Category: Recipes

Baked Orange Chicken: Recipes At My Table

Baked Orange Chicken

Baked Orange Chicken

Sometimes we want something sticky, familiar and comforting.  I love Baked Orange Chicken because it reminds me of being at a Chinese restaurant.  I play with a combination of flavours in the kitchen and arrive at one I am happy with.  Tonight we served this with pasta pesto and glazed brussels sprouts.  It is also nice with rice or buttered noodles.

Most of the orange chicken recipes in restaurants are in a batter, but with all of us at home we don’t need the extra calories.  Of course, I am not sacrificing flavour.  This dish starts with butter and olive oil which gives the chicken a spectacular colour.  Just a little salt and pepper to brown the chicken.  The sauce packs the rest of the bold flavours into this dish.

Growing up we didn’t go out to restaurants much.  I can still here my nonna, ” I don’t know how they cook.  I don’t know how they clean.”  However, we were at the Marconi or Verdi Halls every weekend for weddings.  The women would discuss the quality of the food.  The kids all played in the balcony at the Marconi Hall.  I can still here the laughter and the joy that permeated those gatherings.  Long tables set with not any of the fancy stuff we have now, but those were the best meals ever.  I can still smell the soup as it hit the table, and nothing compares to the aroma of their roast chicken and potatoes.

Anyway, back to my orange chicken.  I think you will like it and my grandson is my new taste tester these days and it has his approval.  His fingers were really sticky.  LOL

If you want a more formal meal try my https://recipesatmytable.com/citrus-chicken-with-brussels-sprouts/

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chicken barbecue sauce
  • 3/4 cup orange marmalade
  • 1/8 cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire  sauce
  • 1/4 cup catalina dressing
  • 1 garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup onion flakes
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tbs Montreal chicken spice
  • 2 tbsp butter and 1/4 cup olive oil for frying
  • 8 chicken thighs
  • 4 chicken breast cut in half

The Process

Combine the barbecue sauce, orange marmalade, olive oil, Catalina dressing, garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and onion flakes.  Mix and put in the refrigerator.

Salt and pepper the chicken pieces on both sides.

 

In a large skillet brown the chicken. First warm up the olive oil and butter.

 

 

Place all the chicken in one layer if possible in a large dish.  I love my Pampered Chef baking dish; it has been with me for thirty years.  It is well loved. Pour the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with the Montreal chicken spice and place in a 375 F oven for 1 hour.

A peek into the oven.

Baked Orange Chicken: Recipes At My Table

On a platter for the table.

Baked Orange Chicken: Recipes At My Table

 

 

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Twisted Pizza Bread: Recipes At My Table

Twisted Pizza Bread

Twisted Pizza Bread

Twisted Pizza Bread is an easy lunch to make without takeout.  My grandson loves pizza and he loves the double crust.  I decided to put a second pizza crust on top of the dressed pizza.  Then I pinched all the edges and cut wedges.  Each wedge was twisted and thus the name.

My grandson’s seal of approval is on this and he is a pizza connoisseur.  He told me that he would design a whole pizza world where everything is about pizza.  He brings so much joy to our lives and pizza is his favourite.

When I started out with this idea, I was thinking of making more of a pizza pie or large Panzerotti, but then I thought everything would be soggy.  I wanted more crunch and cheese.  LOL

If you are looking for individual treats don’t forget to try my https://recipesatmytable.com/buns-stuffed-with-rapini-sausage-and-onions/

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 cup 00 flour
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp yeast
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Stuffing

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1 cup peperoni
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan

Finishing touches

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup shredded  mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

The Process

Combine the flours and salt in a blender and pulse.  Pour the yeast and sugar into the warm water and let it sit for a few minutes.  Then pour into blender and pulse until dough comes together.

pull the dough onto the counter and knead it a few minutes and then put it into an oiled bowl to rest for an hour.  cover it with plastic and then with a towel.

I place my sauce on the first layer and follow with the cheeses and pepperoni.

Place the second layer of dough over the pizza and pinch the edges.

Twisted Pizza Bread: Recipes At My Table

Use a glass in the centre so that when you start to cut the wedges you don’t go too far.

Twisted Pizza Bread: Recipes At My Table

Once all the wedges are cut remove the glass.

Twisted Pizza Bread: Recipes At My Table

Begin to twist the wedges.

Once all the wedges are twisted, let it sit covered with a tea towel for 15 minutes.

Brush with olive oil.  Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning and then sprinkle on the mozzarella and grated parmesan.  Place in a 425 F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Out of the oven.

Twisted Pizza Bread: Recipes At My Table

 

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Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake because things don’t have to be complicated.  This is a basic recipe and everything comes together quickly.  Growing up, we never used butter in baking.  Oil was the the ingredient that kept our pastry moist.  Olive oil give pastry a certain unique flavour.  In baking I use extra virgin olive oil because it retains its nutrients.  The olive oil enhances any spices used in baking and gives that fruity taste. Tonight we served the cake with a vanilla custard.

This quarantined life makes us crave sweet things, perhaps because they bring comfort to us and remind us of happier times.  I love raspberries and this Italian cake brings me back to the happiest time of my life with my nonna Emilia in the kitchen.  Especially these days, my nonna is all around me.  She tells me stay strong. live, laugh and love.

I am also grateful for my other nonna.  Marietta was a Sicilian with a big heart and strong will.  You didn’t want to cross her.  She endured many hardships in her life; and so, I added some Sicilian twists to this recipe. The citrus and nutmeg remind me of her kitchen.  It’s a simple cake and I hope you enjoy it.

Both these women lived through world wars, depressions, shortage of food, and times with very little money. In the words of my mom and dad, ” we never knew we were poor because we had everything we needed.”  However, both these women are the cornerstone of the way I live my life.  Two women bring us together at the table to share in the gratitude they instilled in us.  No matter how hard life is, enjoy the small pleasures because they are the best memories.

An interesting read and another citrus olive oil cake https://www.saveur.com/carapelli-olive-oil-baking/

Another easy cake from nonna https://recipesatmytable.com/nonnas-easy-apricot-custard-cake/

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs (separated)
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • the zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon and 1/2 an orange
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 2tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 of a tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 pint raspberries
  • 1tsp oil for brushing top of cake
  • 1 tsp coconut sugar for top of cake

Process

I preheat the oven to 350 F and prepare a round cake pan.  Rub it with some olive oil and use some parchment paper on the bottom.

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Next I separate the eggs. Beat the yolks with the sugar until thick and ribbony.

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Add the olive oil,milk, nutmeg, almond extract, lemon /orange zest and juice. Beat this.

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Now sift the flour and baking powder into the wet ingredients and gently mix.

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Fold in the egg whites.

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Pour into prepared pan. I use 3/4 of the raspberries on the cake now.  Most will sink to the bottom.  Put it into the oven for 20 minutes.Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Remove from the oven after 20 minutes and place the remainder of the raspberries on top. I do this so that I have several layers of raspberries in the cake.  Return to the oven for another 15 – 20 minutes.

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

You know I love to peek into the oven. LOL

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

Remove from oven and brush with a little olive oil and sprinkle with coconut sugar.

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

It is such a beautiful cake.

We served it with custard tonight.

Olive Oil Raspberry Cake: Recipes At My Table

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rolla's Kafta Casserole: Recipes At My Table

Rolla’s Kafta Casserole

Rolla’s Kafta Casserole

Rolla’s Kafta Casserole is a Middle Eastern recipe. We call if Kafta, but it is known as Kofta in Middle Eastern countries.  My friend Rolla is from Lebanon and she has introduced me to a whole new world of flavours.  Now being Sicilian, we have that Middle Eastern influence, but some of the dishes are specific to Lebanon.  In my life I have been very lucky to travel most of the world, live in many places, but most of all make friends.  Rolla came into my life at the yoga studio here in Leamington and over the past 5 years, we have become members of her family.

Family comes together at the table.  Food is such an important part of Rolla’s culture just like our Italian culture.  At the table we share stories and make memories. Her family is kind and loving and we share meals, laughter, love and of course recipes. I miss her and her family and this recipe brings them to my table, even if they can’t come at the moment.

Kaftas are part of the meatball family.  On a shopping trip to Lebanese markets, I picked these up with Rolla at a butcher shop catering to Middle Eastern cuisine.  Our Kafta’s are made of lamb and pork.  The butcher  ground the meat with parsley and garlic.  I loved watching him; it reminded me of growing up in Little Italy. When I got home, I rolled the meat into oblong shapes and flattened them a bit.

Kafta can can also be placed around a skewer and grilled on the barbecue.

How to make the Kafta from ground meat at home:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TplfK-dweMo

Today I am cooking them in a casserole type dish.  Another good meatball casserole type dish https://recipesatmytable.com/drunken-turkey-meatballs/

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Kafta
  • 3 medium sliced onions
  • 6 medium sliced potatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning ( anything with oregano, anise, red pepper chilli flakes)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil ( grease the casserole with it and pour some over the casserole before placing it into the oven.

The Process

My Kafta is frozen and I remove it from the freezer.

Rolla's Kafta Casserole: Recipes At My TableI peel and slice the onions and place them in the bottom of a greased casserole dish.

Peel and slice the potatoes.  I used the mandolin, but they are about 1/4 inch thick. Ensure that you season each layer.

In a casserole dish, place the onions, followed by the potatoes and then place the Kafta on top.  Season each layer with salt and pepper.

Rolla's Kafta Casserole: Recipes At My Table

Mix the stock with the tomato paste and pour over  the sides.  Today I used 1/2 vegetable stock and 1/2 marinara.  You can vary your sauce.

Place a piece of parchment paper and then a piece of aluminium foil over the casserole dish.Bake at 375F for 50 minutes.Remove cover and bake for another 20-30 minutes.

Rolla's Kafta Casserole: Recipes At My Table

You can serve this with rice or pitas.  Today I served it with falafel and cucumber salad.

Rolla's Kafta Casserole: Recipes At My Table

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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