Vegan Italian

[missmushroom]

Okay, so here is the deal: Every month, one part of my family hosts a specific country, and prepares a huge meal that represents that country and only drink wine and beer from that origin. I am going home from school this weekend to go to my Aunts house, where we are celebrating Italy! So, I really really could use some suggestions on stuff my family can bring so that we can contribute in the theme and still be able to feed my belly. I have the book Vegan Italian but I dunno, nothing is standing out to me. I could always bring hummus and guacamole for appetizers since that is what I always eat, but I'd like to try to be creative. Any recipies for bean dips or anything unique? What about some main dishes? Thanks so much!! It would be even better if these dishes were yummy and healthy :o)

[BendingRiver]

Eggplant Caprese! Just slop on some delicious steamed mushrooms, tomato slices, eggplant slices, herbs, a little pesto, and spicy tomato sauce, bake for 45 minutes at 375.

[Washoe]

Hey—that sounds good. :lick:

[Washoe]

I have an excellent recipe for a cabbage and red bean risotto that always goes over well with the omnis. Might not be exactly what you’re looking for, but I’ll post it if you so desire.

[BendingRiver]

Hey—that sounds good. :lick:

Yeah, I don't share though. :p

You could use whole wheat pasta, but I'm way too lazy for that.

[Washoe]

I can't really picture in my head exactly what you're describing. Can you explain it in a little more detail? Is it like a casserole?

[Medesha]

Bruschetta with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and fresh basil. Yum.

Or what about a pesto pasta with pine nuts and spinach?

[rapt]

Bruschetta with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and fresh basil. Yum.

Thats always a good choice. Or you could do a roasted bell pepper bruschetta. Or something really easy is to cook up some vegetables such as broccoli, broccolini, or asparagus and serve them cold in a balsamic dressing, thats pretty tasty.

for a main meal you could try gnocchi with a simple napolitana sauce or a veganised eggplant and tomato parmigiana.

[Honeysuckle]

This is sooooo good! One of the best pasta sauces I've ever cooked.... I'm not all that keen on tomatoey sauces, but make an exception for this.

I like it with lots of chilli (which is where the hot and spicy of the name comes from!) I also use fresh tomatoes, but canned are just as good. Don't miss out the capers (unles you hate them) as they really make the dish.

I've had this with penne, but prefer it with wholewheat spaghetti ... a really nice rocket and red onion salad with a balsamic dressing and a foccacia with olives, red onion crescents and rock salt baked on top.


PENNE ALLA PUTTANESCA

Serves 4-6

• 2 medium onions, chopped finely
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped finely
• 2 red chillies, chopped finely
• 1 large handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped finely
• 100g (drained weight) pitted black olives, quartered
• 5 tbsp capers (or a bit more if you like)
• 4 cans chopped tomatoes
• extra virgin olive oil
• pinch sugar
• salt and pepper
• pasta


Fry the onions, garlic and chilli in olive oil until soft. Add the parsley and season well. Pour in the canned tomatoes, stirring the mixture well.

Add the olives, capers, a pinch of sugar, some extra seasoning and several tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well.

Simmer for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced and deepened in colour to a reddish brown.

Cook the pasta, drain and then return to the pan. Ladle in a few helpings of the sauce at a time, stopping to stir the mixture, until all of the pasta has been generously coated. Serve immediately.

[missmushroom]

This is sooooo good! One of the best pasta sauces I've ever cooked.... I'm not all that keen on tomatoey sauces, but make an exception for this.

I like it with lots of chilli (which is where the hot and spicy of the name comes from!) I also use fresh tomatoes, but canned are just as good. Don't miss out the capers (unles you hate them) as they really make the dish.

I've had this with penne, but prefer it with wholewheat spaghetti ... a really nice rocket and red onion salad with a balsamic dressing and a foccacia with olives, red onion crescents and rock salt baked on top.


PENNE ALLA PUTTANESCA

Serves 4-6

• 2 medium onions, chopped finely
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped finely
• 2 red chillies, chopped finely
• 1 large handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped finely
• 100g (drained weight) pitted black olives, quartered
• 5 tbsp capers (or a bit more if you like)
• 4 cans chopped tomatoes
• extra virgin olive oil
• pinch sugar
• salt and pepper
• pasta


Fry the onions, garlic and chilli in olive oil until soft. Add the parsley and season well. Pour in the canned tomatoes, stirring the mixture well.

Add the olives, capers, anchovies, a pinch of sugar, some extra seasoning and several tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well.

Simmer for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced and deepened in colour to a reddish brown.

Cook the pasta, drain and then return to the pan. Ladle in a few helpings of the sauce at a time, stopping to stir the mixture, until all of the pasta has been generously coated. Serve immediately.


is there an alternative to capers? they freak me out

[mazikeen]

How about a farro salad? Farro is the italian name for spelt, a cereal akin to wheat, and it's widely used in Italy, especially for soups and salads.

Recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_25692,00.html

[Medesha]

Mmm, capers! But if they freak you out, you'd probably do okay substituting chopped green olives. Or just omit altogether.

[missmushroom]

thanks guys, they all look good. does anyone know of a traditional dip in italy? i really wanna not bring gucamole and hummus, haha.

[BendingRiver]

I can't really picture in my head exactly what you're describing. Can you explain it in a little more detail? Is it like a casserole?

YES! Exactly! Slice, pour, toss in baking dish. The end.

[berrykat]

My aunt would bread and fry zukes cut into fries and serve with marinara sauce for dipping not sure if its authentic but she's full blood Sicilian so.....

[rapt]

does anyone know of a traditional dip in italy? i really wanna not bring gucamole and hummus, haha.

There isnt one.

Traditional Italian cuisine isnt really known for dips. You could make up a modern trattoria style dip from something like artichokes and fake cream cheese. I use this one, its pretty yumster :)

2 8-ounce packages soy cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup soy sour cream
1/4 cup veganaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
3 6-ounce jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained, coarsely chopped
1 cup grated soy mozzarella cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces)
3 green onions, finely chopped
2 teaspoons minced seeded jalapeño chili

6 6-inch pita rounds, each cut into 6 triangles
Olive oil

Using electric mixer, beat first 8 ingredients in large bowl to blend. Fold in artichokes, soy mozzarella cheese, green onions and jalapeño. Transfer to 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place pita triangles in single layer on baking sheet. Brush with oil. Sprinkle with salt. Bake until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Maintain oven temperature.

Bake dip until bubbling and brown on top, about 20 minutes. Serve hot dip with pita chips. .

[BroccoliBunch]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh GOD the sound of this stuff!!!

[Washoe]

does anyone know of a traditional dip in italy?

I know a little bald-headed guy in Milan named Giuseppe who looks up girl’s skirts with a camera attached to his shoe—does that count? :p

[evelinadatta]

I know a little bald-headed guy in Milan named Giuseppe who looks up girl’s skirts with a camera attached to his shoe—does that count? :p

Are you serious? I also have a friend in Milan who is called Giuseppe and is a little bald-headed guy! Hmmm... I haven't heard about the camera up girls' skirts from my friend but I wouldn't put it past him... ;)

[Saz]

What kind of thing are you going to be dipping? At italian restaurants they always have the bread baskets with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil dipping bowl.... which is nice :) But thats obviously nothing like hoummus texture! Lol.

[missmushroom]

well dinner wasn't a totaly tragedy! I got a big whole wheat baugette and cut it into slices and toasted it. when it was done i rubbed each piece with garlic and then made a "scoop it yourself" dip of oragnic tomatos, roasted red peppers, basil, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. It was really good. Luckily I also made a whole wheat fettucini dish with marsala wine, portabello and porcini mushrooms and broccoli. It was soooo good. My aunt made me a vegan eggplant parm with parmesan! oooooy! and broccoli with parmesan... double oy!! but it wasnt so bad..