danistrulytheman

I'm STILL a self confessing, self professing know-it-all, or so I think!


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sausages & chickpeas!

This is another one of my famous throw everything in the pot and hope for the best type of creations!! I bought sausages (hot Italian), and used whatever else I had in the house. I’ve been on a chickpeas roll of late, incorporating them in many meals I’ve been making … talk about awesome and healthy!! I grilled the sausages, then combined them w/ sautéed sweet onions, red peppers and kale. After a few minutes of sizzling ‘n flippin’ on high heat, I deglazed w/ white wine, added a bit of chicken broth, tossing in the chick peas, and bringing everthing to a simmer before placing in the oven to finish! Served w/ the obligatory/proverbial Italian crusty peasant loaf to sop up all the goodness, the best cheese you have in the icebox, a glass (or bottle, lol) of red vino, the lights dimmed creating the perfect ambience, Sting, or maybe Annie Lennox, playing softly in the background setting the mood… and yep, dansyermothereffinguncle

mungia mungia! farmer style mungia mungia …

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yum, yum, and YUMMO

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my stingy/meager portion (another blog post/lesson – another time) …

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leftovers w/ fried & caramelized onions! leftovers are ALWAYS better …

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three meats tomato sauce w/ casareccia

Today I pan seared ossobucco, Italian sausages, and my famous meatballs … then gently plopped them into my homemade tomato sauce letting them slowly simmer for a few hours creating this flavourful gravy. Casareccia pasta, with its great texture really helps the sauce cling, sopping it up  … oh I also added a bit of broccoli rabe before serving to give it that extra oomph. Freshly grated Grana Padano Scelto, and a glass (or two) of vino … yep, life don’t get no better!!

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change of plans: português comida

… sorry Tiff. Stopped at my fave Sunday haunt and got roped into a Portuguese food feast. Good bud Alex didn’t even bother to ask if I wanted a beer today, he just ordered it … and he even remembered my brand, Stella (best the bar offers). He did ask if I wanted to join him/them for lunch, his treat … I can’t tell you how many times I’ve douched out and declined … not today. A few pics y’all …

Alex and me (grunge photoshopped, lol)

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vino (and bread)

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cabbage, carrots, and potatoes

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… pic #2

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… and 3

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meat: chorizo, chicken, pork … unsure of the rest?

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… pic #2

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my plate (1st of 3 helpings)

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2 bottles (these are the bigboybottles btw) down, 1 to go

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after dinner espresso and double shot of brandy (bowl is deep)

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Final thoughts; those three bottles of wine were drunk ‘tween eight manly men dining (seven actually … stuck with my Stella). Every Sunday, anyone who wants to eat/drink is welcomed. The bill is calculated as a whole, then divided by the number of people … roughly calculated too (no nitpicking), making paying easier. Today it was $20/head … ALL IN!! My lunch included three beers (typically $6-7 at any bar), all the food I could eat, a double shot of brandy and espresso … to call it a good bargain would be the proverbial understatement. Thanks again Alex, you’re good people!!


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spaghetti n’ shrimp

Cooler temps precipitated this … plus I had all the ingredients (pretty much), AND love using fresh herbs from my garden while I’m still able to – so the deal was sealed.

Italian spaghetti (loops around – VERY long):

Homemade sauce gently simmering away:

Pan sautéed shrimp in white wine, butter sauce – fresh oregano too:

Handfuls of whole basil leaves thrown in at the very end (along with the shrimp):

Combined with the pasta (this is KEY), NOT simply spooned on top:

Vino – red, any good Italian wine … Bread – crusty, peasant loaf … and YES Cheese (give a rat’s ass ’bout any seafood pasta rules we’ve all heard to the contrary. I’m eating a tomato based pasta, I’m grating cheese, and generously too, lol) – Grana Padano, Parm-Regg, or Romano Lupa. Good Italian eating … it don’t get no better folks!! 😉