Helen Olesss Prosciutto And Olive Braid Recipes

BANGIN' BLUE OLIVES WITH PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Wrap each cube of gorgonzola with a piece of prosciutto, and use to stuff the olives.
• Combine the panko, smoked paprika, cayenne and some salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix to blend.
• Prepare three plates for breading the olives: one with the flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with the panko mixture. Lightly coat each olive in flour, then dip in egg, and finally roll in breadcrumbs. Set the breaded olives on a sheet of parchment as you go.
• In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 to 3 inches of oil to 350 degrees F over moderate heat. Working in batches, fry the olives until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. (Watch the olives closely; if cooked for too long, the cheese will begin to ooze out.) With a slotted spoon, transfer the fried olives to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with the parsley and Parmesan.

LINGUINE WITH PROSCIUTTO AND OLIVES

Steps:

• In a 6 to 8-quart pan, cook pasta in 3 quarts boiling water until al dente (7 to 9 minutes or according to package directions).
• Drain.
• Place pasta in a warm bowl.
• Meanwhile, combine prosciutto and oil in a wide skillet.
• Cook, stirring, over medium-high heat, until prosciutto is lightly browned (about 3 minutes).
• Add onions and cook, stirring, until limp (about 2 minutes).
• Add olives and tomatoes and cook, shaking pan often, until olives are hot (about 2 more minutes).
• Pour prosciutto mixture over noodles and toss well.
• Transfer to a warm serving bowl.
• Offer cheese to add to taste, if desired.

HELEN OLESS'S PROSCIUTTO AND OLIVE BRAID

Steps:

• Sprinkle baking sheet, approximately 9 1/2 by 11 inches, with cornmeal and set aside.
• Saute prosciutto in 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in garlic, fennel seed and pepper. Pour contents into large mixing bowl.
• Add hot water, yeast and sugar.
• Stir in 1 cup all-purpose flour. Beat in 1/4 cup shortening. Add chopped olives.
• Add 1 more cup of all-purpose flour. Dough will be sticky at this point. Scrape out onto work surface.
• Gradually knead in 3 cups of bread flour until dough is smooth and elastic.
• Cover with inverted bowl; rest for 10 minutes.
• Roll dough into a 10-inch-by-15-inch rectangle. Cut three strips in rectangle, leaving about 1/2 inch at end uncut. Braid and pinch bottom end.
• Place on prepared baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place until light and doubled in volume - about one hour. When doubled, bake in preheated 400-degree oven until hollow sound is heard when loaf is tapped on bottom.