VALERIES KITCHEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 9-by-5-inch aluminum loaf pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with plastic wrap on all sides, leaving a 2-inch overhang; the cooking spray will help the plastic stick directly to the sides of the pan.
• In a food processor, pulse the chocolate wafers until very fine, like sand. Add the chocolate sauce and pulse a few more times until the mixture comes together. Pour into the prepared loaf pan and firmly press into the bottom of the pan to create a crust. Freeze for 30 minutes to set.
• Meanwhile, remove the chocolate-chocolate chip gelato from the freezer to soften. After 30 minutes, remove the loaf pan from the freezer and spread the chocolate gelato over the crust; use a small offset or rubber spatula to spread the gelato into a flat, even layer. Return the loaf pan to the freezer for another 30 minutes. Meanwhile, let the vanilla bean gelato soften at room temperature.
• When the vanilla gelato has softened, transfer it to a bowl and stir in the sliced Amarena cherries, the Amarena syrup and the red food coloring if using. Mix until the cherries are evenly dispersed and the food coloring is completely incorporated. Remove the loaf pan from the freezer and evenly spread the cherry gelato over the chocolate gelato. Place back in the freezer for at least 1 hour more; it takes longer for the cherry layer to set.
• Thirty minutes before the cherry layer is set, remove the pistachio gelato from the freezer to soften. When softened, spread in an even layer over the cherry gelato; the pistachio layer should come up nearly to the top of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
• When ready to serve, remove the plastic wrap from the top of the pan and invert the spumoni onto a cutting board. Gently lift the loaf pan away and remove the remaining plastic wrap. Slice the spumoni into 3/4-inch slices, using a chef's knife dipped in warm water; dip the knife in the warm water between each slice. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on all sides until almost cooked through and beginning to brown, 5 minutes. Stir in the chorizo; cook until it releases its oil and begins to brown, another 5 minutes. Stir in the onions and garlic; cook just until the garlic is toasted and the onions are slightly softened, 2 minutes more. Stir in the chicken stock, clam juice and fire-roasted tomatoes. Add the peas, paprika, saffron and 1 tablespoon salt. Increase the heat to medium and slowly bring the liquid to a boil.
• Meanwhile, lightly spray a baking sheet with canola oil. Spread the rice evenly onto the tray and lightly spray with more canola oil. Toast the rice in the oven until light golden brown in spots, 10 minutes.
• At this point, the chicken mixture should be boiling. Ladle it evenly over the rice and return the baking sheet to the oven. Cover the paella by inverting another baking sheet and placing it on top. Bake until the liquid is completely absorbed and the rice is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove the top baking sheet, and then remove the paella from the oven. Preheat the broiler.
• Sprinkle the shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Combine the shrimp with the clams and mussels in a large bowl.
• Arrange the shrimp, clams and mussels on the paella with the shell openings facing up. Lightly drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Broil--keeping a close eye--until the shrimp are cooked through, the clams and mussels have opened, and the rice is crispy, 2 to 3 minutes for a top broiler or 5 to 6 minutes for a bottom broiler. Sprinkle immediately with the olives and parsley.