Tag: Italian

Goat Cheese Caramelized Onion Pizza

Sometimes, meals are carefully planned. Other times, it’s pure serendipity. I spotted goat cheese on sale at the market and grabbed some. When I got home, I remembered I had some leftover pizza dough in the fridge. I decided to put them together and make a goat cheese caramelized onion pizza.

You can approach this recipe two different ways.  If you make the crust yourself (not hard, but it does take time), it’s a weekend meal. Buy the crust pre-made (you can get it at grocery stores or even your local pizzeria), and it’s a 30 minute meal. So, dinner in half an hour!

I made my own crust (following Smitten Kitchen’s easy recipe), but if you’re in a rush, you don’t have to. By the way, she says to roll out the crust, but I find it works better if I just place it on the baking sheet and gently press outward from the center with my fingers. 

If you do make the dough, it makes enough for one generous dinner serving, or two lunch servings.  It will keep in the fridge for several days, so you don’t have to eat it all at once.  Take it out and let the dough come to room temperature before you start working with it.

Cooking, of course,  is often a process of taking what you already know about food and flavors, doing a bit of research (in cookbooks or online) and combining bits of ideas and techniques.  I often find myself taking bits and pieces from two or three recipes and putting them back together in different ways.

In this case, I started with the pizza crust recipe I already had. Then I added the goat cheese. I took the caramelized onions and the bell pepper from one recipe, the spinach from a second, and the garlic oil from a third.   You can always mix and match to suit your own taste, or the ingredients you have on hand (see more in the Substitutions and Variations section).

Also, I don’t normally post “in progress” photos, but the pizza looked so good I couldn’t resist!

goat cheese caramelized onion pizza_1

 




Substitutions and Variations for Goat Cheese Caramelized Onion Pizza

  • Use roasted red peppers instead of fresh
  • Try a splash of balsamic vinegar
  • Add sliced mushrooms and basil
  • Substitute arugula for the spinach
  • Toss in some sun-dried tomatoes

 

More Pizza Recipes

white pizza without ricottaWhite Pizza Recipe Without Ricotta

Like white pizza, but not a ricotta fan? This recipe has no ricotta at all.

 

tortilla pizza for oneHomemade Tortilla Crust Pizza

A pizza shortcut! Topped with bell peppers and sausage. Quick and delicious.

 

rosemary potato roasted garlic pizzaRosemary Potato Roasted Garlic Pizza

I like to call this “potato chip pizza.” A whole different take on the usual pizza. No tomato sauce, and easy on the cheese. The potatoes end up golden brown and crisp.

 

Garlic Bruschetta Pizzagarlic bruschetta pizza

Pizza made super easy and without heavy tomato sauce. Make the dough (or even just buy it) sprinkle on a few ingredients, and bake. Done!

 




Chicken Caprese Salad Panini Sandwich

Caprese salad meets the classic grilled cheese sandwich with a bit of roast chicken added and poof, you’ve got a chicken caprese salad panini. Perfect when you’re in a hurry and want something to eat fast! This chicken caprese salad sandwich feels rich and decadent, but you don’t need to invest a lot of time or effort to make it.  You don’t really even have to measure much of anything.

The market had some beautiful Campari tomatoes on sale, right next to the fresh mozzarella.  I couldn’t resist.  So, I put that together with some basil, leftover roast chicken, and a fresh loaf of ciabatta bread. Voila! The chicken caprese salad panini sandwich.

I started with leftover roast chicken, so I didn’t need to make the chicken.  If you already have cooked chicken, just pop it into the sandwich.  Some leftover rotisserie chicken would work nicely. All you have to do now is grill the bread, melt the cheese, and add the tomatoes and basil.

If not, see the substitutions and variations section below for ideas on how to cook the chicken.

The bread does tend to slurp up the olive oil, but really it’s worth it! The sandwich gets golden brown, and the cheese is gooey and melty. It’s your favorite childhood grilled cheese sandwich for grownups!

Do use the fresh mozzarella if you can get it. It’s far more flavorful (and I think it melts better) than the pre-packaged kind.




Substitutions and Variations for Chicken Caprese Panini Sandwich

  • Saute some mushrooms (do that first) and add them to the sandwich at the end.
  • Start with fresh chicken breasts (season with salt/pepper/balsamic vinegar/olive oil) then gently cook in olive oil
  • Or, season the chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.  Cook that in a bit of olive oil
  • Add some avocado
  • Get an extra serving of veggies and put in a few spinach leaves
  • Or, try cooking it in the broiler instead (less oil needed)

More Sandwich Recipes

bacon spinach tomato aioli sandwichBacon Spinach Tomato Aioli Sandwich Recipe

Remember the classic BLT? This one is a bit different. Besides the spinach, the plain old mayo is now a garlicky, lemony aioli. Fresher, brighter, and even more delicious.

 

three cheese grilled cheese sandwichThree Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Why settle for one kind of cheese when you can use three instead? I get the cut up cheese cubes (instant variety without more than I can eat).  Because who doesn’t like grilled, melty cheese?

 

vegetarian eggplant sandwichVegetarian Eggplant Sandwich for One Person

Take plain Israeli salad and turn it into an entire meal with tender eggplant, hummus, and pita.

 

 

strawberry balsamic grilled cheeseStrawberry Balsamic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Another twist on grilled cheese, this time with sweet berries and tangy vinegar.  It’s an unexpected combination that works surprisingly well.

 




Spinach and Egg Frittata for One Person

I adapted this from a “spinach and egg omelette” recipe in the The Book of Jewish Food. That’s not really accurate. It has eggs and spinach, but I think it’s closer to a frittata than an omelette. So, I’m calling it a spinach and egg frittata.

There are lots of recipes for spinach (the spinach and potato pie looks great too and I’m going to try the spiced spinach and eggs with ginger). I am working on using the “spinach tree” so all those spinach recipes will come in handy!

The nice thing about this frittata is that you can serve it hot or cold. Eat it hot out of the pan, or wrap it up and take it to go.

The spinach, eggs, nutmeg, coriander, and fresh dill add lots of herby and savory flavor. Top it with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

I ate it with a thick slice of buttered fresh rye bread and strawberries for an easy Sunday brunch.

The original recipe called for putting the frittata under the broiler to cook on the other side. However, since we’re only making a single serving, it’s much easier to just flip it over.




More Spinach Recipes

Use up the rest of that bunch of spinach with these recipes.

eggs with spinach and chili pepperEggs with Spinach and Chili Peppers

Bring the heat! This omelette is spiked with chilis, and then cooled down with a dollop of yogurt.

 

spinach and feta cheese omeletteSpinach and Feta Cheese Omelette

I wanted spinach and feta triangles. I had no phyllo dough. So I made this instead. All the flavors of spanakopitas in a simple, easy omelette.

 

spaghetti spinach lemon cream sauceSpaghetti with Spinach and Lemon Cream Sauce

Spinach, summery basil, and a light lemony cream sauce all tangled together. It’s an easy summery meal that is ready quickly.

 

blueberry feta spinach saladBlueberry Spinach Salad with Feta Cheese and Walnuts

Great for when it’s too hot to cook.  Crispy cucumber, sweet tomatoes, earthy mushrooms, and sweet-tart blueberries all tossed together. Then add feta for tang and walnuts for crunch.

 




Spaghetti with Spinach and Lemon Cream Sauce

This recipe for spaghetti with spinach and lemon cream sauce was a bit of an accident. I innocently ordered a bunch of spinach (along with other groceries) from Fresh Direct.  I expected, well a standard bunch of spinach. What I got was a “spinach tree.” It’s enormous. It’s so large I had to prop it up against a bottle of seltzer and a plant to take a photo of it.

spinachSo, if anyone from Google noticed a spike in searches for  ‘spinach recipes’ over the last few days, it was me.

I adapted this recipe from the Smitten Kitchen. She used basil (or arugula), and while I have basil growing in my window, I don’t have arugula.

Besides, there’s that enormous bunch of spinach to use up!

So, I combined the two.  A bit of basil, and a handful of spinach, some diluted Greek yogurt instead of the heavy cream (didn’t have the cream and couldn’t leave to get some), and dinner is served!




Substitutions and Variations for Spaghetti with Spinach and Lemon Cream Sauce

  • If you don’t have heavy cream, melt 1/3 C unsalted butter and add 3/4 C whole milk. This makes about a cup.
  • Use plain Greek yogurt and thin it out with a little milk. If you do this, add a little hot water to the mixture first, before putting it in the pasta. This will prevent it from curdling.
  • Use frozen peas instead of spinach (add to the pasta while it’s cooking and save yourself an extra pot to clean; put the peas in for about 3 minutes).
  • Add some leftover cooked chicken for more protein.

spaghetti spoon

Spaghetti Spoon

It’s a small thing, but this spoon makes it much easier to toss your spaghetti and coat it with the sauce. It’s also a lot easier to get it out of the pot and into a bowl for serving. And because it’s OXO, it’s comfortable to hold too.

microplane

Microplane Zester

This is one of my favorite tools. It’s just the thing for zesting lemons (and getting only the zest without the bitter pith). Hard cheese can be tough to grate with a box grater, but this produces perfect little curls that practically melt into your pasta. It’s also ideal for grating nutmeg, ginger, or even garlic. Since it’s long and thin, you can just perch it right on top of the bowl while you grate. Note that it’s sharp, so be careful!

More Spinach Recipes for One Person

strawberry spinach salad with balsamic dressing and feta cheeseStrawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing and Feta Cheese

Crisp, crunchy, sweet, and salty, this salad is a festival of flavor, color, and texture. Just the thing when it’s hot and actual “cooking” is a big nope.

spinach and feta cheese omeletteSpinach and Feta Cheese Omelette

Spanakopita (spinach and feta pie) flavors without a lot of fussing with phyllo dough. And it comes together quickly.

 

sauteed garlic parmesan spinachSauteed Garlic Parmesan Spinach

An easy side dish with mellowed garlic,  sharp parmesan, and earthy spinach. Takes only a few minutes to make too.

 

spinach lamb meatballsSpinach Lamb Meatballs

Get your veggies and your main dish at the same time. The tangy red wine vinegar complements the robust flavor of the lamb beautifully.

 




White Pizza Recipe Without Ricotta

The usual standard for white pizza is to use ricotta cheese. While I do like ricotta (heck I like nearly every cheese), I don’t usually have it in my fridge.  So, I switched cheeses and used mozzarella instead.  The nice thing about this recipe (or nearly any pizza recipe) is that it’s flexible and you can change it to suit your tastes or whatever ingredients you have at hand.

In this case, I used chopped garlic, olive oil, and dried basil, plus a dusting of grated parmesan.

I made the dough myself, from the Smitten Kitchen pizza dough recipe for one, but you can use store-bought dough if you don’t have the time or energy to make it yourself. Many supermarkets sell it, or you can try your local pizza place.




Once the dough is ready (or bought), all you have to do is chop the garlic, shred the cheese, and sprinkle basil over your dough.  If you’re really pressed for time (or feeling lazy) use the pre-shredded mozzarella.  I recommend you get the fresh if possible though; it tastes much better.

Note: the pizza is a light tan because I’ve been using King Arthur white whole wheat instead of all-purpose flour since the shutdown made white flour harder to find. It’s tastier than white flour, but not as dense and heavy as standard whole wheat.

Substitutions and Variations for Pizza Without Ricotta

Of course, there are almost as many possibilities for this as there are ingredients.

  • Use a mixture of mozzarella and goat cheese
  • Add mushrooms and/or eggplant
  • Saute some spinach and add that on top
  • Try some caramelized onions and/or sun-dried tomatoes
  • Use manchego instead of parmesan

Tools and Ingredients for White Pizza Without Ricotta

Oxo box grater

Oxo Box Grater

As much as I love my zester, there are times when only an old-fashioned box grater will do the job. The zester grates far too finely for this purpose. This box grater is from Oxo, so it’s easy to hold. It even comes with a little container to catch all the grated cheese (so it doesn’t get all over your counter). The container (and its lid) all fit inside the grater, to take up less space in your kitchen. Or, you can use the closed container to store any leftovers until the next time.

cuisinart roasting pan with cover

Cuisinart 12 inch pan with cover

I’m not normally a non-stick fan, but this pan has held up really well over the years. It’s the perfect size for a single person pizza too. And, since it’s nonstick I don’t need to do anything to keep the pizza (or anything else) from sticking. It cleans up easily, and the lid fits lots of other pans, so I can see how well my food is cooking.

More Pizza Recipes

rosemary potato roasted garlic pizzaRosemary Potato Roasted Garlic Pizza

Another no tomato sauce pizza, this one is a Roman classic, call it potato chip pizza if you like.  Because if one starch is good, two starches are better!

 

goat cheese caramelized onion pizzaGoat Cheese Caramelized Onion Pizza

Goat cheese, and lots of veggies are another different twist on the usual pizza.  Switch it around with spinach, mozzarella, and whatever veggies suit you. You could even crumble some sausage on top.

tortilla pizza for oneHomemade Tortilla Crust Pizza

The super-lazy at home pizza. Just make a tortilla crust (or even use a pita bread or pre-made tortilla), pile on the veggies and toppings, and you’re good to go.

 

garlic bruschetta pizza

Garlic Bruschetta Pizza

Another way to eat pizza. And it’s completely vegan and vegetarian. No cheese, no sauce, just delicious.

 

 




Frittata Recipe for One Person

The first time I made this frittata recipe it was for a crowd (rather than one serving) on a boat, which was rocking. It took quite some time to make and they devoured it in minutes! I’ve scaled it back considerably, made it a bit faster, and of course, it’s now a frittata recipe for one person instead of six. If you’re not sure what a frittata is, think  of an omelette crossed with a quiche. The full list of ingredients changes, but it’s essentially eggs, sliced potatoes, and veggies.

The other great thing about frittatas is that they’re flexible. The original recipe (from one of the 60 Minute Gourmet cookbooks) called for ham, zucchini, leeks, peppers, and mushrooms. A great combination, but I didn’t have all those ingredients when I made the version I’ve posted here. So, I used broccoli, mushrooms, and onions instead.

It does require a bit of slicing and chopping, but you can cheat, and use some frozen, pre-cut veggies, which is what I did here. I’m calling it lunch, but you could make it for a weekend brunch or for dinner too.




 

Substitutions and Variations for Your Frittata for One

  • make it with spinach, feta, scallions, and dill (like spanakopitas)
  • or crumble some cooked sausage and parmesan cheese
  • add artichokes (the marinated kind) and red peppers
  • add a mild cheese
  • cook some bacon, crumble it up, and add that to the vegetable/potato mixture

More Egg and Omelette Recipes

spinach and feta cheese omeletteFeta and Spinach Omelette

The essential flavors of spanakopitas, without all the fiddly phyllo dough.  Salty feta, tender spinach, and a mild oniony bite from scallions.

 

egg chili cheese burritoEgg Chili Cheese Burrito Recipe

Great for any meal, and perfect when you want food fast.  Cook an egg, heat some canned beans, and heat some chilis. Ready in fifteen minutes.

 

eggs with spinach and chili pepperEggs with Spinach and Chili Peppers

Another perfect breakfast, light lunch, or brunch favorite.  Earthy spinach, some cumin for spicy warmth, and chili for heat.  Ready quickly too.

 

egg and tomato gratinEgg and Tomato Gratin for One Person

Eggs mixed with sweet tomatoes, fragrant onions, and garlic, and topped with cheese. That’s tomatoes in the photo (not bacon), but you could certainly add some!

 




Pasta alla Norma with Eggplant

Summer is now in full force, and I got some lovely tomatoes and eggplant from the Greenmarket, as well as fresh pasta and fresh mozzarella cheese from the Italian market. Inspiration struck, and I thought I’d put them together to make pasta alla norma (pasta with eggplant) and add a caprese salad.

Caprese salad is simply fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, and basil leaves. It’s an easy summer side dish that requires no cooking at all.

Pasta alla norma is  slightly spicy pasta with fresh eggplant, and tomato sauce, topped with manchego cheese. This is a great meal when you’re in a hurry, as it’s pretty easy to throw together.

And, since we’re only making one serving (and using tomato sauce instead of the original whole tomatoes, the cooking time is cut from nearly an hour to about 25 minutes. If you don’t have tomato sauce, use canned crushed tomatoes and add garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, and dried oregano to get the same effect.

The original recipe (from the New York Times) called for lots and lots of olive oil.  I think the term they used was “abundant” olive oil.  I love olive oil, but so does eggplant. It just slurps it up! However, I found that by cooking the eggplant on a low flame, it used a lot less olive than it would otherwise.

If you’re really concerned about the oil, you can drizzle the eggplant with it, and then roast it at 400 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes.




 

Caprese Salad

This is so simple, it’s hardly a recipe at all.  Just layer slices of fresh tomato, fresh unsalted mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves.  Top with a generous drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Skip the sat if you get salted mozzarella (unless you prefer salty food).

More Eggplant Recipes

vegetarian eggplant sandwichVegetarian Eggplant Sandwich for One Person

Transform a side dish salad into a full meal in minutes. This sandwich starts with Israeli salad and builds layers of flavor from eggplant, hummus, and an egg.


eggplant parmesan for oneEggplant Parmesan

This was a favorite treat as a child: tender eggplant, gooey cheese, and a rich, flavorful tomato sauce.  And yes, this is one serving!

 

rosemary olive oil broiled eggplantRosemary Olive Oil Broiled Eggplant

Velvety and creamy (but super easy) eggplant infused with olive oil and dusted with rosemary and parmesan cheese.

 

moussaka without bechamelMoussaka Without Bechamel Sauce Recipe

I love moussaka, but the standard recipe is just too much work. This one is easier (no bechamel), but still full of flavor from spicy/warm cinnamon and nutmeg, tender eggplant, ground beef, and tomatoes.




Easy Italian Meatball Recipe for One

I may cook quite a few “exotic” or complicated dishes, but sometimes something simple and comforting and nostalgic really hits the spot.  And when it comes to nostalgia and comfort food, it’s hard to beat an old-fashioned, but easy, Italian meatball recipe.  Just thinking about spaghetti and meatballs makes me smile.

This recipe is easy, quick, and just perfect for one person. Yes, one person.  Just six meatballs.

You can serve your meatballs the classic way, with spaghetti and pasta sauce, but they’re also great for making a fast Italian wedding soup.

If you like, double the recipe and split between the two. If you don’t want the soup right away, just pop the meatballs in the freezer.  Then days, or weeks later you can defrost them and treat yourself to soup in a few minutes.

I’ve kept this recipe simple, and easy, but you can change it to suit your own tastes and preferences.  Check the end of the post for some inspiration.  You can make it spicier, swap the bread crumbs for oatmeal or potato starch (to make it gluten-free), or use turkey instead of beef.  A mixture of pork and beef is good too.




Substitutions and Variations for Easy Italian Meatballs

  • use a mixture of ground beef and pork, instead of just beef
  • add more garlic
  • add oregano
  • if you don’t have breadcrumbs, grind up some oats in a mini-chopper,  use quick-cooking oats, or try potato starch
  • use ground turkey or chicken instead of meat (if you do, I recommend getting the dark meat turkey; it tastes better)
  • add a splash of sriracha

 

Easy Meatball (and Ground Beef) Recipes for One

sloppy joes one person recipeSloppy Joe Recipe for One Person

A bit messy, but worth the extra napkin, this Sloppy Joe recipe is wonderful comfort food.  Heck, a friend saw the recipe and wanted some right away! It may bring back childhood memories, but this is for grownups. It packs a bit of a kick.

easy Italian wedding soupEasy Italian Wedding Soup

Make your meatballs, add some broth, and other standard ingredients, and you have soup. And you don’t have to chop for an hour or wait for it to simmer either.

 

compound butter cheeseburgerCheeseburger with Compound Butter

Turn your burger into a gourmet treat with compound butter. Soften the butter, mix in some herbs, and add that to your ground beef. The beef is moister, more flavorful, and tastes wonderful, with very little effort.

white ragu papardelleWhite Ragu Pappardelle Pasta for One

A delicious change from the usual ragu. There’s not a tomato in sight.  Instead, this dish has ground beef, sausage, white wine, and earthy porcini mushrooms, blended with a touch of cream.