Italian Family Recipes for the Holidays

By Rachel Hoeing

A large part of my family is Italian, which means every holiday is based around food. Even my kids start to complain that everyone is making them eat too much and that there is always so much food! Of course the abundance of delectable goodies doesn’t bother me one bit! Today I have shared a few of my family’s favorite recipes that seem to pop up each holiday season. Enjoy!

City Chicken

Note that there is not actually chicken in this recipe! This recipe was created long ago when chicken was too expensive, so here is how they improvised!

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb.  veal
• 1.5 lb. pork
• 1  can of milk
• 2 eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Vegetable Oil
• Wooden skewers

Directions

Cut veal and pork into 1 inch squares, about 1/4-inch thick. Place meat on wooden skewers, alternating the pork and veal. Beat eggs in bowl and add salt and pepper. Roll skewers in egg mixture and then into breadcrumbs. Brown in skillet with oil. Place the skewers into a casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake at 300° for about 3 hours. Serve as a app or as a main entree with a meal.

 

Sausage and Peppers

This recipe is amazing served with fresh Italian bread.

Ingredients

• 5 pounds hot Italian Sausage
• 2 large cans tomato sauce
• 2 16 oz jars of mushrooms, drained
• 4 jars of sweet friend peppers (don’t drain)

Directions

Rinse sausage under cold water and remove casings. Brown in olive oil. Transfer to large pot. Add tomato sauce, mushrooms, and peppers. Cook on medium heat, covered for 2 – 3 hours.

 

Clams Oregatino Dip

I usually do not like clams, but this dip is amazing! I ran this recipe in another blog here a few years ago, which also has some great ideas!

Ingredients

• 2 cans Progresso minced clams (save juice from one)
• 1 cup Italian Breadcrumbs
• 1 Tbsp. Parsley
• 1 Tbsp. Oregano
• Dash Garlic powder
• 6 oz. grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 ½ sticks melted butter

Directions
Mix all ingredients in bowl. Transfer to low baking dish. Bake 350 for 15 minutes uncovered until bubbly.
Serve with crackers.

 

Peppers and Cheese

These are so simple yet so delicious!

Ingredients

• Package of fresh Asiago cheese
• Bag of mini peppers
• Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Oregano & Basil to taste

Directions

Cut tops off of peppers, wash, and carve out the insides. Cut asiago cheese into small rectangular pieces that will fit inside the peppers. Stuff cheese into the peppers. (Try not to leave much hanging out since it will drop out of the peppers once it is cooked.) Place filled peppers on a cookie sheet and drizzle olive oil over top. Sprinkle salt, pepper, oregano and basil over all. Bake 375 for about 30 minutes or until you see the peppers start to brown just a bit. Serve as an app and they will be devoured in no time!

 

Italian Biscuits

We pronounce these as “bis-coots!” These are my favorite cookies to bake and we make them every year. Some people call them ricotta cookies. Every recipe differs just a tad, but this family recipe is of course the best in my opinion! Be sure all of your ingredients are FRESH! It makes a big difference.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• Duncan Hines frosting

Directions

Cream butter, sugar and ricotta cheese. Add eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake 350 for 15 minutes or until a very light brown. Cool and ice with frosting. *Optional: Add green and red colored coconut for a holiday feel!