Bistecca Alla Siciliana Recipes

BISTECCA ALL FIORENTINA

Steps:

• Let the steak rest outside the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cooking. Use a hot, clean, oiled grill. If pan roasting, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Liberally season the steak with the salt and pepper, coat with olive oil and press the seasoning into the meat. Grill the steaks for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium rare. The fillet will cook a little faster than the strip loin. Move the steaks every 2 minutes or so for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• For pan roasting, heat a cast iron skillet with a little olive oil until smoking hot. Turn on the fan, open the window and stand back to avoid getting splattered! Using tongs, place the steaks in the center of the pan. Cook until the first side is seared brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the steaks and place the pan in the oven until the steaks are done, about 6 minutes for medium rare. Remove the steaks to a carving board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before carving.
• Cut the steaks away from the bone and carve into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange the meat on warmed plates and drizzle a little bit of balsamic vinegar over the slices. Serve with some extra gray sea salt on the side.

SICILIAN STEAK (BISTECCA ALLA SICILIANA)

Steps:

• Marinate steaks in garlic and olive oil for 30 minutes (15 minutes on each side).
• Combine cheese, oregano and breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
• Dip steaks in the bread mixture.
• Cook steaks under broiler, turning once.
• For rare, cook 8-10 minutes; for medium cook 12-14 minutes; for well done cook 18-20 minutes.

BISTECCA ALLA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Marinate steaks in garlic and olive oil for 30 minutes (15 minutes on each side).
• Combine cheese, breadcrumbs, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Dip steaks in bread crumb mixture.
• Grill on medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning once.

BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA (TUSCAN PORTERHOUSE)

Steps:

• Press chopped rosemary onto both sides of porterhouse steak; set onto a plate and allow to marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Start an outdoor grill using hardwood charcoal, such as hickory. When coals are white and glowing, arrange for high heat.
• Gently brush or rub olive oil onto steak, then season to taste with sea salt and pepper.
• Place steak onto grill, and cook until a dark, golden brown (not burnt) crust forms, 5 to 10 minutes depending on thickness of meat. Turn over, and continue cooking until golden on the other side, 5 to 10 minutes more. When finished, place steak onto a platter, and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• To serve, remove the two pieces of meat from the bone, and replace the bone onto the serving platter. Trim any unwanted fat from the round (tenderloin) steak, slice into 6 equal pieces at an angle to the grain, and fan out on one side of the bone. Slice the rectangular (loin) steak into 1/4-inch slices at an angle to the grain. Fan out on the other side of the bone. Finish by garnishing the platter with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of additional sea salt.

BISTECCA ALLA PIZZAIOLA (STEAK WITH THE PIZZAIOLO'S WIFE'S SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare tomato sauce place about a tbsp of oil and a crushed clove of garlic in a medium size pot.
• Let garlic turn slightly golden but remove from pot before it becomes too brown.
• Add tomatoes with their liquid and simmer until there is little to no more liquid on top of the sauce.
• Set aside.
• Season steaks on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat remaining oil in a large skillet (it should be able to hold both steaks without overcrowding) over medium-high heat until hot.
• Add garlic and saute for 1 minute then add steaks.
• Quickly brown 1 minute on both sides then transfer to a plate.
• Add the red pepper flakes and oregano to the pan the steaks were cooked in, then add the wine and cook stirring until the liquid is slightly reduced.
• Add tomato sauce, stir then return steak to pan.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook 6-8 minutes turning once (or to your desired doneness).
• Put steak on a serving dish and pour sauce over top.

CAPONATA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Put pasta water on to boil.
• In a large saute pan stir-fry eggplant and garlic in 4 tablespoons olive oil, until tender and a little brown.
• Put pasta in boiling water.
• Remove eggplant mixture from pan and set aside. Saute onion and pepper in remaining oil for 5 minutes. Add eggplant mixture and all other ingredients to onion and pepper, cover and cook over low heat for about 7 minutes.
• Toss hot, drained al dente pasta together with eggplant sauce, garnish with a sprig of fresh basil (and the toasted pine nuts, if using), and serve with grated parmesan cheese. Add additional vinegar, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Serves 4.
• *Note: I think I prefer this made with only 8 ounces of pasta.

SPAGHETTI SICILIANA

Steps:

• cube eggplants and cut bell peppers into slim strips and sliver garlic.
• cook oil and garlic over medium heat for 2-3 min.
• add eggplant and bell pepper and cook 2-4 min (until just wilted).
• add tomato and bring to boil.
• chop olives, capers, and 5 leaves basil and add to sauce, then reduce heat to low and simmer to thicken.
• in the meantime, cook the pasta and chop remaining basil into ribbons.
• toss pasta with sauce and top with cheese and basil ribbons.

LAURA VITALE- PASTA ALLA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
• Fill a large pot with water, sprinkle in a good amount of salt and bring to a boil.
• Add the cubed eggplant to the baking sheet and drizzle over some olive oil, season with salt and pepper and toss. Bake for about 20 minutes or so.
• In a non stick pan add the 2 tbsp of olive oil and onions, cook over medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes or until the onions start to cook down and develop some color. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper, cook for about 20 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
• Add the roasted eggplant and cook for 10 more minutes. This is the point where you add the pasta to the salted boiling water and cook according to package instructions.
• Drain the pasta and remove the sauce from the heat. Adjust the seasoning and add the pasta to the sauce along with the parmigiano and basil. Toss until the pasta is coated in the sauce then add the cubed mozzarella and toss around some more until the mozzarella slowly starts to melt.
• Serve right away!

FLORENTINE STYLE STEAK -- BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA

Steps:

• Remove the steaks from the refrigerator, rinse under water, pat dry with paper towels and allow to sit at room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.
• Put the fatback, garlic and rosemary into a food processor and blend until it is the consistency of toothpaste.
• Rub the fat mixture evenly over the meat and season with coarse salt and fresh ground pepper.
• Use a hot, clean, oiled grill and grill the steaks for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium rare.
• The fillet will cook a little faster than the strip loin. Move the steaks frequently, approximately every 2 minutes or so, for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
• When the steaks are cooked, take them off the grill and allow to rest for 5 to 7 minutes. The resting allows the blood to circulate and distributes the juices evenly.
• Serve and enjoy!