For delicious Italian recipes, call us at 704 906-6725 to learn how to make Michael's Meatballs or try our famous Shrimp Sinatra.
Chef Michael Epifanio Recipes
"Michael’s Meatballs" is one of the standout dishes in classic Italian recipes. To create these delicious meatballs, you will need: 1 pound ground lean beef, 1 pound ground pork, and 1 pound ground veal. You'll also need 4 large eggs, 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley, 3 garlic cloves peeled and minced, 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning, and 1 large onion minced. For binding, use 2 1/2 cups of Progresso or 4 C flavored bread crumbs, along with 1/2 cup of whole milk ricotta cheese and 1 cup of milk. Finally, season with salt (preferably Kosher or Sea Salt) and freshly ground pepper to taste.
To prepare, combine the beef, pork, and veal in a large bowl. Add the eggs, cheese, parsley, garlic, onions, and season with salt and pepper. Using your hands, blend the ingredients together. Gradually incorporate the bread crumbs into the meat mixture, then slowly add the milk and ricotta until the mixture is quite moist. Shape the meat mixture into balls, typically large 2 ½- to 3-inch meatballs.
Preheat your oven to 425°F and place the meatballs on a jelly-roll-type pan, baking for 15-20 minutes. You may need two pans for this recipe. Alternatively, you can shallow fry them in olive oil in a cast iron pan until they develop a nice crust on all sides, then add them to your sauce.
Once cooked, lower the meatballs into a simmering Tomato Sauce and let them cook for another 20 minutes low and slow! Enjoy this delicious recipe as part of your Italian culinary repertoire, and don't forget to try other favorites like Shrimp Sinatra for a complete Italian feast!"
Files coming soon.
Shrimp Sinatra
"SHRIMP SINATRA" is one of the delightful Italian recipes that you can easily prepare at home.
1 Pound Shrimp with Shell – 21-25 Ct
Peel, de-vein, and save the shells for stock.
Dredge cleaned shrimp in ¼ cup flour.
**Batter:**
4 Eggs
2 Scallion Tops - Green Part
1 Tbsp. Chopped Italian Parsley
Salt
Pepper
2 Tbsp Pecorino Romano Cheese
**Sauce:**
Shrimp Shells
1 Tbsp Butter
2 Stalk Celery
2 Clove Garlic
1 Onion
2 Carrots
1 cup White wine or Sherry
3 cups Chicken Stock
1 tsp Paprika
Salt
Pepper
1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
2 Tbsp Flour
**Method for Sauce:**
Sauté shrimp shells with butter, garlic, onions, diced celery, and diced carrots until the shrimp shells turn red. Add 1 cup white wine, reduce for 3 minutes, then add 3 cups chicken stock, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp paprika, and seasoning. Reduce slowly for 30 minutes, strain, and reserve.
In a separate pan, melt 2 tbsp butter, add 2 tbsp flour to make a roux, and cook for 2 minutes. Add hot shrimp stock to the roux and whisk; if it’s too thick, add some more chicken stock. Whisk and cook slowly for 2 minutes, then set aside.
Place shrimp in flour, dredge, and then coat in egg batter.
Fry shrimp in canola or peanut oil until golden brown, then line a sheet pan with paper towels and drain the shrimp on the paper towels; set aside.
**Sinatra Finish:**
Chop:
3 Scallions
2 Cloves of garlic
1 small onion
4 oz of Soppressata – diced fine
½ pint Cherry tomatoes - Cut in half
2 oz of Capers
6 Lemon slices
½ Cup White wine or Sherry
Basil
Italian Parsley
Sauté the first four ingredients for 1 minute, add tomatoes and capers, and sauté for another minute. Add the wine, cook for 30 seconds, then add lemon slices and cook for one more minute. Finally, add the shrimp sauce and cook until smooth—check seasoning. Add chopped basil and parsley, mix, then place shrimp on a platter and pour the sauce over.
This delicious "Shrimp Sinatra" is a perfect dish to serve alongside Michael's Meatballs for an unforgettable Italian feast!
Files coming soon.
“You cannot fundamentally change who you are, all you can do is work with what you have, and what you have is a lot”
Michael Epifanio
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Testimonials
This week, Michael Epifanio catered my sister-in-law’s 40th birthday for us and it was such a good decision!! The attention to detail was amazing, including helping us find the specific cake that we were looking for. His shrimp had perfect texture and flavor. He and his wife made this such a fun and delicious evening!! We’re already trying to come up with more reasons to use Michael again!