Easy lemon pesto sauce

March 2, 2015September 7, 2022 Belinda

A light, lemony and more refreshing version of a traditional pesto sauce is delicious tossed with hot pasta for a quick meal or side dish with roasted or grilled meats and fish.

2 garlic cloves
3 Tbs. toasted pine nuts (to toast the pine nuts, place them on a baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.)
1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 to 1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

In a food processor, combine the garlic, pine nuts, basil, parsley, cheese, lemon zest and lemon juice. Pulse until ground to a fine paste, about 1 minute. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 cups.

Do-ahead · Meat · Pasta

Easy chorizo pasta bake

January 21, 2015September 7, 2022 Belinda

I love chorizo and often order it online through “La Tienda” a great Spanish website. I like the mild chorizo best but do remember to peel it before using. This is a warming, spicy pasta that you will adore!

Serves 4

1 tbsp olive oil
1 good sized red onion, finely chopped
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
2 red peppers (capsicums) roughly chopped
2 tsp smoked paprika
6 oz (or even 8 oz) good quality Spanish chorizo, chopped
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
pinch dried red chillies
28 oz tin plum tomatoes
a good handful of fresh basil, ripped up
1 tsp sugar
12 oz penne pasta
8 oz mozzarella

Heat the olive oil in a large pan then gently cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft, adding the garlic and cooking for a further minute.
Add the peppers and chorizo and cook until the meat starts to crisp up.
Stir in the balsamic vinegar, paprika, chilli, if you want an extra kick, and the tomatoes.
Mix it well, breaking up the tomatoes, add the basil, then season with a tsp of sugar and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, drain and then add to the pan of simmering sauce.
Tear the mozzarella into small pieces and stir half into the pasta mixture.
Turn out into a large ovenproof dish, dot with the remaining chunks of mozzarella and then bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until the cheese is all melted.

Serve with a large green salad and some great garlic bread

Pasta · Vegetarian pasta

Mushroom and Marsala Pasta Bake

January 15, 2015February 8, 2016 Belinda

What a lovely idea to have the benefits of Chicken Marsala but with pasta instead of chicken. This is such a silky, comforting and tasty dish to make and can be all done in a 3 to 5 qt heavy stove-to-oven braiser, depending if you’re doubling the recipe for more people. This recipe is credited to “Smitten Kitchen” food blog.

Serves 4

8 oz of a robust pasta of your choice, such as a ziti
1 tbsp olive oil
3/4 lb fresh mushroom, sliced
1 medium onion, halved and sliced thin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup dry Marsala wine
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (not pre-grated)
6 ounces mozzarella, cut into small cubes
3 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Cook the pasta. Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 1 to 2 minutes before perfect doneness. Drain and set aside.

Heat the oven to 400 F.

Make the sauce:
Reheat your empty pasta pot over high heat. Add the oil and once it is hot, add the mushrooms and cook until they’ve begun to brown and glisten, but have not yet released their liquid. Reduce the heat to medium-high, add the onions, salt and pepper and saute together until the liquid the mushrooms give off is evaporated.
Add the Marsala and cook the mixture, stirring, until it has almost or fully evaporated (depending on your preference).
Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the flour and stir until all has been dampened and absorbed. Add the broth, a very small splash at a time, stirring the whole time with a spoon. Make sure each splash has been fully mixed into the butter/flour/mushroom mixture, scraping from the bottom of the pan and all around, before adding the next splash.
Repeat until all the broth has been added. Let the mixture simmer together for 2 minutes, stirring frequently; the sauce will thicken. Remove the pan from heat.

Assemble and bake the dish:
Add the cooked pasta and stir until combined. Stir in half the parmesan, all of the mozzarella and two tablespoons of the parsley until evenly mixed. Sprinkle the top with the remaining parmesan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until edges of pasta are golden brown and irresistible. Sprinkle with reserved parsley and serve hot. Reheat as needed.

Nuts · Pasta

Penne with brown butter, arugula, tomatoes and pine nuts

January 14, 2015 Belinda

This is a terrific recipe adapted from Giada de Laurentiis and is full of great textures and flavors. Although it’s a pasta dish, it’s really like a room temp pasta salad that’s light, tangy, easy to make and makes a great lunch for friends.

Dressing:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp good Dijon mustard
1 large lemon, zested and juiced
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large clove garlic, crushed

Pasta:
1 pound penne rigate pasta
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature
4 cups baby arugula
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained

Firstly, toast the pine nuts by arranging them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven until lightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before using.

For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, crushed garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.

For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.

In a high-sided skillet, whisk the butter over medium heat until melted. Simmer until foamy. Continue to cook until the butter has a nutty aroma and turns a caramel color, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the pasta, dressing, arugula, tomatoes, Parmesan, pine nuts, and capers. Toss until coated, adding the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce, if needed. Transfer to a large bowl and serve.

Meat · Pasta

Sweet Italian sausage and kale pasta with lemon cream sauce

January 10, 2015February 8, 2016 Belinda

This is a wonderful recipe for those cold winter nights. It’s full of strong, earthy flavors, offset by the unctious,bright lemon cream sauce. This is a recipe from the wonderful Saveur magazine.

SERVES 6

¼ cup good quality olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
3/4 tsp crushed red chile flakes ( or more if you can take it!)
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casing removed
1 bunch kale, stemmed and roughly chopped
2½ cups half and half
⅓ cup grated Parmesan
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 pound dried penne pasta
3 tbsp finely chopped parsley, for garnish

Heat oil in a 6-qt saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion and red chile flakes; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Add the sausage and cook, using a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces until browned, 16 to 18 minutes.
Add the chopped kale, season with salt and pepper and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
Add the half and half and bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally until reduced by a third, 7 to 8 minutes.
Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and zest, nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper; set aside and keep warm.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the penne and cook, stirring occasionally until al dente, 8 to 9 minutes.
Drain, reserving ¼ cup cooking water; add both pasta and water to the reserved sauce and cook about 5 minutes more. Serve garnished with parsley.

Fish · Pasta

Creamy lemon, parmesan and smoked salmon linguine

January 4, 2015February 8, 2016 Belinda

Sometimes you can’t beat simple, especially when the flavors are as good as this. You must try this wonderfully simple recipe from the great “Delicious” website!

Serves 2 but can easily be augmented

8 oz linguini
butter for sauteing
2 good sized garlic cloves, crushed
7 fl oz creme fraiche
zest of 1 large lemon
2 heaped tbsp grated fresh parmesan cheese
3 to 4 oz sliced smoked salmon, cut into strips
Some wild baby rocket (arugula) leaves for serving, if you like

Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet
Melt the butter in a pan and cook the garlic gently until softened.
Add the creme fraiche, lemon zest and parmesan cheese and cook gently for about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce and smoked salmon strips.
Divide between two bowls and garnish with the rocket leaves to serve, if you like

Fish · Holiday Food · Pasta

Spaghetti with cream, vodka and caviar

December 31, 2014February 7, 2016 Belinda

This is a terrific New Years Eve recipe and a richer version of the other spaghetti /caviar recipe I have posted previously.

Serves 4

1/2 lb spaghetti
6 tablespoons butter
6 shallots, finely chopped
2 cups cream
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
2 ounces sevruga black caviar

Cook spaghetti until al dente; drain.
Toss with 2 tbsp butter.
Melt remaining 4 tbsp butter in large skillet over medium heat.
Add shallots and stir 3 minutes.
Add cream and vodka and bring to boil.
Boil until thickened to sauce consistency, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
Add spaghetti and toss until heated through.
Season.
Divide among plates; sprinkle with chives and top with caviar.
Serve immediately.

Fish · Pasta

Spaghetti with caviar, scallions and chopped egg

December 31, 2014February 7, 2016 Belinda

Here is the perfect New Years Eve dinner!

Serves 4

Coarse sea salt
4 large eggs
1lb spaghetti
5 tbsp butter
freshly ground black pepper
6 scallions, thinly sliced
8 tbsp Osetra Caviar, or more to taste

Fill a large pot with water, season generously with sea salt and bring to the boil.
Meanwhile, fill a small pan with water and bring to a boil. Add the eggs to a small pan and reduce the heat to an active simmer. Cook for 9 1/2 minutes. Drain. When the eggs are cool enough to handle, peel and finely chop. Set aside

When the large pot of water boils, add the spaghetti and cook until al dente.
Drain, reserving 1/2 cup liquid. Add the butter and a few tbsp of cooking water to the pot and place over medium high heat.
When melted and bubbling, add the spaghetti and toss to coat. Season with salt and a generous amount of pepper.

To serve, divide the spaghetti among four plates. Sprinkle the chopped egg and scallion on top. Spoon the caviar in the center.
Serve immediately; guests will mix the spaghetti as they eat

Nuts · Pasta

Pasta with cauliflower, raisins, saffron and pine nuts

December 27, 2014February 7, 2016 Belinda

I realize I have many cauliflower recipes and am happy to add yet another. Such a humble, unpretentious vegetable, the cauliflower, where the repertoire of flavor combinations is endless. Yet again, this Sicilian-style recipe is a must.

Serves 4

12 oz bucatini pasta or a one of your choice
1 small cauliflower,cut into florets
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp raisins, soaked in warm water for 20 mins, drained
1 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted in a dry pan
2 salted anchovies, soaked in water for 1 hour,drained
2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
1 tomato, finely chopped
A good pinch of saffron strands (soaked in 1 tbsp warm water)
Approx 10 basil leaves, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
To serve: Freshly grated pecorino cheese Toasted breadcrumbs (optional)

Fill a large (approx. 6 litre) heavy bottomed saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add approx. 1 tbsp of salt.
Add the cauliflower to the boiling water and cook for a few minutes (they should still be crunchy). Drain the cauliflower and reserve the cooking water.
Add the olive oil to the pan and gently fry the garlic and finely chopped anchovies, till the anchovies have melted and the garlic is soft.
Next add the tomatoes, pine nuts, raisins and saffron.
Cook the mixture over a medium heat, stirring regularly, for about 5-6 mins.
Add the drained cauliflower to the pan and season with salt and black pepper.
Cover and cook (medium heat) for a further 5 mins, adding a couple of tablespoons of the cauliflower water occasionally, to stop the mixture from sticking.
Reduce the heat, then remove the lid and continue cooking while you prepare the pasta (stir the cauliflower regularly).
Using the cauliflower water, cook the pasta so it’s a little undercooked (a little harder than “al dente”).
Drain,leaving a little water clinging to the pasta, then add to the sauce. Mix well, then cover and cook over a low heat for a couple of minutes, or until pasta is completely cooked.
Finally add the chopped basil leaves and stir. 1
Toss the finished pasta with a little extra olive oil and serve with some grated pecorino.
You can also serve this pasta dish topped with some fried breadcrumbs instead of the cheese.

Do-ahead · Meat · Pasta

Chipotle chile mac and cheese with bacon!

October 14, 2014September 7, 2022 Belinda

I think this would be one of my “desert island’ dishes. Put everything down and make it NOW!

8 oz bacon rashers
1lb Cavatappi pasta
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup flour
2 1/2 cups 2% (or low fat) milk
1/2 cup half and half
3 cups grated cheddar cheese, divided. (It’s nice to use a blend of half mild and half sharp cheddar)
4 slices American cheese (I never thought I would ever put this sort of cheese in a dish! LOL)
3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
2 tbsp adobo sauce (from the chipotle pepper can)
3 oz BBQ potato chips, crumbled

Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy, about 10 minutes. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. When it’s cool, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
Cook the cavatappi pasta in boiling, salted water for about 6 minutes. It should be al dente. Strain the pasta and run it under cold water to stop the cooking and prevent it from sticking.
Preheat the oven to 400 F

Now to the cheese sauce.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When melted, whisk in the flour. Whisking constantly, allow the mixture to cook gently for about 3 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Slowly add the milk and half and half and allow it to simmer, whisking constantly until thickened. This can take some time, say, 8 to 10 minutes until it can coat the back of a spoon.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly mix in 2 cups of the cheddar cheese and the American cheese.
When all the cheese is incorporated, mix in the chopped chiotles, adobo sauce and crumbled bacon.
Add the cavatappi pasta to the cheese sauce and mix until the pasta is well coated.
Pour the mac and cheese into a baking dish and top it with the remaining grated cheddar and the crumbled BBQ potato chips.
Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes until all the cheese is melted and it’s bubbly and golden.
ENJOY!