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.

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!

Asian flavors · Do-ahead · Pasta · Vegetarian pasta

Indian-style macaroni and cheese

October 14, 2014September 7, 2022 Belinda

Don’t be put off by the list of ingredients, they are all pantry staples which I’m sure you have. I adore Indian food and who doesn’t love mac and cheese? This combination is superb!

Serves 6 to 8

3 tbsp butter
Salt
4 cups dried macaroni (14 oz)
2 tbsp minced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 onion, minced
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin (I roast mine)
1 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp ground cardamon
1/4 tsp red chile pepper
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
a pinch of pepper
3 cups whole milk
4 cups grated mature cheddar (about 14 oz)
1/3 cup breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9″ by 13″ ovenproof dish with 1 tbsp of the butter.

Fill a large pot with water and place it over medium heat. Bring to a rolling boil and add a good amount of salt. Add the macaroni and cook until tender, but still firm. About 8 to 10 mins. Drain.

Melt the remaining butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic and onions. Stir and cook until the onions are just beginning to turn golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garam masala, cumin, turmeric, paprika, cardamon, chili powder and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the flour and a pinch of salt and pepper and stir for about 2 minutes. Slowly add the milk and continue to stir as it thickens. Cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the 3 cups of cheese and stir until melted.

Add the drained macaroni to the baking dish and then pour over the cheese sauce, stirring well and making sure all the macaroni is well coated.
Sprinkle the top with the rest of the grated cheese and the breadcrumbs and bake until the top is golden and the macaroni is hot and bubbling. About 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot

Meat · Pasta

Leek and bacon pasta with creamy Boursin cheese

October 5, 2014February 7, 2016 Belinda

As well as inventing recipes, I love to share ones I find either on the internet, or in my many hundreds of books. The BBC Good Food website is my most favorite source for recipes, and this is a real winner.
There is nothing nicer than the combination of leeks and bacon and with the addition of melted Boursin cheese and pasta, who could want something more tasty and comforting?

Serves 4
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb leeks, halved and finely sliced
8 rashers smoked bacon, sliced
1lb pasta (I used penne)
4oz Boursin cheese, at room temperature

Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the leeks and 2 tbsp water, and cook for about 10 minutes until very soft.
Add the bacon, turn up the heat and fry until cooked.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta following the packet instructions. Drain and reserve a mug of the cooking water.
Spoon the cheese into the leek and bacon mix, adding some of the reserved cooking water.
Season and stir gently over a low heat until melted.
Toss through the cooked pasta, adding a little more cooking water, if needed, to help the sauce coat the pasta.