Costolette d' Agnello

I stopped by my butcher this morning, to pick up some meat for lunch, and little did I know I would find so much more. I came home with some new cuts of meat, and I met a new friend. I met Rosalina, a woman from Giarre who is origanyilly from California. I look forward to getting together with her and her family soon. Enzo, my butcher who owns the shop where people from far and wide travel to pick up his meats, showed me a fresh lamb. So, today on the menu we have Lamb Chops... We enjoyed some fresh artichokes that I bought yesterday, and a plate of homemade pesto. My husband was a very happy man!





INGREDIENTS: (everything by eye)
dried rosemary
dried origano
dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
4 lamb chops


EV olive oil
minced onion
aged balsamic vinegar (the good stuff)
chicken broth

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl or cup, mix together the rosemary, origano, thyme, salt and pepper. Rub this mixture onto the lamb chops on both sides. Place them on a plate, cover and set aside for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place lamb chops in the skillet, and cook for about 3 1/2 minutes per side for medium rare, or continue to cook to your desired doneness. Remove from the skillet, and keep warm on a serving platter.
Add onions to the skillet, (I cooked them in water first to not fry them in oil) and cook for a few minutes, just until browned. Stir in vinegar, scraping any bits of lamb from the bottom of the skillet, then stir in the chicken broth. Continue to cook and stir over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until the sauce has reduced by half. If you don't, the sauce will be runny and not good. Pour over the lamb chops, and serve.

Karaoke Night!

I had the pleasure of singing with Enzo , our local butcher, a few days back at his place. He has all the equipment for a night of music! A bunch of us sang the night away...

I must add that this summer our town hall hosted a Karaoke Competition. Well, Enzo asked me to sing the song "I Belong To You" - by Eros Ramazzotti and Anastacia. We walked away winners that night!! ;)

Pasquetta

Easter Monday, also known as Little Easter (Pasquetta) is an official Italian holiday that is often spent enjoying the fresh Spring weather with family and friends in picnics at "una campagna", in the country. Yesterday, after ten in the morning, we were off to the store to pick up the necessary ingredients for a feast at Luca's house by the sea in Giardini Naxos. Imagine the confusion... Cars everywhere, traffic lined up for miles, and people standing in the street outside the town butcher. People from all over literally travel to our town to buy meat at Macelleria Fratelli Cerra. I've met people from all over Sicily, while waiting for my number to be called...

The girls preparing the meal in the kitchen... Vita, Maria, and myself.

The boys, Salvo, Antonello, and Luca...

Sitting down to enjoy my Cuddura.

Strutto

Yes, that does say "Pig Fat".
I had been looking all over for strutto to make my Torta di Ricotta. I had read that good pasta frolla is made only with strutto. But, where does one find it? I asked around town and received nothing but unsure faces. The man of the "stocco" advised me to ask Enzo our butcher for fat and use that. Hmm, I could... (I would have to prepare it somehow?)

Fortunately, while walking through a store in Misterbianco, we found it! Right next to the butter, packaged and waiting for me.

I have to say, I did miss the sweet butter scent when rolling out the dough. The cake turned out very nice, but until the strutto becomes more available, I'll continue with my butter...

Involtini Carne

We let the butcher know that we’re making involtini for lunch, so he cuts the meat nice and thin.

Gather together the came ingredients as you would if you were making Carne Maginata: bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and parsley. In addition add ham and soft cheese.
Sprinkle the mixture on the meat and layer ham and cheese over the meat. Carefully roll the meat and cut into pieces.
Place the pieces on a baking sheet and bake in the oven.


Rolled meat