Italian Food - Bites & Bevvies

February 27, 2023February 27, 2023

This Italian Wedding Soup Is Sure To Please

We love a great soup here at Bites & Bevvies, and one of the best ones we like to make is the Italian Wedding Soup. Italian Wedding soup is pretty simple to make, it packs in lots of great veggies, and it makes for a great leftover lunch. So, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane and learn about this soup’s rich history before we jump into the recipe.

Italian Wedding Soup is a classic Italian dish that was and continues to be served at weddings and special occasions. The origins of this soup date back to the 16th century, when it was served at weddings in the Lazio region of Italy. The soup was traditionally made with lamb and garbanzo beans, but over the years the recipe has evolved to include a variety of different ingredients.

This delicious Italian Wedding Soup makes for an easy weeknight meal, but is also sure to be a hit at your next gathering. It is filled with flavorful ingredients like carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and spinach. The broth is typically made with chicken or vegetable stock and a splash of white wine for added flavor. Often times Italian Wedding Soup is vegetarian, but you can also add some cooked Italian sausage or meatballs if you want extra protein.

Soup Ingredients:

-2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 cup white wine
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
1/2 cup small pasta shells
Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the stock, wine, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the spinach and pasta shells and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve hot.

This soup is best served with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Crusty Italian bread is also a great accompaniment. Enjoy!

Looking for other great soups that you can quickly make for a great weeknight dinner? Give this chunky tomato soup a try, you want be disappointed.

February 9, 2023February 9, 2023

5 Top Pizzas You Can Easily Make For A Weeknight Meal

Today, pizza is likely the most beloved of all dishes in the United States. And, how could you not love it, it is endlessly versatile and can pretty much be eaten for any meal of the day. That said, ordering pizza, especially from a local shop has gotten pretty expensive with the average pie with a couple toppings going for at least $20.

Like most homes, we love eating pizza, and quite a few years ago we set out to make pizza at home that is as good as the majority of the pizza shops. As it turned, many local grocery stores carry pre-made, high-quality dough, so making pizza at home really just required a few tools and an imagination. While we started making classic thin crust pizzas, we have recently expanded our horizons and started making a number of regional favorite pies. In this post, we run down 5 of the top pizza styles in the US, each of which are unique and delicious, plus they’re easy to make in your own kitchen.

5 Great Regional Pizzas

1) Chicago Tavern Style Pizza

This style of pizza is distinctive for its thin crispy crust and square cut. It is easy to make at home since it requires just a few simple ingredients, like dough, pizza sauce, cornmeal, cheese and any other toppings you want to add. The crust is light and crispy and the toppings are typically quite minimal. With a piping hot oven (500 degrees) and a pre-heated pizza stone the Tavern style pizza should be done in no more than 12-15 minutes.

2) Chicago Deep Dish Style Pizza

The Deep dish style of pizza can come in a variety of subtle variations, but is most known for its thick crust, which is traditionally filled with cheese, tomato sauce, and other ingredients. The variance between different pies is largely in the crust as some are made with cornmeal, others are lighter and flakey similar-ish to a pie crust and yet others have thicker buttery crusts. Our preference is the cornmeal crust style pies. Making a deep dish pie is super easy to make at home since the dough is simply prepared and then pressed into a greased dish, cheese and toppings are laid down and then the sauce is spread across the top. Depending on the number of toppings and overall thickness, you should have your deep dish pie cooked and ready in roughly 40 minutes.

3) St Louis Style Pizza

A St. Louis style of pizza is distinguished by its crunchy, cracker-like crust. It is often more of a snack to go along with drinks rather than a full-fledged meal given how light the pizza is. Outside of the thickness of the St. Louis pizza, what really makes this pie unique is that it uses Provel cheese, which adds a lovely richness similar in flavor to a gouda cheese. Pop the pizza on a piping hot pizza stone in the oven and you’ll have this delicious pizza ready to inhale in just minutes.

4) Detroit Style Pizza

Detroit style of pizza has quickly become a favorite in our house and it largely known for its thick and rectangular crust. Detroit pizza is probably most akin to the classic pan pizza we all ate as a book club pizza when we were kids, but what really sets this pie apart is its crust. Detroit pizza crusts are made with Wisconsin Brick Cheese which make this pie so delicious. This pizza is also really easy to make in a pie dish or cast-iron pan. You should be able to pop this pie in the oven for 25 minutes and have a really great meal the whole family will love.

5) New York Style Pizza

Ah, the NY style pizza, the most well known and arguably the most well loved in the entire country. This classic style of pizza is known for its thin, crispy crust and tangy tomato sauce. Any great NY pizza should be solid enough to be held in one hand without it floppy over, and yet also easily foldable. This one of the easiest to make, and with a few great ingredients and a piping hot pizza stone you’ll have a great NY pizza ready to eat in just 10 minutes or so.

No matter which style of pizza you choose, it is sure to be a delicious, enjoyable and awesome meal. So, what are you waiting for, grab a couple pre-made doughs, some pizza sauce and your favorite toppings and get to making your own pies. Once you start making your own pizzas, we have no doubt they will become a staple on the weeknight menu.

Need some supplies to get started? The most important items that you’ll need and may not already have are a pizza peel and a pizza stone. We bought this 2-1 pizza peel and stone combo and highly recommend both not only for the durability, but also the low price.

January 2, 2023January 27, 2023

It’s Hard To Mess Up This Cacio e Pepe Recipe

Cacio e Pepe is an Italian dish with a long and storied history. A classic Roman dish, it dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was a simple meal of pecorino cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Despite its simplicity, the combination of flavors is incredibly complex and satisfying.

Cacio e Pepe is a pasta dish made with long, thin spaghetti, Pecorino cheese, and lots of freshly cracked black pepper. While some recipes call for butter or cream, it is traditionally made with only cheese, pepper, and olive oil. The pasta is cooked in salted water and then drained, reserving some of the cooking liquid. The cheese and pepper are added to the hot pasta, along with some of the cooking liquid, and then it is mixed until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.

Make Your Own Upscale Cacio e Pepe

Making an upscale twist on Cacio e Pepe at home is easy and can be done in just a few steps. To make this version of the dish, you will need 1/2 pound of spaghetti, 1/2 cup of freshly grated Pecorino cheese, 1/4 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper, 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of butter, plus more for garnish.

To begin, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. When done, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and drain the spaghetti.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and butter. When the butter has melted, add the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat. Reduce the heat to low and add the Pecorino cheese, black pepper, and reserved cooking liquid. Toss until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.

To finish, top the pasta with an extra tablespoon of butter and more freshly grated cheese. Serve with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. For an optional way to add some spice, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.

Cacio e Pepe is a classic Italian dish that is simple, yet incredibly flavorful. With this upscale twist, you can upgrade the classic dish and enjoy a delicious meal in just a few minutes.

How about a great app to get the meal started? This Caprese Salad recipe will pair nicely.

December 22, 2022January 27, 2023

An Easy Spaghetti And Meatballs The Kids Will Love

The classic dish of spaghetti and meatballs has been around for centuries, and its origin story is just as rich as the flavors of the dish itself. While the exact origin of the dish is unknown, its earliest written mention dates back to a Neapolitan cookbook from the late 1800s. The dish is thought to have been created as a way to bring together ingredients that were readily available and affordable.

Start With Meatballs

Making the perfect meatball is no easy task, but with a few simple tricks you can have delicious, juicy meatballs every time. Start with the right ingredients: ground beef or pork, bread crumbs, egg, minced onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and form into balls. Make sure you don’t over-mix the ingredients, or your meatballs will be tough. Bake your meatballs in the oven at 375°F for about 20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

Putting It Together

This classic dish is sure to please the whole family. To make spaghetti and meatballs at home, you’ll need the following ingredients: spaghetti, meatballs (see above recipe), tomato sauce, garlic, onions, and parsley.

You’ll need a large pot, a skillet, and a baking sheet. Start by preheating the oven to 375°F and baking the meatballs according to the recipe above.

In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.

In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer.

Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat. Serve with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese for garnish.

Optional Ways to Add Some Spice:

For a spicy version of this classic dish, try adding some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce. You can also add diced jalapenos or chopped chili peppers to the sauce to give it some extra kick.

Additional Optional Garnishes:

To add extra flavor and texture to the dish, try adding some chopped fresh basil or oregano to the tomato sauce. You can also top the dish with some freshly grated mozzarella or Parmesan cheese.

December 20, 2022January 27, 2023

A Lasagna The Whole Family Will Love

Lasagna is composed of layers of pasta, cheese, and a variety of sauces that are baked in an oven. The dish has since become popular around the world, with variations of the dish appearing in different cultures.

Making lasagna at home is easy and requires only a few simple steps. The ingredients you will need are: lasagna noodles, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and your favorite seasonings. You will also need a 9×13-inch baking dish and kitchen utensils, such as a large pot, a colander, and a spoon.

To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook for about 10 minutes, or until they are al dente. Drain the noodles and set aside.

Next, spread a layer of tomato sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with a layer of cooked lasagna noodles. Spread a layer of ricotta cheese over the noodles and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Add another layer of noodles and top with more tomato sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and top with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Repeat these layers until you’ve used all the ingredients and the baking dish is full. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. The lasagna is done when it is golden brown and bubbly.

Garnish your lasagna with fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, and serve. For a little extra kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes over each individual serving.

Making lasagna at home is a great way to bring a classic Italian dish to your dinner table. With a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious and satisfying dinner that your whole family will love.

Need a great accompaniment for your Italian dinner? Check out these awesome bevvy recipes.