If you love all things pasta
this {Pageturner Ecookbook} is for you
77 recipes
Andorran escudella
Beef strogonoff
BLT macaroni salad
Bowtie pasta with shrimp and asparagus
Bruschetta orzo salad
Cacio e pepe pasta
Cajun salmon fillet grenobloise with angel hair pasta
Campanelle pasta with hen of the woods mushrooms
Caprese pasta salad
Cauliflower and pasta
Chicken and pasta salad with asparagus
Chicken breasts parma
Chicken primavera
Chicken salad with pasta and asparagus
Cold salmon and pasta
Creamed fettuccine with smoked salmon
Creamy polenta with gorgonzola
Curried mussel salad with tiny pasta
Dilled pasta salad
Fettuccini primavera and pesto dressing
Garlic mussels with pasta and cherry tomatoes
Greek pasta salad with shrimp
Greek-style pasta with shrimp
Grilled chicken and vegetable pasta salad
Italian garden salad
Lasagna
Leek and lobster linguine
Lemon grass fettuccini with seared shrimp and scallops
Linguine alla carbonara
Linguine primavera
Macaroni and cheese
Minestrone with cabbage and spinach
Mussel pasta salad
Mussels and spaghetti
Mussels marinara with linguine
Nicoise orzo salad
Orecchiette with shiitake mushroom sauce
Orzo pilaf with green onions
Orzo salad with lemon and herb
Orzo with wild mushrooms
Pasta and tuna with caper dressing
Pasta e fagioli with pesto and butternut squash
Pasta fagioli
Pasta roll with three cheese
Pasta salad in parmesan baskets
Pasta salad with tuna and greek olives
Pasta with broccoli and beans
Pasta with broccoli and garbanzo beans
Pasta with summer vegetables
Penne in cream sauce and sausage
Pingree pasta
Pistou soup
Polenta a la romaine
Rotolo di spinaci - spinach and ricotta lasagne roll-ups
San remo pasta salad
Scallopines of pompano
Shrimp-tortellini pesto
Singapore noodles
Soft polenta
Soft potato ravioli with truffle pan sauce
Spaghetti bake
Spaghetti with creamy garlic and leeks
Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce and Basil
Spinach and pasta salad
Summer corn and tomato pasta
Summer pasta vegetable salad
Thai pasta salad with shrimp and vegetables
The pasta salad
Tofu bolognese
Tomato and Seafood Penne
Tomato-basil tortellini
Tomato-corn pasta salad
Tortellini tomato soup
Tuna and broccoli with farfalle
Vegetable and herb orzo salad
Vegetable lasagna
Vegetarian minestrone
liquid Measures
Weight & temperature Measures
non-liquid ingredients
Top 5 countries
Last Page
Andorran escudella
Beef strogonoff
BLT macaroni salad
Bowtie pasta with shrimp and asparagus
Bruschetta orzo salad
Cacio e pepe pasta
Cajun salmon fillet grenobloise with angel hair pasta
Campanelle pasta with hen of the woods mushrooms
Caprese pasta salad
Cauliflower and pasta
Chicken and pasta salad with asparagus
Chicken breasts parma
Chicken primavera
Chicken salad with pasta and asparagus
Cold salmon and pasta
Creamed fettuccine with smoked salmon
Creamy polenta with gorgonzola
Curried mussel salad with tiny pasta
Dilled pasta salad
Fettuccini primavera and pesto dressing
Garlic mussels with pasta and cherry tomatoes
Greek pasta salad with shrimp
Greek-style pasta with shrimp
Grilled chicken and vegetable pasta salad
Italian garden salad
Lasagna
Leek and lobster linguine
Lemon grass fettuccini with seared shrimp and scallops
Linguine alla carbonara
Linguine primavera
Macaroni and cheese
Minestrone with cabbage and spinach
Mussel pasta salad
Mussels and spaghetti
Mussels marinara with linguine
Nicoise orzo salad
Orecchiette with shiitake mushroom sauce
Orzo pilaf with green onions
Orzo salad with lemon and herb
Orzo with wild mushrooms
Pasta and tuna with caper dressing
Pasta e fagioli with pesto and butternut squash
Pasta fagioli
Pasta roll with three cheese
Pasta salad in parmesan baskets
Pasta salad with tuna and greek olives
Pasta with broccoli and beans
Pasta with broccoli and garbanzo beans
Pasta with summer vegetables
Penne in cream sauce and sausage
Pingree pasta
Pistou soup
Polenta a la romaine
Rotolo di spinaci - spinach and ricotta lasagne roll-ups
San remo pasta salad
Scallopines of pompano
Shrimp-tortellini pesto
Singapore noodles
Soft polenta
Soft potato ravioli with truffle pan sauce
Spaghetti bake
Spaghetti with creamy garlic and leeks
Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce and Basil
Spinach and pasta salad
Summer corn and tomato pasta
Summer pasta vegetable salad
Thai pasta salad with shrimp and vegetables
The pasta salad
Tofu bolognese
Tomato and Seafood Penne
Tomato-basil tortellini
Tomato-corn pasta salad
Tortellini tomato soup
Tuna and broccoli with farfalle
Vegetable and herb orzo salad
Vegetable lasagna
Vegetarian minestrone
liquid Measures
Weight & temperature Measures
non-liquid ingredients
Top 5 countries
Last Page
Oh, No, You cut my spaghetti !!
The world of pasta
STRAIGHT PASTA
The following list includes the most common straight (non stuffed) shapes and sizes, which are cut from rolled-out pasta sheets.
Capelli d'angelo (angel hair): the finest-cut pasta.
Farfalle (butterflies): rectangular strips cut 1 by 2 1/2 inches and pinched together in the center to make butterflies or bow ties.
Fettuccine (Little slices): another ribbon pasta, about 1/3 inch wide.
Lasagne: pasta sheets, about 4 inches wide, usually used for layering between cheese, meat, vegetables, or seafood fillings, a specialty of Campania. Linguine (little tongues): spaghetti like noodles cut about 1/8-inch wide.
Orecchiette (little ears): small olive-sized pieces of pasta pressed with the thumb into the shape of ears, a specialty of Apulia.
Pappardelle: rectangles or rhombuses cut 1 by 2 1/2 inches.
Quadrucci (little squares): 11/2 by 11/2 inch squares.
Tagliatelle (noodles): ribbon pasta similar to but slightly wider and thinner than fettuccine.
Tagliolini (little cuts): thin, ribbon-like pasta cut a bit wider than linguine.
Trenette: ribbon pasta, the same as fettuccine, which may be rippled.
Vermicelli (little worms): very thin, spaghettilike noodles.
STUFFED PASTA
Anolini: stuffed semicircular pasta.
Agnolotti: stuffed pasta, either semicircular or square, depending on the region.
Cappelletti: similar to tortellini but cut into squares instead of disks. They are usually served in broths. Two-inch squares are filled and shaped as for tortellini but without the collar.
Casonsei di Bergamo: rectangular, parcel-shaped pasta in the Bergamo style.
Ravioli: stuffed, square, pillow-shaped pasta.
Panzarotti: like anolini but breaded and deep-fried.
Raviolini: the same as ravioli but smaller.
Tortelli: the same as tortelloni but smaller.
Tortellini: stuffed hat-shaped pasta with curled-up edges. Circles of thinly rolled pasta 3 inches in diameter are filled with cheese, spinach, meat, nuts, or seafood. The circle is then folded over in half, the edges are moistened, and they are pinched to seal, as for the anolini and agnolotti. The characteristic hat shape is achieved by grasping both ends of the semicircle, pulling them together, and sealing with pressure. The outer edge of the semicircle is then bent over to shape the traditional "collar".
COMMERCIAL MACHINE-MADE PASTA
Bucatini: long, thin, smooth pasta tubes.
Conchiglie: fluted, shell-shaped pasta for stuffing.
Fusilli: long spiral-shaped pasta.
Lumache: snail-shaped pasta for stuffing.
Maccheroni, macaroni: tubular pasta, either smooth or ribbed, available in short or medium lengths, a specialty of Naples.
Maccheroni rigati: any macaroni that has ribs.
Mafalde: long, rippled pasta strips, similar to but thinner than fettuccine.
Mafaldine: long rippled pasta strips, narrower than mafalde.
Orzo: rice-shaped pasta.
Penne: short to medium-long macaroni cut diagonally at both ends.
Perciatelli: long, medium-thick pasta tubes.
Rigatoni: large-ribbed macaroni that are cut short.
Spaghetti: long, round pasta without holes, available in various thickness.
Spaghettini : very thin spaghetti.
Tubetti: short-cut tubular macaroni.
Ziti: long, thick pasta tubes Zitoni: long, very thick pasta tubes.
The world of pasta
STRAIGHT PASTA
The following list includes the most common straight (non stuffed) shapes and sizes, which are cut from rolled-out pasta sheets.
Capelli d'angelo (angel hair): the finest-cut pasta.
Farfalle (butterflies): rectangular strips cut 1 by 2 1/2 inches and pinched together in the center to make butterflies or bow ties.
Fettuccine (Little slices): another ribbon pasta, about 1/3 inch wide.
Lasagne: pasta sheets, about 4 inches wide, usually used for layering between cheese, meat, vegetables, or seafood fillings, a specialty of Campania. Linguine (little tongues): spaghetti like noodles cut about 1/8-inch wide.
Orecchiette (little ears): small olive-sized pieces of pasta pressed with the thumb into the shape of ears, a specialty of Apulia.
Pappardelle: rectangles or rhombuses cut 1 by 2 1/2 inches.
Quadrucci (little squares): 11/2 by 11/2 inch squares.
Tagliatelle (noodles): ribbon pasta similar to but slightly wider and thinner than fettuccine.
Tagliolini (little cuts): thin, ribbon-like pasta cut a bit wider than linguine.
Trenette: ribbon pasta, the same as fettuccine, which may be rippled.
Vermicelli (little worms): very thin, spaghettilike noodles.
STUFFED PASTA
Anolini: stuffed semicircular pasta.
Agnolotti: stuffed pasta, either semicircular or square, depending on the region.
Cappelletti: similar to tortellini but cut into squares instead of disks. They are usually served in broths. Two-inch squares are filled and shaped as for tortellini but without the collar.
Casonsei di Bergamo: rectangular, parcel-shaped pasta in the Bergamo style.
Ravioli: stuffed, square, pillow-shaped pasta.
Panzarotti: like anolini but breaded and deep-fried.
Raviolini: the same as ravioli but smaller.
Tortelli: the same as tortelloni but smaller.
Tortellini: stuffed hat-shaped pasta with curled-up edges. Circles of thinly rolled pasta 3 inches in diameter are filled with cheese, spinach, meat, nuts, or seafood. The circle is then folded over in half, the edges are moistened, and they are pinched to seal, as for the anolini and agnolotti. The characteristic hat shape is achieved by grasping both ends of the semicircle, pulling them together, and sealing with pressure. The outer edge of the semicircle is then bent over to shape the traditional "collar".
COMMERCIAL MACHINE-MADE PASTA
Bucatini: long, thin, smooth pasta tubes.
Conchiglie: fluted, shell-shaped pasta for stuffing.
Fusilli: long spiral-shaped pasta.
Lumache: snail-shaped pasta for stuffing.
Maccheroni, macaroni: tubular pasta, either smooth or ribbed, available in short or medium lengths, a specialty of Naples.
Maccheroni rigati: any macaroni that has ribs.
Mafalde: long, rippled pasta strips, similar to but thinner than fettuccine.
Mafaldine: long rippled pasta strips, narrower than mafalde.
Orzo: rice-shaped pasta.
Penne: short to medium-long macaroni cut diagonally at both ends.
Perciatelli: long, medium-thick pasta tubes.
Rigatoni: large-ribbed macaroni that are cut short.
Spaghetti: long, round pasta without holes, available in various thickness.
Spaghettini : very thin spaghetti.
Tubetti: short-cut tubular macaroni.
Ziti: long, thick pasta tubes Zitoni: long, very thick pasta tubes.
Andorran escudella 
Serves: 6
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:3 hours
1 Ham bone
4 Veal bones
4 oz Salted pork
½ Chicken (cut into bite sized pieces)
½ lb Veal (cut into bite sized pieces)
½ lb Potatoes (peeled and diced)
2 ¼ Quarts of water
4 oz Finely chopped onions
3 Tbsp Olive oil
1 Medium leek (chopped)
½ lb Carrot (finely diced)
½ lb Green cabbage (finely chopped)
4 oz Rice
3 oz Elbow/Ciocchetti pasta
4 oz Great Northern beans (cooked)
Pinch of saffron threads
Blanch the salted pork in hot water to remove excess salt. Dice the pork into small pieces.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped onions.
As soon as the onion begins to brown, add the salted pork pieces, chopped chicken, and veal.
Add the chopped potatoes, carrots, and leek to the skillet.
and the chopped green cabbage.
In a large saucepan, create a broth by adding the ham and veal bones to water.
Simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes. Add the saffron and salt.
Remove the bones from the broth and discard them.
Add the vegetable and meat mixture from the skillet into the broth.
Add the beans, rice, and pasta.
Cook for about fifteen minutes until the pasta and rice become tender.
Serve the hot stew into bowls with crusty bread.
Beef strogonoff
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
1 pound beef sirloin, sliced into thin strips
1 cup sliced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons Knorr brown sauce mix
1/2 cup cold water
4 ounces egg noodles, cooked and drained In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat to a smoking point. Add meat and brown lightly for a minute.
Transfer meat to a bowl and set aside. Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms.
Saute for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add red wine. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. In a mixing bowl stir brown sauce mix and cold water.
Mix into sauce. Bring to a boil. Add beef and sour cream.
Heat to boiling point. Serve over hot cooked egg noodles.
BLT macaroni salad
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chili sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
3 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
1/2 cup tomato, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
3 cups lettuce, shredded
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled 1. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients; mix well.
2. Add the macaroni, tomato and onions; toss to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate.
4. Just before serving, add lettuce and bacon; toss to coat
Bowtie pasta with shrimp and asparagus
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
5 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves
8 ounce shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound asparagus
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1/2 cup vegetable stock
2 tablespoon Italian parsley
10 basil leaves
1 pound farfalle pasta
2 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente (firm to the bite), about 8 to 10 minutes.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large saute pan and cook the garlic until golden. Add the shrimp and saute for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Remove the shrimp from the pan and add the asparagus, salt, hot red pepper flakes, and vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes. Return the shrimp to the pan and add the parsley and basil and stir to combine.
4. Add the well-drained pasta to the sauce and stir over low heat until the pasta is coated with the sauce. Remove the pan from the heat and add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and stir. Serve immediately.
Bruschetta orzo salad
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:None
3/4 cup orzo, freshly cooked, rinsed and drained
2 medium Italian tomatoes, cored, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped black olives
1/2 cup red onion finely diced
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil Combine all ingredients in bowl. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Serve with toasted garlic bread
Cacio e pepe pasta
Serves: 2
Preparation time:5 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
*
Cacio de Roma is a creamy, semi-soft cheese made from sheep's milk; it's a formaggio di pecora. This Italian gourmet cheese is made in the countryside of Rome and aged about one month. Often this cheese is referred to as a 'caciotta' because it is a small round cheese of approximately 4 pounds. Pecorino Romano cheese is the good substitute for Cacio de Roma.
6 oz. pasta (such as bucatini, or spaghetti)
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed, divided
1 tsp. freshly grated black pepper
¾ cup finely grated Grana Padano or Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano)
⅓ cup finely grated Pecorino
1/3 cup cream Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a 6-qt. pot. Season with salt; add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (2 minutes before tender). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
Meanwhile, melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a Dutch oven or other large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add pepper and cook, swirling pan, until toasted, about 1 minute.
In a blender, combine grated cheeses with reserved pasta cooking water and cream. Blend to a creamy consistensy.
Add pasta to pot or skillet. Reduce heat to low and add blender creamy cheese mixture, stirring and tossing with tongs until sauce coats the pasta. Transfer pasta to warm bowls and serve immediately.
It's about as creamy cacio e pepe gets.
When you're serving pasta,it's nice to use tongs and then give it a twist so it's got a little personality to it !.
Maybe a little bit more cheese, grate it over top with a grating of pepper.
Cajun salmon fillet grenobloise with angel hair pasta
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
2 ounces butter
2 pounds fillet of salmon
1 tablespoon white wine Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon See recipe for fish seasoning
1 teaspoon dry oregano
2 tablespoons capers
8 ounces angel hair pasta
2 ounces butter
1 cup See recipe for White Butter Sauce Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Butter a baking dish large enough for the salmon fillet. Extract all bones from the fillet. Rinse under cold water and pat dry. Place the salmon fillet skin side down in the baking dish. Season with the white wine Worcestershire sauce, onion salt, fish seasoning, and oregano.
Bake the salmon for 10 minutes.
Brown under a hot broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle capers over the fish.
Cook the angel hair pasta in salted boiling water according to the directions on the package.
Drain the pasta, and toss in butter.
PRESENTATION
Divide the salmon fillet into equal portions. Arrange each portion on a hot plate. Top with capers and cooking liquid.
Garnish with the steaming pasta. Serve with the white butter sauce.
Campanelle pasta with hen of the woods mushrooms
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
Campanelle noodles are ideal for dishes with special sauces as the curls in the recipe hold the sauce for a perfect dish.
Hen of the Woods Mushrooms have a dense, meaty texture and savory flavor.
• 12 ounces campanelle
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic minced
12 ounces Hen of the Woods Mushrooms sliced
¼ cup white wine, vegetable broth, or chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons fresh parmesan cheese divided
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped optional
1. Heat olive oil over medium high heat and cook garlic and mushrooms until mushrooms are tender.
2. Stir in wine (or broth) and cook until wine has almost evaporated. Add heavy cream and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions (do not rinse).
4. Remove from heat and stir in parmesan cheese, and lemon zest until smooth.
5. Toss with pasta. Top with parsley and extra parmesan cheese if desired.
Caprese pasta salad
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
16 oz. box dry pasta (mini penne)
8 oz. container fresh mozzarella pearls, drained and patted dry
2 pints grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
1 cup thinly sliced red onions (see note)
1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar (see note)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup minced fresh basil
Balsamic glaze, optional
Bring pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta to al dente as directed on package directions. In colander set in sink, drain, rinse with cold water, drain well.
Meanwhile make the dressing. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
In large bowl, combine pasta, mozzarella, tomatoes, and drained onions. Add one half of the dressing; stir well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Right before serving, add the remaining dressing and the fresh basil; stir well. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
If desired, garnish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and basil leaves.
Notes
Try a different variety of tomato. Diced whole tomatoes are good, too.
Choose your favorite pasta. Any bite-size pasta will be fine. Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta or make it with tortellini.
Add grilled chicken, pepperoni, or diced ham.
Add diced red or green bell peppers, kalamata olives, finely diced zucchini or cucumber, spinach, or another veggie of your choice.
Substitute bottled dressing instead of making your own balsamic vinaigrette.
Cauliflower and pasta
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup golden raisins
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 medium head cauliflower, rinsed and trimmed to 1-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
7 anchovy fillets, minced
3 tablespoons capers
1 cup white wine
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound dried rigatoni
10 fresh basil leaves, very thinly sliced
roasted pepper, for garnish (recipe follows)
1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add pine nuts, and toast, stirring frequently until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside in a small bowl.
2. Place raisins in a small bowl. Cover with 1 cup warm water. Set aside to plump, about 10 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil in the same large skillet over medium-low heat. Sauté garlic and cauliflower until golden, about 5 minutes. Add pepper flakes, anchovies, capers, and wine. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, drain raisins, discarding water. Add raisins; season with salt and black pepper. Cook, covered, 10 to 12 minutes, until cauliflower is fork-tender. Uncover, and let liquid reduce slightly over high heat, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until just tender, about 10 minutes or following label instructions. Drain; toss into warm cauliflower mixture. Just before serving, toss pasta with basil and pine nuts. Garnish with roasted pepper.
ROASTED PEPPER
1 yellow or red bell pepper.
Heat a gas burner to high. Place pepper over flame. Roast until blackened all over, turning as necessary. Wrap pepper in a paper towel, enclosing completely. Let steam for 2 minutes. Unwrap, and peel blackened skin from pepper, using a paper towel. Discard skin. Stem and seed pepper.
Chicken and pasta salad with asparagus
Serves: 10
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:105 minutes
For oven-poached chicken:
1-5 pound roasting chicken
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon tarragon and thyme
For salad:
1 pound rotini pasta
1 pound asparagus, cooked
1/2 pound snow peas, trimmed and blanched
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 cup almonds, unblanched and toasted
For basil-tarragon dressing:
1/2 cup white onion, chopped
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons each fresh basil and tarragon
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
to taste salt and pepper Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place roasting chicken in large pan.
In glass measure, combine stock, wine, bay leaf, tarragon and thyme; pour over chicken. Cover pan with foil.
Bake 1 1/2 hours or until drumsticks move easily in sockets. Remove pan from heat; set aside to cool completely.
Remove chicken to board; strain stock and reserve for another use, such as soup.
Remove all meat from chicken, discarding skin and bones; cut meat into 2-by 1-inch pieces. Place chicken meat in large bowl; refrigerate, covered up to 24 hours.
In large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 5 to 7 minutes. Drain well; rinse under running water.
Cut asparagus into 2-inch pieces; add to snow peas and chicken, along with red pepper and almonds.
Dressing:
In food processor, combine onion, parsley, sugar, basil, tarragon and garlic. Process until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; process until creamy and well combined. Add dressing to salad; toss well. Spoon unto serving platter. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.
Chicken breasts parma
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
Sauce:
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14.5 ounces) whole tomatoes, preferably no salt added, crushed
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon chopped oregano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 4 ounces each
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
Thinly sliced asiago or provolone cheese, about 2 ounces
Freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
4 cups cooked pasta
To make the sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and peppers and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté another minute. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Stir well. Partially cover and simmer over low heat until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat until use.
Meanwhile, prepare the chicken. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and drain any excess oil from the pan. Place just enough of the sauce in the pan to cover the bottom. Add the chicken breasts in a single layer. Spread the tops with a little sauce. Place a thin layer of the sliced cheese on top of each breast, then sprinkle with the Parmesan or Romano cheese. Place in the oven and bake until the chicken is cooked, about 15 minutes depending on the thickness. Place on individual serving dishes; pass sauce and grated cheese separately. Extra sauce can be spooned on a pasta side dish.
Heat the pasta and serve with chicken
Chicken primavera
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/3 cup oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon dried chilies
4 chicken breasts
4 cups Broccoli florets
1 red pepper
1 medium chopped onion
12 ounces egg noodles
salt and black pepper to taste . Combine chicken stock, half of oil, soy sauce, garlic, cornstarch, ginger and chilies.
Skin and bone chicken breasts. Place in mixture. Stir to coat evenly. Set aside.
Cut red pepper into strips. Heat remaining oil in a skillet. Drain chicken breasts and brown on both sides. Cook pasta according to standard directions.
Transfer chicken to a warm platter. Add vegetables to skillet. Cook until tender.
Pour soy mixture over vegetables. Stir until sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss drained noodles in sauce. Place chicken breasts on top and serve hot
Chicken salad with pasta and asparagus
Serves: 10
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour
Oven-Poached Chicken:
1 4 to 5 pound roasting chicken
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salad:
1 pound rotini pasta
1 pound asparagus
1/2 pound snow peas, trimmed
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 cup unblanched almonds, toasted
Basil-Tarragon Dressing:
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Place chicken in large roasting pan. Combine chicken stock, wine, bay leaf, tarragon and thyme; pour over chicken, cover with foil and bake in a 375 degree oven until drumsticks move easily and liquid runs clear.
Remove from pan and cool completely. Remove all meat from chicken and cut into bite size pieces. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Break off tough ends of asparagus. Cook in boiling water until tender-crisp. Add snow peas to asparagus for 30 seconds. Drain vegetables and rinse under cold running water. Cut asparagus into bite-size pieces; add asparagus and snow peas to chicken, along with red pepper and almonds.
In food processor, combine onion, parsley, sugar, basil, tarragon and garlic; process until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; process until creamy. Add dressing to salad and toss well.
Cold salmon and pasta
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
8 ounces small shell pasta or bowtie pasta
8 ounces salmon, cooked, boned and skinned
3 medium carrots
1 bunch watercress
1 cup Italian olives
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dry tarragon
to taste, salt and ground black pepper Cook the pasta to al dente stage, drain, and run under cold water, and drain again.
Flake the salmon and refrigerate.
Peel and slice carrots into 1/4 inch rounds. Cook in salted boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain.
Wash watercress, drain and remove coarse stems.
In a large bowl, combine and mix the dressing ingredients. Add the cooked pasta, salmon, carrots, watercress and olives. Toss and chill before serving.
Creamed fettuccine with smoked salmon
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
1 ounce butter 6 shallots, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
4 ounces mushrooms, cut in julienne
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 chili pepper, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
to taste salt and pepper
3 medium tomatoes
1 1/2 pounds fettuccine
2 quarts chicken stock
3 ounces smoked salmon, slivered
1/2 cup fresh basil In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the shallots, garlic, and mushrooms. Stir for one minute. Add the white wine. Boil to reduce by half. Blend in the chili pepper and cream. Reduce by half. Season with salt and ground pepper. Remove from heat.
Dip fresh tomatoes in boiling water fro 30 seconds. Transfer to ice cold water. Peel the tomatoes, cut in halves, and squeeze the tomato halves by hand to remove the seeds. Cut into strips and mix in the sauce.
Cook the pasta al dente in the boiling chicken stock, according to directions on package.
Drain (do not rinse). Just before serving, cut the fresh basil into a fine julienne.
PRESENTATION
Place the pasta in the center of each warm plate. Sprinkle with slivered salmon and basil over the top. Do not overheat the salmon.
Creamy polenta with gorgonzola
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
4 cups milk
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 cup polenta *
1 1/2 cups crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/2 cup coarsely chopped, lightly toasted walnuts Bring milk and whipping cream to boil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
Reduce heat to medium-low and gradually whisk polenta into milk mixture in slow steady stream.
Cook polenta until creamy and tender, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Preheat broiler.
Transfer cooked polenta to 9-inch-diameter pie dish. Sprinkle Gorgonzola cheese over polenta.
Broil until cheese melts. Sprinkle with chopped toasted walnuts and serve immediately.
* If polenta is not available, substitute 1 cup regular yellow cornmeal, and cook mixture for about 10 minutes rather than 20 minutes.
Curried mussel salad with tiny pasta
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1 1/2 cups tiny shell pasta
4 quarts steamed mussels
10 ounces frozen tiny peas, thawed
1/2 cup chopped parsley
For the curried French dressing:
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons wine vinegar
1 teaspoon minced green onions
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
For the curried mayonnaise dressing:
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the curried French dressing. Clean and cook the mussels.
Cool and discard the shells and any black rims.
In a salad bowl toss with 1/4 cup of the Curried French dressing. Pour boiling water over the peas and drain.
In the salad bowl combine the pasta with the peas and mussels and remaining French dressing.
Mix the Curried Mayonnaise dressing ingredients and carefully fold into the salad ingredients.
Chill at least 2 hours and sprinkle with the chopped parsley before serving.
Dilled pasta salad
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 8 minutes
Cooking time:12 minutes
1 pound ziti or macaronis
1 large cucumbers
1 1/2 cups olive oil
2/3 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon salt Cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain pasta. Cool under cold running water.
Peel cucumbers. Cut in half lengthwise. Remove seeds. Cut into 1/4 inch slices. Toss cucumbers with olive oil, wine, white wine vinegar, dill, and salt. Let stand for 30 minutes. Add cucumbers and marinade to drained pasta. Toss until well coated.
Garnish with sprigs of fresh dill.
Fettuccini primavera and pesto dressing
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
12 ounces fettuccini
1 teaspoons olive oil
2 large tomatoes
1 bunch broccoli
3 ounces pitted black olives
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
PESTO DRESSING
2 cups fresh basil
2/3 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite.
Drain pasta, rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly. Place in a large bowl.
Mix with olive oil. Seed tomatoes and chop coarsely.
Slice peeled broccoli stems 1/4 inch thick and break florets into smaller pieces. Cook 3 minutes in boiling water. Drain, rinse in cold water and drain again.
Add tomatoes, broccoli, olives and walnuts to the pasta and toss gently.
Serve with pesto dressing
PESTO DRESSING
In a blender or food processor, chop the basil, garlic, walnuts, Parmesan cheese and vinegar.
Add the olive oil in a slow stream until it is all combined. Stir in salt and pepper.
Garlic mussels with pasta and cherry tomatoes
Serves: 2
Preparation time:20 minutes
1/2 pound fettuccine or spaghetti
2 pounds mussels
2 tablespoon butter
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
5 large garlic cloves, minced or crushed
2 cups whole cherry tomatoes or 1 pint grape tomatoes
1 cup dry white wine, preferably Chardonnay
1 teaspoon dried leaf tarragon
1/2 teaspoon hot red chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 cups baby spinach leaves or 1/2 (10-oz) bag spinach To cook pasta, bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil.
Meanwhile, yank off any hairy beards protruding from mussel shells, then rinse shells under cold running water. Heat butter in a large wide saucepan set over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté, stirring often, just until onion softens a bit, about 2 min. Then add tomatoes, wine, tarragon, chili flakes and salt. Increase heat to high and boil, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until wine is almost evaporated, about 8 min.
Add pasta to boiling water and stir until all strands are separated. Then boil rapidly, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until al dente, from 8 to 10 min. Meanwhile, add all of mussels to onion mixture. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until most mussels have opened, about 6 min. Stir spinach into mussel mixture just until it starts to wilt, no more than 2 minutes. Discard any mussels that haven't opened. Add well-drained pasta to pan and toss until coated with sauce. Serve immediately.
Greek pasta salad with shrimp
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:12 minutes
3/4 pound tomatoes, chopped
1 large red pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 pound feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup chopped pitted black olives (brine-cured)
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons white wine
1 tablespoon dried thyme
6 green onions, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 pound linguine, freshly cooked
3/4 pound cooked shrimp
Mix first 10 ingredients in large bowl.
Add linguine and shrimp and toss to blend.
Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.
Greek-style pasta with shrimp
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1/4 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons minced garlic
1 lb medium shrimp, uncooked peeled and deveined
1 1/2 cups drained canned artichoke hearts, chopped
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and red pepper flakes
12 ounces angel hair or spaghettini pasta
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
Add the garlic and stir for a minute to develop the flavor. Add shrimp to the skillet and saute for 2 minutes.
Add artichoke hearts, feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Saute for 2 minutes or until shrimp are cooked and pink.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Transfer pasta to large bowl.
In a large bowl, stir together the pasta and shrimp mixture; toss to coat.
Season with more salt and pepper if needed and serve.
Grilled chicken and vegetable pasta salad
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
2 red peppers
3 zucchini
2 corn cobs
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or oregano
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon each pepper and sugar
3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 cups fusilli noodles Seed and core red peppers; cut into 1-inch wide strips. Cut zucchini diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices. Brush corn and zucchini with 2 tablespoons of the oil.
On lightly greased grill over medium heat and with lid closed, cook vegetables, turning corn often and peppers and zucchini halfway through cooking time until tender. Cool.
Slice kernels off corn and transfer to a large bowl. Cut red pepper strips into 3/4-inch chunks; add to bowl along with zucchini slices. Meanwhile, whisk together remaining oil, vinegar, thyme, mustard, salt, pepper and sugar.
Brush 2 tablespoons of the dressing over chicken. Grill chicken over medium-high heat with lid closed until no longer pink inside.
Slice into thin strips.
Cook pasta until tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water. Add to vegetables along with remaining dressing; toss to coat.
Top with chicken.
Italian garden salad
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon dill weed
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 cup sliced zucchini
1 cup black olives Cook macaroni according to directions on package. Drain. Rinse under cold running water. Drain.
For dressing:
In a small bowl, combine vinegar, oil, dill weed, salt and pepper, mustard, and minced garlic.
Combine cooked macaroni, tomatoes, zucchini, and olives. Pour dressing over salad mixture. Toss well to combine ingredients. Chill at least one hour to blend flavors.
Lasagna
Serves: 10
Preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time:25 minutes
5 cups meat sauce, see recipe below
1 pound lasagna noodles
2 cups mozzarella cheese
4 cups medium cream sauce (see sauces)
3 cups cooked chopped spinach
For meat sauce:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped parsley
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 pound ground beef
1-28 ounce can plum tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 cups beef stock
3 teaspoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 bay leaves salt and pepper Meat sauce:
In a large heavy saucepan heat oil over moderate heat. Add onion, parsley and garlic.
Cook until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add beef and cook while stirring and breaking up the meat, until evenly brown.
Add tomatoes, beef stock, tomato paste, oregano and bay leaves; cook stirring over medium heat until mixture starts to simmer.
Reduce heat and simmer for one hour or until thickened to desired consistency.
Remove bay leaves. Add salt and pepper to taste.
PASTA:
Cook 1 pound of lasagna in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Transfer to cold water to cool the pasta.
When cold, arrange pasta on a sheet pan.
Cover with a moist towel.
TO ASSEMBLE LASAGNA:
Spread about 1/2 cup of meat sauce over the bottom of a 13 by 9 inch deep baking dish. Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles on top. Spread with a little meat sauce, then a little cream sauce, and half of the spinach. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the same process until all ingredients have been used, finishing with cream sauce and cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or refrigerate until needed, then bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.
Leek and lobster linguine
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
6 3-oz lobster tails
2 tablespoons (30 mL) butter
4 cups (1 L) leeks, sliced (white and light green portion only)
1 cup (250 mL) fennel, finely sliced
1 teaspoon (5 mL) garlic, chopped
½ teaspoon (2 mL) salt
¼ cup (60 mL) white wine
2 cups (500 mL) whipping cream
2 tablespoons (30 mL) tarragon, chopped
12 oz (350 grams) linguine 1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Remove lobster from shells and clean. Pat dry and place on a baking sheet. Bake until opaque, about 7 min. Remove from oven and reserve.
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks, fennel and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally until very tender, 10 to 12 min. Pour in wine and cook until evaporated. Add cream and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened but still saucy, about 5 min. Remove saucepan from heat.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until just al dente, about 10 minutes. Scoop ½ cup (125ml) cooking water from the pot and reserve. Drain pasta.
4. Return saucepan to burner over medium heat. Stir in tarragon. Add linguine and stir well to coat. Add cooking water by the tablespoon to help the sauce coat the noodles. Add enough to make it very creamy.
5. Chop four lobster tails into bite-sized pieces and toss with the linguine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide among bowls.
6. Slice remaining lobster and place over the pasta. Garnish with more tarragon if desired.
Lemon grass fettuccini with seared shrimp and scallops
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time:40 minutes
2 red peppers
2 (10 oz) cans condensed chicken broth
4 inch (10 cm) piece fresh unpeeled ginger, thinly sliced, about 1 cup (250 mL)
6 to 8 stalks lemongrass, about 2 bunches
2 cups container whipping or table cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
1 tablespoon salt
1 pound bay or sea scallops
1 pound frozen or defrosted, raw shelled medium-size shrimp
2 pounds fettuccine
1 tablespoon ( 15 ml) each of butter and vegetable oil 1. Preheat oven to 450F (230C). Slice peppers in half and remove seeds.
Place cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with foil. Roast, uncovered, until peppers are partially charred, from 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, pull up edges of foil, wrap around hot peppers and seal. Set aside to cool.
2. Meanwhile, pour broth into a wide saucepan. Add ginger. Thinly slice root ends from lemongrass and discard. Remove any dried outer leaves. Pound stalks to flatten slightly. Slice into 1/2-inch (1-cm) pieces. Add to broth. Place over high heat. When boiling, reduce heat to medium or medium-high so broth gently boils. Boil, uncovered, until reduced to 1 cup (250 ml). This should take at least 20 minutes. Broth will taste very strong. Saving broth, strain and discard ginger and lemongrass.
3. Return broth to saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add cream. In a small dish using a fork, stir cornstarch with water to form a smooth paste. Whisk into hot cream broth and whisk almost constantly until thickened, from 3 to 4 minutes. Taste and stir in lemon juice, if you like. Cover and remove from heat. If making ahead, refrigerate in a sealed jar for up to 2 days.
4. About 15 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of water and salt to a boil. If using sea scallops, slice in half. Rinse frozen shrimp with cold water to remove clinging ice crystals. Then drain and pat dry. Prepare roasted peppers by draining juice accumulated in foil into a small bowl. Peel off charred skins and discard. Slice peppers into bite-size strips and add to juice. Set aside.
5. When water is boiling rapidly, add pasta and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until al dente, from 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil and butter in a wide frying pan set over medium- high heat. Add seafood and stir-fry until scallops are lightly browned and shrimp are bright pink, about 4 minutes. Stir in peppers and juice. Drain pasta well. In a large bowl, stir pasta with cream sauce until coated. Place in pasta bowls and spoon seafood mixture over top.
Linguine alla carbonara
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
9 ounces pancetta (smoked pancetta is best)
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds linguine
2 ounces butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, heated
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup heavy cream
6 ounces parmesan cheese, grated Cut the pancetta into medium dices.
Fry in a frying pan until crisp. Drain on paper towels, and set aside.
Cook the linguine al dente and drain.
Heat the butter with the garlic and pancetta in a large skillet. Add the 1 1/2 cups hot heavy cream and heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove from heat. Combine the egg yolks with the 1/2 cup cream and mix well. Add to the skillet.
Combine the sauce with the linguine. Toss well to cover the pasta. Add Parmesan cheese and serve at once.
Linguine primavera
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
12 Sun-dried tomatoes, (not in oil)
1 pound linguine
5 tablespoons olive oil
8 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces shiitake, stemmed, sliced
1 medium zucchini, chopped
12 Broccoli rabbi florets
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
to taste salt and pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Heat broth in a small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add tomatoes. Let stand until soft. Drain reserving broth. Slice tomatoes into thin strips.
Heat oil in a heavy large skillet over high heat. Add minced garlic; sauté until golden, about 1 minute. Add reserved broth, sun-dried tomatoes strips, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli rabe florets and basil. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes. Cook linguine in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm. Drain linguine; return to pot. Add vegetables and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer pasta mixture to bowl; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Macaroni and cheese
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more to grease the baking dish
1/2 cup bread crumbs
12 ounces sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (about 4 cups total)
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9- by 9-inch baking dish.
In a small saucepan over moderate heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Place the bread crumbs in a small bowl, drizzle with the melted butter, and toss to combine. Add a handful of the grated cheese to the bowl, mix well and set aside.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain the noodles, without rinsing, then return them to the pot they were cooked in.
In a medium saucepan over moderate heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour and use a whisk to stir the mixture together, just until it starts to turn a light brown color, about 3 minutes. Slowly add the milk and whisk constantly until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the dry mustard, salt, and pepper.
Add the remaining grated cheese and stir with a spoon until it's completely melted. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked elbow macaroni and gently stir to coat the noodles in the sauce.
Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish and top with the breadcrumb-cheese mixture. Bake until light golden brown and bubbling, about 25-30 minutes. Serve hot.
DO AHEAD: Macaroni and cheese can be made ahead, put into the baking dish, cooled completely, and kept, covered in the refrigerator, for 2 days. Do not add the bread crumbs until ready to bake. (Chilled Macaroni and Cheese may take longer to be fully cooked.)
Minestrone with cabbage and spinach
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
2 cups finely chopped celery
1 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup finely chopped leek (white and pale green parts only)
1/2 cup dry white wine
9 cups vegetable broth
4 cups diced green cabbage
2 cups diced zucchini
3/4 cup small pasta
3 cups packed, coarsely chopped fresh spinach
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
freshly grated Parmesan cheese Combine celery, onion, leek and wine in heavy large pot over medium heat.
Simmer until vegetables are tender but not brown, stirring frequently, about 12 minutes.
Add broth and bring to boil. Add cabbage and zucchini and simmer 10 minutes. Add pasta; cover and simmer until pasta is just tender. Add spinach and cook 5 minutes.
Stir in sliced basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls.
Pass Parmesan cheese separately.
Mussel pasta salad
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
Serves 6
3 pounds mussels
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 pound fettuccine
6 large celery stalks, diced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon fresh basil
1 teaspoon fresh chives
1/2 cup aioli sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 large Italian tomatoes, peeled and diced Combine mussels and wine in heavy medium saucepan. Cover and cook over high heat, shaking pan occasionally, until mussels open. Remove mussels using slotted spoon. (Discard any that do not open.)
Let cooking liquid stand 15 minutes. Shell mussels. Strain cooking liquid through fine sieve lined with dampened cheesecloth. Gradually whish cooking liquid into aioli.
Cook fettuccini in salted boiling water according to directions. Drain and cool. Combine fettuccine, celery, herbs and aioli in a bowl.
Toss until blended. Season with salt and pepper. Gently stir in mussels and tomatoes. Serve salad at room temperature.
Mussels and spaghetti
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
3 pounds fresh mussels
1 bay leaf
6 peppercorns
2 whole cloves
1/4 cup dry white wine
3 quarts water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound spaghetti
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 cup stewed tomatoes
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper Scrub mussels under cold water. Remove beards and drain. In a large saucepan or kettle add mussels, bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, and wine. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat until mussels open, 4 to 6 minutes. Strain mussels. Remove from shells. Save broth.
Cook spaghetti in boiling water for 6 minutes. Drain. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook briefly, stirring, but do not brown.
Add tomatoes, broth and spaghetti. Cook, stirring often until spaghetti are done. Add mussels. Stir and heat for a moment. Add basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss and serve hot.
Mussels marinara with linguine
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time:45 minutes
12 ounces linguine
4 quarts mussels
1 cup thinly sliced onion
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 pound Italian plum tomatoes, peeled and seeded
3 ounces tomato paste
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup dry red wine
parsley for garnish Clean the mussels. Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil in a large pot. Add the lemon slices when the onion is soft.
Whirl the tomatoes and tomato paste in a food processor. Add to the pot with the basil, cayenne and black pepper and salt.
Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Add the wine and simmer 15 to 20 minutes more.
Cook the linguine until al dente and drain well.
Turn out into a shallow bowl. Add the mussels to the simmering sauce and cook about 6 to 8 minutes, until the shells open.
Discard any unopened shells. Pour the sauce with mussels over the pasta and mix very gently.
Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve.
Nicoise orzo salad
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
1 cup long grain orzo
1/2 pound green beans cut into 1/2-inch pieces
For dressing:
3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
4 anchovy fillets, chopped
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 ounce jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
7 ounce can tuna, drained, flaked
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
1/3 cup kalamata or brined-cured black olives, chopped
2 cups chopped arugala, washed and spun dry
Cook orzo in salted boiling water until tender. Drain in a colander, and rinse under cold water. Drain again.
Transfer to a large bowl. Cook beans in salted boiling water until crisp-tender. Cool and drain. Add to orzo.
In a blender, combine Red wine vinegar, Lemon juice, anchovy fillets, Dijon mustard, garlic clove, olive oil, and pepper. Blend until dressing is smooth. Add dressing to orzo mixture. Blend in the remaining ingredients. Serve as a main course.
Orecchiette with shiitake mushroom sauce
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
Finely grated dried shiitake adds a big umami boost to this simple pasta.
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 shallots, finely minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper, to season
150ml cream
400g dried orecchiette pasta
150g shiitake mushrooms
2 tbsp finely chopped chives
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Dried shiitake mushrooms 1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and cook the shallots and garlic until fragrant. Add the mushrooms. Season well with salt and pepper and fry, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until very well browned.
2. Add the cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. While the mushrooms are cooking, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions until just al dente. Drain well and add to the simmering mushrooms, tossing to coat in the sauce for just a minute or two.
4. Divide the pasta among warm serving plates and, using a rasp grater, scatter the dried shiitake mushrooms on top. Finish with the chives and parmesan cheese and serve.
Orzo pilaf with green onions
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
3 1/4 cups low salt chicken broth
1 pound orzo
5 green onions, thinly sliced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Bring broth to boil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Mix in orzo and simmer uncovered until just tender but still firm to bite and some broth still remains, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat. Add green onions and cheese and stir to blend. Season pilaf to taste with salt and pepper.
Rewarm over low heat, if necessary, and mix in more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if pilaf is dry. Transfer to large bowl and serve.
Orzo salad with lemon and herb
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 cup orzo pasta
2 tablespoons chopped dill
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 2 tablespoon lemon juice
salt and pepper In large pot of boiling salted water, cook orzo until tender but firm; drain well.
Toss with dill, parsley, onions, oil, lemon rind and juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Orzo with wild mushrooms
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
5 tbsp. unsalted butter
8 oz. hen of the woods, chanterelle, or morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved if large
1/2 cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1¾ cups (12 oz.) orzo
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ cup cream
½ cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
Heat chicken stock in a small saucepan over medium heat; set aside and keep warm. Heat butter in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add mushrooms and cook until golden, 5–7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to a bowl; set aside. Add shallots and garlic to saucepan; cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes.
Add orzo, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes. Add reserved stock ¼ cup at a time, cooking until each addition is absorbed before adding next amount. Cook, stirring often, until liquid has all been used and orzo is tender, about 25-30 minutes. Add cream and cook, stirring, until liquid is creamy, about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in reserved mushrooms, Parmesan, salt, and pepper; serve with additional Parmesan on the side.
Pasta and tuna with caper dressing
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
12 ounces pasta shells
8 ounces can white tuna
1 medium red pepper, thinly sliced
8 ounces broccoli florets
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup shredded basil
For caper dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons drained capers
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cloves minced garlic
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper Cook pasta until al dente, drain, rinse under cold water until chilled, drain well.
Drop broccoli florets into boiling salted water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking; drain well again. Flake the tuna.
Combine with pasta, broccoli and pepper. Blend in dressing and remaining ingredients.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Caper dressing :
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir to blend
Pasta e fagioli with pesto and butternut squash
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
a recipe inspired by finecooking.com
6 oz. orrechiette or small shells, or other small pasta
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2-1/2 cups diced (1/2 to 3/4 inch) butternut squash
2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbs. tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 15-oz. can kidney beans (white or red), or Roman beans, rinsed and drained (1-3/4 cups)
1 14-oz. can crushed peeled tomatoes with juice
Freshly ground black pepper
For the pesto:
1 packed cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh sage
1 medium clove garlic, chopped
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano, coarsely grated; more, finely grated, for serving
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Make the soup
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to package directions until not quite al dente.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and 1/4 tsp. salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the squash and stir to coat with the oil. Add the parsley, sage, garlic, and pepper flakes, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it is evenly distributed and looks slightly darker, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until almost evaporated, about 1 minute. Add the broth, beans, and tomatoes. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot, and simmer until the squash is barely tender, 13 to 15 minutes. Add the pasta and continue simmering until the squash and pasta are tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Make the pesto and serve
Put the parsley, sage, garlic, and coarsely grated cheese in a food processor. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper and drizzle with the oil. Pulse until finely chopped, adding more oil if necessary to give it consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and transfer to a bowl.
Thin the soup with water if desired and add 1/4 tsp. pepper. Season to taste with more salt and pepper. Divide among soup bowls and spoon 1 to 2 Tbsp pesto on top of each serving. Pass the finely grated cheese at the table.
Pasta fagioli
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:2 hours 30 minutes
2 cups dried white bean
1 medium diced onion
1 large carrot, diced
2 celery ribs
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 quarts chicken stock
3/4 pound small orecchiette or small macaroni
Italian parsley,chopped
optional condiments:
2 cups stemmed arugala
4 plum tomatoes
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
French baguette, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan Soak beans overnight.
In a saucepan sauté diced onion, carrot, and diced celery ribs in 1 tablespoon olive oil until soft.
Add beans, chicken stock, and 3 quarts water. Simmer until beans are soft. 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours.
Season with salt and pepper. Add small orecchiette or small macaroni. Cook until al dente.
Before serving, add chopped Italian parsley.
Condiments :
Cut stemmed arugala into 1/4 inch wide strips, set aside in a bowl. Peel, seed, and dice plum tomatoes, set aside in a bowl.
Also pass extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and kosher salt with soup, and serve condiments with thin sliced of French baguette, brushed with olive oil and toasted, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Pasta roll with three cheese
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
2 teaspoons butter
4 medium minced scallions
1/2 cup minced smoked ham
6 ounces soft cream cheese
1/2 cup firm ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper
1-12-inch by 14-inch sheet of pasta
6 thin slices ham
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce Melt butter in a skillet. Add scallions, and cook over low heat until soft. Combine minced ham, three cheeses, eggs, and scallion. Season with pepper.
Lay the sheet of pasta roll on a sheet pan. Spread one half of cheese mixture over surface of pasta roll.
Cover cheese with the sliced ham. Spread remaining cheese over ham. Roll up pasta, jelly roll style.
Do not roll loosely to avoid water seepage while cooking. Roll pasta in cheese cloth.
Tie each end with string. Poach in boiling water for 25 min. Drain, cool.
Remove cheese cloth. Slice into 1 inch slices. Arrange on hot plate. Serve with marinara.
Pasta salad in parmesan baskets
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 large green apples, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups apple cider
1 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
2 cups shelled walnuts, 1 cup lightly toasted 1 cup ground fine
2 ounces balsamic vinegar
2 ounces olive oil
kosher salt
black pepper
1 pound arugula, washed and trimmed
1/2 pound red seedless grapes
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, soaked in balsamic vinegar
1/2 pound orecciette or shells pasta, cooked, cooled and oiled
4 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled Salad:
Set aside a little more than 1/2 of apples in bowl with water and lemon juice.
Place remaining apples in small saucepan with cider.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are tender. Remove apples from heat, strain (reserving cider) and purée.
Dressing:
Combine 4 ounces of purée with oil and vinegar. Add salt, pepper and about 2 ounces reserved cider to taste.
Drain remaing apples and toss together with walnuts, pasta, grapes, arugula, onions and dressing. Serve salad in baskets and top with gorgonzola.
Baskets:
Place a non-stick 9"sauté pan over low heat. Sprinkle bottom of pan with 1/4 cup Parmigiano to cover surface (cheese will melt), then with 1/4 cup ground walnuts.
When edges of crêpes are golden brown, peel away from pan with rubber spatula and invert slowly into 6-7" bowl to form basket.
If it tears, place back in pan with a bit more cheese to seal. Basket will crisp within seconds. Repeat to make 4 baskets.
Pasta salad with tuna and greek olives
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:12 minutes
12 ounces rigatoni, penne, or other short pasta
1 7-ounce can tuna in oil, preferably olive, drained
1/2 pound large black greek olives in brine, drained
1/2 pound cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/2 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons drained capers
salt and pepper to taste Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
Drain, rinse under cold water until chilled, drain well and toss with one tablespoon oil.
Pit and chop olives; break tuna into chunks. Put olives, tuna, capers, lemon juice, and olive oil into small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
In large serving bowl, toss pasta, tuna and oil mixture, and tomatoes. Adjust seasonings. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Pasta with broccoli and beans
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
2 15-ounces garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
pinch of dried crushed red pepper
12 ounces small shell pasta
6 cups broccoli florets
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Heat oil over medium high heat in heavy large skillet. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute.
Add wine, beans and crushed red pepper. Cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
Cook pasta in boiling salted water until almost tender. Add broccoli and cook until broccoli is crisp-tender and pasta is tender, about 3 minutes.
Drain. Add pasta, broccoli and cheese to sauce in skillet and toss until coated.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Pasta with broccoli and garbanzo beans
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
2 15-ounce cans garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
pinch of dried crushed red pepper
12 ounces small shell pasta
6 cups broccoli florets
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Heat oil over medium high heat in heavy large skillet. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add wine, beans and crushed red pepper, cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
Cook pasta in boiling salted water until almost tender. Add broccoli and cook until broccoli is crisp-tender and pasta is tender, about 3 minutes. Drain.
Add pasta, broccoli and cheese to sauce in skillet and toss until coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Pasta with summer vegetables
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1 pound fusilli or rotini
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups small zucchini (quartered lengthwise and sliced)
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup white wine
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
salt and pepper to taste
freshly grated Parmesan cheese Cook pasta in salted boiling water until tender but firm; drain and keep hot.
Meanwhile, in large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add zucchini and garlic; cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add tomatoes and wine, cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Stir in herbs; simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Toss sauce with hot pasta. Serve immediately, with Parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top.
Penne in cream sauce and sausage
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 cup dry white wine
1 14-ounce can diced peeled tomatoes with juices
1 cup whipping cream
6 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
1 pound penne pasta
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Melt butter with oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until golden brown and tender, about 7 minutes.
Add sausage and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, breaking up with back of spoon, about 7 minutes.
Drain any excess drippings from skillet. Add wine to skillet and boil until almost all liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices and simmer 5 minutes. Add cream and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in 4 tablespoons parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Remove from heat. (Sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite.
Drain pasta; transfer to large bowl. Bring sauce to simmer. Pour sauce over pasta. Add 1/2 cup cheese and toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and 2 tablespoons parsley.
Pingree pasta
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
12 ounces fresh fettuccini
1 chicken cube
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 pound boned and skinned chicken scallopine
to taste salt and pepper
1/2 pound chanterelle mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1/2 pound asparagus tips, cooked
2 artichoke bottoms, sliced
1 cup marinara sauce
1/2 cup pesto
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese In large pot of boiling salted water add chicken cube . Stir to dissolve . Cook pasta in water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta, rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly.
Place in a large bowl. Cut the chicken into small strips. Heat oil in a sauté pan over high heat.
Quickly stir fry chicken strips. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken to an oven proof casserole dish.
Add mushrooms and cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Combine chanterelle mushrooms with chicken. Steam to heat asparagus tips and artichokes.
Heat marinara sauce in a medium saucepan. Heat chicken and mushrooms until chicken is fully cooked.
To serve:
Heat fettuccini in boiling water. Drain well. Transfer to a large serving platter. Spoon marinara sauce over pasta. Garnish pasta with chicken, mushrooms, vegetables, and spoon pesto in center of pasta. Serve at once, with fresh parmesan cheese.
Pistou soup
Serves: 12
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:50 minutes
Borlotti beans:
A variety of kidney bean, this is a large plump bean that is pinkish-brown in color with reddish-brown streaks. Borlotti beans are widely used in Italian cooking and have a sweetish flavour with a smooth creamy texture. They work well in salads, soups and casseroles. The dried variety needs to be soaked in cold water before cooking.
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
3 medium leeks
1 small fennel bulb
3 carrots
1 stick of celery
3 courgettes
2 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 fresh bay leaves
250 g baby green beans
1 x 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 x 400 g tin of cannellini beans
1 x 400 g tin of borlotti beans
70 g small macaroni
PISTOU SAUCE
5 cloves of garlic
6 sprigs of fresh basil
60 g Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, then trim and slice the leek. Chip and chop the fennel, carrots, celery and courgettes, then pick and roughly chop the parsley leaves.
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and sauté the onion, garlic and leek for 5 minutes.
Add the other chopped ingredients, the bay, green beans and chopped tomatoes. Drain and add the beans. Cover with water, season and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Add the pasta and simmer until cooked, adding water if the soup is too thick.
For the pistou sauce, peel and add the garlic to a pestle and mortar, pick in the basil leaves and add some sea salt. Pound until puréed, then finely grate in the Parmesan and muddle in the extra virgin olive oil to make a paste.
Serve the soup with a dollop of pistou.
The pistou sauce can also be made in a food processor or blender,
Polenta a la romaine
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
1 quart milk
3 ounces butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 cup polenta
2 eggs
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
1 cup A recipe of Cream sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan In a saucepan, combine the milk, butter, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and polenta. Cook slowly over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes while stirring continuously.
Stir in the eggs and egg yolks. Continue cooking for a minute while stirring with a wooden spoon. Mix in the cheese.
Line an 8-inch by 14-inch pan with wax paper or parchment paper. Spread the mixture in pan evenly. Cover with parchment paper and refrigerate mixture until set.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Unmold on a cutting board and cut into 3-inch squares. Arrange in a buttered baking dish. Pour cream sauce over and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Brown in oven. Serve hot.
* If polenta is not available, substitute 1 cup regular yellow cornmeal, and cook mixture for about 10 minutes rather than 20 minutes.
Rotolo di spinaci - spinach and ricotta lasagne roll-ups
Serves: 6
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:50 minutes
The pasta sheets and tomato sauce can be purchased already prepared.
You can vary the fillings by using mushrooms or eggplant.
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 qt Marinara sauce
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
400g (12 cups) spinach
375g (13oz) ricotta
1 whole nutmeg, to grate
6 fresh lasagne sheets
28g (1 oz) pack fresh basil, leaves picked and chopped Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
Add the marinara and balsamic vinegar and simmer for 20 minutes, until thickened.
2 Meanwhile, heat a large pan over a medium heat. Wash the spinach, then add to the pan and wilt. Place in a sieve over a bowl to get rid of excess water then, once cooled, pat dry with paper towel and roughly chop. Add to the ricotta with a pinch of freshly-grated nutmeg and season to taste.
3 Place a generous teaspoon of the ricotta mixture on a slice of lasagne sheet and spread evenly.
Roll up the rotolo, using the tea towel to help. Start off with your hands to get a nice tight roll, then lift up the towel from the bottom and roll the pasta all the way up into a tight log
Wrap the log up tightly in the tea towel and use string to tie each end. Cook the rotolo in a large pan of salted boiling water for 15 minutes.
Carefully remove the tea towel then slice the rotolo into 6–8 even slices.
Once the tomato sauce has thickened to a good consistency, stir through most of the basil, reserving some to garnish. Pour he sauce into the base of a roughly 21 x 21 cm (9-inch square) baking dish and place the lasagne roll-ups in the dish, so they are stood up. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden. Garnish with the remaining basil and serve.
San remo pasta salad
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:12 minutes
12 ounces fusilli
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup black olives
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup salad oil
2 teaspoons wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
Drain and rinse in cold water. Drain well in a colander.
Add all remaining ingredients and toss lightly. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve at room temperature or lightly chilled.
Scallopines of pompano
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:35 minutes
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 pounds chopped tomatoes
2 cloves minced garlic
1 cup tomato juice
salt, ground white pepper to taste
2 pounds pompano fillets
1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons lemon juice
8 ounces egg noodles
1 1/2 cups velouté sauce (recipe below)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
FOR THE VELOUTÉ SAUCE
2 cups fish stock
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons flour
salt and pepper, to taste In a medium saucepan, sauté onion with 1/4 cup oil. Stir over medium heat until onion is transparent. Add chopped tomatoes, garlic, tomato juice, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until sauce is medium thick.
Skin, bone and slice the pompano into scallopines. Flatten with a mallet. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Dredge pompano in flour and sauté briskly in remaining oil, about 2 minutes on each side. Cook noodles in salted boiling water. Drain, and combine with velouté sauce.
To serve:
Arrange noodles on preheated serving platter. Top with pompano scallopines. Spoon hot tomato and onion sauce over fish. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot.
VELOUTÉ SAUCE
Bring the stock to a simmer in a large saucepan. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the flour. Raise the heat to medium and stir the butter and flour together for about 2 minutes.
Whisk the simmering stock into the roux and keep whisking. When the stock begins to simmer again, turn down the heat to low and cook until the sauce thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper Strain through a fine mesh strainer.
Shrimp-tortellini pesto
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
For the pesto:
1 cup stemmed basil
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 teaspoons fresh parsley
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 clove minced garlic
2 teaspoons melted butter
1 pound cleaned shrimp
1 clove minced garlic
1 large tomato, diced
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound tortellini Pesto:
Combine first six ingredients. Puree in a blender. Transfer to a bowl.
In a 12 inch sauté pan, over high heat, quickly sauté shrimp with butter, garlic and tomato. Season with salt and pepper. Toss and stir constantly.
Cook tortellini in salted boiling water. Drain, and add immediately to pesto mixture.
Toss thoroughly. Spoon on plates, and top with shrimp and tomato. Serve hot.
Singapore noodles
Serves: 4
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
8 oz vermicelli rice noodles
1 tbsp mild curry powder
¼ tsp turmeric
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil
3 tbsp low-salt soy sauce
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup sliced onion
1 sweet pepper, yellow or orange
6 oz bean sprouts
1 red chilli, sliced (optional)
Soften the noodles in a large pan of boiling water to cover, pushing the noodles under the water. Set aside for 5-10 minutes, until the noodles are completely soft. Mix the curry powder, turmeric, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce and 1 tbsp water in a bowl.
Heat a wok until very hot. Add the sunflower oil, onion and pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until softened and starting to brown in places. Drain the noodles and add to the pan, along with the sauce mixture and bean sprouts. Stir-fry for a further 3-4 minutes, tossing everything through the sauce, until hot. Adjust the seasoning with a little more soy or sugar, if you like, and scatter over the chilli, if you like more spice.
Soft polenta
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
3 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons butter
coarse salt
white pepper
1 cup quick cooking polenta
1/4 cup creme fraiche Place stock in medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Add butter and salt and pepper to taste.
Slowly add polenta, stirring constantly to keep lumps from forming. Lower heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes, or until polenta is thickened and cooked.
Remove from heat and whip in the creme fraiche. Season to taste.
Soft potato ravioli with truffle pan sauce
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 cups rich chicken stock
1 cup mirepoix (finely diced carrots, onion and celery)
3 cloves garlic peeled
1/3 cup truffle butter
2 pounds russet potatoes
2 teaspoons chopped onion
3 ounces fresh soft goat cheese
2 teaspoons chopped parsley
salt and ground white pepper
2 teaspoons flour
2 large eggs
4 12-by-8-inch fresh pasta
1 medium black truffle
2 teaspoons minced fresh chive Combine stock, mirepoix, and 1 clove of garlic in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until reduced by half. Strain through a fine sieve, discarding solids. Stir in truffle butter. Reserve and keep hot in a small pan.
Peel and dice potatoes. Place in a medium saucepan with cold water to cover over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 garlic cloves, the onion and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until potatoes are soft. Drain well.
Put potatoes through a ricer. Add goat cheese, parsley, salt and pepper to taste and beat to combine. Cover and set aside.
Lightly flour a baking sheet and set side. Whisk eggs in a bowl. Set aside.
Working with one pasta sheet at a time, cut out 50 circles with a 2-inch round cookie cutter.
Cover pasta disks to keep them soft. Place 10 discs on a clean flat surface.
Brush with egg wash. Place a heaping tablespoon in the center of each disc. Cover with another pasta disc. Push the edges to seal the pasta around the filling.
Crimp edges to from a tight seal. Place on a baking sheet and let dry. Continue making raviolis as above until you have 25. Slice the truffle into paper thin slices.
Cook raviolis in salted boiling water for 4 minutes in two batches. Remove from water with slotted spoon or wire strainer.
Place 4 raviolis in each of 6 warm soup plates. Place truffle slices over raviolis. Add chives to reserved hot sauce. Spoon equal amount of sauce over each plate.
Spaghetti bake
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour 15 minutes
8 ounces spaghetti
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Tomato beef sauce:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon each dried oregano and basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 pound lean ground beef
2 cups sliced mushrooms
2 each carrots and zucchini, grated
1 sweet red pepper, diced
1 28-ounce can tomatoes, chopped
1/3 cup tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Cheese sauce:
2 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
salt to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Tomato beef sauce:
In Dutch oven, heat oil. Cook onion, garlic, oregano, basil, and thyme, for about 4 min. Add beef. Cook breaking up with spoon until no longer pink. Add mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, and pepper. Cook stirring often until liquid is evaporated. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and vinegar.
Cheese sauce:
In saucepan, melt butter. Whisk in flour, stirring for 1 minute. Add milk; whisk until sauce boils and thickens. Transfer to bowl; let cool 10 minutes. Blend in ricotta, egg and cheese.
Cook spaghetti for 5 minutes or until almost tender but still firm. Drain and toss with beef sauce.
Spread in a baking dish (13x9-inch). Spoon cheese sauce over. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 40 minutes.
Spaghetti with creamy garlic and leeks
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
6 medium leeks (light-green and white parts only), halved and sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces (10 cups)
10 medium cloves garlic, halved
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup lower-salt chicken broth
12 oz. dried spaghetti
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 oz. grated Pecorino Romano (1/3 cup)
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley Heat the butter and oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the butter has melted.
Add the leeks, garlic, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper and cook, stirring often, until the leeks begin to brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and press a 12-inch round piece of parchment over the leek mixture to cover completely.
Cover the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are very soft but not falling apart and the garlic is very soft, about 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
Uncover the skillet and remove the parchment.
Add the cream and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
Add the cooked pasta and toss. Off the heat, stir in the cheese and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.
Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce and Basil
Serves: 4
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or your favorite pasta
1/4 cup (60 mL) minced fresh basil, approx
1/4 cup (60 mL) crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup (60 mL) sliced pitted black olives
Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce:
4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (about 1 lb/500 g)
4 cloves garlic, sliced
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp minced fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp salt
1 pinch hot pepper flakes
Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce:
In 13- x 9-inch (3.5 L) metal cake pan, toss together tomatoes, garlic, oil, vinegar, rosemary, salt and hot pepper flakes. Roast in 400°F (200°C) oven until shriveled, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until tender but firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to large serving bowl.
Add tomato sauce and basil, tossing to combine. Sprinkle with goat cheese, olives, and more basil if desired.
Spinach and pasta salad
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
6 cups Farfalle pasta
3/4 cup sliced red pepper
4 green onions, sliced
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
2/3 cup shredded fresh basil
2 cups lightly packed fresh spinach
8 cherry tomatoes, quartered
Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large clove garlic, minced Cook pasta until firm but tender. Drain and rinse under cold water; drain again very well.
Whisk together oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper and garlic. Add pasta, red pepper, onions, feta cheese and half of the shredded basil; toss gently. Stack spinach leaves and roll up tightly; cut crosswise into thin strips.
Add to salad along with tomatoes and remaining basil; toss gently.
Summer corn and tomato pasta
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1 pound bow-tie pasta
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 ears fresh corn, kernels cut off
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente; drain.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the corn, raise the heat slightly and cook until the corn is heated through and golden, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
Add the vegetables, butter and basil to the pasta and toss.
Summer pasta vegetable salad
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 package (450g) fusilli or rotini
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups small zucchini (quartered lengthwise and sliced)
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup white wine
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
salt and pepper to taste
freshly grated Parmesan cheese Cook pasta until tender but firm; drain and keep hot. Meanwhile, in large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.
Add zucchini and garlic; cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes and wine, cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Stir in herbs; cook 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Toss sauce with hot pasta.
Serve immediately, with parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top.
Thai pasta salad with shrimp and vegetables
Serves: 3
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
10 - 12 oz. (400-450 g) fresh Asian-style noodles OR fettuccine-style noodles
1 cup small cooked shrimp, thawed and drained if frozen
1 zucchini, grated with a wide grater or peeled into thin strips with a vegetable peeler
1 tomato, cut into small pieces
1 red or green chili, de-seeded and thinly sliced
1 red and 1 green bell pepper, de-seeded and cut into strips
3 spring (green) onions, sliced
1 cup fresh coriander/cilantro, lightly chopped
1/2 cup fresh basil, lightly chopped
1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts or cashews, unsalted, and left whole or lightly chopped
SALAD DRESSING:
1/3 cup lime juice (about 2 limes, juiced)
4 Tbsp. fish sauce (available at Asian/Chinese stores)
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2-3 tsp. sugar (adjust to taste)
1-3 tsp. chili sauce OR 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper OR crushed chili (adjust to taste)
2 cloves garlic, minced Prepare noodles according to the directions on the package. Rinse noodles with cold water, drain, and set aside.
Prepare salad dressing by mixing all dressing ingredients together in a cup or small bowl until sugar dissolves. Taste-test for sour/sweetness, adding more sugar as desired. Note that the taste of the dressing will be milder when distributed among the noodles.
Prepare the vegetables and shrimp, and place them in a very large salad or mixing bowl. Add the herbs and nuts. Stir the dressing once more and pour over, tossing well to mix.
Now add the noodles and toss again Once well-tossed, taste-test the noodles, adding more fish sauce if not salty or tasty enough.
You can serve this salad immediately, or cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to eat (this salad will keep for up to 3 days, and makes great workday lunches!).
Garnish with a few extra sprigs of the fresh herbs, plus some chopped peanuts. For extra spicy, Thai chili sauce can be served on the side, either store-bought or my own.
The pasta salad
Serves: 5
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
Fusilli, Rotini, Gemelli.
These spiral-shaped pastas are fairly similar to each other and give dishes such as pasta salad an interesting texture. Rotini is similar to fusilli, just slightly smaller and more tightly wound. Gemelli is double-twisted like a helix.
1/2 pound Fusilli, Rotini, Gemelli pasta
Good olive oil
1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
4 oz good feta cheese, medium-diced
6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
For the dressing:
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and diced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
6 tablespoons good olive oil
1 garlic clove, diced
1 tbsp capers, drained
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
3/4 cup parsley, chopped Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool. Place the pasta in a large bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, feta and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
The dressing:
combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers in a food processor until almost smooth.
Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and parsley, and toss well.
Tofu bolognese
Serves: 4
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free if preferred)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon liquid smoke
1 block (350g) extra-firm tofu, drained (no need to press it)
3 cups tomato sauce (700ml jar or homemade)
1 pound spaghetti or pasta of choice (gluten-free if preferred) Preheat your oven to 350F (180C). Line with parchment paper or lightly grease a large baking sheet.
Mix the nutritional yeast, soy sauce, olive oil chili powder, garlic powder, and liquid smoke together in a large bowl. It will make a brown paste-like texture.
Crumble the block of tofu with your fingers into the bowl along with the seasoning. Mix the tofu crumbles with the seasoning making sure all of the tofu is evenly coated. Spread the tofu crumbles evenly over the pan.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, stopping to stir the tofu every now and then. Keep a close eye on it towards the end so that it doesn't burn. You want the tofu to be nice and browned.
In the meantime heat the tomato sauce, and cook pasta according to package directions. Stir the tofu into the sauce, and heat through. If you find the sauce is too thick, stir in a bit of water until desired consistency is reached. Serve over hot pasta with a sprinkle of Parmegan.
Tomato and Seafood Penne
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
7 oz (225 g) whole wheat penne or linguine
2 tsp olive oil
3 shallots, chopped
2 leeks, (white and light green parts only halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups (500 mL) no-salt-added canned diced tomatoes
1 tsp dried oregano
Pinch each hot pepper flakes, salt and pepper
6 oz (170 g) frozen scallops, (about 10) thawed and halved
6 oz (170 g) frozen jumbo shrimp, (about 8) thawed, peeled, deveined and cut in half lengthwise
6 cups (1.5 L) packed baby spinach
1/3 cup (75 mL) grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh basil In large pot of boiling water, cook penne according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, in large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat; cook shallots, leeks and garlic, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, oregano, hot pepper flakes, salt and pepper; simmer for 5 minutes.
Add scallops and shrimp; cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and scallops are opaque, about 3 minutes.
Stir in pasta and spinach; cook until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in enough of the reserved cooking liquid to coat; transfer to serving platter. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and basil.
Tomato-basil tortellini
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
2 medium chopped onions
2 cloves minced garlic
2 stalks chopped celery
2 medium chopped carrots
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
28 ounces canned tomatoes
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 teaspoons chopped basil
1 1/2 pounds tortellini
1 cup heavy cream
1 sweet red pepper Heat oil in a saucepan and sauté the first ingredients until carrots are tender.
Chop tomatoes in food processor. Stir tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley and basil in pan. Simmer uncovered over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes while stirring frequently.
Cook tortellini in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Stir cream and chopped red pepper into tomato sauce. Continue cooking until sauce is reduced and thickened then place the pasta in a large shallow serving dish.
Pour the sauce over pasta. Toss gently and serve hot.
Tomato-corn pasta salad
Serves: 8
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
1 pound penne pasta
2 pounds tomatoes, seeded and cut in chunks (about 5)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup chopped parsley
1 14-ounce can kidney beans or black beans drained and rinsed
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh coriander Cook penne until tender but firm; drain well. Rinse under cold water; drain again.
Combine tomatoes, oil, lemon juice, 1/4 cup water, garlic, salt and pepper; let stand for 5 minutes.
Toss with pasta, corn, cheese, parsley, beans and coriander.
Tortellini tomato soup
Serves: 4
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4 cups (32 ounces) low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 bay leaves
1 (14-ounce) package fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
Grated or shredded Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional) Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 6 minutes.
Stir in the vinegar. Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, cream, and bay leaves, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the tortellini and simmer until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes more (check at 3 minutes for fresh tortellini).
Remove from the heat, remove and discard the bay leaves, and stir in the basil. Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese and more basil, if desired.
Tuna and broccoli with farfalle
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:10-15 minutes
8 ounces farfalle (bow ties)
1 bunch broccoli
4 red pepers, cut into 1 inch squares
2 7-1/2 ounces cans solid white tuna in oil, drained and broken into large chunks
1 cup italian olives or other cured green olives
Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons capers, drained
1 teaspoon oregano, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, drain again and transfer to a large shallow bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Cut broccoli stems from florets. Peel and slice into 1/2 inch pieces. Divide florets into approximately 1 inch pieces.
Cook stems in boiling salted water about 5 minutes.
Cook florets in boiling salted water about 3 minutes. Drain broth, rinse with cold water and drain again. Gently pat dry with paper towels. Toss florets only with 1/4 cup dressing and chill; reserve. Add the broccoli stems, peppers, olives and tuna to the pasta and toss gently with the remaining dressing. Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving. Make a border with the broccoli florets before bringing to the table.
Vegetable and herb orzo salad
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
For salad:
6 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch
2 2/3 cups orzo
1 1/4 cups cubed seeded tomatoes
3/4 cup cubed seeded peeled cucumber
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
2 teaspoons finely chopped lemon peel
Dressing:
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely chopped lemon peel
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3/4 cup olive oil
1 head Boston lettuce Salad:
Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add snap peas; cook 1 minute. Using slotted spoon transfer beans to strainer. Rinse with cold water and drain. Add orzo to same pot. Boil until tender but still firm to bite. Drain and cool.
Place orzo in large bowl. Mix in snap peas, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, parsley, mint and lemon peel. Season with salt and pepper.
Dressing:
Combine lemon juice, lemon peel and garlic. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour half of dressing over salad; toss to coat. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover salad and remaining dressing separately and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
Toss salad with enough dressing to coat generously. Season with salt and pepper.
Line serving bowl with lettuce. Mound salad in bowl.
Vegetable lasagna
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:50 minutes
15 lasagne noodles
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups milk
10 ounces package chopped spinach, well drained
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon basil, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
6 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese Cook lasagna according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, red pepper and mushrooms and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until bubbly and thickened. Add spinach, Parmesan cheese and basil. Stir half of mixture into eggs, then pour back into saucepan. Cook over low heat until sauce simmers, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
In a 13-inch by 9-inch greased baking dish, layer of lasagne (about 5 overlapping noodles) and of sauce. Repeat layers twice.
Top with mozzarella cheese and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Vegetarian minestrone
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
3 cups water
2 cups diced zucchini
1 cup diced carrot
1 cup drained canned cannellini beans
3/4 cup diced celery
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1-14 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup uncooked macaroni
4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until lightly browned.
Add water and next 10 ingredients. Cover, reduce heat and cook 25 minutes.
Add pasta; cover and cook an additional 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls, and sprinkle with cheese.
conversion of liquids
Weights
Temperatures
Measures of non liquid ingredients
Non-liquid ingredients in volume converted
|
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ingredient |
1 cup |
3/4 cup |
2/3 cup |
1/2 cup |
1/3 cup |
1/4 cup |
2 tablespoons |
| All-purpose wheat flour | 120 g | 90 g | 80 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g | 15 g |
| All-purpose sifted wheat flour | 110 g | 80 g | 70 g | 55 g | 35 g | 27 g | 13 g |
| White sugar | 200 g | 150 g | 130 g | 100 g | 65 g | 50 g | 25 g |
| Powdered sugar/Icing sugar | 100 g | 75 g | 70 g | 50 g | 35 g | 25 g | 13 g |
| Brown sugar normally packed | 180 g | 135 g | 120 g | 90 g | 60 g | 45 g | 23 g |
| Corn flour | 160 g | 120 g | 100 g | 80 g | 50 g | 40 g | 20 g |
| Cornstarch | 120 g | 90 g | 80 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g | 15 g |
| Rice (not-cooked) | 190 g | 140 g | 125 g | 95 g | 65 g | 48 g | 24 g |
| Macaroni (uncooked) | 140 g | 100 g | 90 g | 70 g | 45 g | 35 g | 17 g |
| Couscous (uncooked) | 180 g | 135 g | 120 g | 90 g | 60 g | 45 g | 22 g |
| Quick oatmeal (uncooked) | 90 g | 65 g | 60 g | 45 g | 30 g | 22 g | 11 g |
| Table salt | 300 g | 230 g | 200 g | 150 g | 100 g | 75 g | 40 g |
| Butter / Margarine | 240 g | 180 g | 160 g | 120 g | 80 g | 60 g | 30 g |
| Shortening | 190 g | 140 g | 125 g | 95 g | 65 g | 48 g | 24 g |
| Fruits and légumes chopped | 150 g | 110 g | 100 g | 75 g | 50 g | 40 g | 20 g |
| chopped walnuts | 150 g | 110 g | 100 g | 75 g | 50 g | 40 g | 20 g |
| Nuts /ground almonds | 120 g | 90 g | 80 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g | 15 g |
| Fresh bread crumbs (not packed) | 60 g | 45 g | 40 g | 30 g | 20 g | 15 g | 8 g |
| Dry bread crumbs | 150 g | 110 g | 100 g | 75 g | 50 g | 40 g | 20 g |
| Parmesan grated | 90 g | 65 g | 60 g | 45 g | 30 g | 22 g | 11 g |
| Chocolate chips | 150 g | 110 g | 100 g | 75 g | 50 g | 38 g | 19 g |
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