Cranberry Pistachio Holiday Biscottis

These Cranberry Pistachio Biscottis are a festive and tasty treat for your Holiday Breakfast or Brunch. Easy to prepare and share for a great gift! This recipe is courtesy of Giada from the Food Network

What you'll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.
3. Form the dough into a 13-inch long, 3-inch wide log on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 30 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.
4. Place the log on the cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the biscotti, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake the biscotti until they are pale golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.

Enjoy!

Italian Eggplant Vegetable Casserole

As a family that likes to go meatless four or more times per week, we're always seeking healthy veggie dinner options that are simple, tasty and satisfying!

One great way to satisfy the tummy and clean out the fridge is with this great Italian Vegetable Casserole! It's so easy, affordable and tastes delicious! Serve it as a main course with a scrumptious glass of wine or as a side dish along side your favorite cut of meat.

What you'll need:

2 medium eggplants, sliced into disks

5-6 ripe tomatoes, sliced

large container of white mushrooms about 15, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded

juice of half a lemon

1/4 cup olive oil

3 fresh basil leaves, diced

3/4-1 cup italian breadcrumbs (panko is best!)

salt, pepper and dried oregano to taste

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In two large baking dishes, divide olive oil and coat dish bottoms and sides. 
3. Layer eggplant disks to fill bottom of baking dishes, and spinkle olive oil to lightly coat eggplant pieces. 
4. Sprinkle juice of half lemon, garlic cloves, a pinch of salt, pepper, dried oregano, half breadcrumbs, a few pieces of diced basil leaves, and layer half cheese. 
5. Next layer tomato slices then mushroom slices.
6. Lastly, layer the remaining breadcrumbs, cheese, diced basil and seasons. 
7. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes until eggplant is tender, tomatos are baked and cheese is melty and lightly toasted.

Serve immediately and enjoy! Serves 4 or 6 as a side. 

Vegetali Fantastico! ;)

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sub Sandwiches

Our family is from Chicago and since moving to the Southwest it's been difficult to find a great Italian beef to really fulfill our cravings for some back home Sub goodness. This Italian Beef recipe has a wonderful flavor and is so simple to make. You can slow cook the meat all day and it will be ready by Dinner time. Yum!
What you'll need:

1. 1 5lb roast such a tri tip, top, bottom, or rump
2. 1 .07 oz package dried italian salad dressing mix
3. crusty high gluten sub rolls
4. 1 jar of hot or sweet peppers
5. 3 cups water
6. 1 tsp salt
7. 1 tsp oregano
8. 1 tsp basil
9. 1 tsp garlic powder
10. 1 tsp onion powder
11. 1 tsp parsley
12. 1 tsp pepper
13. 1 bay leaf

Directions:

1. in a pot add 3 cups of water
2. pour all measured seasonings into pot and bring to a rapid boil
3. meanwhile prepare your slow cooker and add roast to crock pot
4. carefully add your hot seasons mix into crock pot, pouring over roast
5. depending on when you'd like your roast to be ready cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours
6. once your roast is ready, remove from crock pot and shred meat for subs. You can save the delicious Au jus liquid to add to subs, for dipping or store with the shredded beef
7. prepare your sub rolls by slicing and lightly toasting rolls in the oven on low for extra crustiness (optional)
8. slice shredded beef into bite size pieces and layer on to sub rolls. Add Au jus and peppers to taste!

mmmm delicious!...

enjoy!