Richmond, Indiana - With spring upon us and so much to do I have gotten a little behind in the kitchen area. Well, at least in the kitchen recipe area. There are so many great recipes and so many great ideas just waiting for us to try that sometimes it becomes a challenge just to pick one to rave about.
While taking to some friends at our last business meeting in Richmond I happened to mention that I was looking for a new idea for Rita's Kitchen. Judy, who is know to be one of the great cooks in the area, said she had happened on to this idea a while back and would send it to me.
After I read what Judy had sent I had to give it a go. WOW, this is one neat idea and no wonder why it has made this well know restaurant such a favorite of  so many.
Thanks Judy and thanks to the folks a NAPS for many such a wonderful idea available. ENJOY!

Layering Sauces Adds New Flavors

(NAPS)—Learning traditional cooking techniques, such as layering sauce, is a great way to infuse your weekday menu with mouthwatering flavor combinations.

The technique of layering ingredients is just one of the genuine Italian cooking methods used in Olive Garden kitchens, where over 24 different sauces are prepared from scratch every day. The culinary team travels to Italy once a year for inspiration and to refine culinary skills.

The team offers these tips on developing your sauce-layering skills in three easy steps:

Battuto—Preheat olive oil and add base ingredients like chopped celery, onions and carrots. If desired, a small amount of meat such as pancetta can be added for seasoning. If meat is used, little or no oil is needed. Sauté until steam dissipates.

Soffritto—When the onions become translucent and the garlic golden, the sauce has entered the soffritto stage. At this point, add additional meat if desired, such as ground beef or sausage, and cook until steam dissipates. Next, add wine to balance the flavors. Briefly cook the wine on medium heat to evaporate the alcohol.

Insaporire—Meaning “to give flavor,” this is the final layer. Now it is time to add puréed tomatoes or paste, herbs (except delicate basil) and vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers and olives. Additional seasonings such as salt, pepper and garlic can be added to taste.

Tomato sauce should simmer for 30 minutes to one hour. A sauce with meat should simmer for two to four hours. To complete your sauce, add basil during the last 20 minutes of cooking.

The traditional technique of layering can be enjoyed in two dishes being served at Olive Garden, Tuscan Garlic Chicken and Tuscan Garlic Shrimp. The dishes feature herb-seasoned chicken or shrimp sautéed with oven-roasted garlic, sweet roasted red peppers and spinach served in a white wine and garlic cream sauce tossed with curly fettuccine.

What makes the dishes so special is that they are made with simple fresh ingredients layered to build flavor.

For a chance to experience Italy’s culinary experience firsthand, guests can enter a sweepstakes at parenting blog 5 Minutes for Mom, www.5minutes formom.com/olivegarden. There, you can discover insider culinary tips, fun wine-pairing suggestions and recipes from Olive Garden executive chefs.

For more information, visit www.olivegarden.com.

Simple, garden-fresh ingredients are layered to build flavor and create delicious pasta sauces.