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!! 😉