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Prior to Covid, street food events had become a must-attend event for cooking enthusiasts, and these Supplì with Balsamic vinegar and cooked shoulder ham would have been the perfect protagonists of a snack with friends in the name of good food and regional flavours. So, I wanted to share them with my work colleagues, turning an ordinary day into a special day!

Il supplì con i colleghi di lavoro

But what are Supplì? I told you about them last year for the first SuppliTiamo event with my Suppli Viva l’Italia. And for this new edition of the contest, I wanted to create a much richer and delicious Supplì using three products from my region: Balsamic Vinegar of Modena in its two expressions, PGI and PDO, Cooked shoulder ham from San Secondo and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Let’s start with order. I am not going to tell you about Parmigiano Reggiano because its history has been the protagonist of many other recipes, while I will start with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI. This is the product obtained from partially fermented and/or cooked and/or concentrated grape must and wine vinegar that are subjected to acetification and ageing in wood for at least 60 days. Aging can last up to 3 years for vinegar called “Aged”. This vinegar is the aromatic, sweet and sour product that we are used to using as a condiment and that I love for preparing my sweet and sour onions.

Balsamic PDO is a product that, despite its similar name, has very different characteristics and uses. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO is in fact the product obtained from a single ingredient, cooked grape must, aged in barrels of different woods and sizes for a minimum of 12 years following a unique production process, closely linked to family traditions. Balsamic Vinegar PDO is a thick, glossy black liquid and has an extremely sweet and concentrated flavour. It is perfect to be consumed raw on sweet and savoury dishes.

Finally, Spalla cotta di San Secondo is a typical deli meat from the areas near the river Po in the province of Parma obtained from the shoulder of pigs. It is a product with a long history sought after by cured meat enthusiasts for its very distinctive flavour and aroma: eaten warm, perhaps with the typical Fried dough, Spalla cotta is just unforgettable!

So let’s prepare our Supplì step by step.

Supplì with balsamic vinegar and cooked shoulder ham

29g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 8 servings

  • 550g meat stock
  • 270g Carnaroli rice
  • 200g onions
  • 120g sliced cooked shoulder ham from San Secondo*
  • 100 g young Pecorino or other cheese that melts
  • 2 eggs
  • 50g breadcrumbs**
  • 40g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 40g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 20 g butter
  • 3 tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI
  • 1 teaspoon Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper
  • seed oil for frying

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Prepare the rice by putting the Carnaroli rice in the meat stock and cooking it until all the stock has been absorbed. Stir the rice with butter and grated Parmesan cheese, then spread it out on a plate or tray to cool.
  2. While the rice is cooling, prepare the onions. Slice them thinly and brown them in a non-stick frying pan with a little oil (I used my fantastic Shark Skin pan from Pentole Agnelli discovered at one of the Risate & Risotti evenings last year) and a bay leaf. When the onions are soft, add Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, season with salt and pepper and let the sauce thicken well. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
  3. Once the rice has cooled down, put it in a bowl and incorporate an egg. Season the rice with 1 heaped teaspoon of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.

L'aceto balsamico tradizionale di modena

4. Assemble the supplì. Lightly grease your hands with extra virgin olive oil, place a layer of rice on the palm and fingers of one hand, place a spoonful of sweet and sour onions in the centre of the rice, a few cheese cubes and a slice of cooked shoulder ham from San Secondo. Using lightly greased fingers, take more rice to cover the Supplì and form the cylinder, sealing it well.

5. Beat the second egg in a bowl with a pinch of salt. Dip each Supplì in rice flour, then in beaten egg and finally in breadcrumbs.

6. Put the seed oil in a saucepan, heat it and deep fry the Supplì until golden and crispy. Serve them piping hot and… remember to open your eyes again after the first bite!

dettaglio supplì

Version with gluten of Supplì with balsamic vinegar and cooked shoulder ham

Replace gluten free breadcrumbs with standard breadcrumbs and, if you prefer, rice flour with wheat flour.

The Parma Ham Festival ended a few days ago, but we can’t get enough of this traditional specialty. So, why not think of an appetising starter with the king of deli meats? Try these gluten-free Croutons with chickpea hummus and Prosciutto di Parma.

In this recipe, we have decided to combine ham with chickpea hummus, which, with its special texture, gives even more fullness to each bite. Hummus can be used for may more snack ideas, including as a dip for fresh vegetables for a special Pinzimonio. So why not try also this amazing pink hummus. Have fun giving your recipe a touch of colour.

Look at the ingredients for this very simple, quick and tasty recipe and let’s get ready to cook!

Gluten-free Croutons with chickpea hummus and Prosciutto di Parma

Chickpea hummus carbohydrates 10.33g per 100g

Mixed leavening bread carbohydrates 45g per 100g

Ingredients for hummus

  • 230g already cooked or canned chickpeas
  • 60g water
  • 40g lemon juice
  • 40g tahina (sesame seed cream)*
  • 30g extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Ingredients for gluten-free croutons

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. To prepare the hummus, place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and even.
  2. Cut slices of Mixed leavening bread to the desired size. If you prefer a crunchier crouton, toast the slices in a toaster or in the oven.
  3. Spread the hummus on each slice and top with a slice of freshly sliced Prosciutto di Parma. Easy, isn’t it?

crostini-gluten-free-con hummus-di-ceci-e-prosciutto-di-parma-uno-chef-per-gaia

Version with gluten of Croutons with chickpea hummus and Parma ham

Replace the gluten free croutons with standard bread: hummus only contains naturally gluten free ingredients.

Soy and pumpkin patties are a nice appetiser, a tasty dish that is hard to give up, a dish that comes when hunger starts to set in and prepares for the upcoming meal. That’s why it must certainly be appetising but, at the same time, balanced so as not to weigh you down and allow you to fully enjoy the following courses.

Soy and pumpkin patties fulfil all these characteristics: they are light, healthy and tasty. And to continue having fun with patties and meatballs, dive into the Patties and meatballs section: you will find a solution to make young and old happy.

And if you are looking for a salad to go with these patties, try this Dominican salad or just prepare a mixed green and tomato salad.

Ready to start cooking?

Soy and pumpkin patties

12.20g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 300g pumpkin cooked in the oven
  • 150g boiled yellow soy
  • 50g breadcrumbs**
  • 30g leek
  • parsley, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and nutmeg

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

Preparation

  1. Slice the leek thinly and put it in a pan with a little oil, brown it and add soy and pumpkin.
  2. Season with herbs and spices, add salt and blend in a food processor until creamy.
  3. Form into patties (we had about 14) and roll them in breadcrumbs. Brown in a non-stick frying pan with a little oil, then serve with fresh vegetables.

Polpettine-di-soia-e-zucca-senza-glutine-uno-chef-per-gaia

Version with gluten of Soy and pumpkin patties

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

Today we revisited a great classic of summer cuisine to turn it into a Travel Caprese.

The recipe we are proposing, however, is a ‘travel’ version, because the mozzarella enclosing a tasty little surprise reminds us so much of suitcases, which almost always contain something to eat… at least ours!

The concept of the small surprise is also found in Supplì Viva l’Italia.

But in particular, this Caprese can be a perfect idea to prepare when about to leave on a trip, so with little time for cooking!

Travel Caprese

negligible carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 4 mozzarellas of cow’s milk or buffalo milk (I got the 250g ones)
  • 80g ripe tomatoes
  • 80g drained tuna
  • 8 pitted olives*
  • salt and basil

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Cut the mozzarellas so that they are divided into two parts, one of which is to serve as the lid.  Then cut the tomatoes into pieces, remove the seeds, salt them and make sure they release part of their water.
  2. Using a knife, empty the inside of the larger half of the mozzarella and lightly salt the inside, then fill it with tomato pieces, drained tuna, olives cut in half and basil.

Caprese-da-viaggio-blog-uno-chef-per-gaia

  1. Put the mozzarella lid on and, if necessary, fix it with a toothpick and garnish with a basil leaf. Use the inside of Mozzarellas to prepare a salad or to top a pizza.

Caprese-da-viaggio-blog-uno-chef-per-gaia

Version with gluten of Travel Caprese

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

Summer means fresh food, quick to prepare and tasty to eat. In this season, nature helps us with fragrant, tasty and colourful fruit and vegetables, so it is easier to let your imagination run wild with quick recipes based on a few easy-to-prepare ingredients: hence my Cherry tomatoes with anchovy flavoured bread.

This recipe is also perfect for a snack, perhaps turning it into a Bruschetta with bread flavoured with anchovies and cherry tomatoes on top to complete it.

If you are looking for other salad ideas, you may like this Venere rice salad with cherry tomatoes and pistachio nuts.

Cherry tomatoes with anchovy flavoured

9.59g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 800g cherry tomatoes
  • 130g sliced rustic bread**
  • 20g capers
  • 10g anchovy fillets
  • 1 bunch of parsley
  • 1/2 clove of garlic
  • extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Finely chop parsley, capers and garlic. In a small bowl, emulsify extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to make a dressing; then flavour it with the previously prepared chopped parsley. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and season them with the sauce.
  2. Put a little oil in a non-stick frying pan and cook the anchovy fillets in it until they have melted.

Datterini-con-pane-e-acciughe-uno-chef-per-gaia(8)

  1. Dice the bread, put it in the pan with the oil and let it brown for a few minutes over high heat.

Datterini-con-pane-e-acciughe-uno-chef-per-gaia
4. Sprinkle the tomatoes with bread and serve.

 

Datterini con pane e acciughe

Version with gluten of Cherry tomatoes with bread and anchovies

Replace gluten-free bread with standard rustic bread.

Warmer and longer days lead us to have the desire to organise aperitifs with friends, outdoor dinners or parties.
We are well aware of this, in fact the recipe we recommend today will not only serve as an accompaniment to sauces, deli meats or snacks, but also as a tasty afternoon snack: Maxi teff crackers.

Crispy, fragrant, tasty and easy to prepare… let’s see how!

Maxi teff crackers

65.12g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 150g gluten-free bread flour mix, brand Schär Mix B**
  • 150g water
  • 100g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 50g corn flour*
  • 50g teff flour*
  • 30g extra virgin olive oil
  • 7g fine salt
  • 3g brewer’s yeast

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Mix together all the ingredients, except the oil, to form a smooth, even dough.

cracjer-al-teff-senza-glutine-uno-chef-per-gaia

2. Roll it out into very thin layers and cut into long, rather wide rectangles as desired; then place them on a baking tin covered with a sheet of baking paper, prick the surface with a fork and brush it with oil.

ricetta-senza-glutine-cracker-al-teff-blog-uno-chef-per-gaia

  1. If you wish, you can sprinkle the surface with sesame seeds or other seeds and herbs.
    Bake in a static oven preheated to 200°C for 10-15 minutes until crispy.

ricetta-senza-glutine-uno-che-per-gaia-cracker-al-teff

Now you can serve them!
Our tip: try them with Chickpea hummus!

Fancy something sweet and fragrant? Mini apple strudels are just the perfect choice.

Good, because my recipe today is not only tasty and tempting, but also easy to prepare and light.

The main ingredient is apple, a precious fruit with many properties, which becomes an important ally in the kitchen because it can enrich many preparations with flavour without the need for too much fat.

In short, a wholesome fruit that I like to interpret (try my Soft apple and cinnamon cake).

That said, let’s roll up our sleeves and start making some delicious Mini apple strudels, perfect for breakfast, as a snack or dessert at the end of a meal.

Mini apple strudels

25.85g carbohydrates per 100g of strudels with no sugar in the apples

Ingredients for 6 mini strudels

  • 350g green apples
  • 150g gluten-free bread flour mix, brand BiAglut**
  • 75g cold butter
  • 40g water
  • 1 egg
  • ½ lemon
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • sweetener*, brown sugar

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Prepare the shortcrust pastry by mixing the flour, chopped butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor or by hand. The dough will be grainy: compact it, cover it with plastic film and put it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  2. Peel and chop the apples, place them in a non-stick pan with the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of sweetener and cook until soft. Then remove from the heat and allow to cool.

mini_strudel_di_mele_senza_glutine_uno_chef_per_gaia

  1. Roll out the shortbread pastry to a thin thickness, cut out disks 12cm in diameter, put about 50g of apples on each disk, close them forming a half-moon and cut three slits in the surface.

mini_strudel_di_mele_senza_glutine_blog_uno_chef_per_gaia

  1. Finally, brush the surface with beaten egg and sprinkle with a pinch (3g) of brown sugar.

ricetta_mini_strudel_di_mele_senza_glutine

  1. Bake the mini strudels in a static oven preheated to 190°C for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

ricetta_senza_glutine_mini_strudel_di_mele_uno_chef_per_gaia

Version with gluten of Mini apple strudel

Replace the gluten-free BiAglut flour with an equal amount of wheat flour and possibly reduce the amount of water to be added to the crust.

Whether it is for a hunger-breaking snack or a snack to take to school, attention to what children and young people eat during the day is very important. Needless to say, good, home-made things are always the best option, so Baked Panzerottini are just a great solution. If you want an idea for a sweet snack, try Mini apple strudels.

Of course, time is generally short and everyday commitments do not allow us to cook as much as we would like.

My recommendation is that you bake Panzerottini in a large amount then freeze them to have them ready whenever you want: the ideal problem solvers.

Baked Panzerottini

31.5g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for the dough

  • 250g gluten free bread flour mix, brand Nutrifree**
  • 210g water
  • 40g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 30g extra virgin olive oil
  •  7g brewer’s yeast
  • 8g salt
  • rice flour for dusting*

Ingredients for stuffing

  • 250g milk
  • 80g cooked ham*
  • 80g Scamorza cheese
  • 25g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 10g butter
  • salt, grated Parmesan cheese and extra virgin olive oil

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Knead all the ingredients together, form a dough ball and let it rest covered for at least 1 hour.
  2. Prepare the béchamel sauce by melting the butter in a pan, add the flour, stirring with a whisk so that no lumps form, then add the milk. Put the mixture on the heat until the béchamel forms.
  3. Season with salt and add grated Parmesan cheese to taste. Finally, let the béchamel sauce cool down.

Panzerotti-al-forno-gluten-free

4. Roll out the dough and cut 9cm diameter disks. Place a spoonful of béchamel sauce in the centre, ham pieces and two or three small cubes of Scamorza cheese.

panzerotti-al-forno-senza-glutine

5. Lightly moisten the edge of the filled disc with water and place a second disc on top, pressing the edge down so that it is perfectly sealed.

Ricetta-panzerotti-al-forno.gluten-free

  1. Brush the Panzerotti surface, put them on a baking tin covered with parchment paper and bake in a static oven preheated to 200°C for about 15 minutes, until golden brown.

Ricetta-panzerotti-gluten-free-uno-chef-per-gaia

Version with gluten of Baked Panzerottini

Prepare the dough with wheat flour and adjust the amount of water.

Chickpea hummus is a preparation of Middle Eastern origin, spicy and creamy, but also perfect to accompany meat, fish or simply to enrich a Bruschetta.

You can also use it for tasty canapés to be topped with sweet-and-sour vegetables, but also with fish and meat. Try it with the great Emilia Romagna classics, i.e. with deli-meats and some drops of Tradizional Balsamic Vinegar. During the summer, use it as a dip for fresh vegetables: well, truly a recipes for thousands of ideas.

Here’s how to prepare it in a few minutes. 

Chickpea hummus

7.25g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 200g cooked or canned chickpeas
  • 100g water
  • 30g extra virgin olive oil
  • 20g fresh spring onion
  • 20g lemon juice
  • 15g tahina (sesame seed cream)*
  • 15g capers
  • salt and pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Fry the spring onion in a pan with a little extra virgin olive oil and water.
  2. Once cooked, place it in a blender with the other ingredients and blend until smooth and even.
  3. Try serving it as a dip or topping for croutons and Bruschetta.

hummus-di-ceci

Version with gluten of Chickpea hummus

The recipe is naturally gluten-free, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

 

 

You need to organise a dinner with friends and you don’t know what to prepare as an appetiser or aperitif? Bruschette assortment is the solution for you!

Colourful, tasty and perfect for delighting the palate with different flavours, delicious ingredients and enjoyable combinations, Bruschette assortment is made with fragrant buckwheat bread topped with ingredients ranging from pulses such as chickpeas, to vegetables such as aubergines and peppers, to cheeses such as Fontina, Robiola  and even pears and cooked ham.

Ready? Then let’s begin.

Bruschette assortment

33.64g carbohydrates per 100g of plain bread

La preparazione delle bruschette fantasia

Preparing the Bruschetta assortment

Bruschettas with chickpea hummus and aubergine

  • Buckwheat bread**
  • Chickpea hummus*
  • Sautéed diced aubergines
  • 1 pinch of paprika

Bruschettas with hummus and peppers

  • Buckwheat bread**
  • Chickpea hummus*
  • Grilled peppers without skin
  • 1 ground pepper

Bruschettas with Fontina cheese and pears

  • Buckwheat bread**
  • Fontina cheese
  • Pears
  • Walnuts
Le bruschette fantasia

Bruschetta assortment

Bruschettas with Robiola cheese and peppers

  • Buckwheat bread**
  • Robiola cheese
  • Grilled peppers without skin
  • Oregano

Toast-like Bruschettas

  • Buckwheat bread**
  • Cooked ham*
  • Cheese that melts easily

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

So many ingredients, and so many types of Bruschetta, but only one simple and quick method of preparation.
That’s right, because once all the toppings have been prepared, all you have to do is lightly toast the buckwheat bread slices, assemble the different Bruschettas and put them in the oven for a few minutes so that they warm up and acquire even more flavour. Obviously, where cheese is present, it is advisable to wait for it to melt on contact with the heat before serving.

Version with gluten of Bruschetta assortment

Replace gluten free bread with standard bread