Lidias Italian Kitchen Food

OLIVE OIL MASHED POTATOES (LIDIA BASTIANICH)

Steps:

• Pour enough water over the potatoes in a large pot to cover them by three fingers.
• Season the water with salt; bring to a boil.
• Cook until the potatoes are tender but still hold their shape, 15-30 minutes, depending on the size and shape of the potatoes.
• Drain potatoes and let stand until cool enough to handle.
• Peel potatoes and pass them through a ricer or food mill fitted with the fine disk.
• Gently stir in the olive oil and season them to taste with salt and pepper; serve hot.
• *Garlic Mashed Potatoes: heat the olive oil in a small skillet over med-low heat; slice three peeled garlic cloves, scatter them over the oil and cook, shaking the pan, until light brown, about 2 minutes.
• Remove pan from heat and cool to room temperature before adding to the riced potatoes.
• *Anchovy Mashed Potatoes: heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small skillet over med-low heat; add 2 anchovy fillets and cook, breaking them up, until they are dissolved.
• Remove from heat, pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and cool to room temperature; beat the anchovy oil into the mashed potatoes.

LIDIA'S SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Pass the tomatoes and their liquid through a food mill fitted with the fine disc.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a 4- to 5-quart pot over medium high heat. Stir in the onion and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes.
• Pour in the tomatoes, crushed red pepper and bay leaves, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, then lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, crumble the pork and beef into a mixing bowl.
• Sprinkle the bread crumbs, 1/3 cup grated cheese, the parsley, and garlic over the meat.
• Beat the egg with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl until blended. Pour over the meat mixture. Mix the ingredients with clean hands just until evenly blended. Don't overmix.
• Shape the meat mixture into 1-1/2 inch balls.
• Dredge the meatballs in the flour until lightly but evenly coated.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil and the vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
• Slip as many meatballs into the skillet as will fit without crowding. Fry, turning as necessary, until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Adjust the heat as the meatballs cook to prevent them from overbrowning.
• Remove the meatballs, and repeat if necessary with the remaining meatballs.
• Add the browned meatballs to the tomato sauce and cook, stirring gently with a wooden spoon, until no trace of pink remains at the center of the meatballs, about 30 minutes.
• Stir the spaghetti into the boiling water. Return to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook the pasta, semi-covered, stirring occasionally, until done, about 8 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Spoon in about 2 cups of the tomato sauce, tossing well until the pasta is coated with sauce.
• Remove from the heat and toss in 2/3 cup grated cheese. Check the seasoning, and add salt and pepper if necessary.
• Serve the pasta in warm bowls or piled high on a large warm platter.
• Spoon a little more of the sauce over the pasta, and pass the remaining sauce separately. Pass the meatballs family-style in a bowl, or top the bowls or platter of spaghetti with them.