Monday, November 19, 2007

The BEST Marinara Sauce ever!

I found this recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks: Everyday Italian by Giada Dilaurentis. It is so good and sooo easy! I make extra and freeze - it keeps really well in the freezer - and I promise you that you will never buy bottled stuff again!

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 medium or 1 large onion, chopped fine
about 3 carrots, peeled and chopped fine (or about 7-8 baby carrots chopped fine works, too!)
3-4 stalks of celery chopped fine
2 cans crushed tomatos
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper

Coat a pan on medium high heat with the olive oil. Add onions and garlic and saute until translucent ~10 minutes. Add carrots and celery and saute until soft ~10 minutes. Add crushed tomatos and bay leaves, season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for about an hour until thickened. Serve with any pasta! (I have let it simmer for only 20 minutes and it is still wonderful!!!!

Amber's Chicken Parmesan



This is my own adaptation for one of my favorite dishes.....Play with it and make it your favorite too!

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded flat
2-3 eggs(depending on the size of chicken breasts)
1-2 c. italian bread crumbs(again depending on the size of your chicken breasts)
dried oregano, basil, garlic salt, and rosemary to taste
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
Mozzarella for topping each piece of chicken

mix spices with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. beat eggs in separate bowl. Now its assembly line time!!! first dip chicken breasts in egg, coating both sides, then dip into bread crumb mix, making sure to liberally coat the chicken with the bread crumbs. Heat large nonstick pan over med high heat, coat bottom of pan with extra virgin olive oil. Cook until chicken breasts are cooked through. cover each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese and let it melt (i put a lid over my pan and the steam melts the cheese in no time!). serve over spaghetti noodles topped with your favorite marinara sauce (check this site for my favorite marinara sauce - it rocks with this chicken!) . Yummy!!!

THE SEARCH IS ON!!!!!

Share with us all! If you have any recipes you would like me to post or try, email them to me: amber.lamb@yahoo.com . Thanks for sharing your kitchens with me! Happy cooking!

Click on the link to recieve email updates when I post new recipes!!!!