Cannellini And Tuna Salad

Source : Italianfoodforever

Insalta di Tonno e Fagioli ~ This salad makes a wonderful antipasto for 6, or a light lunch or dinner main course for 4. If you keep canned tuna and beans in your pantry, you can easily put this dish together in just a few minutes at any time.

:Serves 4-6:

by Deborah Mele

---

Although I didn't often see this dish on too many restaurant menus in Italy, many of my Italian friends made this dish often at home.

4 Cups Cooked Cannellini Beans (See *Cannellini ~ The Pride Of Tuscany For Details) Or 2 (16 oz.) Cans Good Quality Cannellini Beans

2 (6 oz.) Cans Oil Packed Tuna

1 Small Onion, Sliced Very Thin

2 Stalks Celery, Chopped

1/2 Cup Pitted And Sliced Black Olives


Dressing:

Juice Of 2 Medium Lemons

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

Salt And Pepper

1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley, Chopped


Mix together the dressing ingredients. Place the beans, onion, celery and olives in a bowl. Drain the tuna, and lightly crumble it into the bowl with the beans. Pour the dressing over the beans mixture and toss, being careful not to break up the tuna too much. Place on individual plates and serve.

Online Source For Cannellini: If you are having problems finding cannellini beans in your area, PastaCheese.com sells both dried and canned cannellini beans.

Shrimp Capri

Source : Italianfoodforever

In this zesty recipe, quickly cooked, tender shrimp are coated in a delicious tomato sauce which has been flavored with olives, capers, garlic and hot peppers. Great as an appetizer for 6, or as an entree for 4.

:Serves 4:

by Deborah Mele

---

I have been asked many times to share recipes for Shrimp Capri, or Chicken Capri, so I have added my version of this tasty dish. You can either use fresh tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, or even halved cherry tomatoes in the sauce. In order to keep the shrimps tender, just be careful not to overcook them. The hot red pepper flakes are optional, but they are what gives this recipe it's unique flavor. Cook the sauce up until it is just thick enough to coat the shrimp. You don't want the shrimp swimming in sauce.


1 Pound Of Large Shrimp

2 Cloves Of Garlic, Minced

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Salt & Black Pepper

Dash Of Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)

1/2 Cup White Wine

2 Cups Chopped Tomatoes, Or Fresh Tomato Sauce

12 Black Olives, Pitted And Coarsely Chopped

2 Tablespoons Capers

1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley, Chopped

2 Tablespoons Butter


Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add the garlic and shrimp. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook just 30 seconds on each side until the shrimp turns pink. Remove the shrimp from the pan, and add the wine. Turn the heat up to medium high and cook until it has almost evaporated. Add the tomatoes, and cook until the sauce thickens. Return the shrimp to the pan, add the olives and capers, and cook for another minute. Taste, and adjust seasonings if needed. Add the fresh parsley and butter, and mix well. Serve immediately, while hot and bubbly.

Cook's Tip: Store fresh or thawed shrimp in a colander that is filled with ice and set it over a bowl. Thawed shrimp should be kept for just one day before using, while fresh shrimp can be kept for 2 to 3 days. Although most stores sell frozen, or thawed (previously frozen) shrimp, if you have the opportunity to buy fresh shrimp, you will be amazed at the difference in texture and flavor. To prevent the shrimp from curling up during cooking, after shelling and deveining the shrimp, insert a wooden skewer through the center of each shrimp, and cook as desired.

Porcini Dusted Sea Scallops With Tomato Relish

Source : Italianfoodforever

I was at the St. Lawrence market this past weekend and couldn’t resist the huge, creamy white sea scallops on display.

: Serves 4

By Deborah Mele

---

I decided to lightly dust them with dried porcini mushroom powder, sear them, and serve them with just a little fresh tomato relish. They were cooked perfectly, and delicious!


12 Large Sea Scallops

2 Tablespoons Dried Porcini Powder (See Note Below)

4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

Salt & Pepper To Taste


For The Relish:

6 Ripe, Plum Tomatoes

1 Clove Garlic, Peeled And Minced

1 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

½ Teaspoon Chopped, Fresh Thyme


Cut the tomatoes in half, cutting away the core end. Carefully squeeze the tomatoes to remove most of the seeds trying not to damage the pulp. Cut the tomatoes into a small dice (1/2 inch pieces) and place in a bowl. Add the garlic, olive oil and thyme, and then season with salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.

Lightly pat the scallops dry, and sprinkle on some of the porcini powder on both sides. Heat the butter in a heavy frying pan until it is sizzling and just beginning to turn light brown. Add the scallops, and cook on medium high heat for about 3 minutes on each side. The scallops should have a light, crisp outer crust, but remain tender inside. Once they have all been cooked, place three scallops on each plate with a little of the tomato relish on top to serve.

Note: If you cannot find dried porcini powder, then simply grind your own by placing dried porcini mushrooms in a blender or food processor and pulsing until finely ground.