NCT Cooks Challenge 17 Aug. 23 - Aug. 30 ITALIAN

[VeraBlue]

1. Pasta (unstuffed, filled or otherwise layered)
2. Chicken
3. Duck
4. Fowl (yeah, you can also do one for the previous three)
5. Fish - with scales and fins
6. Shellfish and things that live in shells
7. Something from the ocean/pond/lake/stream/river/puddle
8. Ground Cow
9 Smoked Pig
10 Cream
11. Your favourite spice
12. Your favourite herb
13 Breakfast
14 Stew
15. Italian
16. Middle Eastern
17. Chinese
18 BBQ/Grill/Smoker
19. Seasonal vegetable of your choice (must be 'in' season)
20. Dessert


Northern Italian, Southern Italian, Sicily, Tuscany, Roman, Napilatano; pasta, fish, vegetables, dessert....The possibilities are endless!!

[MexicoKaren]

Gosh, is mine the very first entry? C'mon and get cookin', everybody. I already posted this on the daily thread, but made calzones today. We like food we can eat with our hands. Filled with Italian sausage, mushrooms, salami, olives, mozzarella, a little bit of marinara to hold it together. More marinara on the side.

[Blues Man]

Classic Bruschetta .......... Nothing like home grown tomatoes!

http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/the_selling_blues_man/100_1373.jpg?t=1282793384


http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/the_selling_blues_man/100_1385_00.jpg?t=1282793200



http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll440/the_selling_blues_man/100_1387.jpg?t=1282792868

[MexicoKaren]

BluesMan, that looks mouthwateringly good. Nice job.

[lilbopeep]

Beautiful!

[Sass Muffin]

Perfect timing.
I've got some Italian sausages and a recipe for a cold Italian salad.

[VeraBlue]

Karen and Blues!! Beautiful plates and thanks for kicking it off in such style!!

I've invited my new neighbours for dinner this saturday. I've got two entries planned from that menu.

[lilbopeep]

I have plans for something but I have been feeling kind of lousy. Vera, I will try to get something posted.

[Sass Muffin]

oops, thanks for the reminder Peeps.

-Sweet Italian Sausages and Italian dressing marinated veggie salad-

8124

[lilbopeep]

oops, thanks for the reminder Peeps.

-Sweet Italian Sausages and Italian dressing marinated veggie salad-

8124
That looks yummy Sass!!

[Sass Muffin]

It was good.
I've got 3 of those sausages left and plan on using them later on in the week.

[Cooksie]

Things are looking good in here.



Perfect timing.
I've got some Italian sausages and a recipe for a cold Italian salad.

That's sounding good to me too. A couple of recipes for antipasta salad caught my eye today.

[Kimchee]

Smoked salmon spaghetti!!!!

This actually wasn't terribly tasty. The smoked salmon was
WAY TOO SMOKEY.
With a mild cold smoked salmon, it woulda been pretty tasty.

(Disclaimer, I cooked this a while back. I suppose I'm cheating by
using a previous dish, but I am having camera in the kitchen issues...
I forget the damn thing!!! Coulda presented my Walmart Take and Bake
pizza from tonight, but it's gone... oink. {Moderators, feel free to PM me
if I need to stop using old pics, not a problem})

[Cooksie]

I've never tried smoked salmon spaghetti, but yours makes me want to, Kimchee.


Scampi with Artichoke Hearts over Pappardelle topped with a little shaved parm:

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac34/Red150/ScampiwithArtichokesoverPappardelle.jpg?t=12830102 89

[MexicoKaren]

I used to go to a restaurant in Portland that often served a special pasta with smoked salmon...it was really good. Probably a relatively mild smoked salmon. Your version looks especially good with the addition of some greens. And Cooksie, your plate looks absolutely beautiful.

[mhend]

Just beautiful, Cooksie!

[Sass Muffin]

Kimchee and Cooksie, both of those plates are making me hungry.
;)

[Cooksie]

Thanks all :D

[lilbopeep]

Beautiful Cooksie!!

[VeraBlue]

Lovely, Cooksie!!

Kimchee, I'm inclined to leave the post where it is. Too many rules make for an unenjoyable NCT!! As long as you made it and it's your picture, I'm going to leave the post in the thread.
Technically, the purpose of the current challenge is to get the community thinking on the same page regarding one meal.
Personally, I'm just happy to see people participating!!

[lilbopeep]

Ravioli with meatballs & sausage gravy topped with fresh grated Romano & parmesan cheeses and spinach salad dressed with Balsamic vinaigrette.

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Food%20Two/82810_raviloi_meatballs_sausage.jpg

[Cooksie]

Ravioli with meatballs & sausage gravy topped with fresh grated Romano & parmesan cheeses and spinach salad dressed with Balsamic vinaigrette.



I could really go for that right now :thumb:.

Thanks Vera and lbp :mrgreen: !

[lilbopeep]

I could really go for that right now :thumb:.

Thanks Vera and lbp :mrgreen: !
Thank you Cooksie

[Sass Muffin]

Peeps, that is beautiful!
Love the red plate.
I can almost taste those boiled egg slices with the vinaigrette.
It's all so yummy looking.

[lilbopeep]

Peeps, that is beautiful!
Love the red plate.
I can almost taste those boiled egg slices with the vinaigrette.
It's all so yummy looking.
Thank you Sass!!

My daughter and I went shopping around today. She wanted to go to Michael's and we also hit a Dollar Tree. I got that red plate, a plate with blue rings in the middle and on the rim and a plate with polka dots on the rim a dollar each. I also got green glass Coca Cola small juice glasses 2 for $1.00.

[Sass Muffin]

Thank you Sass!!

My daughter and I went shopping around today. She wanted to go to Michael's and we also hit a Dollar Tree. I got that red plate, a plate with blue rings in the middle and on the rim and a plate with polka dots on the rim a dollar each. I also got green glass Coca Cola small juice glasses 2 for $1.00.
:applause:;)

[lilbopeep]

:applause:;)
BTW When I saw the red plate it seemed like it was crying for pasta!! LOL It just looks like a pasta plate.

[PanchoHambre]

Damn I wanted to throw my mussels and linguini up but I never got the pic together and a pic of raw noodles and cooked mussels does not quite = Italian LOL damn digicam

[Cooksie]

This is my Poor Man's Version of an Italian Sandwich (no capicola or mortadella). It's now my favorite sandwich. I used pesto as the spread for the lightly toasted bread, regular deli ham, genoa salami, and provolone. I put it under the broiler to melt the cheese and then added the relish. For the relish I used chopped red and green cherry peppers, kalamata olives, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.


http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac34/Red150/ItalianSandwichwithCherryPepperRelish.jpg?t=128309 5487

[Sass Muffin]

That's a beautiful sandwich Cooksie!

[lilbopeep]

YUMMY Cooksie!! I was wanting a hero BEFORE I saw that sammie now I am really craving!!

[Cooksie]

Thanks you two :kiss:. I had another one for lunch :in_love:.

[Kimchee]

Lovely sandwiches! I'll have two please.

[lilbopeep]

Dinner was Breaded & fried eggplant, linguine with meatballs and spinach salad. (Eggplant parm got veto'd, but I have some left over so maybe tomorrow)

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Food%20Two/82910_fried_eggplant.jpg

[QSis]

Oh, I've got one, I've got one!

Panzanella!!! A bit too vinagery/soggy, but still good.

Served with a "side" of moussaka (lol!).

Will make it again before tomato season is over.

Lee

[Blues Man]

Very nice Peep!

Ravioli with meatballs & sausage gravy topped with fresh grated Romano & parmesan cheeses and spinach salad dressed with Balsamic vinaigrette.

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Food%20Two/82810_raviloi_meatballs_sausage.jpg

[lilbopeep]

Beautiful Plate Lee!! Yummy!!

Thank you Blues!

[MexicoKaren]

Cooksie, if I had sandwiches like that, I'd eat one for every meal until it was all gone. Lee, I love your panzanella - I haven't made that in so long - thanks for reminding me. I'll make it soon. Moussaka looks good, too! Greece is just next door to Italy, after all.

[vyapti]

I'm back from vacation, got the yard and house back into shape and back-to-school is on the horizon. I can't think of a better way to bring in fall than a simmering pot of hearty spaghetti sauce.

Garden Ragu (http://myveggiekitchen.blogspot.com/2010/08/garden-ragu.html)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4940461639_98c1d67e48.jpg (http://myveggiekitchen.blogspot.com/2010/08/garden-ragu.html)

[lilbopeep]

I'm back from vacation, got the yard and house back into shape and back-to-school is on the horizon. I can't think of a better way to bring in fall than a simmering pot of hearty spaghetti sauce.

Garden Ragu (http://myveggiekitchen.blogspot.com/2010/08/garden-ragu.html)


That looks YUMMY!! I make lentil soup and the next day I add tomato sauce to it and cook pasta IN the soup with tomato sauce. The pasta soaks up all the liquid and your are left with pasta and lentils and it taste wonderful.

[Sass Muffin]

That looks really nice Vy.
What's in the salad you had on the side?

[vyapti]

It was tomatoes, cucumber, sweet onion & basil with some vegenaise (mayo), salt & pepper. My garden still doesn't have a single ripe tomato, so I made a trip to the farmer's market.

[Sass Muffin]

Looks great, and thanks :)

[VeraBlue]

So, I completely forgot to get the picture of the roasted corn soup with the basil cream swirl.

I forgot to get the shrimp risotto picture...but remembered when I was bringing the dirty plates back into the kitchen

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p270/VeraBllue/August2010086.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p270/VeraBllue/August2010087.jpg

I did manage a picture of the rabbit ragu with homemade pappardelle, topped with fried zucchini slices and sauteed rabbit liver

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p270/VeraBllue/August2010088.jpg

Didn't get the cheese course or the dessert. While the cheese is gone, I do still have the white chocolate and lemon mousseline cake.

[MexicoKaren]

Oh Vera!!! You have me laughing out loud. I can't think of anyone else who would take a picture of their dirty dishes, with a whole group of people holding their breath to see them!!! You have such a loyal and affectionate following here, and speaking for myself at least, I think we all love to live a bit vicariously through your sophisticated culinary adventures. I was really happy to see your shrimp shells, leftover risotto and the rabbit looked beautiful. Really! Thanks. :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[Sass Muffin]

^^ what she said.
Gawd Vera, you even make a dirty plate look classy! lol

[VeraBlue]

You all make me feel so good!!

I really do wish I could cook for all of you!!

[mhend]

You all make me feel so good!!

I really do wish I could cook for all of you!!


Speaking for myself, I wish you could too! LOL! Hurry up and open that cafe! :)

[MexicoKaren]

Yes! Open, open, open. I think that might be the way to get Jerry to travel north of the border for the first time in years!

[lilbopeep]

Baked clams, cherry tomato salad and linguine topped with sautéed veggies (EVOO, fresh garlic, fresh basil, oregano, onions, eggplant, green & yellow squash, red, green, yellow & orange bell peppers, quartered mushrooms caps, burgundy wine, herbs & spices and tomato sauce).

http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/pp48/msmofet/Food%20Two/83010_linguine_veggies.jpg

[QSis]

One more, just under the wire!

This is Tyler Florence's casserole - Baked Rigatoni with Eggplant and Sausages http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/baked-rigatoni-with-eggplant-and-sausage-recipe/index.html - with a side of cucumbers and browned butter.

I added sliced fresh mushrooms because I had to use them up. Also, I used Barilla Mezzi Rigatoni for the first time. WAY better than regular rigatoni, since it's bite-sized and easier to eat.

But to be honest, I don't see the point in baking this. I think it would be as good, if not better, if you just tossed it all together in a pot on top of the stove and served it right from the pot.

Lee

[Sass Muffin]

Lee, that looks so good.
Like you, I've made pasta recipes before and questioned WHY bake it? when it's perfectly fine as prepared.
Love that cuke salad too.

[lilbopeep]

One more, just under the wire!

This is Tyler Florence's casserole - Baked Rigatoni with Eggplant and Sausages http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/baked-rigatoni-with-eggplant-and-sausage-recipe/index.html - with a side of cucumbers and browned butter.

I added sliced fresh mushrooms because I had to use them up. Also, I used Barilla Mezzi Rigatoni for the first time. WAY better than regular rigatoni, since it's bite-sized and easier to eat.

But to be honest, I don't see the point in baking this. I think it would be as good, if not better, if you just tossed it all together in a pot on top of the stove and served it right from the pot.

Lee
That looks awesome Lee!! I wish I could drive up and visit!

[VeraBlue]

One of the glaringly missing things here in New Orleans, and in most of the south, is the lack of pasta shapes. You can get spaghetti, fettucini, ziti, elbows, shells and rotini in the 'regular' supermarkets. There are a couple of specialty stores that have more variety, but I've yet to find the mezzi rigatoni.

Nice job on the Italian Challenge everyone!!! This community is really stepping up to the collective plates!! Thanks thanks thanks!!