Bistecca Alla Siciliana Food

BISTECCA ALL FIORENTINA

Steps:

• Let the steak rest outside the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cooking. Use a hot, clean, oiled grill. If pan roasting, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Liberally season the steak with the salt and pepper, coat with olive oil and press the seasoning into the meat. Grill the steaks for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium rare. The fillet will cook a little faster than the strip loin. Move the steaks every 2 minutes or so for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• For pan roasting, heat a cast iron skillet with a little olive oil until smoking hot. Turn on the fan, open the window and stand back to avoid getting splattered! Using tongs, place the steaks in the center of the pan. Cook until the first side is seared brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the steaks and place the pan in the oven until the steaks are done, about 6 minutes for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a carving board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before carving.
• Cut the steaks away from the bone and carve into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange the meat on warmed plates and drizzle a little bit of balsamic vinegar over the slices. Serve with some extra gray sea salt on the side.

SICILIAN STEAK (BISTECCA ALLA SICILIANA)

Steps:

• Marinate steaks in garlic and olive oil for 30 minutes (15 minutes on each side).
• Combine cheese, oregano and breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
• Dip steaks in the bread mixture.
• Cook steaks under broiler, turning once.
• For rare, cook 8-10 minutes; for medium cook 12-14 minutes; for well done cook 18-20 minutes.

SPAGHETTI SICILIANA

Steps:

• cube eggplants and cut bell peppers into slim strips and sliver garlic.
• cook oil and garlic over medium heat for 2-3 min.
• add eggplant and bell pepper and cook 2-4 min (until just wilted).
• add tomato and bring to boil.
• chop olives, capers, and 5 leaves basil and add to sauce, then reduce heat to low and simmer to thicken.
• in the meantime, cook the pasta and chop remaining basil into ribbons.
• toss pasta with sauce and top with cheese and basil ribbons.

SALTIMBOCCA ALLA ROMANA

Steps:

• Slice the cutlets in half and pound each cutlet 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle each cutlet with salt and pepper on one side only; do not salt the side the prosciutto will be on or it will become too salty. Using a toothpick, secure a slice of prosciutto and a sage leaf on top of each cutlet.
• Add the flour to a plate, sprinkle with salt and pepper and whisk together. Dredge each cutlet through the flour, shaking to get rid of the excess flour.
• In a 12-inch skillet, melt the butter in the olive oil over medium-high heat. Then add 4 cutlets, prosciutto-side down, into the pan. Cook about 3 minutes on each side. Add the wine to the skillet and cook until the sharp smell of the wine is cooked off, about 3 minutes. Repeat with the remaining cutlets using a clean skillet. Serve the cutlets on a large platter and drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with fresh sage.

FLORENTINE STYLE STEAK -- BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA

Steps:

• Remove the steaks from the refrigerator, rinse under water, pat dry with paper towels and allow to sit at room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.
• Put the fatback, garlic and rosemary into a food processor and blend until it is the consistency of toothpaste.
• Rub the fat mixture evenly over the meat and season with coarse salt and fresh ground pepper.
• Use a hot, clean, oiled grill and grill the steaks for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium rare.
• The fillet will cook a little faster than the strip loin. Move the steaks frequently, approximately every 2 minutes or so, for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• When the steaks are cooked, take them off the grill and allow to rest for 5 to 7 minutes. The resting allows the blood to circulate and distributes the juices evenly.
• Serve and enjoy!

ITALIAN BREADED STEAK UM

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients in medium sauce pan.
• Allow to simmer approximately 15 minutes on med-high heat, then reduce to low to keep warm.
• Slice roast into 1/8" slices.
• (Doing this when the roast is still half frozen is the easiest).
• Dip roast slices in egg, then in breadcrumbs seasoned with the Parmesan.
• Heat Olive Oil to 375 degrees in fry pan or deep fryer also works well.
• Fry roast slices approximately 3-4 minutes for each side until golden brown.
• Layer paper towel in serving dish along with fried slices of roast to provide proper drainage of olive oil.
• Serve roast slice with sauce on the side for dipping.

CAPONATA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Put pasta water on to boil.
• In a large saute pan stir-fry eggplant and garlic in 4 tablespoons olive oil, until tender and a little brown.
• Put pasta in boiling water.
• Remove eggplant mixture from pan and set aside. Saute onion and pepper in remaining oil for 5 minutes. Add eggplant mixture and all other ingredients to onion and pepper, cover and cook over low heat for about 7 minutes.
• Toss hot, drained al dente pasta together with eggplant sauce, garnish with a sprig of fresh basil (and the toasted pine nuts, if using), and serve with grated parmesan cheese. Add additional vinegar, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Serves 4.
• *Note: I think I prefer this made with only 8 ounces of pasta.

SICILIAN CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING (CASSATA ALLA SICILIANA)

Steps:

• With a sharp, serrated knife, slice the end crusts off the pound cake and level the top if it is rounded. Cut the cake horizontally into 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick slabs.
• Rub the ricotta through a coarse sieve into a bowl with a wodden spoon and beat it with a rotary or electric beater until it is smooth. Beating constantly, add the cream, siugar and Strega.
• With a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped candied fruit and chocolate. Center the bottom slab of the cake on a flat plate and spread it generously with the ricotta mixture.
• Carefully place another slab of cake on top, keeping the sides and ends even, and spread some more ricotta. Repeat until all the cake slabs are reassembled and the filling has been used up- ending with a plain slice of cake on top.
• Gently press the loaf together to make it as compact as possible. Do not worry if it feels wobbly; chilling firms the loaf. Refrigerate the cassata for about 2 hours, or until the ricotta is firm.
• Chocolate Frosting:.
• Melt 12 oz. of chocolate with the coffee in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate has completely dissolved.
• Remove the pan from the heat and beat in the chilled butter, 1 piece at a time. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth. Then chill this frosting until it thickens to spreading consistency.
• With a small metal spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the top, sides and ends of the cassata, swirling it as decoratively as you can.
• Cover loosely with plastic wrap, wax paper or foil and let cassata "ripen" in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving it.