Grilled Focaccia With Mozzarella Di Bufala Sweet Italian Sausage And Fresh Tomatoes Food

SALSICCIA CON CIMA DI RAPA: SAUSAGE WITH BROCCOLI RABE

Steps:

• Cook the rapini in boiling salted water for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain.
• In a saucepan, heat 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Add the garlic and chili peppers, and cook until the garlic is golden brown. Add the rapini to the saucepan, and saute for a few minutes. Season with salt to taste.
• In another saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and add the sausages. Cook the sausage for a few minutes, turning frequently, before piercing with a knife in order to release some of the fat. If the sausages are sticking to the pan, add a few tablespoons of water instead of adding more oil. Continue cooking until the sausages are golden brown and fully cooked.
• Add the cooked sausages to the rapini, and cook together for a few minutes. Transfer the mixture to a warm plate and serve hot.

GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH SWEET 'N SOUR PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a small non-stick skillet cook and stir almonds for 1-2 minutes, or until golden. Stir in raisins and remove from heat. Let stand for 1 minute. Carefully stir in vinegar, sugar, salt and black pepper. Return to medium-low heat, cook and stir just until sugar is dissolved, 2 minutes. Set aside. In a large bowl combine red and green peppers and onion wedges. Drizzle with oil; toss gently to coat. Prepare grill to medium-high heat. Grill sausages and vegetables uncovered for 10-15 minutes until sausages are firm, no longer pink inside and juices run clear (180 degrees F),and vegetables are tender, turning at least once halfway through grilling. While sausages and vegetables are grilling, brush slices of polenta with Italian dressing and grill about 2 minutes on each side allowing enough time for the slices to become toasted and golden. Return the grilled vegetables to the large bowl, add the almond mixture; toss gently to coat. Arrange the sausages on a large platter with the grilled polenta and the sweet and sour peppers.

FABULOUS FOCACCIA

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, proof the yeast by combining it with the warm water and sugar. Stir gently to dissolve. Let stand 3 minutes until foam appears. Turn mixer on low and slowly add the flour to the bowl. Dissolve salt in 2 tablespoons of water and add it to the mixture. Pour in 1/4 cup olive oil. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary.
• Turn the dough out onto a work surface and fold over itself a few times. Form the dough into a round and place in an oiled bowl, turn to coat the entire ball with oil so it doesn't form a skin. Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel and let rise over a gas pilot light on the stovetop or other warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
• Coat a sheet pan with a little olive oil and corn meal. Once the dough is doubled and domed, turn it out onto the counter. Roll and stretch the dough out to an oblong shape about 1/2-inch thick. Lay the flattened dough on the pan and cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, coat a small saute pan with olive oil, add the onion, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes until the onions caramelize. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Uncover the dough and dimple with your fingertips. Brush the surface with more olive oil and then add caramelized onions, garlic, olives, cheese, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Bake on the bottom rack for 15 to 20 minutes.

GRILLED FOCACCIA WITH MOZZARELLA DI BUFALA, SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE, AND FRESH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Begin by making the dough so it has time to rest and rise. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, or in a mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar and warm water and stir gently to dissolve. Let the mixture stand until the yeast comes alive and starts to foam, 5 to 10 minutes.
• If you're using a mixer, turn the mixer on low, add the salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the flour, a little at a time, mixing at the lowest speed until the flour has been incorporated. When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium and let it go until the dough gathers into a ball. This should take about 5 minutes. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook. Get a feel for the dough as you're making it by squeezing a small amount together between your thumb and fingers. If it's crumbly, add more water, if it's sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and fold it over itself a few times, kneading until it's smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a round and put it into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it over to coat the dough entirely with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm spot (i.e., over a gas pilot light) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue and get it very hot. Brush the grates with oil to keep the sausages from sticking. Grill the sausages until cooked through, turning with tongs. Set aside. Keep the grill hot to make the pizza. Roll or pat the dough into a rustic, oblong shape, about 1/4-inch thick - do this directly on a lightly floured pizza paddle for ease. Brush the crust with a thin layer of olive oil, and lay oil side down onto the hot grill. Once the dough looks set, in about 2 minutes, turn the crust over.
• Now prepare the topping. Cut up the tomatoes and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic and basil. Crumble in the sausage. Rip the mozzarella into pieces with your hands and add that too along with some extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, add the salad mix and toss to combine.
• Once the crust is set and cooked, transfer it to a platter. Scoop up the salad mix in your hands and spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with a good dusting of Parmigiano-Reggiano and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.