Here is an easy summertime meal made with shrimp from the freezer, arugula from the garden, parmesan from the fridge, and penne pasta from the pantry. You could use any other pasta shape you like for this recipe, I just happened to have penne on hand. Ingredients: 1 lb. dried penne pasta (or your favorite pasta – spaghetti, fusilli; rigatoni, or whatever) 1/4 cup … [Read more...]
Tortellini with Prosciutto & Cream
For this recipe, I use store-bought tortellini which makes this dish very easy and quick to prepare. You can have it cooked and on your table in about 15 minutes. I prefer cheese-stuffed tortellini when I make this rich dish, but you could use any type you’d like. Ingredients: 2 Tbsp unsalted butter 1 shallot, peeled & minced 1 garlic clove, peeled & … [Read more...]
Baked Rigatoni with Tomato Sauce
When I was in graduate school in New York City, I loved an inexpensive cafeteria-style Italian restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen called Manganaro's Hero Boy. The now-shuttered eatery dated back to 1893 and closed recently due to COVID. Their hero sandwiches were incredible. But I also really liked their baked ziti with a rich tasting tomato sauce. On a recent visit back to NYC I … [Read more...]
Pasta with Chicken & Rosemary
Here is a really tasty recipe for pasta with dark chicken meat and a hint of rosemary. You could use any type of pasta, but I prefer something hearty like rigatoni or pappardelle. Ingredients: 1/2 lb. chopped boneless chicken meat from thighs or legs 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup beef or chicken broth 1 Tbsp tomato paste 1 shallot, minced 2-3 garlic cloves, … [Read more...]
Pasta with Basil Pesto Recipe
With fresh basil growing like crazy in our garden this summer, it’s hard to find ways to use it all. But here’s a really tasty (and easy) way to make a light pasta “sauce” (more of a dressing, really) using fresh basil leaves and a few other ingredients. Best of all, you don’t have to cook anything except the pasta. Ingredients: 2 cups of tightly packed fresh basil … [Read more...]
Cajun-Creole Crawfish Pasta Recipe
Years ago, a college friend suggested we eat at K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, chef Paul Prudhomme's original restaurant. Even though, I thought this restaurant was a tourist trap, my meal at K-Paul's was one of the most memorable I've ever had. In particular, I recall a rich, decadent pasta dish -- similar to fettuccine Alfredo, but made with crawfish. It was … [Read more...]
BLT Bucatini Recipe
BLT Bucatini is one of my very favorite pasta dishes - one that makes use of pancetta (bacon), arugula (lettuce) and cherry tomatoes: BLT. I like to make this using thick bucatini pasta, but feel free to use any type of pasta you like. Ingredients: 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 lb. cherry tomatoes, roasted (see instructions below) 2 garlic … [Read more...]