Lotsa pasta Procopio mines her heritage for this Italian-themed gift basket overflowing with the kind of edible love you might expect from your grandmother in the Old Country. Generous portions of made-from-scratch dried minestrone mix, red wine vinegar, limoncello, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning and spinach linguini are snuggled in a salvaged basket. The red wine vinegar originated as wine produced by Procopio’s wine club, while the dried soup mix incorporates her home-dried veggies and herbs. This concept lends itself to a mix-and-match approach. Those short on time, skills or equipment can purchase top-notch pasta from Nicole-Taylor’s, sauce from LocalFolks Foods or vinegar and spices from Artisano’s Oils and Spices.
DRIED MINESTRONE MIX 2 cups dried kidney or cranberry beans ½ cup dried carrots ½ cup dried zucchini ¼ cup dried celery ¼ cup chopped dried onions ½ teaspoon thyme ½ teaspoon sage 2 bay leaves 2 cups ditalini pasta
Seal dried beans in a small Ziploc. Combine the rest of the ingredients and place everything together in a larger bag. Attach these instructions for the recipient: Soak beans overnight in water to cover. Drain, add fresh water and cook until tender. Drain and combine with remaining ingredients plus 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth and one 28-ounce can of tomatoes. Heat and add salt and pepper to taste. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve. (Or: Soak beans overnight, drain and place in Crock-Pot in the morning. Add dried ingredients, canned tomatoes, salt and pepper during the last hour of cooking).
Secret’s in the sauce Heat ‘em up with a Spicy Buffalo Wing Sauce: All your tailgater friends have to do is add chicken wings. This versatile sauce can also perk up a grilled chicken breast sandwich. To make: Pulverize three diced habaneros, one coarsely chopped onion and three garlic cloves in a food processor. Combine with two 28-ounce cans of tomato sauce and one can of tomato paste on the stove and simmer 20 minutes. Add more tomato paste if a thicker sauce is desired. Add salt and pepper to taste. For a more durable present, can the sauce. Or, place it in a jar and refrigerate; give within a day or two with a note to consume within the week.
Scrump-dilly dip Dill and onion dip makes a zippy little stocking stuffer. Simply mix one cup dried dill weed with a teaspoon each of dehydrated onion and garlic. Mixed with a container of sour cream, these herbs will light up a cold night with the taste of summer.
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