Verdure Al Forno Recipes

VERDURE AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Using the 2 T. extra virgin olive oil coat the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch baking dish.
• Arrange 1/3 of the zucchini slices on the bottom of the dish and season with a little salt and pepper (most likely you will NOT use the full 1 T of each).
• Evenly pour 1/3 of the heavy cream.
• Sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella.
• Sprinkle with 1/3 of the fontina.
• Sprinkle with 2 T of the romano.
• Repeat layers.
• Top with the bread crumbs. (use fine dried).
• Dot the bread crumbs with the unsalted butter.
• To prevent spillage/smoke line a baking sheet with heavy duty foil and place prepared dish on this.
• Bake for 40 minutes until bubbling and top golden brown.
• Allow to stand for 5 minutes before cutting into it.

VERDURE AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Coat the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish with the oil. Arrange enough of the zucchini slices over the bottom of the dish in a single layer to cover. Sprinkle with one third of the salt and pepper. Pour 1/3 cup of the heavy cream over the zucchini and sprinkle with 1/3 cup each of mozzarella cheese and fontina cheese.
• Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Pecorino Romano cheese, then with 1/3 cup of bread crumbs. Repeat layering the ingredients two more times. (The vegetables can be assembled 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before proceeding.) Place the baking dish on the baking sheet and bake uncovered until golden brown on top and the sauce bubbles, about 40 minutes. Serve immediately.

ZUCCHINI GRATINE / GRATIN (VERDURE AL FORNO)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Coat bottom of 9X13" baking dish with EVOO. Arrange zucchini slices on the bottom of the dish and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Okay if zucchini slices overlap.
• Evenly pour 1/3 cup heavy cream and sprinkle with 1/3 cup mozzarella, 1/3 cup Fontina, and 2 tablespoons of Romano. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of bread crumbs. Repeat layers.
• My own variation: Giada dotted bread crumb topping with cold butter. I suggest: Melt 4 tablespoons butter and blend with last 1/3 cup of bread crumbs to sprinkle over top of gratine. I don't like plain dry bread crumb toppings and I think the top will brown and crisp up much better this way.
• Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place gratine on top and place in oven. Bake for 40 minutes or until bubbling and top is golden brown.

BAKED VEGETABLE GRATIN (VERDURE AL FORNO)

Steps:

• Cut the zucchini into 1/2-inch dice; place in a colander; salt, and drain for 20 minutes.
• Cut off any long stems from the spinach.
• Cook spinach with water that clings to the leaves in a pot, along with a little salt just until the spinach wilts; drain and let cool.
• Squeeze out the excess water and coarsely chop.
• Gently saute the onion in 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over low heat for 20 minutes or until the onion is soft and pale gold.
• Meanwhile, pat the zucchini dry with paper towels; add to the onions, and saute for 10 minutes.
• Add the spinach and garlic and saute for an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Turn into a bowl and let cool.
• Combine the vegetables with 1/2 cup Parmesan, eggs, parsley, garbanzo beans, salt, and pepper.
• Lightly oil a shallow, round baking dish; fill dish with the spinach mixture.
• Sprinkle the top with 2 tablespoons Parmesan and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Bake in a preheated 375° oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until a golden crust has formed.
• Let cool; serve at room temperature.