craze of hiding the veggie in chocolate cake, muffins, cookies or brownies. Chocolate is always a great idea, but how about a salad sans lettuce and a smooth and summery homemade vinaigrette? Now that sounds perfectly summer!

Summer Zucchini Salad
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
2 medium zucchini
2 vine ripe tomatoes
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
1 lemon
salt/peper to taste

Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dijon mustard
6 lemons- squeezed for juice approx. 1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp. honey
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grapeseed oil or canola oil

Directions:
Peel zucchini with a vegetable peeler in long strips and place into serving bowl or platter.(I roll-up some of the strips for easy eating and because it adds to the beauty of the dish.)

Cut tomatoes into wedges and add to the salad.

Sprinkle with 2-3 tbsp. crumbled goat cheese.

For dressing:
Whisk all ingredients except oils.

Add oils, lid, and shake vigorously until well mixed.

Top salads with 2 tbsp. of dressing and squeeze a halved lemon over salads.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

31
Jul
2015

Walleye Tacos With a Roasted Corn Peach Salsa!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Around Pittsburgh, Dinner, Healthy Living, Recipes

My neighbors are awesome fishermen and who do you think gets a bag of fresh caught fish after the trip? The neighborhood food blogger of course. Ha! Thank you so much! The fresh walleye I was given this week soaked up the marinade beautifully and made a delicious base for some fresh fish tacos.

I made a totally amazing roasted corn and peach salsa by cutting spicy pan roasted corn on the cob off the cob and adding the sweet flavors of a diced peach, a small onion, and a handful of chopped chives. Fresh squeezed lime juice pulled it all together!

Seriously, Pittsburgh might just have a new “thing”…fish tacos!
Fish tacos are most definitely one of my favorite dishes to order out in Pittsburgh. Believe it or not, many of our restaurants have nailed a fabulous fish taco entreé! Some of my favorites…Penn Avenue Fish Company, Kaya, Täkõ, and Round Corner Cantina. All totally exceptional! Of course I make them at home, too!

Walleye Fish Tacos
Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb. raw walleye fillets
1 lime
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin

Directions:

Cube raw walleye.

Mix lime juice, cilantro, chili powder, and cumin in a mixing bowl.

Add walleye cubes, coat with marinade and refrigerate.

Heat a pan and cook walleye cubes until just cooked through- pink turns white and flake with a fork.

Roasted Corn and Peach Salsa
Ingredients:
2 corn on the cob
1 peach, chopped
2 pats butter
2 tsp. cayenene pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp. finely chopped chives
1 tsp.cilantro or parsley, chopped
1 lime

Directios:
Roast buttered corn in a pan or on the grill until desired doneness.
Sprinkle with cayenne pepper.

Cut corn off the cob after it cools a bit.

Add onion, chives, cilantro or parsley to corn.

Squeeze the juice of one lime into bowl.

Fish Taco Sauce
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp. sriracha

Mix together and add more or less sriracha to taste

Build your taco with your favorite flour tortilla.
Add the roasted corn and peach salsa, and top with sriracha sauce.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

05
Jun
2015

Cherry Goat Cheese Pastry!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Breakfast, Desserts, Party Time, Recipes

Sometimes the most simple recipes are the best! Do you glance at a recipe and move on when you see a super long list of weird ingredients not to mention weird kitchen instruments you have never heard of? If I’m trying to find recipe inspiration, I tend to skim to something more basic, a recipe where I can taste the list of ingredients. (And totally tell what ingredients I would swap and change!)

As an appetizer, brunch pastry, or dessert, these cherry goat cheese pastries are simply perfect! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Cherry Goat Cheese Pastry
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

2 sheets frozen puff pastry -1 roll fillo dough- fillo shells already cooked
10 oz. crumbled goat cheese
1 lb. fresh cherries, pitted and quartered mixed with 2 tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp. lemon juice OR 1 21oz. can cherry pie filling
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp. heavy cream
Granulated sugar for sprinkling

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Pit and quarter your fresh cherries and mix with sugar and lemon juice Set aside until juice thickens.

Flour work surface and lightly roll out puff pastry to be 1/2″ longer on all sides.

Cut dough into an even number of squares or circles.

Divide the cherry filling and goat cheese evenly and place on half of the shapes.

Cover with another shape. press sides and pinch to close.

Beat egg and heavy cream together and brush to seal and coat top of pastry.

(If using Fillo dough, keep dough damp so it doesn’t dry up. Fill, cut into rectangles and fold like a present. Brush with egg mixture to keep closed. )

SUPER EASY BUTTON!! (If using Fillo shells, just fill with cherry and goat cheese filling and bake to melt until golden and bubbly.)

Slice 2 slits on the top and sprinkle with sugar.

Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 20-25 mins. until golden brown and puffy.

Don’t burn your mouth! Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

For dessert, I topped my pastry with ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

05
May
2015

Easy Cinco de Mayo Cheese Ball!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Party Time, Recipes, Sides

Think of an inside-out jalapeño popper. That’s pretty much the taste of this delicious and super easy cheese ball! Cinco de Mayo perfection, but it’s also the perfect summer party appetizer! Save and file this one for a summer fiesta! Pairs really well with tequila ; )

Cinco de Mayo Cheese Ball
(Makes one cheese ball feeds 8-10 as an appetizer)

Ingredients:

1 -8 oz. package of Cream Cheese, softened
1- 2 cup package shredded Mexican cheese
2 – jalapeño peppers, chopped (may substitute bell peppers or mild hot peppers to reach desired heat level)
1 large tomato, chopped
1 small onions, chopped
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro

Directions:

Soften the package of cream cheese either by setting on the counter at room temperature for 30 mins or by placing cream cheese in a bowl of hot water for 10 mins.

Remove cream cheese from package and place in a mixing bowl.

Add shredded cheese and mix well.

Gently stir in peppers, tomatoes, onions, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt and pepper.

Mold cheese mixture into a ball. It will be a little mushy.

Mix garlic and cilantro together and place on a flat plate.

Roll the cheese ball in the chopped garlic cilantro mixture to coat.

Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

24
Apr
2015

Join A CSA! Make A Primavera!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Around Pittsburgh, Cook With Me! Live at the Public Market, Dinner, Healthy Living, Homemade Italian, Recipes

Thinking produce? Us, too! We cannot wait for fresh, local vegetables! Have you ever thought of subscribing to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program? Although the name suggests you need to roll up your sleeves and help farm along with others, the exact opposite is true… You pick up your box. Done.

Many farms near Pittsburgh offer CSA programs that include produce, eggs, cheese, and even meat. A farmer who is part of the Pittsburgh Public Market family, Elliott Lengel of Lengel Brothers Farm, offers the community a fabulous CSA program out of Mercer, PA.

The Lengel Brothers Farm CSA program runs August through November, pick up locations include the Public Market in the Strip, and they offer a discount for members starting now! The program runs 14 weeks and the pricing is $120 for a quarter share, $200 for a half share, and $350 for a full share. Members can pick your own items for you basket or get what you get! Elliott also bakes homemade breads and offers jams and many other condiments at a discount for members!

Pasta Primavera is one of my favorite, quick and easy healthy dishes! Originating from LeCirque in New York City, Pasta Primavera was discovered by accident when Mr. Maccioni and his family were asked to prepare dinner for a food tour in Canada. Mr. Maccioni was forced to do a vegetable fridge raid and tossed it with pasta and fresh grated parmesan cheese. When the guests asked what he called the dish he responded, “Pasta Primavera!” The dish is not on the menu at Le Cirque these days, but the dish is made table side for those who ask.

Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. basil olive oil …The Olive Tap

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 small onion, chopped…Produce from Lengel Brothers Farm Market

1 zucchini, chopped 1/2 inch

1 cup snap peas, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

1 pint cherry tomatoes

2 cups fresh grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese…Pennsylvania Macaroni Co.

2 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

1 lb. dry or fresh pasta

salt/pepper to taste

extra fresh grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large, deep frying pan.

Add garlic and cook until golden and softened.

Add vegetables according to cooking time. Longest first.

Add onion, zucchini, mushrooms, snap peas and cook until tender not mushy.

Meanwhile, throw in 1 lb. pasta and cook until al dente.

Drain well and toss with vegetables in the pan.

Add parmesan cheese and coat.

If too dry add a lithe bit more olive oil or a 1/2 cup chicken stock..

Throw in salt/pepper and basil.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

For more information on Pittsburgh CSA programs Click Here!

11
Mar
2015

Meat Sauce featuring Clarion Farms Beef!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Around Pittsburgh, Healthy Living, Recipes

We would all love to meet the farmer that feeds and raises the cows that supply our beef, right?
You should and you can!!

Photo Courtesy of Clarion Farms Beef. John and son John-Scott hanging out!

If you are in Pittsburgh, Clarion Farms Beef sells their family farm beef at the Pittsburgh Public Market on Saturdays. Shop local and buy fresh, no hormone, no antibiotic beef from a local family farm. True farm to table and focused on sustainability, Clarion Farms Beef sources local feed and mixed it fresh on the farm. Go see John-Scott! Bonus, the prices are incredible!

I paid $4 for the 80% ground beef (that yields about 2 tsp. of fat!! So technically its a grocery store’s 95% lean?)
And $5 for the most lean ground beef! (That yields about 1 tsp. of fat- which is 98% lean or almost no fat?)

The ox tail ($5) for a 1lb. package. Cook it all day for a tender finish!!

The steak? Amazing!! Just buy some, seriously, I have no words. (Imagine that!) Timmy Reynolds from Penn Avenue Fish Co. and I made Clarion Farms Beef filets and lobster live for Valentine’s Day at the Pittsburgh Public Market ‘s Ikea kitchen!

I bought some ground beef this weekend and put it to the test in a quick and classic bolognese sauce. Local, fresh, and delicious! This beef did not disappoint!!

20 Minute Meat Sauce
Ingredients:
1 32oz. can Ciao San Marzano tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion finely chopped
1 lb. Clarion Farms Beef ground beef
1 lb. of your favorite pasta, boiled until al dente and drained
1 tbsp. chopped basil
1 tbsp. chopped rosemary
1 tsp. olive oil
salt/pepper
parsley for garnish

Directions:

In your largest, deepest frying pan, heat olive oil and golden the chopped garlic.

Add onion and cook until softened and light.

In a separate pan, brown beef and drain.

Add beef, tomatoes, herbs, salt and pepper to garlic and onion mixture. apart

Break apart whole tomatoes with a wooden spoon.

Cook for 8-10 minutes until heated through and bubbling.

Spoon sauce onto your favorite pasta.

Always top with fresh grated parmesan cheese and Enjoy!

Ciao!

Clarion Farms Beef
On Farm Store The Beef Barn
82 Port Farm Lane
Clarion, PA 16214
814-764-5811
Hours: Tuesday -Friday 10-5
Saturday 8-5
Pittsburgh Public Market
Saturdays 9-5

Visit on Facebook

21
Feb
2015

Chicken Pancetta Pan Pasta!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Dinner, Homemade Italian, Recipes

If you are having company at your home this weekend…They are probably going to end up getting snowed in and spending the weekend!

Here in Western PA, the snow and cold have been relentless. The desire to leave the house is about a zero, and pantry- fridge raiding dinners are what’s in! My go-to option is a quick pan pasta!

Depending on the what ingredients you have, your pan pasta can consist of rich vegetables, a meat, and definitely some beautiful greens! Simply boil your favorite fork pasta like penne, bow ties, or even rigatoni. Get the other ingredients cooked in a large pan and toss the pasta to coat! Don’t forget to top with fresh grated Parmesan and/or Locatelli Romano for a beautiful finish!

Chicken Pancetta Pan Pasta
(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients:
4 tbsp. Olive oil
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup roasted red pepeprs chopped
3 medium 1-1/2 inch chicken breasts, cubed
3 slices of pancetta, chopped small and fried in a pan until crisp
1 lb. of your favorite fork pasta- penne, bow ties, rigatoni, etc.
3 handfuls of fresh spinach

Directions:

Heat oil in a large deep frying pan.

Add garlic and cook until softened and golden.

Add chicken, and cook until no longer pink.

Meanwhile, add pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente, drain and toss in pan.

Mix in roasted red peppers and crisp cooked pancetta.

Add spinach and top with fresh grated Parmesan and Locatelli Romano

Enjoy!
Ciao!

21
Dec
2014

10 Minute Holiday Banana Bread!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Breakfast, Desserts, Recipes

When your bananas get super ripe, don’t throw them away! They get soft and mushy which is the perfect consistency for whipping up a quick banana bread!

Feeling festive? So am I! Holiday spices take this holiday bread to the next level. Delicious for breakfast or dessert! Enjoy!

Holiday Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
(Makes 1 loaf)

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Ground cloves
3 very ripe bananas
1/2 stick butter, softened
2 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients and sift together until blended.

In another bowl, mash bananas with a potato masher or fork. Add butter, eggs, and sugar and mix well with a wooden spoon.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.

Add chocolate chips. (This is the point where you can add 1/2 cup of any other additions like nuts, raisins, etc.)

Grease and flour a loaf pan.

Pour batter into pan and hit it against your work table to even it out.

Bake 45-55 minutes until the bread is cooked through and passes the toothpick test.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

06
Oct
2014

Sweet And Spicy: The Perfect Sauce !

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Crockpot, Dinner, Grill, Recipes, Recognition, Sides

Sriracha is basically Thai "ketchup" and was named from a town called Si Racha! — Sriracha is basically Thai “ketchup” and is named after a town called Si Racha!

I am totally shocked when people ask me, “What is Sriracha?” Sriracha is America’s #1 condiment! According to the Huy Fong Food Co., Sriracha is made of sun ripened chiles ground into a paste with garlic.

Photo via The Washigton Times 4/23/14. Photo depicts a Sriracha demonstration in CA as residents fought to shut down the Irwindale plant because the air was "too spicy." — Photo via The Washigton Times 4/23/14. This photo depicts a Sriracha demonstration in CA as residents fought to shut down the Irwindale plant because the air was “too spicy.”

The fight was over by the end of May. The Sriracha plant, 1, the eyes and nasal passages of residents, 0.

I have created an amazing spicy, sweet sauce using a Sriracha, honey, brown sugar base. Since being featured by Emeril Lagassee on Good Morning America, fans have asked that I simplify the recipe for a quick sauce. I have been experimenting with the base ingredients and the result is an intense, flavorful 3 ingredient sauce!!
Here is the full recipe:
Parmesan Princess on GMA

So far this sauce had made an amazing pulled pork, pork chops, chicken, shrimp, and even grilled veggies! — So far this amazing sauce has made the most mouthwatering pulled pork, pork chops, chicken, shrimp, and even grilled veggies!

Spicy Sweet -The Perfect Sauce!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp. Honey
2 tbsp. Sriracha

Directions:

Dissolve brown sugar in water. Stir until smooth.

Mix in other ingredients.

Use sauce as Marinade.

Add additional sauce to browned pork, fish, chicken, etc. To create a saucy layer.

Spicy Sweet Sauce will not disappoint! Try it today!

These chops had a kick! I am loving a hint of Sriracha with pork. — These chops certainly have a kick! I am loving a hint of Sriracha with pork!

You will be in love, too!
Ciao!

Category: 20 Minutes or Less