Pastalotta Recipe 55

Steps:

• Squish down on the garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife to bruise them and put them into a large freezer bag. Add the peppercorns, pressing down on them from outside the bag with the end of a rolling pin or a tin of soup to bruise them. Now add the steak, onion quarters, olive oil, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and mix to combine. Seal the bag and place it in a dish to prevent leakage. Refrigerate for 12 or so hours, or marinate at room temperature for up to 2 hours. The marinating step is critical, so don't cut it short.
• Bring the steak to room temperature before cooking on a griddle for about 6 to 7 minutes a side; it's hard to say exactly how long it'll take as it depends on how you like your meat. I like mine pretty well still quaking and trembling on the plate, so be prepared to cook it for longer if you want better-done meat. Test by prodding before you start poking knives in: if it's very very soft and bouncy, it's blue; springy, rare; springy but with resistance, medium-rare to medium depending on that resistance; hard, well, you know the answer to that.
• Take the steak out and lay it on a large piece of foil, sprinkle with salt, and then wrap the whole parcel in another piece of foil and let it stand for 10 minutes before carving thinly, crosswise (on the diagonal). Arrange on a plate lined with arugula leaves. Put a plate of lemon quarters on the table too, for squeezing over the meat as you eat. Serve with potatoes on the side.
• Squish down on the garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife to bruise them and put them into a large freezer bag. Add the peppercorns, pressing down on them from outside the bag with the end of a rolling pin or a tin of soup to bruise them. Now add the steak, onion quarters, olive oil, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and mix to combine. Seal the bag and place it in a dish to prevent leakage. Refrigerate for 12 or so hours, or marinate at room temperature for up to 2 hours. The marinating step is critical, so don't cut it short.
• Bring the steak to room temperature before cooking on a griddle for about 6 to 7 minutes a side; it's hard to say exactly how long it'll take as it depends on how you like your meat. I like mine pretty well still quaking and trembling on the plate, so be prepared to cook it for longer if you want better-done meat. Test by prodding before you start poking knives in: if it's very very soft and bouncy, it's blue; springy, rare; springy but with resistance, medium-rare to medium depending on that resistance; hard, well, you know the answer to that.
• Take the steak out and lay it on a large piece of foil, sprinkle with salt, and then wrap the whole parcel in another piece of foil and let it stand for 10 minutes before carving thinly, crosswise (on the diagonal). Arrange on a plate lined with arugula leaves. Put a plate of lemon quarters on the table too, for squeezing over the meat as you eat. Serve with potatoes on the side.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Wash and dry the potatoes, but don't bother to peel them, and cut them into about 3/4-inch dice. Toss with the oil on a large baking sheet, using your hands to mix well. Tuck in some torn up rosemary sprigs, and roast for about an hour, turning once or twice during that time, until they wonderfully crispy and golden but still soft on the inside. When they're done, remove to a large plate and sprinkle with salt.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Wash and dry the potatoes, but don't bother to peel them, and cut them into about 3/4-inch dice. Toss with the oil on a large baking sheet, using your hands to mix well. Tuck in some torn up rosemary sprigs, and roast for about an hour, turning once or twice during that time, until they wonderfully crispy and golden but still soft on the inside. When they're done, remove to a large plate and sprinkle with salt.

Steps:

• Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. For the tomato layer: In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly. Stir in the tomatoes. Return the pan to the heat and add the red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture has formed a chunky sauce, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the bechamel sauce: In a 1-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Stir in the nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Simmer over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
• For the pesto: In a food processor, combine the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pulse until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Stir the pesto into the bechamel sauce until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
• For the polenta: In a large, heavy saucepan, bring 6 cups water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and the cornmeal is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter. To assemble the torta: Working quickly, spread half of the warm polenta in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Add the pesto mixture and spread on top of the polenta. Spoon the remaining polenta on top and smooth with a spatula. Spread the tomato mixture on top. Cool the torta at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the layers have set, about 4 hours. Remove the outer ring from the pan, then remove the parchment paper. Place the torta on a platter and cut into thin wedges. Serve with grilled bread. Cook's Note: To toast the pine nuts, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven until lightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before using.

Steps:

• Season pork, sausage, and chicken with tony's and worcestershire. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, and celery. Stir until soft. Add remaining ingredients in pas except pasta. Stir and blend well, bring to a high boil. Add pasta (reduce heat to medium to low) Cover for 15 to 20 minutes. Add Kitchen Bouquet for color.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Cook onion and bell pepper in skillet 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in eggplant, zucchini, salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomatoes, breaking up with spoon; reduce heat to low. Cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Spray rectangular baking dish, 11x7x1 1/2 inches, with cooking spray. Cut polenta into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange slices on bottom of dish, overlapping and cutting to fit where necessary. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Spoon vegetable mixture evenly over top.
• Cover and bake 30 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and parsley. Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute the mushrooms, pepper and onion in 2 teaspoons oil until almost tender. Add the eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning and salt. Saute for 8-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender., In another skillet, cook polenta slices in remaining oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Serve with ratatouille; sprinkle with cheese if desired.