Riffing on a traditional bolognese sauce, we use turkey here instead of beef or lamb. (Photo by Jathan Fink, Jadeworks Entertainment)
In Italy, a true ragù alla bolognese sauce is made with beef or pork, but this recipe appeals to me because it is lower in fat (for those who need to avoid these meats for health or dietary reasons) and if you still have leftover turkey in the fridge, this is a nice way to help you utilize it. In any case, you’ll need one pound of turkey, whether you shred it yourself, buy it ground, or use Italian turkey sausage like I typically do. By definition, bolognese is a thick sauce packed with healthy veggies and served with tagliatelle pasta, however a pound of fettuccine or even spaghetti works here just as well. Read more of this post
Visitors to my home are frequently surprised to find an absence of prepared foods when they look in my pantry. But after a recent trip to the grocery store, that suddenly changed when I discovered a new brand of Italian products called Bove’s. Read more of this post
Earth Day is celebrated worldwide on April 22, although it may be commemorated on other dates in your community.
Dear friends,
Despite tax season, April is a fun month. The weather is generally a little warmer, spring is officially in full swing, and people’s spirits are generally much better than they were during the chilly winter months. Plus there are several great events to look forward to!
As we’ve told you before, one of our favorite charities is the Nature Conservancy, whose motto is “Protecting nature. Preserving life.” This year in celebration of Earth Day (on April 22nd), they are encouraging all of us to get outside, have fun and explore nature as a family. They’re also urging people to “picnic for the planet,” by hosting picnic meetups in 199 cities around the globe.
The Earth Day Network is also urging people to pledge to live and act sustainably. You can find great resources about how to reduce your carbon footprint on their Website, find ways to get involved and can even make donations to the cause.
But Earth Day also means the release of a brand new film from Disneynature, African Cats! The film follows two feline families striving to make a home in the wildest place on earth. See African Cats during opening week, and Disneynature will make a donation in your honor to protect the savanna these cats call home. And before you watch the movie, be sure to visit the African Cats Website for educational information and downloads that can help you teach your children about the science and geography themes in the film.
And if you’re in Cincinnati, you can join us down at Sawyer Point at noon on Saturday, April 16th for the 41st Anniversary Celebration of Earth Day! There will be tons of stuff to see and do for the entire family, including animal presentations featuring an aquarium and petting zoo, a rock-climbing wall, great food and live music.
Then, on Friday, April 29th, head on down to Great American Ball Park for UC Night at the Reds! The Reds will take on the Florida Marlins and the park will be packed with UC alumni. Buy reduced rate tickets, then be sure to show up early for the pre-game activities and FREE giveaways in the Reds fan zone!
Color explodes at the Cincinnati Zoo during Zoo Blooms throughout the April 2011.
Get out your garden gear and prepare to plant a tree, because the 29th is also Arbor Day. For those of you who aren’t sure what the Arbor Day Foundation is or how the day gained popularity across America, you can check out two articles Jathan wrote last year about the trees in our lives and the origins of Arbor Day on his philanthropy blog, Some People’s Lives.
April is also a great time to start planning your summer garden. You can visit the Cincinnati Zoo for ideas during the entire month of April as the park explodes with color during Zoo Blooms. This event always fuels our imaginations, particularly since spring makes us anxious to plant tons of herbs, veggies and flowers of our own. Because we plant the majority of these plants in containers, be sure to watch for a future blog post about that. We’ll give you some great tips on gardening, including inexpensive ways to make your yard look phenomenal!
So what are you waiting for? Get outside, commune with nature, plant a tree, take a picnic, watch a game, or plan your garden. It’s spring, and there is no better time to enjoy the great outdoors!
If your family loves spice the ways ours does, our Arrabbiata Sauce will take your pasta to a whole new level.
We always love to put a zesty spin on our favorite dishes. Kick your Italian favorites up a notch by turning a simple marinara into a spicy arrabbiata sauce. Your family will clamor for more whether you serve it over manicotti or your favorite pasta.
PREP: 10 minutes COOK: 6 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
5 cups marinara sauce
DIRECTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic and sauté until tender, about 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat and let cool until ready to use.
Our Basic Marinara Sauce is filled with healthy veggies and slow cooked to perfection.
Preparing meals in advance makes it possible to get a homemade dinner on the table in a matter of minutes. If you love Italian food, you’ll want to start with this staple, a basic marinara sauce that will provide the base for numerous recipes, including spaghetti, lasagna and more.
PREP: 15 minutes COOK: 1 hour 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 small onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
DIRECTIONS
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Sauté until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour.
Remove and discard the bay leaves. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper to taste.
TIPS: The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using. This full-flavored, robust sauce also freezes well, so consider making a double batch to freeze in 2-cup portions. You can store it in resealable freezer bags for up to three months.
Jathan & Heather 