Fiorentini with Guanciale, Tomato and Spicy Pickled Peppers

November 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Pasta

It was a crazy weekend and now it is November 1.  I had two photo shoots – one that I did with a fun new Thanksgiving freebie I will be offering this weekend and then one my friend Jeff of Jeff Wallace Photography did.  We had a great time and I can’t wait to share the photo’s with you. One of my favorite restaurants is Mozza in Los Angeles.  I have been a follower of Nancy Silverton since her early La Brea Bakery days.  I think I have every cookbook she has published.  So when it popped up on Amazon [...]

Filed Under: Pasta, Recipes Tagged With: , ,

Roasted Tomatoes, Corn & Burrata Fettucine Recipe

October 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
roasted tomato, corn and burrata cheese fettucine recipe

Slow roasted tomatoes taste like candy.  As they cook they sweeten and I can just pop a few in my mouth after they cool.  We have had a pleasantly cool fall for Southern California and this Roasted Tomatoes, Corn and Burrata Cheese Fettucine is a perfect way to use the end of season corn and tomatoes. It is quick to make.  You can even roast the tomatoes a day ahead and store in a container in the refrigerator.  I sometimes make more so I can throw in dishes throughout the week. The burrata cheese adds a creaminess to the pasta [...]

Filed Under: Main Dish, Pasta, Recipes Tagged With: , ,

Kids Cooking Party: Lasagna Rollups

April 24, 2011 By 1 Comment
Olivia stirring and chatting

Last week with the help of my sister-in-law Joy, I put on a Cooking Party for my niece Olivia and several of her friends. It was a beautiful day so we started outside making our chef hats.  Using letters I had cut out with my Cricut, the girls put their names on them and then designed a flower made from doilies and cupcake liners. I had seen them done here and thought they would look so cute on their chef hats. We stopped to pose for a group shot. They then ran in to start cooking.  I just love this [...]

Filed Under: Cooking With Kids, Features, Pasta Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Linguine with Green Peas and Pancetta

March 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Linguine with Peas and Pancetta

Cooking Light arrived last week and featured a recipe for delicious Linguine with Green Peas and Pancetta.  We have had “cold for southern California” weather and more rain, but rumor has it, spring will be seen this week. I love green peas and was anxious to try the combination with pancetta and shallots.  I fiddled a it with the recipe by adding a tablespoon of Marscapone cheese and then I topped it shavings of the lovely Grana Pandano cheese I found at my favorite cheese store, The Breury.  They sell amazing artisan beer but they also feature an amazing selection [...]

Filed Under: Pasta, Vegetables Tagged With: , , , ,

Three Cheese Mac and Cheese

February 22, 2011 By 3 Comments
Mac and Cheese ready to serve to your family!

It has been cold here and even as I type that I know you readers in the midwest or east are shaking your head.  We are weather wimps here in Southern California.  This weekend my niece and nephews were coming over and one of them loves Mac and Cheese.  They were meeting my new dog Rocco, who I found through a local rescue Love 4 Canines. Isn’t he sweet?  Other than a little barking issue when we leave him, Rocco could not be a better dog.  Thank you to those who left me sweet notes after Max died. I was [...]

Filed Under: Comfort Food, Pasta Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Penne Alla Vodka

February 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I discovered Pasta Alla Vodka on one of my first trips to Italy.  Researching the dish I found that many people have claimed to invent this dish from Italy and in America.  In the early 70′s it was known as Penne alla Russia at Orsini’s in New York City, where Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Mick Jagger were among the regulars. Ghost Bar DallasI discovered Pasta Alla Vodka on one of my first trips to Italy.  Researching the dish I found that many people have claimed to invent this dish from Italy and in America.  In the early 70′s it was [...]

Filed Under: Pasta Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Mac and Cheese with Bacon Plus a Giveaway

October 31, 2010 By 57 Comments
Bacon mac and cheese

November is here. It is one of my favorite months. I love Thanksgiving and the focus on being thankful.  Gathering with our friends and family and cooking a big turkey dinner.  In the spirit of gratitude and my thankfulness for each of you my readers I want to host a weekly giveaway in November.  Today I am giving away  Baked Explorations by Matt Lewis, Renato Poliafito and Tina Rupp along with Bakerella’s Cake Pops cookbooks.  Fun new books to inspire your baking or give as gifts. This time of year comfort food starts calling.  The American Classic Mac and Cheese [...]

Filed Under: Fall, Giveaways, Pasta Tagged With: , ,

Spaghetti with Roasted Tomatoes and Pancetta Bread Crumb Topping

September 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Even though it is hot outside I am thinking about fall. I am inside Starbucks drinking a hot non fat latte as the temperatures creep higher.  Inside here it is like an ice box.   I love fall.  I love the crisp fall days (a long way off for us) and the autumn foods. Though I am supposed to be writing other things,  here I am writing about spaghetti and family dinners.  Which is funny because I am single but the aunt of three adorable niece and nephews. Each Friday we cook, sit down to eat and  talk about their week.  [...]

Filed Under: Pasta

Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

August 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

This summer my niece has made “pasta with cheese” or fettuccine alfredo, her favorite dish.  Last night I decided to try a light version, inspired by a Cooking Light recipe.  I used bowtie pasta and added grilled chicken and broccoli to make a healthier dish for kids. The lightened version has less butter and substitutes half and half for heavy cream.  In Cooking Light they were able to take 10 grams of fat off per serving.  Their sauce was a bit bland for me so I added a clove of garlic.  The kids, my toughest critics some days, liked it.  [...]

Filed Under: Chicken, Kid Friendly, Pasta Tagged With: ,

Pasta Peperonata

April 17, 2009 By 1 Comment

I couldn’t wait to share my new favorite pasta dish with you. A few weeks back I had a friend staying with me for a few days. On Sunday night I served Pasta Peperonata for dinner and it was delicious. Sunday night dinners are my favorite. There is something casual about dinners on Sunday night. The weekend is winding down and it is the perfect time to hang out with family and friends. Many years ago I lived in an apartment behind the beach house of a friend of mine. Many Sundays you would find us trying new recipes with [...]

Filed Under: Pasta
« Older Posts