Stuffed and Braided Pizza

This is the epitome of outstandingness! 

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can refrigerated thin pizza dough crust
• 10 Spanish Chorizo slices
• 6 Provalone slices  
• 1 packed cup, spinach
• 10-12 slices Genoa Salami  
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• big pinch Kosher salt  
• 3-4 grinds fresh black pepper  
• 1 cup marinara sauce (I used my EVERYDAY TOMATO SAUCE) 

DIRECTIONS

1. Stretch out the pizza dough to rectangle, about 10" on short ends
2. Get layering a single column  in the center of the dough: overlap Spanish chorizo, overlap Provolone, spinach, overlap salami, sprinkle on oregano, dust on the garlic powder evenly, load on mozzarella 
3. On both sides, make diagonal slices from edge of the filling, to dough edge, every 1/2" all the way down (see photos), get braiding one over the other
4. Brush lightly with olive oil, season generously with Kosher salt and pepper, cook for 15 minutes
5. Heat through tomato sauce
6. Slice and dip, devour!

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BAKED PENNE

Dear Hungry family, fear not, this recipe is super easy and made from basic pantry ingredients, so you can whip this up and have it on the table in under 30 minutes.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb penne pasta, cooked al dente
• 1- 28oz can San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 12oz can tuna in oil, drained
• pinch Kosher salt
• few grinds freshly ground pepper
• 5oz ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In large pot on medium heat, add tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, cook for 5-7 minutes
3. Mix ricotta and tuna into sauce, cook for 2 minutes, stir in cooked pasta
4. Add this to oven proof dish, sprinkle over parmesan, cook for 30 minutes

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Chicken Parmesan

Serves 4 

This classic is way easier than you think to make, try it this way and you can have it on the table for the fam in under 30 minutes. 

INGREDIENTS

• 4 chicken thighs, bone removed, flattened 
• 1/2 plain cup flour
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1  1/2 cup MY EVERYDAY TOMATO SAUCE (but any marinara will do, I used leftover homemade tomato soup in the video below)
• 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Bread the chicken (in this order) using 3 separate bowls for flour, beaten eggs, panko/parmesan 
3. Preheat oil in large deep skillet on medium, gently add breaded chicken cook for 3 minutes each side, remove excess oil place on paper towels
4. In 9'' oven proof dish, get layering… chicken, then sauce, then cheese, cook 15 minutes

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Everyday Tomato Sauce

Makes about 2 cups

Whether you use this for pasta, spooning on top of a poached egg or dipping crispy raviolis into - just make it. 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 3 large cloves garlic, minced

• One 28-oz can whole peeled tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes - hey, if you like it hot - make it hot

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• Kosher salt and pepper to taste - and don't be shy about the salt for sure

Directions

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat and add onion - cook about 5 minutes

2. Add garlic and cook another minute or so - just until fragrant

3. Add tomatoes, squishing each one with your hand to break it up as you add it - if using your hand is an issue break them up with a spoon but hey this is cooking so deal with it junior

4. Next put in tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, red pepper, sugar and oregano

5. Stir really well, combining everything

6. Add salt and pepper to taste

7. Bring sauce to a boil, then turn down heat and let simmer about 30 minutes

8. Serve on everything - pasta (of course) eggs, polenta, pizza, grilled bread, chicken...did I say everything?

Gnocchi Alla Sarda

I shot a show on the USS Asheville - a fast attack nuclear submarine, and I have Shari and Jared Hofer to thank for starting the legwork. Jared was on the Asheville, and his wife Shari had written to tell me that the food on the sub was better than the aircraft carrier where I had also done a show. The Hofer's are now stationed in Italy and sent this recipe in to the show.

Ingredients

• 1 lb gnocchi

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 - 8 ounce can tomato sauce

• 1 lb spicy spicy Italian sausage (casings removed and crumbled)

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil

• Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Remove sausage from casing and brown with olive oil in alarge pan with crushed garlic.

2. Boil gnocchi - it is done when it floats to the top of the water.

3. When sausage is cooked add cream, tomato sauce and fresh basil.

4. Add gnocchi and stir, salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese - and enjoy!