Spinaci Mezzanotte

This is my favorite midnight snack recipe and is also a vibrant green and red dish, perfect for the Holidays.  You can use Christmas tree shaped cookie cutters to mold individual tree shaped salads or as a side dish for lamb or pork.   The peppers form the garland, the cranberries are the decorations and grated cheese makes tasty snow.

Mezzanotte Spinaci

Ingredients

¼ cup Olive Oil

Tbl Chopped Garlic

Pinch Crushed Red Pepper

1 Cup Mushrooms – (I prefer chanterelles – check your local market for wild or organics)

¼ Cup Roast Red Peppers

¼ Cup  Black Olives

¼ Cup Cranberries

4 Cups Fresh Local or Organic Baby Spinach

Truffle Oil – optional

Grated Reggiano Parmesano Cheese

Preparation

Heat olive oil in large sauté pan, add garlic and crushed pepper

Saute lightly

Add fiddleheads

Sauté on medium heat for 1 minute

Add mushrooms, roast peppers, olives

Sauté additional 30 – 60 seconds

Add spinach and sauté until spinach is wilted and tender about 60 seconds

Add salt and pepper to taste and a drizzle of truffle oil

Plate and top with Parmesano Reggiano cheese

Serves 4-6 with dinner or One hungry Chef as a midnight snack

For more information about the Chef – www.LuciasTavola.com

For more information on The Slow Food Movement – www.SlowFood.com

Date e Panchetta - Old World Recipe - Local Flavor

You Need

1 pound sliced pancetta, cut into small strips - 1 lb. sliced Bacon can be substituted – Italian or American it’s still Bacon!

1/2 pound goat cheese - Locally produced, fresh goat cheese can be found year round at many farms and Farmer’s Markets.

1 pound pitted dates

Toothpicks
Baking Dish or Shallow Pan

Directions

Preheat – 375 degrees

Slice dates in half, fill center with cheese and close the halves back together.

Wrap with Bacon of your choice – Italian or American – It’s Still Bacon!

Stick each one with a toothpick - This insures the bacon cheesy goodness stays put

Arrange in baking dish or shallow pan

Bake until Bacon is Crispy

Usually 30 to 40 minutes depending on the oven
Enjoy! Manga!

Frosty Dark Chocolate Martini