Tag: comfort food

Italian

Pastina (Italian Penicillin)

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Pastina is a classic recipe for when you are feeling sick or cold. It is ideal for older people or children, as well, because it is easy to digest. It isn’t meant to be fancy or heavily seasoned. Instead, rely on the simple flavors to comfort you. It feels silly to add the recipe here because it is so simple, but I have had a few people ask me for the recipe. The beauty is that it is ready to eat in ten minutes with ingredients you usually have on hand:)

You will need:

  • 2 cups chicken broth (bone broth preferred)
  • pinch of salt
  • 3/4 to one cup of pastina (or very small pasta like orzo)
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Steps:

  • Bring the broth and salt to a rolling boil.
  • Add the pastina and cook for 8 minutes. Most of the liquid should be absorbed. I stir constantly because it tends to stick to the bottom as it absorbs.
  • Once the pastina is cooked, stir in the butter and the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Make sure the parmesan is good quality. Sometimes, if I feel fancy I might put a scrunch of black pepper.
  • Sprinkle some extra grated parmesan on top, and enjoy.
Italian · Recipes

Meatball Sandwiches

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This is the ultimate comfort meal. Seriously. Eat this when you have had an absolutely miserable day and it is cold and wretched outside. No regrets.

You will need:

  • 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound italian sausage (mild)
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • Slices of provolone cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 6 hoagies buns
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Step one: preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wrap 2 cloves of garlic in aluminum foil and roast for 15 minutes.

Step two: mix beef, sausage (squeezed out of its casing), minced garlic, breadcrumbs, oregano and egg and form into meatballs.Step three: cook meatballs in a large nonstick pan at medium heat – be sure to not overcook. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Simmer for an additional ten minutes.  Top with fresh grated Parmesan.

Step four: while meatballs are simmering, split hoagies and brush the insides with olive oil and the roasted garlic. Heat in the oven for about 7-8 minutes until desired texture.

Step five: place three meatballs in the hoagie and top with provolone. Put subs back in the oven to melt the cheese for an additional five minutes. Enjoy!