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Her cooking wowed Martha. Will she wow you?

Italy native Eleanora Scarpetta came to prominence about five years ago when she wrote a letter to Martha Stewart claiming that she could teach the domestic goddess a thing or two about canning tomatoes and about Italian-American food in general. Intrigued, Stewart's producers visited the Connecticut housewife and were immediately taken by her home-style cooking methods and outstanding results. Th
/ Source: TODAY

Italy native Eleanora Scarpetta came to prominence about five years ago when she wrote a letter to Martha Stewart claiming that she could teach the domestic goddess a thing or two about canning tomatoes and about Italian-American food in general. Intrigued, Stewart's producers visited the Connecticut housewife and were immediately taken by her home-style cooking methods and outstanding results. They invited her to appear on Stewart's TV show, where she was such a hit that they invited her back a dozen times. Now, Scarpetta has collected her family favorites and Italian-American classics in her debut cookbook, “Eleanora’s Kitchen.” She was invited on “Today” to talk about the book and to demonstrate some of her dishes. Here are the recipes for those, as well as a couple of others:

Pasta Mare e Monte (Pasta with Shrimp and Mushrooms)Eleanora Scarpetta

Serves 4 to 6

The combination of shrimp fresh from the sea and mushrooms from the earth is a splendid one. (“Mare” means “sea,” and “monte” means “mountain,” the source of many varieties of wild mushrooms). I created this dish using home-cured green olives and marinara sauce made with crushed tomatoes. It’s fast, easy, and special enough for the first course of a dinner party. I think you’ll love it as much as I do.

1. Combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the dried basil, dried parsley, and one of the pressed garlic cloves in a large bowl. Add the shrimp, toss to mix, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 12.

2. Warm the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 5 pressed garlic cloves, 1/ 2 teaspoon of the salt, and the portobello and porcini mushrooms, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the olives and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Add the tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh parsley, and cook for 10 minutes. Add the shrimp, cover, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes more, until the shrimp are tender and cooked through.

3. Meanwhile, combine 4 1/ 2 to 5 quarts of water and the remaining teaspoon of salt in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain and transfer to a platter. Pour the sauce over the pasta and serve immediately.

9123050604816048260499extra virgin olive oil0.5cup1/2 cup extra virgin olive oildried basil, preferably homemade0.5teaspoon1/2 teaspoon dried basil, preferably homemadedried parsley, preferably homemade0.5teaspoon1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, preferably homemadegarlic6clove6 garlic cloves, pressed or finely choppedlarge fresh shrimp, de-veined, with tails intact0.75pound3/4 pound large fresh shrimp, de-veined, with tails intactsalt5.5teaspoon11/2 teaspoons saltportobello mushroom11 large portobello mushroom, wiped clean, stem end trimmed, diceddried porcini mushrooms1cup1 cup (about 3 ounces) dried porcini mushrooms, reconstituted in 1 cup of water and drained, or 2 cups sliced fresh shiitake mushroomsimported green sicilian olives1cup1 cup imported green Sicilian olives, pitted and halvedhomemade canned plum tomatoes or one 35-ounce can whole plum tomatoes with juice, or 13/ 4 to 2 pounds ripe, fresh plum tomatoes1One 32-ounce jar homemade canned plum tomatoes or one 35-ounce can whole plum tomatoes with juice, or 13/ 4 to 2 pounds ripe, fresh plum tomatoes, cored, crushed in a blender or food processor for 2 to 3 secondsfresh basil leaves66 fresh basil leaves, coarsely choppedfresh flat-leaf (italian) parsley2tablespoon2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, coarsely choppedfedelini, thin linguine, or spaghettini1pound1 pound fedelini, thin linguine, or spaghettini

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SPECIAL COVERAGE

Veal Sorrentino (Veal Cutlets with Prosciutto, Eggplant and Mozzarella)Eleanora Scarpetta

Serves 6 to 8

This dish originated in Sorrento, but is enjoyed throughout Italy. It has been a staple in my home for years, and it’s one of my favorite company dishes. Veal topped with prosciutto, grilled eggplant and melted mozzarella — all simmered in a rich tomato-wine sauce — is a mouthwatering secondo (second dish). Chicken or turkey cutlets can be used in place of the veal, if you prefer.

To make the veal:

1. Have the butcher pound the veal cutlets for you or tenderize them yourself by placing the cutlets between sheets of plastic wrap and pounding them with a mallet. Place the flour in a shallow bowl. Beat the eggs, pepper, and Pecorino Romano in another bowl. Place the bread crumbs in a third bowl. Dip the cutlets in the flour, then shake off any excess. Dip the cutlets into the egg mixture, then into the bread crumbs.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the prepared cutlets and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels.

To make the eggplant:

3. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill or a grill pan. Brush the eggplant with the olive oil and grill for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until slightly golden. Set aside.

To make the sauce:

4. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sweep the rosemary sprig around the skillet to lightly flavor the oil. Add the garlic and salt, and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and tomato puree and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. (Note: If using canned tomatoes, cook for 20 to 25 minutes.) Add the wine and basil and continue to cook for 5 more minutes.

To assemble the dish

5. Place the veal on top of the tomato sauce. Top each cutlet with slices of prosciutto, eggplant and mozzarella. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the veal is tender and the cheese has melted, about 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Serve Veal Sorrentino as a main course with crusty Italian bread and a salad. I usually like to serve an antipasto platter or Baked Littlenecks Oreganata as a starter.

9123050604816048254554

lean veal cutlet66 lean veal cutlets (about 1 pound)all-purpose flour0.25cup1/4 cup all-purpose flouregg33 large eggsfreshly ground black pepper0.5teaspoon1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black peppergrated pecorino romano cheese3tablespoon3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheeseunseasoned dry bread crumbs, preferably homemade1cup1 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs, preferably homemadelight olive oil1cup1 cup light olive oil) with skin11 Italian baby eggplant (about 1/4 pound) with skin, cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slicesextra virgin olive oil2tablespoon2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oilextra virgin olive oil0.25cup1/4 cup extra virgin olive oilfresh rosemary1sprig1 sprig of fresh rosemarygarlic6clove4 to 6 garlic cloves, pressed or finely choppedsalt1teaspoon1 teaspoon salthomemade canned plum tomatoes or one 35-ounce can whole plum tomatoes with juice1One 32-ounce jar homemade canned plum tomatoes or one 35-ounce can whole plum tomatoes with juice, crushed in a blender or food processor for 2 to 3 secondshomemade tomato puree or one 14-1/2-ounce can whole plum tomatoes with juice0.5Half a 32-ounce jar homemade tomato puree or one 14-1/2-ounce can whole plum tomatoes with juice, pureed in a blender or food processor for 3 to 5 secondsdry red wine0.25cup1/4 cup dry red winefresh basil leaves66 fresh basil leaves, coarsely choppedprosciutto0.25pound1/4 pound prosciutto, thinly slicedfresh dry or processed whole-milk mozzarella cheese0.5pound1/2 pound fresh dry or processed whole-milk mozzarella cheese, sliced

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Mamma’s Stuffed Italian Peppers Eleanora Scarpetta

Serves 6 to 8

Many years ago, on Arthur Avenue [a Little Italy in The Bronx section of New York City], there was a vendor who sold his wares out of his horse-drawn wagon. He’d ride up and down the avenues selling fresh produce, yelling at the top of his lungs, “Frutti! Verdure!” All the housewives would come out — in their housedresses, aprons, and sometimes with rollers in their hair — clutching their purses and wallets. Whenever my mother found Italian peppers (called frevarelli in Neapolitan dialect) that were fresh enough to suit her taste, she’d proudly show them to her neighbors. They would wonder what she was going to do with them. When the aroma of her sweet stuffed peppers wafted through the building, their question was answered.

1. Use a small sharp knife to cut off the stem end of each pepper. Remove the seeds, leaving the peppers intact.

2. Hold the bread quickly under cold running water. Squeeze out the excess water, then tear or crumble into small pieces and set aside.

3. Beat the eggs, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the oregano, 2 of the pressed garlic cloves, and the black pepper in a large bowl. Mix in the diced tomatoes, cheese, 1/4 cup of the celery, the parsley, anchovies, and moistened bread pieces. Mix in the bread crumbs.

4. Stuff the peppers with the mixture, dividing it evenly among the peppers.

5. Heat the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and the remaining 3 pressed garlic cloves in a very large skillet over medium heat until the garlic just begins to turn golden, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato puree, the remaining 1/4 cup celery, the basil, and the salt and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes for homemade puree and about 20 minutes for canned tomatoes.

6. Add the peppers to the tomato sauce, so that they are lying flat. Cover and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes. Serve hot.

I like to serve this as a side dish to … pork loin roast, simply prepared grilled steak, or grilled or pan-fried pork or veal chops. Or serve for lunch with a generous chunk of hearty Italian bread.

912305060575604826056960486red or green Italian peppers (frevarelli) or cubanelle peppers66 long red or green Italian peppers (frevarelli) or cubanelle peppersslices Italian bread2Two 1/2-inch-thick slices Italian breadegg33 large eggsextra virgin olive oil0.25cup1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oildried oregano, preferably imported italian1teaspoon1 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably imported Italiangarlic5clove5 garlic cloves pressed or finely chopped (2 for the stuffing, 3 for the sauce)freshly ground black pepper0.5teaspoon1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black peppervery ripe, fresh plum tomato22 very ripe, fresh plum tomatoes, dicedgrated pecorino romano cheese0.5cup1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheesefinely chopped celery with leaves2cup1/ 2 cup finely chopped celery with leavesfinely chopped fresh flat-leaf (italian) parsley2tablespoon2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsleysalt-packed anchovy fillets or 8 oil-packed anchovies88 salt-packed anchovy fillets, rinsed and chopped, or 8 oil-packed anchovies, drained and choppedunseasoned dry bread crumbs, preferably homemade1cup1 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs, preferably homemadehomemade tomato puree or one 35-ounce can whole plum tomatoes with juice1One 32-ounce jar homemade tomato puree or one 35-ounce can whole plum tomatoes with juice, pureed in a blender or food processor for 3 to 5 secondsfresh basil leaves66 fresh basil leaves, finely choppedsalt1teaspoon1 teaspoon salt

Sweet Lemon-Ricotta Pie with Brandied Cherries Eleanora Scarpetta

Serves 8 to 10

The “ricotta lady” would walk door to door through our town of Cervinara [in Italy] with fresh ricotta in a basket nestled in a turban perched on her head. “Ricottella! Ricottella!” she would sing out as she hawked her wares. My mother used it in a variety of dishes, including this light, custard-like pie that we enjoyed at Christmas and Easter. She included orange and lemon zest in her recipe; I like to add lemon liqueur and sambuca for extra flavor. The brandied cherry topping is sublime! I use dried cherries when fresh ones are not in season. And this dessert is also delicious without any topping at all. Don’t wait for a holiday to make this pie; it is delicious any time of year.

To make the pie

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and adjust the rack to the middle position. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan and set aside.

2. Beat the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, sambuca, lemon zest and juice, orange zest and juice, vanilla, and lemon liqueur in a bowl with an electric mixer or in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Add the ricotta and blend again until very smooth and creamy. (Note: It is important to beat the mixture until there are no lumps to ensure that the pie is silky-smooth.)

3. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until the tip of a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center.

4. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature on a baking rack. Cover loosely with foil and refrigerate for several hours, until cold and set.

5. Remove from the springform pan and place on a serving platter or cake plate.

To make the brandied cherry topping

6. Combine the brandy and the sugar in a medium saucepan and simmer uncovered until reduced by half. Add the cherries and simmer for 10 minutes or until the cherries have softened. Set aside for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, then scatter the brandied cherries over the pie.

Variations

For a lower-calorie pie use skim-milk ricotta and 3 eggs instead of 4. For a nut crust pour 1 1/2 cups nuts (I like to use a combination of walnuts and hazelnuts) into a food processor or blender, and process until finely chopped. Transfer the nuts to a bowl and mix with 1 egg white. Spread this mixture on the bottom of the buttered springform pan, then top with the ricotta batter. Bake, cool, chill, and garnish as the recipe directs. For a chocolate topping omit the Brandied Cherry Topping and top the cooled pie with 1/2 cup finely shaved semisweet chocolate.

I like to serve this as a side dish to … pork loin roast, simply prepared grilled steak, or grilled or pan-fried pork or veal chops. Or serve for lunch with a generous chunk of hearty Italian bread.

9123050605758273660482egg44 large eggsegg yolk22 large egg yolksgranulated sugar2cup2 cups granulated sugarsambuca or other anise-flavored liqueur, grand marnier or other orange-flavored or lemon-flavored liqueur (limoncello)0.25cup1/4 cup sambuca or other anise-flavored liqueur, Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored or lemon-flavored liqueur (limoncello)lemon1Grated zest and juice of 1 lemonorange1Grated zest and juice of 1 orangepackage imported vanilla powder or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1One 1/2-gram package imported vanilla powder or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractlemon-flavored liqueur (limoncello)1tablespoon1 tablespoon lemon-flavored liqueur (limoncello)fresh or processed whole-milk ricotta cheese3pound3 pounds fresh or processed whole-milk ricotta cheesebrandy1cup1 cup brandygranulated sugar3tablespoon3 tablespoons granulated sugarfresh, ripe cherries or 6 ounces dried cherries0.5pound1/2 pound fresh, ripe cherries, stemmed and pitted, or 6 ounces dried cherries

Excerpted from “Eleanora's Kitchen: 125 Fabulous Authentic Italian-American Recipes” by Eleanora Russo Scarpetta. Copyright ©2004 by Eleanora Russo Scarpetta. Published by Broadway Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt can be used without permission of the publisher.