Appetizers
Friday, May 17th, 2013
This is such an easy pizza to prepare. It is quick if you use ready-made dough, or a little slower if you make your own. We are always in a hurry so the quick way is the best sometimes for the Formato household.
Pastorelli Pizza Sauce
Use olive oil spray or canola oil spray & spray a 10″ x 15″ rectangular pan.
Prepare pizza dough (I love to use a Pillsbury thin crust dough in a can). This means to spread it out to fit the pan, you shouldn’t have to go up the sides w/ the dough. It should fit nicely in this size baking pan.
Pour pizza sauce over it (here’s where you use the Pastorelli brand, which by the way, is delicious). 1 can can be used for 2 pizzas.
Sprinkle w/ shredded mozzarella cheese.
Add little balls of sausage (make it easy on yourself, remove casing from Italian sausage & form round pieces; we like Johnsonville Italian sausage which comes in Mild or Hot).
Chop up some green peppers & sprinkle on top.
Bake for about 10 minutes or according to the package directions. Cut into little squares & serve.
You can add more cheese before baking.
You can freeze & then add cheese before baking.
Usually there’s not much left every time this is served.
Hope you enjoy this!
Tags: Pastorelli pizza sauce, pizza
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers, Lunch
Saturday, May 4th, 2013
1/3 bottle Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread
1 cup roughly chopped Kalamata olives
1 cup roughly chopped stuffed green olives
1 cup roughly chopped artichoke hearts
1/3 cup good olive oil
Drain olives & artichokes before chopping.
Mix together in a glass bowl, cover, refrigerate over night. Serve w/ rustic baquette cut into pieces.
Many thanks to our wonderful friend Gary Marino for his ongoing recipes using Formato Brothers products. Keep ‘em coming, Gary Boy!
Tags: artichoke hearts, hot pepper spread, kalamata, Olive Oil, olives
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers
Monday, April 1st, 2013
1/2 bottle Formato Brothers Mild Pepper Spread, drained
1 generous Tbsp Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread, drained
1 medium tomato, diced
1/4 lb Buffalo Mozzarella cheese, diced
That’s it! 4 ingredients….you can make this quickly,,,try it!
Spread EVOO on cut up bread pieces (1 1/2″ square), then toast in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Mix first 4 ingredients & spread on toasted bread pieces. REturn to oven for about 10 minutes more until cheese has melted.
Buon Appetito!
Tags: EVOO, Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread, Formato Brothers Mild Pepper Spread, hot pepper spread, Pepper Spread
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers
Thursday, January 31st, 2013
Here’s another exciting & very tasty recipe for spicy meatballs.
4 lb 80/20 ground beef
2 lb pork sausage
3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
2 tsp dired basil
2 tsp dried oregano
5 cloves garlic, peeled & chopped
2 eggs
2 tsp Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread (drain excess oil)
5 oz goat cheese for stuffing into meatballs once they are thoroughly mixed
Mix all ingredients together. Use your hands….it’s therapeutic. : )
Roll about 2 Tblsp into palm of hand, with your thumb press down to create a space to accommodate 1/2 tsp of goat cheese. Use a small measuring spoon to be consistent.
Place on a rack on a baking sheet in a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 25 minutes until brown.
Or….fry in canola or vegetable oil at 360 degrees turning over after a minute or so until brown. Then place on a metal rack to drain off excess oil.
Enjoy!
–Carl Formato
Tags: Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread, goat cheese, meatballs, pork sausage
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch
Saturday, January 26th, 2013
One of the great things I love about living so close to my family & friends is that I get to see them almost every weekend. It’s so great to plan our special weekends, which always include delicious Italian food. However, every now & then at lunchtime I get that unexpected knock at the door with a group of people behind it asking, “What’cha cooking for lunch?”
No problem…I got this. “Come on in!” Lucky for me, my kitchen is stocked with the essentials: a loaf of Italian bread on the counter, ricotta cheese in the fridge, & a few jars of Casa Giulia Orange Jam & Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread in the pantry.
First step is to get some app’s out right away. I decide to make some Casa Giulia Orange Bruschetta:
- Slice the loaf of bread in to one inch slices, lightly butter, grill on your indoor or outdoor grill, approx 2 minutes on each side.
- Take the bread off the grill & then spread approx 1 Tablespoon of ricotta cheese (any kind is fine, I prefer Part Skim) on each slice.
- Top each slice with 1 Tablespoon of Casa Giulia Orange Jam, garnish with a basil leaf, serve to your guests!
Meanwhile, I happened to be cooking some chicken breasts on the grill before my unexpected guests arrived. Perfect! All I needed to do is whip up a nice sweet & spicy dipping sauce for my grilled chicken.
- On the stove, in a small saucepan, warm 2 Tablespoons (not drained) of Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread on medium heat.
- Add an entire jar of Casa Guilia Orange Jam to the saucepan.
- Add 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice & salt to taste, if desired.
- Stir for 5 minutes until all ingredients are mixed.
- Serve as a dipping sauce for the chicken.
It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a special get-together or if you have unexpected guests arrive on a Saturday afternoon, as long as your kitchen is stocked with Casa Giulia Orange Jam & Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread, you’ll be able to accommodate anyone!
Buon Appetito!
–Andrea Formato Castner
Tags: appetizers, Casa Guilia Orange Jam, chicken, Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread, hot pepper spread, lunch
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers, Blogging With Andrea, Lunch
Sunday, December 2nd, 2012
Such an easy appetizer or snack with 3 ingredients:
Sweet Mini Peppers
Ready made artichoke & jalapeño cream cheese dip
Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread
Mix 1/2 tsp of Hot Pepper Spread (drain oil) into 1 1/2 cups dip.
Spoon into sliced, cleaned peppers.
Enjoy!
Other filling suggestions: Cream cheese & Hot Pepper Spread; another flavor of prepared cream cheese spread, chopped crabmeat spread, your choice.
Picture shows pepper poppers with blackberries, the flavors blend beautifully!
Tags: hot pepper spread, peppers
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
Here’s what you need for a delicious snack or appetizer:
- Cooked turkey chopped into tidbit size pieces
- Formato Brothers Hot Muffuletta Olive Salad
- Wonton wrappers
- Oil from FB Hot Muffuletta Olive Salad
Prepare wonton filling:
Chop turkey into small tidbit size pieces
Add Formato Brothers Hot Muffuletta ( to taste ) and mix in a large bowl
Heat oven to 350 degrees
Spray cookie sheet or large oven tray with non-stick Canola oil ( or vegetable oil spray or olive oil spray if you prefer )
Place wonton wrappers on tray, evenly spaced so that sides do not touch each other or tray/pan edges
Place a tablespoon of turkey/muffuletta mixture on wonton wrapper
Wet all four edges with water
Place another wonton on top of wonton with turkey/muffuletta mixture
Seal top wrapper to get any air pockets out by pressing edges together
Brush lightly with a small amount of hot muffuletta oil on one side only
Place tray(s) in oven at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until crisp
Enjoy !
Tags: Muffuletta, Ravioli, wonton
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
You can either buy a pizza crust from the supermarket or go online and get a recipe from your favorite chef or cook book.
Place crust on a pizza tray and sprinkle Antica Italia Olive Oil Infused with Garlic. Use a pastry brush and coat the surface evenly.
Cut thin slices of mozzarella cheese and place them randomly on the crust.
Sprinkle pieces of Goat cheese on ¼ of pizza.
Sprinkle Blue cheese on ¼ of pizza.
Sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese and on ¼ of the pizza.
Spread 1/2 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese over the entire pizza.
Add a little salt and pepper and then a quick drizzle of the garlic infused olive oil.
Bake in oven at 400 degrees foe 12 minute or until you see that the crust is brown.
A delicious alternative to a tomato based pizza.
Buon Appetito!!
Tags: Olive Oil, pelago, pizza
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
Raisins make this meatball dish tasty!
2 lbs ground sirloin
2 large eggs
1 cup bread crumbs
2 Tblsp dried Pagliacci oregano (or use fresh which has been finely chopped)
2 Tblsp dried Pagliacci basil (or use fresh which has been finely chopped)
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped golden raisins
2 tsp Alessi Sea Salt
2 tsp ground pepper
2 Tblsp Antica Italia Olive Oil Infused With Basil
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
Mix together. Fry in 4 Tblsp vegetable oil. Delicioso!
Tags: Antica Italia, Basil, Breadcrumbs, meatballs, Olive Oil, Oregano, Sea Salt
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
Half with olives, Half without
Home-made pizza dough (use your favorite or buy ready made thin crust pizza crust)
Turkey pieces /chunks (left over from Thanksgiving)
Mezzetta Organics Pitted Kalamata Olives (use as desired)
Castella Imported Sun Dried Tomatoes (cut into thirds, use as desired)
Antica Italia Garlic Infused Olive Oil
Position crust on pizza tin.
Brush on Antica Italia Garlic Infused Olive Oil to cover entire pizza base.
Add turkey, sun dried tomatoes, kalamata olives as desired.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over all.
Sprinkle more Antica Italia Garlic Flavored Olive Oil over all as desired.
Bake for 12 minutes at 400 degrees.
Remove, cut, serve, MANGIA!
Tags: Antica Italia, Olive Oil, olives, pizza, sun dried tomatoes
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers
Friday, October 8th, 2010
Ingredients:
2-3 medium sized tomatoes, seeded, chopped into small pieces
1 medium sized green pepper, seeded, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 Tblsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tblsp freshly squeezed lime juice
Sea salt as desired
1 Tblsp cumin
1 Tblsp Formato Brothers Hot or Mild Pepper Spread
Mix together in a non-metal bowl, cover, refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Serve
Tags: Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread, Formato Brothers Mild Pepper Spread, salsa
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers
Friday, October 8th, 2010
Ingredients:
3 medium Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 Tblsp shallots, chopped
1/2 cup or more white onion, chopped
1/2 cup or more green pepper, seeded, chopped
2 Tblsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tblsp freshly squeeze lime juice
1 1/2 Tsp Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread
A pinch or two of sea salt
Combine all ingredients in a non-metal bowl. Cover. Refrigerate 2 hours. Serve w/ favorite chips or atop grilled sliced bread for bruschetta appetizers.
Tags: Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread, salsa
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
4 large green bell peppers, chopped into 1/4″ pieces
5 Tblsp Pagliacci Capers (extra large size)
1 tin Roland Anchovies (cut into small pieces)
4 Tblsp vegetable oil
1 Tblsp Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread (drain some of the oil)
- Add vegetable to warm frying pan.
- Add peppers saute.
- Add capers, anchovies, Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread.
- Lower heat to simmer, cover pan.
- Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Toast Italian bread slices.
- Serve mixture on top of the toasted bread. Buon Appetito!
Tags: anchovies, Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread, peppers
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
- 1 can La Monica Scungilli ( 6 1/2 oz)
- 1 small to medium white onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 Tbslp butter, melted
- 8 Tblsp flour
- 1 Tsp baking powder
- 1/4 Tsp salt, or to taste
- 5 cups of vegetable oil for browning fritters
Chop scungilli in food processor.
Grate onion & pepper into conch.
Add eggs, salt & melted butter. Mix well.
Sift flour & baking powder into mixture.
Blend until it is thick enough to spoon into hot oil.
Fry until golden brown on all sides.
Serve with seafood sauce of your choice. Makes 14 – 18 fritters. Buon Appetito!
Tags: conch, fritters, scungilli
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
(You will need a Kitchen Aid mixer with a bread hook)
- Sprinkle 1 Tblsp sugar over 1 pkg yeast. Add 1/2 cup hot water. Do not stir or mix. Put this bowl aside until mixture doubles in size.
- In large mixing bowl mix the following ingredients together with Kitchen Aid bread hook: 1 Tblsp sugar, 1 Tblsp salt, 1 1/4 cups hot water, 2 cups flour, 1 egg, 4 Tblsp Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread (do not drain).
- Add yeast mixture to bowl while it’s mixing. Gradually add 2 cups flour. Continue mixing until dough pulls away from sides of bowl & texture is nice & soft, not sticky to the hands.
- Put dough into a greased bowl; cover with Saran Wrap; put in warm place until it doubles in size.
- Form dough into desired shape (almost a rectangle is a good shape). Roll dough out on bread board. Spoon marinara sauce over dough.
- Remove casing from Italian Sausage & saute in a frying pan until brown.
- In another frying pan saute fresh spinach in vegetable or olive oil, seasoned with a little minced garlic.
- Spread spinach & sausage on dough.
- Roll to form a rectangular loaf. Place on greased cookie sheet; let it rise to double its size.
- Bake 350 degrees until golden brown. Slice & serve. Buon Appetito!
Tags: bread, marinara
Posted in All Recipes, Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch
