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Manicotti with Scamorza and Queso Mexicano (Mexican Cheese) |
| Preparation Time: 20 minutes |
| Cooking Time: 40 minutes |
| Ingredients (Serves 4) |
| 8 |
Manicotti pasta |
| 1/4 cup |
Parmigiano Reggiano, or Grana Padano cheese, grated |
| • |
Filling and sauce (see below) |
| Ingredients for Filling |
| 1/2 cup |
Scamorza (smoked mozzarella) cut into small pieces |
| 1 cup |
Queso Mexicano, cut into small pieces |
| 12 |
Kalamata olives, minced |
| 1 Tsp. |
Capers |
| 1 Tsp. |
Fennel seeds, crushed |
| 1 Tbs. |
Anise seeds, crushed |
| 1 |
Egg |
| Ingredients for Sauce |
| 1 can (14.5oz. - 411 gr. |
Organic ready cut tomatoes |
| 2 Tbs. |
Dried oregano |
| 3 |
Mini red and yellow pepper (1 regular bell pepper, either red or yellow, if mini peppers are not available) cut Julienne stile |
| 1 |
Small onion, chopped |
| 1 |
Small eggplant, chopped |
| 2 Tbs. |
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) |
| • |
Sea salt to taste |
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Click on the images above to see larger pictures |
| Preparation for Filling |
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Combine all ingredients, mix well and set aside. |
| Preparation for Sauce |
| • |
In a frying pan sauté chopped onion with EVOO on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. |
| • |
Add peppers, eggplant, mix and cook for 2-3 minutes. |
| • |
Add tomatoes, oregano and salt to taste, then cook for about 10 more minutes, mixing from time to time. |
| Preparation for Pasta |
| • |
Pre-heat oven to 350°F. (175°C.) |
| • |
In the meantime cook manicotti in salted water for 5 minutes, then drain and put in cold water. (They will finish cocking in the oven) |
| • |
In a baking pan lay half the sauce. |
| • |
Fill manicotti with filling mix and lay on top of sauce. |
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Put remaining sauce on top of manicotti, cover with non stick silver foil and bake for 30 minutes. |
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Add grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and bake for 5 more minutes, uncovered. |
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Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving. |
| Comments |
| • |
It takes a little longer to prepare than your usual pasta, but is very gratifying. |
| • |
The final result is similar to a personal tubolar lasagna. |
| Wine and Beverage Pairing |
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Chianti DOC Bernardino, Valdichiana DOC Poventa, Primitivo di Manduria DOC Le Baccanti, Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso DOC, Barbera d’Asti DOC Superiore Vigna del Carlinet. |