Cook Chicken Breast

Chicken is an all-around versatile dish and there are many ways of cooking it. More often than not, you will not go wrong when you cook chicken at home. The favorite cut of chicken meat is chicken breast. Now if you think cooking chicken breast is a rocket science, then you are mistaken. It is actually very simple.

There are many different ways of cooking chicken breast. The methods are broadly classified under two categories, namely dry heat cooking and moist heat cooking. The methods that fall under dry heat include baking, roasting, grilling, sauting and deep frying, whereas methods like microwaving, poaching, baking in parchment, steaming and slow cooking fall under moist heat cooking.

The basic rule of thumb never to be forgotten is that, when you use moist heat, use low heat for a longer period of time and when you use dry heat, use high heat and cook for a shorter period of time. If you cook the chicken on high heat, when you use moist heat, chances are high, that the chicken will melt in the liquid you use to cook it. However, if you cook it, on high heat for a longer period of time, then the chicken breast will become very dry and you may not be able to eat it. So that you have juicy, moist chicken breast, it is recommended, you brine it, before cooking. To brine chicken breast, place thawed chicken breast in a solution of salt and water for about an hour in the refrigerator before cooking.

Healthy Ways to Cook Chicken Breast

A chicken breast with bone weighing about 6 to 8 oz, you will require 30 to 40 minutes to roast at 170 degrees Fahrenheit and about 10 to 15 minutes to grill. If you use chicken breast without the bone, at 160 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need 20 to 30 minutes to roast and 6 to 8 minutes to grill about 4 oz of chicken breast.

In Oven
This is one of my favorite recipes of cooking chicken breast and also one of the most healthiest.

Ingredients

• Chicken Breast 8
• Onions (sliced) 2
• Tomato Soup (condensed) 1 cup
• Water cup
• Vinegar 3 tbsp
• Worcestershire Sauce 2 tbsp
• Cinnamon tsp
• Paprika 1 tsp
• Black Pepper tsp
• Chili Powder 1 tsp
• Cloves tsp

Method

• Combine onion slices, tomato soup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cinnamon, paprika, black pepper, chili powder and cloves in a sauce pan.
• Bring all the ingredients to a boil, but do not forget to stir occasionally.
• Arrange the chicken breast pieces in a oven-proof cookware.
• Pour the sauce, you just made over the chicken.
• Cover the chicken breast for about an hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Check if the chicken breast is cooked.
• If not cover again and let it cook for another 15 to 20 minutes.
• If you want drier chicken breast, then remove the cover during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

In Crockpot
I often used this method, when I want to have chicken breast for dinner. To cook chicken in a crockpot, you can either use chicken broth or use water. Depending on the availability, I make use of either one of them.

Ingredients

• Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breast (split) 3
• Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 can
• Onion (chopped) 1
• Garlic (minced) 3 cloves
• Mushrooms 1 can
• White Wine cup
• Salt and Pepper as per taste

Method

• Layer the chicken breast at the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Spread salt and pepper on the pieces, as per taste.
• In a sauce pan, combine cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth and wine and bring it to a rapid boil.
• Then pour the sauce over the chicken pieces.
• Drain the mushrooms and top the chicken pieces with the mushrooms.
• Add garlic and onion and set the crockpot on high for about 30 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low (however, do not keep it on keep warm) and let the chicken pieces cook for about 7 to 8 hours.
• Stir before serving.

Since both the methods to cook chicken breast that I have mentioned above do not make use of any oil, according to me these are the best methods of cooking chicken breast. If you want you can certainly add other spices to the chicken as well. Both of them go very well with rice and also with noodles. I hope you enjoy cooking chicken breast, as much as I do.

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Grilled Shrimp Marinade

One of the most sought-after seafood types worldwide, shrimp is a favorite for many who like shellfish. They are used in preparation of several cuisines around the world. They taste best after boiling, frying, grilling, and baking. Not only shrimp is delicious, but they are healthy for the heart. Researches have found that they contain high amounts of good cholesterol and are low in saturated fats. Hence, the market demand for this seafood is very high.

Shrimp is very versatile and can be prepared alone or added as an ingredient in fried rice and noodles. In fact, you will find shrimp recipes for every taste bud. And, grilled shrimp marinade allows you to bring the best flavor of shrimp along with your favorite culinary spices. Commercially available in both fresh and frozen form, you need to prepare shrimp before cooking by removing the shell and vein (deveining). Scroll down to find the best marinade recipes made with grilled shrimp that you have ever tasted.

Easy Grilled Shrimp Marinade

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh shrimp (shells and veins removed)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped)
• cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• cup tomato sauce
• teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste
• 10-12 skewers

Directions for Preparation

Take a large mixing bowl and combine together the ingredients - garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar and tomato sauce. Season this marinade mixture with chopped basil leaves, cayenne pepper, and salt. Add the cleaned shrimp and stir lightly, so that the marinade covers them evenly. Put on the cover of the bowl and refrigerate it for 30 - 60 minutes. For even penetration of the marinade, you can stir the mixture occasionally.

Turn on the grill and bring it to a medium heat. Remove the bowl from the refrigerator, thread the shrimp one by one and discard the leftover marinade. For better grilling, do not overcrowd them while piercing. Lightly oil the grate and place the skewed shrimp on the preheated grill. Cook them for about 2 - 3 minutes per side or until the flesh is cooked well. This grilled shrimp recipe serves best with a spicy dip sauce.

Spicy Grilled Shrimp Marinade

Ingredients

• 1 pounds shrimp (shelled and deveined)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 teaspoons dried powdered basil
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley powder
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions for Preparation

In a bowl, add olive oil, lime juice, parsley powder, basil powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, and mix them together. Add the cleaned shrimp in a bowl and pour the marinade. Toss or stir, so that the shrimp are coated well with the marinade. Cover lid and refrigerate for about 30 - 45 minutes. Turn on the grill and maintain a medium heat. Grill shrimp and turn after every 2 - 3 minutes, till they are cooked well. Garnish them with flavorful herbs and serve.

Lemon Grilled Shrimp Marinade

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp (shelled and deveined)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• cup lemon juice
• cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons dried crushed basil leaves
• teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 10 wooden skewers

Directions for Preparation

In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients - garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, basil powder, pepper, and salt. Add shrimp in a cover bowl (or a zip-lock bag) and add the marinade mixture. To marinade the shrimp, keep the bowl in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 hours. If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 25 - 30 minutes. Also, preheat grill and bring it to a medium heat.

After the refrigerating, separate shrimp from the marinade and thread 3 - 4 shrimp on each skewer. For best cooking, make sure you leave some space between two shrimp. Do not throw the marinade and you can use it for brushing while grilling. After lightly oiling the grate, place the skewers and cook for about 8 minutes. In between, turn the shrimp and brush with reserved marinade for more flavor. When they turn opaque, you can transfer them in a platter and serve with fresh basil leaves and lemon slices.

You can serve grilled shrimp cooked by the above methods as appetizers in parties and family gatherings. These easy grilled shrimp marinade recipes will leave you wanting for more, every time you prepare them!

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Quick and Easy Meatloaf Recipes

Nutritious, tasty, and feeling, nearly all non-vegetarians love to have meatloaf prepared in varied cooking styles. Whether you make it dry or with drizzling sauce, it tastes delicious. In terms of the preparation method, it is so versatile that most cooks have a different meatloaf recipe to share. Following are some delicious, yet easy-to-cook meatloaf recipes for you.

Quick Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 medium-sized onion, chopped
• 1 cup grated zucchini
• 1 carrot, grated
• 2 tablespoons mixed dry herbs
• 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup wholemeal breadcrumbs

Directions for Preparation

Preheat oven to 180 C and line a baking tray with nonstick baking paper. In a mixing bowl, mix ground beef, egg, onion, zucchini, carrot, mixed herb, and tomato sauce. Sprinkle salt and pepper to these mixture. Combine well with your hands for even mixing. Then, shape this preparation into a rectangular shape mince, about 10 cm by 18 cm. Place this in the prepared baking tray and bake for 25 - 28 minutes. If required, you can remove excess fat before proceeding to the next step. Drizzle barbecue sauce over the half-baked meatloaf and put it to the oven. Cook for another 10 minutes, and your quick and easy meatloaf recipe is done.

Mixed Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork (or sausage)
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• cup green onion, chopped
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• cup soy sauce
• cup chicken broth

Directions for Preparation

Start with preheating oven to 350 F. Spray oil lightly in a baking pan (9 inch by 13 inch) and keep it ready. Take a large mixing bowl and combine all the ingredients listed above - ground beef, ground pork, egg, garlic, green onion, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, and chicken broth. Shape the mince into 6 proper shaped meatballs, so that they fit in your baking tray. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, or until they become hard. If they are well cooked, the meatballs will no longer be pink in color. Remove from heat (when done) and allow them to cool down in a wire rack. Your easy meatloaf recipe is ready. Serve them with mashed potatoes and teriyaki vegetables.

Spicy Meatloaf

Ingredients

• 1 pounds ground beef
• pound ground pork
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small can jalapeo peppers (seeded and chopped)
• 1 small package sliced cheese
• 1 packet meatloaf seasoning mix
• 1 small can spicy tomato sauce

Directions for Preparation

This simple meatloaf recipe is for those who have cravings for spicy food. Preheat oven to 350 F and prepare a loaf pan as you usually do for baking. Take a large bowl and combine ground beef and ground pork. To this, add green pepper and onion, and mix well. Sprinkle meatloaf seasoning mix in adequate amount, or as mentioned in the package. After mixing, divide the meat mixture into two equal parts.

Place one in the loaf pan and top with jalapeo peppers. Then, arrange the cheese slices over it and put remaining meat mixture on top of the cheese slices. Bake meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 1 hour. If it is slightly pink in color, you can return meatloaf to the oven. Finish your baked loaf dish by baking another 15 minutes. Once it is cooked, remove from the oven and drizzle tomato sauce over the cooked meatloaf. Let it cool down a bit and serve with your favorite side dish.

Requiring simple ingredients and lesser preparation time, you can try any of these easy meatloaf recipes for serving in parties as well. If desired, alter the vegetables and seasoning spices of the basic meatloaf recipes for imparting a different flavor to the dishes.

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Food Presentation Ideas

Have you ever been presented with a plate of food at a restaurant which made you go "wow" even without your tasting the dish. This is because the plating and presentation of the dish was harmonious and well balanced which instantly made the dish more appealing and exciting. A well presented plate of food enhances the dining experience. Professional chefs and fine dining restaurants will have you believe that creating such beautiful plates of food requires years of skill. But with a bit of imagination you too can present great looking dishes. Creative food presentation ideas are those in which there is a balance of color, texture and shapes. The plate on which the dish is presented should be proportional to the size of the dish. To make your dish aesthetically appealing there should be a combination of two or three colors on the plate. Pan roasted Sea Bass with roasted heirloom tomatoes and arugula salad looks much more appetizing than poached chicken with mashed potatoes. When you are serving meat and poultry, try accompanying it with steamed or sauted vegetables to add a dash of color. Garnishes in the form of chopped parsley, coriander and chives can also be used to introduce color to the dish.

Creative Ideas for Plating and Presenting Food

*Click on the images for a better view.





If you are planning a cocktail party, then choosing the right mix of drinks and food is very important for the party to be successful. Appetizers or amuse bouche are an integral part of a menu. Appetizers which are small enough to be eaten in a single bite can be served in beautiful decorative spoons. Alternatively, you can also serve them on a bed of lettuce or cabbage leaves.




Cocktails and drinks that are garnished looks much more refreshing and enticing. For garnishing your drinks, you can use a strand of orange peel or lemon peel on the rim of the glass. Add a slice of fruit like a starfruit or kiwi in cocktail glasses to add more color and interest.




If you are serving a fruit salad you can use a pineapple to serve the salad instead of a regular glass or ceramic bowl. For this you need a medium-sized or large pineapple. Discard any brown or discolored leaves from the pineapple and trim the top. Cut the pineapple into two equal parts and cut a thin strip of the pineapple to make the base. Remove the core of the pineapple by using a serrated knife and scoop out the flesh from each half. You can use this pineapple bowl to hold a fruit salad or salsa.




Another great food presentation idea is to garnish main courses with green onion curls and tomato rose. For making green onion curls you need crunchy fresh spring onions and some ice cubes. Trim the spring onions and cut the stems into 4 inch length. With the help of a kitchen scissors, cut each of the spring onion segments into 7 to 8 narrow strips reserving the end of the section. Fill a large bowl with ice cubes and add the spring onions. Refrigerate until the spring onions curl. For making the tomato rose, peel tomato with a sharp knife ensuring that the peel is about 1 inch wide and continuous. Place the peel on a flat surface like a wooden chopping board, and gently roll up the peel to resemble a rose. Add a sprig of mint to make the leaves. Another simple food presentation ideas is to add a sprig of dill leaves.




Serve the main course in pristine white china and drizzle sauces in geometric patterns. You can also use a pastry brush for brushing a thick sauce on to the plate. You can use jus gras or barbecue sauce for garnishing steak and chocolate sauce or creme anglaise for pastries and cakes.




You can also use crystalline edible flowers to decorate cakes and pastries and it is among the best food garnishing ideas. To make crystalline flowers, take any flowers of your choice and brush them with a water and egg emulsion. Dip the flowers immediately in a bowl of granulated sugar, making sure that it is evenly coated. Arrange the flowers in a wax paper and let it dry.




Garnish appetizers with sliced cucumbers, Kalamata olives or capers to add texture and flavor. You can also add sliced orange segments for garnishing your dish. Powdered sugar or icing sugar can also be sprinkled over brownies and cakes. Make sure that the garnishes that you are using complements the flavor of the dish.

Striking a harmony between color, texture, shapes and arrangements form the basis of a stylish food presentation. The food presentation ideas are becoming increasingly flamboyant and artistic. Avoid over-garnishing the dishes and be creative and innovative in presenting the food.

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Homemade Breadsticks

I was very scared of making breadsticks at home. I always had the fear, that I will mess it up and hence, I always steered clear of making breadsticks at home. This was till I came across a couple of breadsticks recipes, which were easy to make. I touched an instant liking for these recipes and have been baking breadsticks at home ever since. Are you like me and you too are scared of making breadsticks? Well I would recommend, you overcome your fear and use the recipes for making them.

How to Make Breadsticks at home

There are various ways of making breadsticks. You can make it either using yeast or without using the yeast. At the same time, there are also recipes to make breadsticks especially for the vegans. We will discuss the recipes now.

Breadsticks With Yeast

This is one of the most used recipe to make breadsticks at home.

Ingredients

• Dry Yeast 1 package
• Warm Water (heated to 115 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Salad Oil 1 tbsp
• Sugar 1 tsp
• Salt tsp
• Warm Milk (also heated to 115 degrees Fahrenheit)
• All-Purpose Flour 2 to 3 cups
• Caraway Seeds for garnishing

Method

• In a large mixing bowl, take cup water and sprinkle yeast over it. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes.
• Stir salad oil, sugar, salt, milk and 2 cups of flour into the water mixture.
• Beat on medium speed for about 5 minutes, until the dough pulls from sides of the bowl into stretchy strands.
• Now add to 1 cup of flour to the dough to make a stiff dough.
• Knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes, till the dough is smooth to touch.
• Remove the dough into a lightly greased bowl.
• Cover the bowl with cling film and place the bowl in a warm place for about an hour, till the dough doubles up.
• Now knead the dough again, to expel trapped air from the dough.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
• Cover the pieces and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
• Roll each of the piece into a log about 12 inches long.
• Place the breadsticks on a greased baking sheet about an inch away from one another.
• Brush the top of the breadsticks with a little oil and sprinkle the caraway seeds.
• Keep the rolled sticks in a warmer place for 20 minutes till puffy.
• Bake the breadsticks at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes till the sticks are golden in color.
• After the sticks are golden, let them cool on the pan for about 2 minutes.

Breadsticks Without Yeast

This is a recipe, which is not only without yeast, but it is also a homemade breadsticks recipe for vegans.

Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour 1 cups
• Soy Flour cup
• Sugar 1 tsp
• Salt tsp
• Seasoning of your choice
• Vegetable Oil 3 tbsp
• Water cup

Method

• Combine all-purpose flour, soy flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl and keep aside.
• In another bowl, mix water and vegetable oil together.
• Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture gradually and stir well
• Knead the dough till it is soft.
• If required dust the dough with all-purpose flour.
• Divide the dough into balls of equal size and roll the dough into thin 1 inch log.
• If you want crunchier bread, make the logs thinner, if you want softer bread, make thicker log.
• Line the sticks on a baking sheer, about inch to 1 inch away from one another.
• Bake the breadsticks on the oven at 350 degrees until golden brown in color.
• It will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the breadsticks.
• Once they are done, move the breadsticks to a cooler place and let them cool to room temperature.
• Enjoy the sticks with your choice of dip, sauce or soup.

You can vary the breadsticks recipe every time you make breadsticks, by adding different seasonings. To make the breadsticks sweeter, you can increase the quantity of sugar in the recipes. Different flavored breadsticks can also be made to add variety to the breadsticks you make.

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Calories in Hoisin Sauce

Hoisin sauce is a sauce used in Asian, or to be more specific, Oriental or Chinese cuisine. It has a flavor that is a beautiful blend of sweet and sour taste. There are many recipes for preparing this sauce, but the ingredients remain the same. It is a fine blend of a variety of spices, along with soybeans, garlic, white vinegar, chillies and some amount of sugar. Its purpose is to add a special flavor to noodles, spring rolls and stir-fry dishes. Sometimes referred to as the Peking sauce, for its use in the popular dish Peking Duck, hoisin sauce is dark reddish-brown in color. Hoisin sauce has an overwhelming flavor that some people, especially first timers, may not find appealing. If that is the case, then adding a little amount of water to dilute the sauce can help reduce the pungent flavor.

How Many Calories are in Hoisin Sauce

Now that we know how hoisin sauce can add that exotic flavor to the special dishes you make, it would be a good idea to look into the calories it contains, isn't it? After all, who wouldn't want to keep a tab on one's calorie intake? The table given below enlists the calories in hoisin sauce, according to different standard serving sizes.

Calories in Hoisin Sauce
Serving Size	Calories
1 tbsp (17 g)	40
1 oz	60
100 g	250

A80%B14%C6%
What Contributes to Calories in Hoisin SauceA - Carbohydrates B - Fats C - Proteins

Hoisin Sauce: Nutritional Information

So, hoisin sauce has quite a few calories! But where do these calories come from? To find that out, we shall have a quick look at the nutritional content in a single tablespoon of hoisin sauce. Note that the percentage of daily value given against each of the nutrients, is determined by assuming that your daily intake is 2000 calories.

Nutrient	Quantity (in grams)	% of Daily Value
Carbohydrates	7.08	3%
Protein	0.53	1%
Dietary Fiber	0.4	2%
Fats	0.54	1%

In addition to the nutrients mentioned above, hoisin sauce contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, vitamin C and vitamin A. Also, there are a few minerals in hoisin sauce.

Mineral	Quantity (in milligrams)
Sodium	258
Calcium	5
Iron	0.16
Magnesium	4
Phosphorous	6
Potassium	19
Copper	0.019

No matter what we eat, it is always advisable to check our daily intake of calories. This can help us in staying fit and healthy. So, the next time you plan to enjoy that bowl of yummy noodles with hoisin sauce, make sure you use moderate quantities of the sauce to save yourself from consuming empty calories.

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Italian Meatball Sauce Recipes

A lot of Italian foods have found their way into other cuisines all across the globe. Pastas and pizzas have gained immense popularity and are enjoyed by people of all ages. Italian meatball recipes are tried and modified with local flavors in different parts of the world. However, the authentic Italian meatball recipes still remain the favorites of many. Meatball and spaghetti, which is an American edition, is the most favored combination these days. But the dish is incomplete without the tangy mouth-watering sauce.

Yummy Meatball Sauce Recipes

Recipe 1
Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 1 cup parsley, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 2 slices lemon peel
• grated nutmeg
• Salt and pepper

Directions:
In a saucepan, saut onions, carrots and garlic in olive oil until slightly brown. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and parsley and stir well. Now add wine and Italian seasoning along with nutmeg and lemon peel. Add salt and pepper and let it simmer for about 45 minutes on low heat. Remove the lemon peel and serve the sauce over meatballs. This is the best recipe for Italian meatball sauce.

Recipe 2
Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 Clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:
Blend basil leaves, pine nuts and garlic together. Then add Parmesan cheese and process them till a smooth paste is formed. Now slowly pour olive oil in the mixture and blend until emulsified. Your sauce is ready. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve.

Recipe 3
Ingredients:

• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• cup onion, chopped
• cup celery, finely chopped
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• teaspoon dried oregano
• teaspoon paprika
• teaspoon ground red pepper
• Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Take olive oil in a saucepan and add to it mushrooms, onions, celery and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat. Now add tomato sauce and salt, oregano, paprika, ground pepper and basil. Bring it to boil. Then cover and let it simmer for about 1 hour. The yummy sauce is ready to be poured on the meat balls.

Recipe 4
Ingredients:

• 1 egg yolk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 8 ounces heavy whipping cream
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• cup Romano cheese, grated
• Salt

Directions:
Melt butter in a saucepan and add the heavy cream to it. Cook on a medium flame, stirring constantly. Add nutmeg, salt, Parmesan cheese and Romano cheese and stir well. When the cheese melts, mix in the egg yolk. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes over low heat. The sauce will leave you licking your fingers.

Spaghetti and meatball sauce recipes are not all that difficult. You can make them before time and serve whenever needed. So what are you waiting for? Pick up a recipe from the above and get ready for and authentic Italian treat!

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