Formato Brothers Blog

Archive for the ‘Appetizers’ Category

Formato Brothers Fresh Salsa #1

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.

Peppers, Anchovies & Capers 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)

  1. Add vegetable to warm frying pan.
  2. Add peppers saute.
  3. Add capers, anchovies, Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread.
  4. Lower heat to simmer, cover pan.
  5. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Toast Italian bread slices.
  7. Serve mixture on top of the toasted bread. Buon Appetito!

Carlo’s Spicy Meatballs

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey)
  • 1-2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup seasoned Italian garlic & herb bread crumbs
  • 1 Tblsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup chopped Formato Brothers Hot Giardiniera (drain first before chopping)
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Using a large bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients together by hand.  Add chopped Formato Brothers Hot Giardiniera.  Form a meatball about 2″ in diameter.  Place on wax pape until ready to fry.  In a large skillet pour enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom.  Heat until very warm.  Cook meatballs for about 7 – 8 minutes, routinely turning to prevent burning.  Remove from skillet, serve with a hot pasta dish & sauce.  These can be made smaller to be served as appetizers.

Aunt Ida’s Hot Pepper Cheese Bread

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

3.5cups flour
2 Tsp salt
2 Tblsp sugar
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 egg
1 packet fast rising yeast
1 cup warm water
2/3 cup Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread  (Drain most f the oil from the mixture.  It should be relatively dry.)
2/3 cup of shredded Asiago or Parmesan cheese

  1. Heat oven to 325 degrees.
  2. Place flour in stainless bowl.  Make a well & place salt, sugar, oil in well.  Break egg into a small bowl, whisk it slightly.  Pour egg into other liquids.  Place yeast into liquids & put a small quantity of warm water into liquid.  Make sure that all of yeast is covered.  Wait 20 minutes for yeast to begin “bubbling.”  Once yeast has begun to work, mix in remaining water, bringing all of the contents together. 
  3. Knead the flour mixture for about 15 minutes using the palms of both hands.
  4. Shape into a rectangular loaf.  Place the dough into a rectangular glass bowl & cover with a slightly damp towel for 3 hours to allow the bread to rise.
  5. Once bread has risen, take it out of the bowl  place it on a slightly floured bread board.  Hit the bread mixutre once with both hands to get all of the air out of the mixture.
  6. Roll the bread mixture out into a rectangular pattern.  Spread the Formato Brothers Hot Pepper Spread onto the dough.
  7. Sprinkle with cheese.
  8. Carefully form the dough into a roll shape.  Place into a bread pan.  Cover pan with dry towel for one hour to let bread set.  Remove towel.
  9. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until brown.  Yield:  1 medium sized loaf or 4 small loaves.  The small loaves can be used for bruschetta or appetizers.  Can be frozen.