Involtini Alla Siciliana Recipes

SICILIAN VEAL INVOLTINI

Steps:

• Soak 4 wood skewers in water to prevent them from burning. Alternately, cover the ends of each skewer with foil.

INVOLTINI ALLA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a 12-inch ovenproof skillet, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the olives, capers, red pepper flakes, pine nuts and currants. Stir in the marinara (Basic Tomato Sauce) and wine. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, orange zest, parsley, the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper, and mix well.
• Season each piece of fish with salt and pepper and place flat on a work surface. Spread the bread crumb mixture evenly across each of the fish pieces and carefully roll each like a jelly roll, securing each roll with string or with toothpicks. Place the rolls in the skillet with the sauce. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Place 1 roll on each of 4 warmed dinner plates, spoon some of the sauce over each, and garnish with chopped parsley, torn oregano, fennel fronds and olive oil.

INVOLTINI DI CARNE ALLA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Cut each 1/4-inch thick slice of meat into portions about 2 to 2 1/2 by 4 to 5 inches. Transfer the slices to sheets of plastic wrap, cover with plastic wrap, and, using the smooth side of a meat mallet, pound the sliced top portions until slices are very thin - ideally about 1/8-inch thick, being careful not to tear the meat. You should have approximately 16 (3 by 6 to 7-inch) rectangular portions of meat.
• In a small skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on a medium-high heat and saute the onion until tender and translucent. Transfer to a small mixing bowl and add the bread crumbs, cheese, raisins, pine nuts, parsley, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside for filling.
• Preheat a grill, grill pan, or broiler to high heat.
• Lay the beef slices on a clean flat work surface and drizzle with 4 tablespoons of the remaining olive oil, turning to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the bread crumb mixture evenly among the beef slices, about 2 tablespoons each, placing the filling on 1of the short ends. Using your fingers, roll the slices lengthwise up and over the filling until the meat is completely rolled up. Using butcher's twine, tie both ends of each roll firmly to secure. Thread the meat rolls onto 2 skewers, 1 at either end of the roll, and thread bay leaves and onions onto each skewer, then top with a second beef roll and 2 more onions, until you have used all of the ingredients, like a kabob. Lightly brush each skewer with some of the remaining olive oil. You should have 8 double-skewered kabobs, each with 2 beef rolls, 4 onions, and 2 bay leaves.
• Grill the skewers, turning occasionally, until meat is charred on the outside but still medium-pink on the inside, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Set skewers aside to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

LASAGNA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with the melted butter.
• Place the ricotta, egg, parsley, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
• Assemble the lasagna by evenly spreading 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Cover the sauce with some of the raw pasta sheets, cutting and piecing together the pasta as necessary to fit the dish (see Cook's Note).
• Spread 3/4 cup of the ricotta mixture evenly over the pasta using an offset spatula or your desired utensil. Make sure to get the ricotta to the edges and corners of the dish. Pour 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce onto the ricotta and spread evenly.
• Sprinkle 1 lightly filled (not packed) cup of the mozzarella over the top, followed by a light handful of Grana Padano and roughly one-fifth of the cooked and chopped sausage. Repeat 4 more times, starting with the pasta.
• For the sixth and final layer, begin by laying your pasta, then spread the remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the sauce. Cover the dish well with aluminum foil to trap in moisture and help the raw pasta cook.
• Bake, covered, for 30 minutes, then uncover the lasagna and cook until the lasagna has crisped and browned to your liking, 15 to 30 minutes more. Serve with extra warmed tomato sauce and garnish with any remaining Grana Padano and parsley.