organic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Homemade Organic Classic Caesar Salad Dressing

Here’s What You’ll Need:

  • 6 wild-caught anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained (Crown Prince recommended)
  • 1 small organic garlic clove, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 tsp. Real Salt
  • 2 large pastured egg yolks (reserve the whites for another use)
  • 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed organic lemon juice, plus more if desired
  • 3/4 tsp. Homemade Organic Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 cup PLUS 2 Tbsp. organic olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons finely grated organic Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground organic black peppercorns

Here’s How I do it:

Quick Method:

  • In a food processor or food chopper fitted with the chopping blade, add the anchovy fillets, garlic, egg yolks, lemon juice, mustard, and a pinch of salt; Process into a paste.
  • Transfer the anchovy mixture and olive oil into a pint-and-a-half sized Mason jar; Using an immersion blender, process until the dressing is emulsified (it will be thickened and shiny).
  • Add parmesan plus salt and pepper to taste; Mix until well combined with the immersion blender, adding additional lemon juice if desired.
  • This dressing can be made a day in advance.
  • Enjoy!

By-Hand Method:

  1. Mince together anchovy fillets, garlic, and pinch of salt; Use the blade side of a knife to mash into a paste, then scrape into a medium stainless-steel mixing bowl.
  2. Whisk in egg yolks, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and mustard.
  3. Adding drop by drop to start, gradually whisk in olive oil; Whisk until dressing is thick and glossy (it will be emulsified). Whisk in Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.
  4. This dressing can be made a day in advance.
  5. Enjoy!

Homemade Organic Four Cheese Supreme Pizza Strata

This is a way to kick a traditional strata up a notch and it’s wonderful to prepare when you don’t have the time to make traditional pizza dough and there’s leftover bread on hand.

Here’s What  You’ll Need:

Here’s How I do it:

  1. Tear the bread into bite sized pieces; Put half of them into a 9×13″ casserole.
  2. In a small saucepan, saute onion, green pepper, and mushrooms for 4-5 minutes with a sprinkle of salt; Add garlic and saute for an additional 2 minutes.
  3. Spoon vegetables over the bread.
  4. Layer the shredded chicken and beef on top of the vegetables.
  5. Sprinkle sliced olives on top of the casserole.
  6. Pour a layer of pizza sauce on top of the mixture.
  7. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  8. Mix the Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano and Asiago cheeses in a small bowl; Sprinkle 1/2 of the mixture on top of the casserole.
  9. Arrange the remaining bread cubes on top of the cheese; Top with the other 1/2 of grated cheeses.
  10. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together eggs, stock, Real Salt and pepper; Pour on top of layered strata.
  11. Cover; Chill for 3-24  hours.
  12. Bake, uncovered, for 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  13. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  14. Makes 8 servings.
  15. Enjoy!

Homemade Organic Italian Salad

Here’s What You’ll Need:

  • 1 head organic Romaine lettuce, torn
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded organic radicchio or shredded organic purple cabbage
  • 2 organic Roma tomatoes, halved then sliced
  • 1/2 small organic red onion, sliced into thin rings
  • 1 cup sliced organic cremini mushrooms
  • 1 medium organic carrot, shredded
  • 1/4 cup sliced organic pepperoncini
  • 1/2 cup organic black olives
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh organic oregano OR *1 tsp. organic dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup grated organic parmigiano reggiano cheese
  • 1/2 cup (more or less to taste) Simple Homemade Organic Italian Dressing, Homemade Organic Fresh Italian Dressing or Homemade Organic Creamy Italian Dressing

Here’s How I do it:

  1. Add all of the ingredients except for the dressing.
  2. Toss to combine ensuring that it’s well mixed.
  3. Place the salads in bowls and drizzle with dressing.
  4. Enjoy!

Homemade Organic Pepperoni Pizza Dip

I was inspired for this recipe by Closet Cooking and Guy Fieri. I have combined elements of both recipes to make my own.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

  • 4 oz. [half-brick] organic cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup organic sour cream
  • 1/4 cup Homemade Organic Mayonnaise
  • 1 cup organic buffalo mozzarella, diced and divided (this is the really soft kind, not the hard block-kind)
  • 1/4 cup organic parmigiano reggiano cheese, grated
  • 1 cup The Best Homemade Organic Pizza Sauce
  • 1/2 cup organic mozzarella, shredded
  • 1 tsp. organic red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp. organic granulated garlic
  • 1 tsp. organic granulated onion
  • 2 tsp. organic Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup organic fermented pepperoni slices
  • organic lard (home rendered preferred), for frying pepperoni

Here’s How I do it:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  2. In a small saute pan over medium heat, add some lard and the pepperoni.
  3. Saute until the pepperoni is just crisp, 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Chop the pepperoni into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, 1/2 cup mozzarella, salt, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning.  (I added the melted lard, after it cooled, that I used for frying the pepperoni and it made the dip even better!)
  6. Spread it across the bottom of a pie plate.
  7. Spread the pizza sauce on top.
  8. Sprinkle the sauce with pepperoni pieces.
  9. Top the dip with the remaining cheeses.
  10. Bake at 350° Fahrenheit until the sides are bubbling and the cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top, about 20 minutes.
  11. This dip pairs well with toasted buttery slices of baguette or Homemade Organic Garlic and Herb Breadsticks.

Homemade Organic Meatloaf Submarine Sandwich

This is much like a meatball submarine sandwich, but with meatloaf instead of meatballs.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

Here’s How I do it:

  1. In a small sauce pot, warm the pizza sauce and keep at a low simmer until needed.
  2. Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add lard or tallow and allow to get warm and bubbly.
  4. Place meatloaf slices into the skillet and fry until lightly golden brown on each side.
  5. Put a fried meatloaf slice on top of the hoagie roll.
  6. Top with warmed pizza sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
  7. Repeat steps 5-6 for each sandwich.
  8. Enjoy!

 

Homemade Organic Supreme Pepperoni Pizza Dip

Here’s What You’ll Need:

  •  4 oz. [half-brick] organic cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup organic sour cream
  • 1/4 cup Homemade Organic Mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup organic mozzarella, minced (this is the really soft kind)
  • 1/4 cup organic parmigiano reggiano cheese, grated
  • 1 cup The Best Homemade Organic Pizza Sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. organic red pepper flakes
  • 2 tsp. organic Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. Real Salt, divided in half
  • 2 cloves organic garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup organic yellow onion, minced
  • 1/4 cup organic bell pepper, minced
  • 1/4 cup organic cremini mushrooms, minced
  • 2 oz. organic fermented pepperoni
  • organic lard, for frying pepperoni

Here’s How I do it:

  •  Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  • In a small saute pan over medium heat, add some lard and the pepperoni.
  • Saute until the pepperoni is lightly browned on both sides, 2 – 3 minutes.
  • Remove the pepperoni and set it on a plate to cool.
  • Saute the onions, garlic, mushrooms, and bell pepper for 4 – 5 minutes.
  • Add the cream cheese to the toppings and heat until melted.
  • Chop the pepperoni into bite-sized pieces.
  • Put the cheese and vegetable mixture on the bottom of a small casserole dish.
  • Layer the pepperoni bits on top of the vegetable mixture.
  • Spread the pizza sauce on top of the pepperoni.
  • Mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes,1/2 tsp. Real Salt, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and a few turns of freshly ground peppercorn blend.
  • Spread the cheese mixture on top of the pepperoni bits.
  • Bake at 350° Fahrenheit until the sides are bubbling and the cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top, about 20 minutes.
  • Serve with buttery toasted baguette slices, Homemade Organic Garlic and Herb Breadsticks, or butter crackers.
  • Enjoy!

 

Homemade Organic Alfredo Sauce

I found the original recipe by Tyler Florence at foodnetwork.com.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

  • 1 pint organic grass-fed heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup [1 stick] lightly salted organic pasture butter, softened
  • 1 cup freshly grated organic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1/2 tsp. organic freshly ground peppercorn blend
  • Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Here’s How I do it:

  1. Heat heavy cream over low-medium heat in a deep saute pan.
  2. Add butter and whisk gently to melt. Sprinkle in cheese and stir to incorporate.
  3. Season with freshly ground peppercorn blend.
  4. Enjoy!