basil stuffed shells

 Happy Birthday, Mikel

For his Birthday Lunch I made Basil Stuffed Shells, Two Ways. Basil Ricotta, and Bolognese Ricotta. I cooked the pasta sauce for 4 hours, easy to do if you get it on in the morning and stir every now and then. I made the Bolognese adapted from Nonna's Italian Kitchen by Bryanna Clark Grogan, which we have used for Lasagna recipes for the past six years. This was an awesome variation on that recipe, using my Basil Ricotta as a base
They both turned out exquisite.

Mikel's cake was the Portal Cake.

The Cake is a lie.

Uh,... you have to be 15, and, or a gamer to understand the reference, I'm afraid.

eggplant parmesan

Italian Night!

If Mikel had to pick one food to take with him on deserted island, it would be this. It was a little challenging figuring out how to bread the eggplant without eggs and without frying it, but the answer is very simple - yogurt. A thin layer of soy yogurt and then the panko crumbs mixed with some fine bread crumbs and the result is crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. The cheeze is a mix of Daiya and Follow Your Heart, and the sauce is homemade. With the exception of eldest daughter who would like this if it were not eggplant, we all dig this dish.

seitan scallopini

If you are not familiar with Bryanna Clark Grogan, it is time you should be. Tonight's dinner was inspired by her scallopini recipes in

 Nonna's Italian Kitchen.

I made some seitan a few nights ago, and if you are intimidated by making seitan, don't be. (I am in the process of making a video to help you conquer the fear of seitan.) I made a 'light', 'chicken'-flavored seitan, and sliced it 1/4 inch thin. After breading the slices, I pan-fried them until golden, added mushrooms, shallots, and garlic, and about a cup of wine (or Marsala, sherry, or just vegetable broth). I let the sauce reduce and served the cutlets with whipped potatoes and sauteed garlic spinach.

Originally I had the cutlets over pureed baby turnips, but that was a bit much for the rest of the family - too bitter for them - so the picture is of whipped potatoes. If you do use potatoes instead of turnips, consider changing the greens to kale or rapini (broccoli rabe). - it will give a nice flavor contrast. I liked it a lot with the turnips, however, so here is your chance to use up those last turnips in your CSA box. 

Seitan Scallopini Recipe