Antepasto and Pesto

Nothing says entertaining like this dish to me. It really is the best appetizer that I can come up with, even better when you are sharing it with great company and when the Pesto is nice and fresh! My Nonni (Italian for grandma)  would always have a tray like this one set out during family gatherings. It has become one of my families favorite light fare lunches! I will actually give you two recipies today, the tray is simple but the pesto takes some finesse. Try it and enjoy!

Antepasto Tray - 

1 lb.      - fresh Mozzarella - I use pearls but you could also slice a ball or loaf
1 large  - bell pepper, seeded and julienned
1 large  - tomato thinly sliced
1/2 lb.   - Olives (I used Olives from HyVee Olive bar - mixture of Katamala, Green, and feta stuffed)
1/2 lb.   - Italian deli meat - Prosciutto, Capicola, and Salami - sliced extremely thin, rolled, cut into bite size pieces.  
3 leaves - Fresh Basil for garnish

Cut all ingredients and arrange on a tray sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Pesto 

1/4 C.     -   pine nuts - toasted and chopped 

2 cloves  - Garlic - pressed through garlic press 

1 T.         - capers - pressed through garlic press 

1 T.         - white onion finely chopped 

3-4          - Katamala Olives - finely chopped 

1/4 t.       - crushed red pepper flakes 

1/4 t.       - dried sweet basil 

1/4 t.       - dried oregano

1/4 t.       - black pepper 

1/2 t.       - salt 

1/2 T.      - balsamic vinegar

about 1 C. - EVOO 

1. Toast pine nuts in a small skillet with 1 T. of butter and a dash of salt, stirring constantly over medium high heat, when they get a nice golden brown and let off a wonderful aroma they are done! Put on a plate with a paper towel, pat off excess oil/ butter and let cool. 

2. When nuts have cooled place in a small plastic zip lock bag. Seal it, making sure to remove excess air from bag.  Then place it on your cutting board. Smash the nuts with a meat tenderizer, (you can use and kitchen until that will bust them up) but be careful; do not rip the bag! 

3. Place nuts in a small mixing bowl (or a large soup bowl). then start adding all other ingredients. Mix it up after you add each new one. You should get a nice paste like substance forming as you go down the list. After you add the vinegar stop! DO not add oil until you are ready to serve. 

4. Add EVOO slowly while stirring until you get the desired consistency, paste should mix in and be chunky but the bread or other items on the tray should have no problem picking up a nice coating of oil. 

Serving 

Cut up some Italian Ciabatta bread into small slices and tray them,  serve with Antepasto tray and Pesto! You can make bite size sandwiches, dip you favorite items into the pesto, or whatever you like...so good! And like I said a it is a great appetizer for up 15 people or a whole lunch for our family of 6! 

Seafood Mac-N-Cheese

Seafood Mac-N Cheese

I wanted to do Lobster and Crab, but the local grocery store was out of lobster meat so I went with a bit different mix of seafood; shrimp, crab, and bay (small) scallops; if you want to use lobster substitute in place of shrimp. This is a fairly simple recipe that had a ton of great flavors. Give it a try!

1 lb.       elbow macaroni
1/4 C.     salt
1 T.        olive oil

1            medium shallot -finely diced
1/2 T.     honey
1/2 lb.    baby portobello mushrooms (6-8 caps) diced
1 T.        olive oil
1/2 C.    butter
1/2 C.    flour
6 C.       whole milk
3 C.       sharp cheddar cheese -shredded
1 1/2 C. Parmesan cheese - shredded
2 oz.      Swiss cheese - shredded
1/2 lb.    shrimp (smaller the better, I used 51-70)
1/4 lb.    bay scallops
1/2 lb.    crab meat
salt and pepper

1/4 C.     panko breadcrumbs


1. Use large stock pot and about 1/4 cup salt to cook noodles. Follow directions on the package. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil and set aside.

2. In a large sauce pan, saute shallots and oil together until translucent over medium heat. Add honey and continue to cook over medium heat until shallots start to caramelize. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.

3. In the same pan, turn heat to low-medium low. Add butter to pan and melt. We are going to make a roux, when the butter if fully melted start to add flour to pan slowly. When it is all incorporated continue to heat stirring constantly until mixture get golden brown and steamy. Add milk SLOWLY and continue stirring. Let it heat slowly, so you do not curdle the milk, but do not boil, just want it hot and steaming.

4. Add cheeses to mixture until all are melted. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Stir for another minute or two then slowly start adding seafood. When all is in stir for a minute longer and until heat is back up.

5. Combine noodles and cheese sauce in large greased baking dish.  Top off with a layer of breadcrumbs and bake at 350 for 25-30 min. Until breadcrumbs get nice and crispy!

Serve hot and enjoy!

4th of July Movie List!

The Fourth of July is on a Monday this year, which means you are probably celebrating your Independence tonight, Sunday. So the question is what to do on a Monday holiday when you most likely will have "blown up" Sunday and you are just looking to relax before life returns to normal on the 5th? In honor of the years I spent running a home video rental store (what the heck is that...asks everyone under the age of 12) I have put together a list of some essential viewing for your relaxation and recuperation. I have placed the movies in several broad categories to help you narrow down your selection  but they are all uniquely 'Merican!

Family Favorites
Great films to enjoy with the whole family, good wholesome entertainment!

Pollyanna - This classic Disney film tells the story of an optimistic ray of sunshine that transforms the curmudgeonly heart of her Aunt who she is forced to live with after a tragedy strikes her life. The summer festival is the reason it makes this list!

http://video.disney.com/watch/pollyanna-trailer-4be10ff07d0f842f7f3ce022


The Sandlot - A coming of age story that is set in the Golden Age of Post-War America that centers around the greatest American Pastime- Baseball. It is charming, funny, and if you don't watch it, "You're killing me Smalls!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QDq-e1GbjE

An American Tale - Steven Spielberg tackles animation! In a precursor to what would become Dreamworks, Mr. Spielberg and Amblin tap director Don Bluth to tell the story of immigration into the US using an animated cast of animals.  Don't forget your tissues for the tear-jerking song "Somewhere, out there"!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvZfEQ_pMdg

Honorable Mention:
Johnny Tremain - Disney 1957 - Historical Fiction set in pre-revolution Boston.
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure - 1985 - Warner Bros.  - Great romp across the US looking for a lost bike.
Bunker Hill Bunny - 1950- Merrie Melodies - Bugs and Yosemite Sam fight in the US Revolution.

Sports Films
Feeling patriotic through competition? Can you say U-S-A, U-S-A!

Miracle - The USA's greatest upset in sports- ever! Retelling of how the Miracle on Ice happened in the Lake Placid Winter Olympics. US vs. USSR in the height of the cold war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v64ofT1rGOw

Rocky IV - Another US vs. USSR showdown this time in the sport of boxing! James Brown's "Living in America," as Apollo Creed's entrance music, pure fireworks! Not to mention the fight that take place during the climax of the film and quintessential 80's montages!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwJJkeOTT6Y

Race - US hero Jessie Owns, struggling for equality in his own country goes to Berlin for the 1936 Olympic games to battle Hitler and the Aryan Race.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGmh3MeFArg

Honorable Mention:
42 - 2014 Warner Bros. - Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier in Baseball.
Field of Dreams - 1989 Universal - Film about baseball, farming, and a broken relationship with dad.
Remember the Titans - 2000 Disney - Football, race, and the impact of integration.

War Movies
Rooting for our brave young men who protect our freedom! So many good movies to choose from, here are some of my favs.

The Patriot - Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger star in what I think is the best movie about the Revolutionary War, even though it is historical fiction. It's kinda like Braveheart, only better because this time it is the US fighting the English. FREEDOM!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osSrajMUah4

Patton - George C. Scott standing in front of a Giant US flag giving a speech... How American is that! Story of WWII general written by Francis Ford Coppola!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-0dTpzNzwo

Glory - The best movie about the Civil War. While it is based on the true story of Massachusetts 54th and Robert Shaw the film takes some licesne. Fantastic performances from Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs-tHfM_J-Y

Honorable Mention:
Saving Private Ryan -1998 Dreamworks - The first 20 minute depiction of D-day, wow!
Unbroken - 2014 Legendary - Biopic film of WWII & Olympic Hero Louis Zamperini.
Good Morning Vietnam - 1987 Touchstone - Had to put a Robin Williams and Vietnam movie here.

Popcorn Movies
Big budget blockbuster films. Fun to watch with explosions and action to boot! No need to worry too much about the story, just sit back and enjoy!

Independence Day - Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum save the world against an invading army of aliens. Quintessential movie for the fourth of July simply because of the title. "Didn't I promise you fireworks!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZZvtQtdbzM

Captain America, The Winter Solider - You could have put any Marvel Cinematic Universe film here and been satisfied. But it is America's birthday, so I chose to focus on the greatest American superhero in the best of his solo MCU movies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82RKQPgeYRs

National Treasure - Nicolas Cage is a history buff who has discovered that the Founding Father's have hidden clues to the greatest treasure in the world in historical documents and sites. The chase is on to get there first after he is betrayed by his seedy partner who was financing the search.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J34YtrkL7ic

Honorable Mention:
Any of the Indiana Jones Films (except the fourth ...not good)
Red Dawn - Either version is good 80's is a classic, reboot had a better budget... Wolverines!
Armageddon - 1998 Touchstone - US Oil Workers blasted into space to save the World!
Terminator 2, Judgement Day - 1991 TriStar - Another saving the world, explosion-fest!

Date Movies
Needing something that she will want to watch with you, unlike most of this list so far? Try some of these.

Top Gun - Is this an awesome movie about fighter jets or is it a love story between student and teacher? Depends on your perspective but either way it is amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioWpe3hdFH0

My Big Fat Greek Weeding - Greek, how 'Merica is that? Well it does a great job looking at an American immigrant family that holds closely to the traditions and cultures brought with. Funny, sweet, and enjoyable to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0RVkqXuSCM

Brooklyn - The tale of an Irish woman who leaves home to start a new life in New York City. She has difficulty adjusting but things become easier when she meets an Italian boy and falls in love. When tragedy calls her home will she choose home or love?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ4RzlCR_lg

Honorable Mention:
Miss Congeniality - 2000 Warner Bros. - The Miss USA competition needs FBI protection.
The Philadelphia Story - 1940 MGM - Love story set in the first capitol of the US, Philadelphia.
The Great Gatsby - 2013 Warner Bros. - The classic American novel about the roaring 20's with Leo.

Comedies
Want a funny slice of America? Check out some of these comedies that show some love to the USA.

Vacation - We all remember long car rides across the country that our family told us was vacation...yeah right! Nothing goes well for Chevy Chase and the Griswold's on this road trip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMiXWKJQPEQ

Smokey and the Bandit - Another great road trip movie, this time Burt Reynolds is smuggling beer for fun against a clock. Things get sticky when he picks up Sally Fields and a law enforcement official picks up his tail!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC1uiXMQu9E

Stripes- Bill Murray and Harold Ramis join the army and give a hilarious new look at boot camp. But John Candy steals this movie!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wr3imOyEZw

Honorable Mention:
Private Benjamin - 1980 Warner Bros. - Its like stripes, but replace Bill Murray with Goldie Hawn.
Back to the Future Trilogy - Great look at the US in the Old West, 1950's, 1980's and future 2010's
Talladega Nights 2006 Columbia - NASCAR, a truly American Sport as told by Will Ferrell.

Just Because
These could have fit into other categories but didn't quite fit any criteria. But they need to be included on this list. Go America!

Forrest Gump - Tom Hanks as the titular character, takes a simple look at the major events in US history in 1950's-1990's.  Great performances from the supporting cast of Sally Fields, Gary Sinise, and Robin Wright.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPIEn0M8su0

Easy Rider - Motorcycles road trip from LA to New Orleans searching for America. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper are two counter-culture hippies looking for a way to support a simple life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjlxqANj68U

The Godfather I & II - How about the classic tale of a crime family being shaped and shaping the country during the early to mid 1900's. I reccomend taking all day to watch both back to back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY1S34973zA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJr92K_hKl0

Titanic - One of the greatest tragedy's in US history told around a love story, treasure hunt, and historical fiction. Another epic film the is long viewing to eat up chunks of the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCy5WQ9S4c0