CANNED ITALIAN TOMATOES WITH BASIL

Canning your own tomatoes is so rewarding. I actually had enough Roma tomatoes to make a total of 8 quart-size jars. That should keep me supplied in tomatoes for my Italian recipes through the autumn months. I have a total of 4 Roma tomato plants and 14 other tomato plants. I am still getting ripe ones off the vine and it's the end of September now.

4 to 5-quart size jars

80 to 85 medium-size Roma (plum) tomatoes
4 to 5 cloves garlic, 

16 to 20 large basil leaves

2 to 2 ½ t sea salt

Cut an “X” on the bottom of each tomato.

Bring a pot of water to a rapid boil.

Boil totatoes, in batches, for one minute and remove to a bowl of ice water, using a large spider or slotted spoon.

Place a strainer over a medium-size bowl and peel the skin from tomatoes over a strainer, to catch the liquid.

Cut tomatoes in half and remove the hard center cores.

Add a basil leaf to the bottom of each jar.

Pack in tomatoes and press down to release air with a wooden spoon handle.
Add a clove of garlic and 3 more basil leaves with some of the reserved tomato juice to within ½ inch of the rim.

Add ½ t salt to each jar, wipe the rim with a clean paper towel and add the lids.

Process in a boiling water bath for 40 minutes.

Remove and let cool, then adjust lids to tighten and let cool completely.

Store in a cool dark pantry.

SOMEWHERE IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Marie Noviello Casazza, Ted Casazza, and Sister, Gloria Casazza

GRILLED ASPARAGUS

Grilled asparagus is a simple summer side dish. I used 2 long metal skewers and threaded the asparagus through the center. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using. A little oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and grated asiago cheese made these asparagus delizioso!

Lee's Kitchen Tips:
Don't use your good extra-virgin olive oil when you cook, especially on high heat. 
Extra-virgin olive oil has a smoke point of 375 degrees F.
Extra-light olive oil has a smoke point of 468 degrees F.
Avocado oil has a smoke point of 400 degrees F.

1 lb fresh asparagus
2 t extra-light olive oil
½ t garlic powder

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 t extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

2 T grated cheese, for topping (I used grated asiago)

Cut off tough ends of asparagus and thread through skewers.

Drizzle with oil and garlic powder.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Place over coals and grill for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Remove from skewers onto a platter, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and top with grated cheese.

Serves 4

CASA RAGÙ WITH RIGATONI

Ragù is a meat-based sauce that is commonly served over pasta. I like serving it over rigatoni. Ragù was created by Alberto Alvisi in the 18th century. This pasta sauce would also be great in lasagne. This would be more of a southern Italian pasta dish, not a Bolognese style dish. I think of it more as an Italian-American dish.

2 ½ to 3 lbs lean ground beef

5 links Italian sausage, removed from casings

2 T avocado oil or olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 28-oz cans San Marzano crushed tomatoes

1 6-oz can tomato paste

1 cup dry red wine

1 t freeze-dried or fresh oregano

1 T sugar 

1 t kosher or sea salt

1 t freshly ground black pepper

½ t red pepper flakes

1 3-inch piece of Parmigiano-Reggiano rind (optional)

8 basil leaves, chopped

Basil leaves, for garnish

Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated

In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the ground beef, in two or three batches, and brown.

Remove the ground beef with a slotted spoon into a large bowl and set aside.

Add the Italian sausage and brown while breaking it up with a wooden spoon.

Remove with a slotted spoon to the bowl with the browned meat and set aside.

Discard any grease in the pan and add the oil.

Add the onions and slowly cook 10 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook another minute.

Return the meat to the pot, and add the rest of the ingredients and slowly simmer for 1 hour, partially covered or with a splatter screen over the pot, until the sauce has thickened and all the flavors have blended. 

If sauce becomes too thick add a cup of the pasta cooking water.

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and pour the pasta back into the pot that you cooked the pasta in.. 

Add a ladle or two of sauce and mix.

Divide among warm pasta bowls and add a little more sauce. Sprinkle with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and garnish with a few basil leaves.

WHITE PIZZA WITH PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA & ARUGULA

Once a week we have pizza night for dinner. I love white pizza and with the addition of Prosciutto di Parma and arugula, the pizza is even better. Make your dough at least 24 hours in advance.

Casa Pizza Dough
¾ cup lukewarm water

1 t active dry yeast

2 cups unbleached bread flour

1 t fine sea salt

1 t extra-light olive oil

Pour some of the lukewarm water into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook.

Sprinkle in yeast and let proof for 10 minutes, until the yeast is creamy and foaming.

With the mixer running, slowly add the flour alternating with the rest of the water, salt, and olive oil. Continue to mix until a ball forms, about 10 minutes.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until dough is soft and not sticky. Place dough in a large bowl that has been lightly oiled. Spread a little oil on top of the dough, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 24 to 36 hours.

Remove from refrigerator and let bowl with dough come to room temperature before shaping. Divide into 2 balls for round 12-inch pizzas.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. 

Lightly oil two pizza pans.
Preheat a pizza stone on the rack of oven for 15 minutes.

Extra-light olive oil

8 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced

4 oz asiago cheese, grated

1 t freeze-dried oregano

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 handfuls arugula

¼ lb. Prosciutto di Parma, thinly sliced

Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese shaved

Extra-virgin olive oil, for finishing

Place a ball of dough onto the center of each pan. Use your hands to stretch, form, and flatten each ball of dough to a 12-inch round.
Brush the rolled-out pizza dough with extra-light olive oil and add half of the mozzarella and half of the asiago cheese.
Sprinkle with half of the oregano and garlic.
Place pizza pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake 5 minutes; then slide the pizza directly onto the heated stone and bake another 10 minutes.
Repeat with the second pizza and top each with a handful of arugula, half of the Prosciutto, some shaved Parmigiano and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

Makes 2 12-inch pizzas