Kittencals Parmesan Focaccia Recipes

PARMESAN FOCACCIA

Steps:

• For the dough: Add potato to boiling water and simmer until done, about 25 minutes. Drain potato well and cool.
• Once cooled put through fine disk on ricer or grate through large holes on grater box.
• Reserve 1 1/3 cup lightly packed potato.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl of electric mixer or work bowl of food processor fitted with steel blade, mix or pulse yeast, 1/2 cup flour, and 1/2 cup warm water until combined.
• Cover tightly and set aside until bubbly, about 20 minutes.
• Add remaining dough ingredients, including reserved potato. If using Kitchen Aid mixer, fit with paddle attachment and mix on low speed (number 2) until dough comes together.
• Switch to dough hook attachment and increase speed to medium (number 4); continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• If using food processor, process until dough is smooth and elastic, about 40 seconds. The dough will be wet. Transfer dough to lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat with oil, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm, draft-free area until dough is puffy and doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• With wet hands (to prevent sticking), press dough flat into generously oiled 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 inch jelly roll pan, stretching it so that the dough reaches all sides of the pan and fills all four corners (If the dough resists going into the corners, cover it with a damp cloth and let it relax for 15 minutes.) Once the dough has been stretched into the pan cover with a lightly oil-sprayed plastic wrap; let rise in warm, draft-free area until dough is puffy and double in volume, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat to 425°F.
• Once doubled in size, with two wet fingers, dimple risen dough.
• Drizzle the dough with the topping oil and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake until focaccia bottom is golden brown and crisp, 23 to 25 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool slightly. Cut into squares and serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN TOMATO PASTA SAUCE AND PARMESAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Prepare the meatball recipe as directed on the recipe; transfer to a plate cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use (the meatballs may be prepared up to 1 day in advance).
• Drain the diced tomatoes over a strainer.
• Coat bottom of large heavy-bottomed pot with olive oil, heat over medium heat.
• Saute onion with bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper and crushed chili peppers for about 5-7 minutes or until the onions are transparent.
• Add in fresh garlic; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste;mix and stir for about 2 minutes or until well combined with the onion mixture.
• Add in the wine; stir well to combine.
• Add the 2 cans crushed tomatoes (can use 3 cans if you are freezing some sauce) and the drained diced tomatoes, stir and bring to a light boil; boil for 5-8 minutes then reduce heat to low.
• Add in uncooked meatballs to the sauce (if you are adding the meatballs uncooked do not stir for 30 minutes or you may run the risk of them falling apart in the simmering sauce).
• Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 3-5 hours (the longer you simmer uncovered the thicker and richer your sauce will be so don't be afraid to simmer even 6 hours!) adding more salt if desired.
• Skim off any fat that might gather on top of sauce.
• Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate (with the meatballs in the sauce) a minimum of 1 day or up to 4 days before using.
• Use as much as desired then freeze the rest for another meal, just reheat the sauce on top of the stove or heat in microwave (this will freeze well for up to 6 months).
• Note: if desired, you can bake the meatballs in the oven before adding to the sauce.

KITTENCAL'S CHICKEN PARMESAN (LOW-FAT AND DELICIOUS!)

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F (oven rack set to lowest position).
• Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the breasts between two sheets of waxed paper, then using a mallet pound until almost half the thickness (do not pound to very thin).
• In a shallow dish combine dry breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, parsley, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and black pepper.
• Place the flour in another shallow bowl or on a plate.
• Place the egg in a bowl and lighty beat (you should have 3 separate bowls).
• Firstly dredge the chicken in the flour, then dip into egg, lastly coat in the breadcrumb mixture pressing down with hands to adhear the mixture firmly to the chicken.
• Spray a non-stick skillet with vegetable spray or lightly brush with a little olive oil.
• Add in the breasts one or two at a time and lightly brown on both sides (about 3 minutes per side, do not cook through completely) transfer to prepared baking dish.
• Drizzle the marinara sauce over the top and around each breast (there should be some sauce between each piece of chicken).
• If you are using the mozzarella cheese sprinkle over the top and around all the chicken.
• Top with about 1/4 to 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (cooking time should take no more than 30 minutes or the chicken will be dry).
• TO SERVE; slide a wide spatula underneath the breast/s along with some sauce and cheese that is left in the baking dish.