Macaroni & Broccoli

1 bag frozen Broccoli florets or 1 fresh head of Broccoli chopped large             1/4 C olive oil
additional 3 Tbls. olive oil                  1 clove garlic crushed                            red pepper flakes
Ditalini, Mini Penne Rigate, Penne Rigate

Put the 1/4 C oil in stock pot. Fill 3/4 way stock pot with water and salt, when the water boils put in the fresh or frozen broccoli, when the water boils again add the pasta  and let cook until the pasta is finished. At this time in a small frying pan put the 3 Tbls. oil and the crushed garlic clove also add red pepper flakes to your liking of hotness, when the pasta is cooked strain the pasta and broccoli then put back in stock pot, add the garlic and red pepper flake oil and mix, then transfer to serving bowl. Another quick and easy dish...Buon Appetito

Pasta Piselli

1/2 C olive oil                         1 1lb. bag of frozen peas                       small onion diced
about 3 strips of bacon cooked or prosciutto chopped                         salt & pepper
Ditalini or Cut Spaghetti pasta

Put everything directly into a stock pot, cover with water, cover and cook on medium heat. During this time make the pasta and drain. After the peas are unfrozen put in the pasta and cook about 10 more minutes. Serve...this is a fast and easy dish that takes no time at all. DO NOT freeze.

Minestrone

Minestrone

1/2 head of large cabbage/chopped           5 large carrots/diced           3 large celery stalks/diced
1/3 C olive oil                                           5 large potatoes/diced        1/8 C diced onions
1 small can whole peeled tomatoes           salt & pepper to taste          1 can Kidney beans
Ditalini/Ditali pasta                                    water

Put oil and onions in stock pot, cook until onions are translucent. Add the cabbage, carrots, potatoes,celery,tomatoes (crush as you put them in the pot). Cover the vegetables with water and simmer for 2-3 hours. Salt & pepper to taste. In another pot cook the pasta, while the pasta cooks add the kidney beans to the cabbage mixture still simmering. When the pasta is done you can 1) spoon the cabbage mixture (Minestrone) into a bowl and add the pasta or 2) mix the pasta into the Minestrone and serve.

You can freeze the Minestrone if you use option 1 and DO NOT add the pasta before freezing!

Pasta Fajoli

1/2 C Olive oil                2  tspns. crushed Garlic                 1 can whole peeled tomatoes crushed w/liquid
1/2 bag of Northern Beans (make sure you soak the beans overnight before using) 1 Tblspn Parsley
Ditalini pasta

Add the oil, the garlic, the parsley and the soaked beans to a stock pot and cover with water cook slow on low for 1-1 1/2 hours adding water when needed to keep covered. Cook the Ditalini pasta during this time. After the hour or hour and a half add the hand crushed whole peeled tomatoes with liquid and the cooked Ditalini pasta, after 10 minutes serve.

Sauce with Meatballs and Braciole

1/3 C Olive Oil          2- 6oz cans Tomato Paste       1 small can Whole Peeled Tomatoes

1/8 C diced onions    4 cloves fresh Garlic minced     3 Bay leaves

1# Hamburger          3 Country Style Pork ribs         4-6 (or more) thinly sliced beef cutlets

6oz Red Wine          12 oz water                              1C grated Parmesan/Romano cheese

fresh Parsley minced             4-5 (or more) very long toothpicks or metal picks

In a large stock/soup pot put the oil and the diced onions and cook until the onions are translucent.  Mix 1/2 C of the cheese with the hamburger and begin making meatballs (your choice of size), when finished place meatballs into the pot, as they start browning begin making the braciole...lay out the thin slice beef and sprinkle with cheese, minced garlic and parsley, roll up (like a crescent roll) and secure with toothpick or metal pick. Check and carefully turn meatballs (you want to brown on all sides. when meatballs are browned put Braciole in the pot. Add the Country Style Ribs also.  Immediately empty the tomato paste into the pot, using the empty cans add the water making sure to scrape all the past out, then use one of the cans to add the wine. Now with the whole peeled tomatoes you squeeze and crush (in your hand) each tomato into pot, then add the leftover juice. Add any leftover garlic and add the 3 Bay leaves. Cover pot and simmer for 3-4 hours *DO NOT USE CROCK POT* Make your pasta and when finished enjoy. We like to put the meat onto a seperate plate, we ladle the sauce over the pasta. Use any leftover cheese to put on your serving of pasta. You can freeze the sauce if needed/wanted to use another time with a different meat to serve. Buon Appetito!