Portobello Mushroom Burger

Many people have been upset by my decision of turning vegetarian, especially my 94 years old Granma Curti Giannina aka Carmen who has survived all of these years with a diet of cappelletti, cappellacci, cotolette and lasagne. 

Here is a veg recipe that will cheer everyone up. 

First prepare the marinade for the mushroom by adding all of these ingredients in a mixing ball:

·      3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

·      3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar

·      3 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

·      Salt and pepper

Clean the Portobello mushroom and brush them with the marinade and let them soaked for 1 hour. After that, heat a grill pan and grill the mushroom.

I have made a fresh salsa with tomatoes and Danish blue cheese, olive oil and salt to taste. Add some mixed salad green and if you want, you can add some shaves of Parmesan cheese.

But don’t forget to steam the buns!!!

Sunday Special: Tagliatelle al Ragù Granma's Style

This is one of the most traditional dishes of my region, Emilia Romagna. For most people from the area, this dish means Sunday at Granma’s. The actual Tagliatelle should be hand made by your grandma, otherwise it won’t be the same…. but since my Granma, Giannina also called Carmen, who is a wizard of home-made egg pasta, is not available, I bought pre-made Tagliatelle. Unfortunately I am still working on my skills of handmade pasta but at least I can make my own Ragù. There is one thing sure in this world: I AM NEVER GONNA BUY A PREMADE BOLOGNESE SAUCE EVER and you should do the same. 

You’ll need:

·      Egg Tagliatelle

·      500 g of minced pork

·      500 g of minced beef

·      1 carrot

·      1 celery

·      1 big white onion

·      A tube of tomato concentrate (you’ll need half)

·      A glass of dry white wine

·      Extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper

How to make ragù:

Finely chop the vegetable. Sauté (without burning!) celery, carrot, and onion with extra virgin olive oil.

Add minced meat and after it start absorbing all the flavors, add the glass of dry white wine.

Melt the tomato concentrate in some hot water and pour it into the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste and let it cook for 3 hours at lower heat (not less than 2 and a half) without burning. If it gets dry, add hot water.