Tuscan Beef Pasta Food

ITALIAN BEEF WITH SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute zucchini and garlic in oil until zucchini is crisp-tender. Add the beef, tomatoes and salad dressing; cook and stir until heated through. Serve with spaghetti. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

TUSCAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In a large pan over medium heat, cook beef, mushrooms, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, basil, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds and pepper until beef is browned, 12 minutes; transfer to a bowl and stir in ricotta. Cook noodles as directed on package; drain and rinse with cold water. In an 8" x 11" baking dish coated with cooking spray, place a layer of noodles. Top with 1/3 of the meat mixture, 1/3 of the marinara and 1/3 of the mozzarella. Repeat to create two more layers with remaining noodles, meat, marinara and mozzarella; before last layer, scatter spinach. Top with Parmesan. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes; remove foil and bake 20 minutes more. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA (TUSCAN PORTERHOUSE)

Steps:

• Press chopped rosemary onto both sides of porterhouse steak; set onto a plate and allow to marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Start an outdoor grill using hardwood charcoal, such as hickory. When coals are white and glowing, arrange for high heat.
• Gently brush or rub olive oil onto steak, then season to taste with sea salt and pepper.
• Place steak onto grill, and cook until a dark, golden brown (not burnt) crust forms, 5 to 10 minutes depending on thickness of meat. Turn over, and continue cooking until golden on the other side, 5 to 10 minutes more. When finished, place steak onto a platter, and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• To serve, remove the two pieces of meat from the bone, and replace the bone onto the serving platter. Trim any unwanted fat from the round (tenderloin) steak, slice into 6 equal pieces at an angle to the grain, and fan out on one side of the bone. Slice the rectangular (loin) steak into 1/4-inch slices at an angle to the grain. Fan out on the other side of the bone. Finish by garnishing the platter with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of additional sea salt.

TUSCAN BEEF & PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oil in frying pan and brown the onion, garlic, beef and spices over a high heat.
• Add the remaining ingredients, stiring well.
• Reduce heat and gently simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes, stiring occasionally.
• Serve over your favourite fresh pasta with parmesan cheese, a spoonful of basil pesto (optional) and a side salad.

TASTY ITALIAN BEEF AND PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta until nearly soft. Put in the base of a casserole dish after they have drained well.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan; add the onions, garlic and the curry paste. Stir for a minute or so, and then add the ground beef.
• Stir until meat is seared, remove from heat.
• Put the can of tomatoes with the juice into blender and blend just for a few seconds. Add tomatoes, water, stock cubes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt and pepper, stir well.
• Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes; stir in the grated cheese. Keep stirring until cheese has melted. Thicken with some corn flour if the sauce looks too thin.
• Cover the pasta with the meat sauce,add the extra grated cheese over the top and bake in a moderate oven for 30 minutes.
• Serve with a salad and crusty bread rolls.
• This recipe freezes well and can be heated in the microwave, if preferred.

ITALIAN BEEF AND PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook vermicelli according to package directions; keep warm.
• Meanwhile remove 1 tablespoon marinade from mushrooms and heat in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add beef (1/2 at a time) and stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes or until outside surface is no longer pink. (Do not overcook.) Remove from skillet with slotted spoon; season with salt and pepper, as desired. Keep warm.
• In same skillet, combine mushrooms with remaining marinade, squash and tomatoes. Cook over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes or until squash is tender and sauce is slightly thickened.
• In large serving bowl, combine pasta, beef and vegetable mixture; mix lightly. Garnish with cheese, if desired.
• Tip: If marinated mushrooms are not available, substitute one jar (6 ounces) marinated quartered artichoke hearts; or omit mushrooms and stir-fry beef in 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 clove crushed garlic.

ONE-PAN TUSCAN RAVIOLI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat; saute eggplant until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes., Stir in tomatoes, broth and zucchini; bring to a boil. Add ravioli; cook, uncovered, over medium heat until ravioli are tender, 7-9 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in beans; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.