The blessing of having a significant other is enormous, maybe more so on Valentine's Day.
But consider yourself also fortunate and blessed if you have a friend that sticks closer than a brother or sister, one who fills your heart with joy. For the ladies in my life whose big hearts have brought me tremendous joy and encouragement, here's a day of "hearts" designed just for you.
From my heart to yours and with deep gratitude, please know how special you are to me.
From my heart to yours and with deep gratitude, please know how special you are to me.
Raspberry Champagne
Tray of Hearts:
Calymirna Figs, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, Fresh Sliced Strawberries and Mint Chocolates
Cara Cara and Blood Orange Ricotta Salad
Garlic Cheese Puff Pastry Twisted Hearts
Italian Wedding Soup
Creme-Filled Olive Oil Caketinis
Recipes
Italian Wedding Soup
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 egg
1 cup grated parmesan
1 cup panko bread crumbs
bunch of parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp olive oil
2 carrots, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
4 small sweet peppers, diced
2 cups of fresh baby spinach
1/4 cup Pinot Noir or any lighter kind of red wine
1 tbsp orange juice
8 cups chicken stock
salt & pepper to taste
1. In a large bowl, combine sausage, half of chopped onion, half of minced garlic, egg, bread crumbs, parmesan, 3/4 of the chopped parsley, nutmeg and 1/2 tsp pepper.
2. Form into small meatballs. To make heart-shaped meatballs, pad tightly onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper and use heart cookie cutter.
3. On a large non-stick skillet, brown meatballs on medium high heat. Set aside and reserve drippings.
4. Transfer drippings to a large pot, add olive oil.
5. Cook remaining onion, carrots, celery and sweet peppers until onion starts to become translucent.
6. Add garlic and cook another minute.
7. Deglaze with red wine, then add chicken stock and bring to a boil.
8. Drop meatballs one by one, until fully cook, season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Add spinach and lower to heat to simmer. Serve hot, garnished with remaining parsley.
Garlic Cheese Puff Pastry Twisted Hearts
1 pkg puff pastry, thawed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 cup grated mozzarella
1 cup grated parmigiano reggiano
1 tbsp melted butter
1, Preheat oven to 400F.
2. On a cool surface, spread 1 sheet of puff pastry and brushed with olive oil.
3. Sprinkle with 1/2 garlic powder, then layer grated mozzarella and parmesan.
4. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with remaining garlic powder.
5. Place another sheet of puff pastry and press down all around.
6. Cut into 1" wide strips.
7. Press together edges of strips, then twist into a heart shape.
8. Brush with melted butter and bake in 400F oven for 20 minutes.
9. Serve immediately.
Olive Oil Caketinis
To make the cake, use the recipe found here:
1. Instead of using a cake pan, use muffin pan and fill batter to the top of each mold.
2. When done baking, cool pan on a rack.
3. Remove from pan.
4. Slice off the top portion, fill bottom part with a layer of whipped cream, then replace back top portion.
5. Draw a heart on parchment paper and cut around it, then place paper on top of each cake and sift powdered sugar to form a white heart,
