Category: PASTAS & GNOCCHIS

PARSLY HERB NOODLES / LINGUINI & CLAMS

PARSLEY HERB NOODLES OR LINGUINI & CLAMS
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound linguini, cooked and drained well
4-6 cloves minced garlic
(2) 7 1/2 ounce cans minced clams, drained well, but retaining juice*
8 ounce bottle clam juice, added to the above juice to make 2 cups
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
salt & pepper to taste

  • Heat butter and oil together.
  • Add green onions and garlic cooking until golden and fragrant.
  • Add 2 cups clam juice* and simmer uncovered 10 minutes.
  • Add clams, parsley, salt and pepper. Heat through.
  • Toss with the linguini.
  • Serve with fresh grated Parmesan Cheese.

*If making plain parsley herb noodles substitute 1 1/2 cups chicken broth for clam juice.


SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

1/2 pound bacon /Pancetta, cut into 1 inch pieces

4 egg yolks
2 tablespoons Classico sun dried tomato pesto
3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small-medium onion, chopped fine
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, if necessary depending on bacon
1 teaspoon white pepper
3 tablespoons butter, melted
fresh parsley
1/2 pound spaghetti, linguine or pasta of your choice
  • Saute’ the bacon and brown until crisp.
  • At the same time bring the pasta water to a boil. Timing is crucial on this dish, the pasta must be ready when the rest of the ingredients are.
  • Chop the onion into small bits.
  • Using a slotted spoon remove the bacon from the grease and drain on paper towels.
  • Add the onions to the bacon grease and saute. Add the garlic.
  • Using a slotted spoon remove the onions and garlic and add to the bacon.
  • Pour off excess bacon grease.
  • Seriously scrape bottom of pan to loosen the stuck on bits – we NEED those for flavor. Make sure the pan cools slightly so as not to curdle the cream.
  • Add the sun dried tomato pesto and let heat to thin slightly.
  • Add the heavy cream, cooking until heated through and bubbling.
  • Add back in the bacon, onion and garlic. Lower heat. Simmer a few minutes to heat through and reduce liquid.
  • In a large serving bowl whisk the egg yolks together. Add the majority of the Parmesan cheese and Parsley, saving just enough for garnish. Mix it together well.
  • Add the drained HOT** pasta and mix well.
  • Add the butter, pepper and the bacon mixture. TOSS, TOSS and TOSS again until well mixed.
  • Garnish and Serve immediately.
**Pasta MUST be hot in order for this to coagulate well.

MEAT LASAGNA traditional

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced sweet onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cans diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano and basil
1 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles(I like the Barilla no cook)
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. 
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes (juice included) and tomato sauce. 
  • Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. 
  • Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water OR use no bake noodles.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  •  To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce.
  • Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. 
  • Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. 
  • Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. 
  • Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. 
  • Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. 
  • Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. 
  • Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

My mom got me this new lasgana pan from Chicago Metallic for Christmas and I have to say it is awesome.  Lasagna no longer is a mess to cut and each edge of cheese is crispy and just perfect!  Assembly is also a breeze with no overlapping. You can even make 3 different flavors at once.  I can’t wait to try it on some banana bread and meatloafs.

DANISH CUBE STEAK and GROWN UP MAC & CHEESE

DANISH CUBE STEAK REVISITED
3 ounces bleu cheese crumbles
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup minced green onions
6 pork cube steaks
1/2 cup panko crumbs
2 tablespoons butter

  • In a small food processor blend together the mayonnaise, bleu cheese crumbles and green onions until smooth.
  • Coat steaks on both sides with mayonnaise mixture.
  • Dredge through panko crumbs.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add cube steaks and brown on both sides.

GROWN UP MAC & CHEESE
12 ounce package pasta
3 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups whole milk
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon Frank’s hot sauce
3/4 cup sharp white cheddar cheese
3 ounces bleu cheese crumbles
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain Well.
  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan.  Add salt.
  • In a small food processor pulse bleu cheese crumbles until fine.  Set aside.
  • Add flour and whisk constantly over medium heat until smooth.
  • Gradually add milk, whisking constantly.  
  • Add hot sauce.  Bring to a slow boil.  Simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in all cheeses, salt and pepper to taste until smooth.
  • Mix pasta and cheese mixture together until well blended.
  • Scoop into a casserole or ramekins.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes.
  • Top with chopped chives.

SPICY MAC & CHEESE

1 package cheese and garlic croutons, coarsely ground (2 cups ground)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3 cups dry elbow macaroni
3 cups whole milk, room temperature
1/2 cup butter
1 small onion, minced
1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons Frank’s Hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
4 cups extra, extra, extra sharp cheddar cheese (16 oz. block), grated
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Toss crouton crumbs with melted butter and set aside.
  • Prepare macaroni and drain.
  • In large skillet melt 1/2 cup butter.
  • Add onions and saute’ until tender and slightly browned.
  • Whisk in flour until smooth.
  • Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thick.
  • Stir in hot sauce, salt and peppers.
  • Stir in 3/4 of the cheese until blended.
  • Toss together the macaroni and 3/4 of the bread crumbs.
  • Stir in cheese mixture until smooth.
  • Pour into lightly sprayed 9×9 stoneware.
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 30 minutes.

SALAMI PASTA with fennel

There is something oximoronic about going to the gym and watching the food channel while on the treadmill, but alas that is exactly what I do. My gym has receivers hooked up to all the treadmills and stationary bikes so you can choose 1 of 8 channels to mindlessly occupy your brain while you work out.  I can’t handle the 3 stations that are tuned to the current political BS, or the channel for the home shopping network or the 2 channels that are running old Law and Order reruns so the Food channel wins by default.  

Anyway, Rachel Ray was on the other day preparing Salami Spaghetti and it looked just odd enough and interesting enough to try.  I modified it slightly, but the overall flavor was similar I’m sure.

SALAMI PASTA with FENNEL
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1/3 pound salami, cut into thin strips (I used a combination of hard salami and Genoa)
1 small fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced (reserve fronds)
1 Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
sea salt
fresh ground pepper
1 large lemon, juiced
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 pound pasta (I used shells, she used spaghetti)
grated Parmesan

  • Add avocado oil to a large skillet over medium high heat.  
  • Add salami strips, separating them as you go. Cook until crispy, stirring frequently. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  • Reduce the heat. Add onions, fennel, garlic and thyme sauteing until tender and beginning to brown. 
  • Add salt, pepper and wine to deglaze the pan.
  • Add chicken broth simmering until begins to thicken slightly.
  • Add lemon juice.
  • Add salami pieces back in.
  • Add prepared pasta and several of the fennel fronds and toss well.
  • Plate and top with Parmesan flakes and fennel pieces for garnish.

LASAGNA BOLOGNESE

I think I finally topped myself and found the perfect seasoning combination for bolognese sauce!  I made the sauce a couple of days ahead so it could sit and let the flavors meld together.

LASAGNA BOLOGNESE
1 pound COSTCO organic ground beef
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
5 large Roma tomatoes, slice thin
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon fennel seed
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Lasagna  Noodles, prepared or oven ready**

  •  Brown ground beef, Italian sausage, onions and garlic. Drain fat.
  • Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste and tomato sauce.
  • Stir in sugar, salt, pepper, basil, Italian seasoning and fennel, mixing well.
  • Lay tomato slices evenly on top. Cover.
  • Simmer for 2 hours over low heat. Stir in tomato slices until well blended.  At this time you can proceed to finish the lasagna or refrigerate the sauce until ready.

16 ounces Ricotta Cheese
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg
1/2 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
lasagna noodles

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Mix together the Ricotta cheese, egg, nutmeg and parsley.
  • Spray baking dish with PAM.
  • Spread some of the meat sauce along the bottom. Top with lasagna noodles.  Add a layer of the Ricotta cheese mixture. Sprinkle with some of the Parmesan and then the mozzarella cheese.  Repeat two more times.
  • Cover and bake 25 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake another 25 minutes or until cheese is golden and starting to crisp.
  • Let rest 10 minutes before cutting or serving.

 **I love the oven ready noodles – no pre-cooking and so much less breakage.  No one can tell the difference after you bake it!

CHIPOTLE CHEDDAR MAC & CHEESE

CHIPOTLE CHEDDAR MACARONI & CHEESE ala TAMY
1 1/2 cups dried macaroni (elbows or shells)
1 1/4 cup diced ham
1/2 cup garlic pepper crispy onions
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper, to taste
4 slices Chipotle cheddar cheese, torn into pieces
3 slices sharp cheddar cheese, torn into pieces
3 slices white American cheese, torn into pieces

  • Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • Prepare macaroni according to package directions. Drain well.
  • Using the same pan, melt butter and add cream until smooth.
  • Add cheese a few pieces at a time, stirring until well blended.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add ham pieces, coating them well with sauce.
  • Fold in pasta.
  • Pour into casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle with crispy onions.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until heated through and golden on top.

CHIPOLTE CHEDDAR MACARONI & CHEESE ala TAMY

CHIPOLTE CHEDDAR MACARONI & CHEESE ala TAMY

I originally thought this was going to be just another mac and cheese recipe and maybe if I had followed the recipe it would have been, but instead I “doctored” the recipe to fit hubby’s taste and what I had on hand. The results according to hubby were phenomenal, but requests I make it again so he can tell for sure.

CHIPOLTE CHEDDAR MACARONI & CHEESE ala TAMY

1 1/2 cups dried macaroni (elbows or shells)

1 1/4 cup diced ham

1/2 cup garlic pepper crispy onions

3/4 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons butter

salt and pepper, to taste

4 slices Chipolte cheddar cheese, torn into pieces

3 slices sharp cheddar cheese, torn into pieces

3 slices white American cheese, torn into pieces

  • Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • Prepare macaroni according to package directions. Drain well.
  • Using the same pan, melt butter and add cream until smooth.
  • Add cheese a few pieces at a time, stirring until well blended.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add ham pieces, coating them well with sauce.
  • Fold in pasta.
  • Pour into casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle with crispy onions.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until heated through and golden on top.

MEAT LASAGNA

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced sweet onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cans diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano and basil
1 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles(I like the Barilla no cook)
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. 
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes (juice included) and tomato sauce. 
  • Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. 
  • Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water OR use no bake noodles.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  •  To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce.
  • Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. 
  • Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. 
  • Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. 
  • Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. 
  • Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. 
  • Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. 
  • Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

My mom got me this new lasgana pan from Chicago Metallic for Christmas and I have to say it is awesome.  Lasagna no longer is a mess to cut and each edge of cheese is crispy and just perfect!  Assembly is also a breeze with no overlapping. You can even make 3 different flavors at once.  I can’t wait to try it on some banana bread and meatloafs.

MEAT LASAGNA & CHICAGO METALLIC’S 3-ROW LASGANA PAN

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

3/4 pound lean ground beef

1/2 cup minced sweet onion

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 cans diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano and basil

1 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

12 lasagna noodles(I like the Barilla no cook)

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned.
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes (juice included) and tomato sauce.
  • Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley.
  • Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water OR use no bake noodles.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  •  To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  • Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce.
  • Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
  • Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices.
  • Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  • Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
  • Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

My mom got me this new lasgana pan from Chicago Metallic for Christmas and I have to say it is awesome.  Lasagna no longer is a mess to cut and each edge of cheese is crispy and just perfect!  Assembly is also a breeze with no overlapping. You can even make 3 different flavors at once.  I can’t wait to try it on some banana bread and meatloafs.

CHICKEN CACCIATORE – THE EASY WAY

CHICKEN CACCIATORE

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

4 tablespoons light olive oil

4 tablespoons butter

1 bunch green onions, chopped

2 teaspoons minced jar garlic

1 cup white Zinfandel wine

1 cup chicken broth

3 tablespoons Classico spicy tomato pesto*

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon marjoram

*if this is not available use 1 can Contadina Italian tomato paste

Dissolve the tomato paste into the wine and chicken broth. Sift together the flour, salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture. Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Brown chicken, turning regularly until browned on both sides, for 5-10 minutes. Add the onion and garlic while browning the chicken. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer, stirring occasionally until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thickened. Serve over prepared pasta**.

**I prepare the pasta in chicken broth for added flavor.