Not Yo Mamas Muffuletta Food

MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the oil, the carrot, celery, cauliflower, oregano, thyme and 3 tablespoons water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are somewhat tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a small bowl and stir in the olives, pimento and salt. Set aside to cool.
• When the olive-vegetable salad has cooled, stir in the parsley.
• Slice the bread in half lengthwise. Using your hands, scoop out the inside of each bread half to make a shallow pocket. Brush the inside of the top half with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Fill the bottom bread half with the olive-vegetable salad and pack it down with your hands. Layer the provolone, mortadella and soppressata over the salad (without letting any hang over the sides).
• Cover with the top bread half and tightly wrap the sandwich with plastic wrap. Place the sandwich on a cutting board or baking sheet and weigh it down with a heavy object, such as a cast-iron skillet, for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
• Remove the plastic wrap and cut the sandwich into fourths or sixths. Serve.

NOT YO' MAMA'S MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Bake breadcrumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet 5 to 7 minutes or until golden, stirring once after 2 1/2 minutes.
• Cook prosciutto, in batches, in a lightly greased large skillet over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until crisp. Drain on paper towels; crumble.
• Prepare pasta according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add shallot, and sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Add wine, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of Dutch oven, and cook 1 minute.
• Gradually whisk in flour until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and next 4 ingredients; cook, whisking constantly, 12 to 14 minutes or until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Remove and discard bay leaf.
• Place 4 cups (16 oz.) Cheddar cheese in a large heatproof bowl. Reserve remaining Cheddar cheese for another use. Add Gouda and Parmesan cheeses to bowl.
• Gradually pour white sauce over cheeses, whisking until cheeses are melted and sauce is smooth.
• Stir in pasta and prosciutto until blended. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
• Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until bubbly. Serve immediately.

NOT YO' MAMA'S ITALIAN STYLE PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Brown chops in oil in a skillet.
• Place chops in the bottom of the crockpot.
• Cover chops with peppers, onions, and artichoke hearts.
• Stir together remaining ingredients in a small bowl.
• Pour mixture over vegetables in the crockpot.
• Cover crockpot and cook on high for 3-3 1/2 hours on high or on low for 5-8 hours or until pork chops are just cooked through and tender (your time may vary with your appliance so check!).
• Serve with cooked noodles, rice, or crusty Italian bread, if desired (I also sprinkled with Parmesan and red pepper flakes).

NOT YO MAMA'S LIMA BEANS!

Steps:

• CROCK POT: Put all ingredients into a large crock pot and cook for 5-6 hours until beans are soft.
• OVEN: Mix together all ingredients and bake covered at 325 degrees until beans are soft.
• STOVE TOP: Put all ingredients into a dutch oven or stock pot and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until beans are soft. If there is too much liquid, cook uncovered for about another hour to evaporate the liquid.
• **Water should be enough to almost cover the neckbones, but not completely submerge them.
• **Adjust seasonings to taste!