Pasta Stuff

[Apple]

lisaflex
Message #20
03/22/10 04:00 PM

didnt make this today, but, do make it often as it is frugal and good for you!

bring to boil 1 can chix stock and water.
sautee on chpd red onion in OO, add crshd red ppr to taste and smashed galric cloves. add about 2 T white wine (optional). simmer.
add any type of pasta to the boiling stock and water. angel hair works well here.
when pasta is about done, add about 1 C of pasta liquid (or a bit more if you want soupy consistency) to the onion mixture.
drain pasta (NEVER rinse pasta unless it is for pasta salad) to stop boiling, run cold water directly into pot.
to the onion mixture, add 1 can drained and rinsed chick peas and 1/2 bag sliced frsh spinach.
pour pasta i bowl. add onion mixture to it....sprinkle w/ FRESH grated romano and you have an absolutely fabulously frugal and good for you meal!
i also add frsh parsley to mine. good for the heart!
i have altered this recipe many many many times....

[DebMD (banned)]

Spaghetti Carbonara II
Ingredients

* 1 pound spaghetti
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 8 slices bacon, diced
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 onion, chopped
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
* 4 eggs
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 pinch salt and black pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spaghetti pasta until al dente. Drain well. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile in a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until slightly crisp; remove and drain onto paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat; add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and heat in reused large skillet. Add chopped onion, and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add minced garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Add wine if desired; cook one more minute.
3. Return cooked bacon to pan; add cooked and drained spaghetti. Toss to coat and heat through, adding more olive oil if it seems dry or is sticking together. Add beaten eggs and cook, tossing constantly with tongs or large fork until eggs are barely set. Quickly add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and toss again. Add salt and pepper to taste (remember that bacon and Parmesan are very salty).
4. Serve immediately with chopped parsley sprinkled on top, and extra Parmesan cheese at table.

[DebMD (banned)]

Spaghetti Carbonara II
Is like the Italian bacon and eggs with pasta instead of toast.

The Chinese variant is with ham and eggs and rice.

[drwhowho]

Ingredients
Bechamel Sauce:

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for the lasagna
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk at room temperature
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, recipe follows
Salt and white pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground chuck beef
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
3 large eggs
1 pound lasagna sheets, cooked al dente
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Bechamel sauce:

In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.

In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.

In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.

Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
Simple Tomato Sauce:

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.

Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.

[nannatexasrose51]

Wow, I love recipes!!! Late hubby was Italian.. Got lots.. I will be back to post some of them. Thanks for sharing!

[lisaflex]

healthy whole wheat orzo salad

boil whole wheat orzo. rinse and drain completely.

make a dressing of 2 fresh squeezed lemons and a bit of olive oil and some crshd frsh garlic and pepper and a good quality olive oil.

finely dice up 1/2 red onion, a few radishes, 1/2 cucumber (deseeded of course) some deseeded plum tomaotes.

add the onion to the garlic/dressing mixture. let sit a bit.

pour dressing mixture over orzo. add rest of veggies. mix to coat. add some feta and another sprinkle of fresh lemon and pepper and you have a great healthy side dish that is sooo easy to put together. enjoy ;D