Amore!

When I think of romance and love, I think of Italy.  I think of Italy, I think of pasta.  This dish is made with love for St. Valentine’s Day.  It uses my new favorite brand of gluten free pasta, Barilla.  I made mine with sausage and chicken, but it can easily be vegetarian.  It’s a great dish for your valentine, especially if they do the dishes, because it is a one pot meal.

PASTA FAGIOLI

A one pot meal

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 stalks of celery, finely chopped

1 TBSP olive oil

2 cups of tomatoes, diced (or a 14 oz. can of fire roasted tomatoes)

1 cup cooked ground sausage

1 large carton chicken or vegetable broth (or water)

2 cups of gluten free pasta (penne, shells) I like Barilla!

1 can of white cannellini beans

4 cups of torn greens (kale, escarole, turnip)

3 TBSP of fresh basil, chopped (or 1 TBSP dried)

3 TBSP of fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 TBSP dried)

 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

A great soup needs a great salad...

CAESAR DRESSING

This is easy, dairy and egg free and so, so good! A special thanks to my sister and mother for sharing the recipe. They learned about it from Darlene Lopez, my sister's mother-in-law.

1 lemon reamed, save the juice

2 oz. tin of anchovies packed in olive oil

3 garlic cloves

1/4 cup of olive oil (or more if you like)

Salt and pepper to taste

Whirl together in a blender or mini-food processor.  Serve with romaine lettuce and croutons (see below for croutons). Also delicious with steamed cauliflower.

CROUTONS

Do not bother to buy the croutons in the store because it is so easy to make them at home.  Use leftover artisan bread, gluten free bread, or cornbread.  

Slice bread into 1" cubes and place on a sheet of foil that will fit in your toaster oven.  Toast in the toaster oven for 3 minutes on toast setting, turn and toss croutons, place in toaster oven again for another 2-3 minutes on toast.  You can get fancy and toss with olive oil and "Garlic Gold", but if you are using these croutons with the Caesar dressing-the dressing will pack all of the punch you need!

When I think of Italy, I also think of...

CHOCOLATE SORBETTO

Let your love shine

2 ½ cups of water

1 ¼ cups sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa

3 ounces of chocolate finely chopped.  Try Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate bar.

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan, stir in sugar and cocoa and simmer for about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in chocolate and vanilla until chocolate is melted completely.  Cover and chill completely.

Pour chocolate mixture into your ice cream maker and let it whirl for about 30-45 minutes.  Remove from ice cream maker and transfer the sorbetto to a freezer safe container and chill for about an hour.

Adapted from a recipe in a magazine-can’t remember which one!

I need to include a special recognition to my valentine, dishwasher, best friend, and husband of 15 years, Scott.  Happy Anniversary, Ti amo!