Baked Cheesy Bean Taquitos are one of our favorite Tex-Mex dinners. I start this dish by stirring together pinto beans, onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, chipotle peppers, and chicken stock. Then, I mix it with cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Next, I roll up this mixture in tortillas and bake …
Fettuccini Puttanesca with Whipped Ricotta is one of our favorite meatless meals. I start this fettucine puttanesca recipe by cooking fresh tomatoes into a luscious sauce. Then, I add capers, anchovies, herbs, and kalamata olives to my easy puttanesca pasta recipe. Finally, I toss the …
Lemony Tomato and Basil Linguini is one of our favorite springtime dinners. I start this fresh and zesty lemon-infused dish by cooking my linguini in lots of well-salted water. Then, I toss it with lemon juice, butter, baby arugula, Parmesan, basil and cherry tomatoes. We like this vibrant tomato and basil linguini for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this light and tangy citrus linguini in just 20 minutes. That makes this a great dinner for busy days. Secondly, I like how easily this dish reheats. I just reheat individual portions in the microwave. And, lastly, we all love the sweet tomatoes and buttery linguini.
THE EQUIPMENT I USED
A Large Pot- You’ll need a big pot to cook your pasta for this zesty tomato and basil linguini with a twist of lemon.
THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR LEMONY TOMATO AND BASIL LINGUINI
Tomatoes- Use cherry or grape tomatoes for this Lemony Tomato and Basil Linguini.
Arugula- Use baby arugula
Butter- I always use Kerrygold unsalted Irish butter.
Lemon Juice- Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for this linguini kissed with the flavors of lemon, tomato, and basil.
Linguini- I always use Barilla linguini. Cook it until it’s just al dente.
Cheese- Use finely grated Parmesan cheese for this light and tangy citrus linguini.
Oil- Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
Basil- Use fresh basil.
HOW I MADE MY PASTA
First, I cooked the linguini. I took care to not overcook it.
Next, I stirred together the no-cook sauce for this delightfully aromatic basil and tomato linguini.
Finally, I tossed everything together until every strand of pasta was coated in the rich sauce.
If you like lemons, you need to try this rich and delicious Lemony Tomato and Basil Linguini. It is truly lemon tomato basil pasta perfection.
Lemony Tomato and Basil Linguini
Linguini, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil tossed in a lemon butter Parmesan sauce. This dinner serves 4 and cooks 15 minutes.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, for the pasta. Add the kosher salt to the boiling water. Cook the linguini until al dente.
As the pasta cooks, in a bowl, stir together the oil, butter, and lemon juice. Stir in the cheese and pepper.
Drain the linguini and put it back in the pot. Add the lemon/oil/butter mixture, along with the rest of the ingredients. Toss until the linguini is coated.
Smoked Mozzarella-Topped Eggplant Rollatini is one of our favorite winter dinners. I start the rollatini by frying eggplant until it’s crispy. Then, I roll each eggplant slice around fresh ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Next, I top these cheesy eggplant bundles with homemade tomato sauce and rich and creamy smoked mozzarella …
Pepper-Jack and Mozzarella Macaroni and Cheese is one of our favorite meatless meals. I start this cozy and comforting pasta baked macaroni and cheese by making a rich white sauce. Then I stir in two kinds of cheese and elbow macaroni noodles. I use Pepper …
Peppery Parmesan Asparagus and Spaghetti is one of our favorite springtime dinners. I start this spaghetti dinner by cooking the sliced asparagus, seasoned with lots of black pepper and red pepper flakes, until it’s tender. Then, I add the cooked spaghetti, peas, and grated Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses. Along with the pasta water, this all forms a rich and delicious peppery cheese sauce. Finally, I top each portion with a ball of rich and creamy burrata cheese. We like this spaghetti dinner for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this entire spaghetti dinner in just thirty minutes. That makes it a great dinner to prepare on busy days. Secondly, I like that this is a meatless meal. While we enjoy eating meat, we also enjoy a few meatless meals every week. And, lastly, we all like the sweet asparagus and peas, the al dente spaghetti, and the creamy burrata cheese.
The Equipment I Used
A Large Skillet- Use a large skillet to make the sauce for this pasta. That way, you’ll be able to add the spaghetti to the pan and easily coat every strand with the sauce.
The Ingredients Needed for Peppery Parmesan Asparagus and Spaghetti
Spaghetti- I always use Barilla spaghetti. Be sure to follow the directions on the box to make al dente spaghetti.
Butter- Use unsalted butter. I always use Kerry Gold Irish butter.
Oil- Use extra virgin olive oil.
Pepper- You’ll need ground black pepper (freshly ground is best), and red pepper flakes.
How I Made my Peppery Pasta
First, I boiled the spaghetti.
Then, while the spaghetti cooked, I cooked the asparagus and made the sauce. Be sure to not overcook the asparagus.
Finally, I tossed the cooked spaghetti with the sauce, asparagus, and peas. And I topped each portion with burrata cheese.
If you like cheese, you need to try this Peppery Parmesan Asparagus and Spaghetti.
Peppery Parmesan Asparagus and Spaghetti
Spaghetti tossed with a peppery Parmesan and Pecorino sauce and asparagus and peas and topped with creamy balls of burrata cheese.
1bunchasparagus spears, trimmed, and cut into half inch pieces
1tsp.ground black pepper
½tsp.red pepper flakes
½cup eachgrated Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses
1cupcooked green peas
¼cupreserved spaghetti water
½cupbasil leaves
4balls burrata cheese
Instructions
In a large pot of well salted boiling water (use three tablespoons of kosher salt), cook the spaghetti pasta until al dente, following the package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving a quarter cup of the pasta water.
In a large skillet heat the butter and the olive oil over medium heat. Add the asparagus, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook on medium heat until the asparagus is just tender.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the spaghetti, Parmesan, Pecorino, and peas. Toss until the cheese melts. Add a quarter cup of reserved pasta water. Toss until creamy, adding more water as needed. Top with a half cup more of Parmesan cheese and the basil. Top each portion with burrata cheese.
Lemony Asparagus and Farfalle with Burrata is one of our favorite springtime dinners. I start this asparagus-filled pasta by boiling my farfalle and cooking the asparagus in butter. Then, I add garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese to the asparagus. Finally, I stir …
Burrata-Topped Kale Pesto Rigatoni is one of our favorite spring dinners. I start this pesto rigatoni by making the pesto in my food processor. Then, I toss the cooked rigatoni with the kale pesto and cherry tomatoes. Finally, I top the rigatoni with creamy burrata …
Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto is one of our favorite springtime dinners. I start this risotto by cooking the mushrooms until they’re golden brown. Then, I add the rice and stir in the chicken stock until the risotto is creamy and delicious. Finally, I add lots of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sweet peas. We like this risotto for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this risotto in just thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that I can make this risotto ahead of time. I like to make it early in the day, and then heat it up in the microwave right before dinner. And, finally, we all love the earthy mushrooms, the tender peas, and the creamy risotto.
The Equipment I Used
A Dutch Oven- I like to make my risotto in a heavy, cast iron Dutch oven. But you can use any five quart or larger pot.
The Ingredients Needed for Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto
Rice- Use arborio rice or another rice suitable for risotto. I like the Rice Select brand risotto.
Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade chicken stock. The recipe is below.
Wine- Use a dry white wine.
Mushrooms- I used regular white mushrooms, but you can also use wild mushrooms.
Peas- You can use fresh or frozen peas.
Parmesan cheese- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How I Made my Risotto
First, I brought my chicken stock to a simmer.
Next, I cooked the mushrooms until they were golden brown.
Then, I cooked the onions until they were soft.
Next, I added the rice and stirred it into the buttery onions until the rice was totally coated.
Then, I slowly stirred in the chicken stock one ladle at a time. When the rice sticks to the pot it’s time to add more stock to the pot.
If you like rich and creamy rice, you need to try this tasty Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto.
Sweet Pea and Mushroom Risotto
Rich and creamy risotto filled with peas and mushrooms.
In a four-quart saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a simmer. In a Dutch oven, melt one tablespoon of the butter and cook the mushrooms until they're golden. Remove the mushrooms to a plate. Add the onion along with another tablespoon of butter to the pot and cook until golden brown. Add the rice and stir until it is well coated with the butter and onions. Add the wine, and stir until the rice absorbs the liquid. Add the chicken stock in one quarter cup increments, stirring the rice with a wooden spoon. Add another quarter cup of stock when the rice begins to stick to the bottom of the pot. Keep adding stock until the rice is slightly tender. You may not need all the stock. Stir the mushrooms back in, along with the Parmesan cheese, peas, and basil.
4½lbs.chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
10cupswater
2peeled onions
2peeled carrots
3peeled parsley roots
1tbsp.kosher salt
4stalks celery
1peeled parsnip
2tbsp.garlic cloves
1cupfresh parsley and fresh dill
Instructions
Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth.
Fettuccini with Eggplant and Whipped Ricotta is one of our favorite meatless meals. I start this dish by making a fresh tomato sauce. Then, I fry eggplant until it’s crispy. Finally, I toss the sauce and eggplant all together with fettuccini and top it with …