Cuisine: Pasta

Fettuccini with Sausage, Bacon, and Eggplant

Years ago when I lived in NYC, I used to have drinks at the now-defunct Café des Artistes (R.I.P.). This restaurant was an institution and had the best bartender in the US named Victor. His discretion was exemplary. I went there with my friend Brady and he bought me a sidecar, then another, then another. He actually would have my glass refilled when my back was turned. I could have killed him the next day, not sure how I got home that night!

Anyway, in 1988, I bought The Café des Artistes Cookbook for my then-boyfriend / now-husband Eric. So, I thought it would be fun to make something for dinner from the book. I chose Fettuccini with Sausage, Bacon, and Eggplant. Typically, I don’t follow the recipe exactly, mainly because I am lazy. I eliminate steps that seem unnecessary. This recipe is an absolute MESS! The first instruction is to sauté bacon in olive oil. WTF?!?! WHY!?!? Then you are meant to blanch the eggplant (eggplant requires a brief heat treatment, called blanching, in boiling water or steam, to destroy the enzymes ONLY before freezing it!). The next HORRIFYING step is to blanch the sausage! @#%$&???????? Serves 4 > actually it serves 6! Here is the REVISED recipe.

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Chicken Tetrazzini

Last night, my husband said we should make Chicken à la King. I happen to have a lot of chicken at the moment. I then proceed to tell him how to make Chicken Tetrazzini. I get them both mixed up!

It turns out the difference is that Chicken Tetrazzini has cheese in it and Chicken à la King does not. In the 1950s, you would open a can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, a package of frozen peas, carrots, a can of sliced mushrooms, some Velveeta cheese, and chicken or turkey and voila...an abomination! Anyway, my version is delicious!

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Pasta con Pesto di Agrumi (Pasta with Citrus Pesto)

I have several citrus trees in my backyard and they are bursting with fruit. To use some of my oranges, I made this Sicilian-inspired pesto, which is quick to prepare, refreshing, and delicious, and can also be eaten cold, so leftovers are perfect for your lunchbox the next day. It can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze to use at another time.

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Lemony Shrimp with White Beans and Couscous

This Lemony Shrimp with White Beans and Couscous is super fast to make. I used Israeli Couscous, but you could use orzo or a wide pasta such as a pappardelle. The key is to not overcook the shrimp!

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Instant Pot Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli

“Pasta e Fagioli” translates to “pasta and beans” in Italian. This recipe is outstanding. I have to admit I have never even been to an Olive Garden and hope I never do (sorry! I know it sounds snooty, but I just can't go there). I have given both the Instant Pot instructions as well as the stovetop version. This is a real crowd-pleaser. I should have added some chopped Italian Parsley to serve.

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Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Noddles

This Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Noddles is made in an Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker. Using evaporated milk ensures a creamy result with half of the fat of normal creamy pasta recipes. You can substitute with half and half for the cream if you wish!

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Pasta with Shrimp, Broccoli and Tomatoes

This Pasta with Shrimp, Broccoli and Tomatoes is one of those things I created from ingredients I had on hand. You can use fresh cherry or sun-dried tomatoes.  It's a fast and easy weeknight dinner recipe, the whole family will love.

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Zucchini and Feta Pasta

My daughter Zoe made this Zucchini and Feta Pasta dinner. It's actually her take on my Mushroom and Feta Pasta. The kids don't like mushrooms, which is very sad indeed! This is the perfect summer pasta dish when zucchini is plentiful in your garden.

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Mushroom and Feta Pasta

This recipe was given to me by a friend in London. I used to make this Mushroom and Feta Pasta when we were first married for dinner parties.  It's "cheap and cheerful" as we used to say. It's one of my all-time favorite pasta dishes. It's simple and really delicious.

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Marmite Pasta

Marmite is made from yeast extract, a by-product of beer brewing.  It is a sticky, dark brown paste with a distinctive, powerful flavor, which is extremely salty and savory. (Doesn’t that sound appetizing?!) This distinctive taste is reflected in the British company's marketing slogan: "Love it or hate it."Marmite is traditionally eaten as a savory spread on bread, toast, savory biscuits (crackers in US), and other similar baked products. Owing to its concentrated taste it is usually spread thinly with butter. My favorite use of Marmite is used in making Twiglets.  Twiglets are a wheat-based crisp snack shaped like small twigs, originating in the United Kingdom.  I LOVE Twiglets!!! Anyway, back to my point – I found this Nigella Lawson recipe for Marmite pasta.  My husband, Eric, loves Marmite and Nigella Lawson, for that matter, so I thought I would try it out on him.

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