Lucca Recipes

LUCCA

Steps:

• Remove the dough ball from the refrigerator and leave wrapped at room temperature until the dough warms to 60°F to 65°F. Meanwhile, set up the oven with two pizza stones or baking steels and preheat to 500°F for 1 hour.
• In a bowl, mix together the tomatoes, olives, anchovies, and garlic and set aside.
• Dust the work surface with the dusting mixture, then move the dough to the surface and dust the top.
• Sprinkle a wooden peel with the dusting mixture.
• Roll out the dough into a round 14 to 15 inches in diameter. Using a pizza wheel, trim the dough to a 13-inch round. Brush the surface of the dough with oil, flatten the edge, then dock the surface.
• Move the dough to the peel. As you work, shake the peel forward and backward to ensure the dough isn't sticking.
• Mound the mozzarella in the center of the dough and use your fingertips to spread it out evenly over the surface, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Drizzle more oil over the top.
• Slide the pizza onto the top stone. Bake for 4 minutes. Lift the pizza onto the peel, remove it from the oven, and scatter the tomato mixture over the top. Rotate the pizza 180 degrees and transfer it to the bottom stone. Bake for 5 minutes, until the bottom is browned and crisp and the top is golden brown.
• If you would like the top of the pizza darker, transfer it to the top stone for 30 seconds.
• Transfer the pizza to a cutting board and cut into 6 wedges. Scatter the basil over the top and finish with a dusting of oregano and a drizzle of oil.

LUCCA STYLE ROASTED OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cook the olive oil and garlic cloves in an ovenproof skillet over moderate heat until the cloves begin to sizzle and caramelize lightly. Add the thyme sprigs and let them sizzle in the oil for about 30 seconds. Add desired amount of black pepper and the juice of the orange. Add the olives and stir until they are hot throughout, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the orange zest.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake, stirring occasionally, until the olives start to soften, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve warm.

TRADITIONAL FILIPINO LUMPIA

Steps:

• Place a wok or large skillet over high heat, and pour in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Cook pork, stirring frequently, until no pink is showing. Remove pork from pan and set aside. Drain grease from pan, leaving a thin coating. Cook garlic and onion in the same pan for 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked pork, carrots, green onions, and cabbage. Season with pepper, salt, garlic powder, and soy sauce. Remove from heat, and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Place three heaping tablespoons of the filling diagonally near one corner of each wrapper, leaving a 1 1/2 inch space at both ends. Fold the side along the length of the filling over the filling, tuck in both ends, and roll neatly. Keep the roll tight as you assemble. Moisten the other side of the wrapper with water to seal the edge. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap to retain moisture.
• Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat, add oil to 1/2 inch depth, and heat for 5 minutes. Slide 3 or 4 lumpia into the oil. Fry the rolls for 1 to 2 minutes, until all sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

LUCCAN FARRO SOUP (MARK BITTMAN)

Steps:

• Put oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat; a minute later add onion, celery, carrots, a large pinch of salt and some pepper. Cook until vegetables are glossy and onion is softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, and stir; add farro, beans, tomatoes and stock, and stir.
• Bring to a boil, then adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook until farro and beans are tender, at least an hour, adding stock or water as necessary if mixture becomes too thick. Stir in parsley and basil (if using), then cook another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with lots of Parmesan.