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 …
Lemony Shrimp Francese and Linguini is one of our favorite seafood dinners. I start this shrimp dish by dipping the shrimp in flour and eggs and frying them. Then, I make a lemony white wine sauce. Finally, I toss the shrimp and al dente linguini …
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 the whipped cheese. We like this eggplant dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that this is a meatless meal, since we try to have meatless dinners a few times a week. Secondly, I like that I can make this eggplant and pasta in just about forty minutes. And, lastly, we all love the crispy eggplant, the fresh tomato sauce, and the creamy ricotta.
The Equipment I Used
A Food Processor- You’ll need to a food processor to make the whipped ricotta.
A Dutch Oven- I like to use a cast-iron Dutch oven to make my sauce. But you can use any large pot.
A Large Pot- Use a large pot to boil the fettuccine.
The Ingredients Needed for Fettuccini with Eggplant and Whipped Ricotta
Fettuccini- I really like the Dececco egg fettuccini
Ricotta- Use fresh ricotta cheese if possible. You can find this at Italian markets.
Tomatoes- I use fresh plum tomatoes for this sauce.
Garlic- I like to buy the peeled cloves and store them in the freezer.
Eggplant- Use a firm eggplant.
How I Made my Eggplant and Fettuccini
First, I made the fresh tomato sauce. I begin this by boiling the tomatoes so that the skins come off easily.
Next, I fried my eggplant cubes. It’s important that your oil be very hot.
Then, while the sauce simmered, I made the whipped cheese.
Finally, I tossed the fettuccine with the sauce and eggplant. Then, I topped it all with the cheese.
If you like eggplant, you need to try this cheesy and delicious Fettuccini with Eggplant and Whipped Ricotta.
Fettuccini with Eggplant and Whipped Ricotta
Fettuccini tossed with crispy eggplant and a fresh tomato sauce and topped with Whipped Ricotta Cheese.
¼tsp. eachdried oregano, kosher salt, sugar and crushed red pepper flakes
1bay leaf
2tbsp.fresh basil, sliced
To Assemble the Dish:
2cupspeeled and cubed eggplant (one-inch cubes)
1tsp.kosher salt
12ouncesspaghetti
fresh basil for garnishing
Parmesan cheese, grated
1recipewhipped ricotta (see recipe below)
Instructions
Begin by preparing the crispy eggplant: Place the eggplant in a colander, over a bowl. Sprinkle the eggplant with the kosher salt and let it sit for thirty minutes.
While the eggplant drains, make the fresh tomato sauce: In a three- quart saucepan, half filled with boiling water, simmer the tomatoes for three minutes, or until their peels loosen. Drain and peel the tomatoes and chop them in half inch pieces.
In a Dutch oven on low heat, melt the butter and oil and cook the onion and garlic until they're soft. Add the tomatoes and the rest of the sauce ingredients, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring frequently. While the sauce simmers, fry the eggplant. Heat a half cup of olive oil on medium heat in a large skillet. Rinse and then dry the eggplant with paper towels. When the oil is very hot, heat the eggplant cubes on all sides, until it's brown. Cook until tender but not mushy. Drain on paper towels. While the sauce simmers cook the fettuccini according to the package directions. Also, make the whipped ricotta ( recipe below). Remove the bay leaf from the sauce and add in the eggplant. Toss the sauce with the drained fettuccini. Top with the fresh basil, whipped ricotta, and the parmesan cheese.
Fettuccini with Lobster and Roasted Tomatoes is one of our favorite lobster pasta dishes. I start this fettuccini dish by steaming a couple of lobsters and chopping up all their meat. Then, I boil some egg fettuccini and roast some cherry tomatoes and fennel. Finally, …
Linguini with Lobster and Puttanesca Sauce is one of our favorite seafood dinners. I start this lobster dish by making a fresh tomato puttanesca sauce. Then, I add cooked lobster and heat it until it’s just warmed through. Finally, I toss the lobster and sauce …
Pumpkin Gouda Macaroni and Cheese is one of our favorite fall dinners. I start this dish by making a creamy white sauce. Then, I stir in lots of delicious Pumpkin Spice Gouda Cheese and macaroni. Finally, I top it all with buttery homemade breadcrumbs and bake it until it’s golden brown. We like this macaroni and cheese for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this pasta dinner in less than one hour. Secondly, I like that I can make this ahead of time. I like to assemble this whole dish ahead of time and then bake it right before dinner. And, lastly, we all like the cheesy pasta and the buttery bread crumb topping.
The Equipment I Used
A Food Processor- You’ll need this to turn your bread into breadcrumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, you could just mince your bread really finely.
A Baking Dish- Use a large eleven by nine baking dish.
The Ingredients Needed for Pumpkin Gouda Macaroni and Cheese
Pumpkin Gouda Spice Cheese- I buy the Beemster brand pumpkin gouda spice cheese. If you can’t find this, you can use regular gouda cheese or any cheese you like.
Macaroni- I always use Barilla macaroni.
Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade chicken stock.
Flour- Use all-purpose flour.
Cream- Use heavy cream. Don’t use half and half, light cream, or milk.
White Bread- I always use a soft packaged white bread like Pepperidge Farms.
Butter- Use unsalted butter.
How I Made my Macaroni and Cheese
First, I boiled the macaroni. Be sure to use all three tablespoons of kosher salt to cook the macaroni.
Next, I made the white sauce. The tricky part is adding the eggs without scrambling them. To avoid scrambling the eggs, add a little sauce to the eggs and stir them, gradually increasing the sauce added.
Finally, I topped the macaroni and cheese with the crumbs and baked it all until it was golden brown.
Pumpkin Gouda Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese made with Pumpkin Spice Gouda Cheese.
Boil the macaroni in a large pot of water with three tablespoons of kosher salt and drain it well.
Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, on medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter and cook the onions until they're tender.
Add the flour to the onions and cook for two minutes. Then add the chicken stock and cream and cook for two more minutes. Add the salt and pepper. Remove the pot from the heat.
Stir a half cup of the sauce into a bowl with the beaten eggs. This is to temper, or heat up the eggs so don't scramble in the hot sauce. Mix it with a spoon, and then add the warmed up eggs to the warm pot. Stir in the macaroni and cheese, and put it in a greased 9 by 11 casserole.
In a small skillet, melt the rest of the butter. Make breadcrumbs out of the bread in the food processor, and cook them in the butter for 3 minutes.
Scatter the bread crumbs over the macaroni and cheese and bake for 30 minutes.
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.
Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza Lasagna is one of our favorite fall dinners. I start this lasagna by making a homemade marinara sauce. Then, I layer the sauce with lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Finally, I top the lasagna with mushrooms, pepperoni, and peppers. …
Burrata Topped Pasta Amatriciana is one our favorite fall dinners. I start this pasta dish by making a fresh tomato sauce filled with pancetta. Then, I mix the sauce with linguini and top it with creamy burrata cheese. We like this dish for several reasons. …
Buttery Shrimp and Parmesan Linguini is one of our favorite seafood dinners. I start this dish by cooking linguini pasta. While the linguini boils, I cook shrimp and garlic in lots of butter. Finally, I toss the shrimp and linguini with red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can cook this entire dish in just twenty minutes. That makes it perfect for busy days. Secondly, I like that I can make this dish ahead of time. I like to make it early in the day and then heat it up in the microwave. And, lastly, we all love the sweet shrimp and the garlicky, buttery linguini.
The Equipment I Used
A Large Pot- Use a large pot to cook the linguini so that it doesn’t stick together.
The Ingredients Needed for Buttery Shrimp and Parmesan Linguini
Salt- Use salt to flavor your pasta cooking water.
Linguini- I used linguini, but you can use any pasta shape that you like.
Butter- Be sure to use unsalted butter. I always use Kerry Gold Irish Butter. In a dish with just a few ingredients, using a good quality butter makes a big difference.
Shrimp- I really like Gulf shrimp. I buy them frozen. If you can find these, you should try them.
Oil- Use extra virgin olive oil. I really like the California Olive Ranch brand.
Garlic- I like to buy the peeled garlic cloves and store them in the freezer.
Parmesan Cheese- Use Italian imported Parmesan cheese.
How I Made my Shrimp Pasta
First, I boiled the linguini. You want it to be ready when the shrimp is ready.
Next, I made the shrimp. Cook them until they’re pink and opaque.
Finally, I tossed the shrimp and linguini with the butter and spices.
If you like shrimp, you need to try this spicy and delicious Buttery Shrimp and Parmesan Linguini.
Buttery Shrimp and Parmesan Linguini
Linguini tossed with shrimp, butter, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese.
7tbsp.unsalted butter, softened and cut in seven tablespoon pieces
2tbsp.minced garlic
1poundGulf shrimp, peeled and deveined
5tsp.extra virgin olive oil
½tsp.garlic powder
1tsp.red pepper flakes
⅔cupParmesan cheese
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. When it reaches a boil add 9 teaspoons of the salt and the linguini. Cook the linguini until it is just al dente. The time for this should be on the pasta box.
While the linguini cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat with two tablespoons of butter. Add the garlic and shrimp and cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
While the pasta and shrimp cooks: In a large bowl, stir together the butter, oil, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and the last teaspoon of the salt.
Add one tablespoon of the pasta water to the bowl and stir until combined. Drain the pasta well and add it to the bowl along with the shrimp and cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in the butter mixture. Serve right away.
Summer Tomato Fettuccini Carbonara is one of our favorite summer dinners. I like this fettuccini for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this fettuccini is just thirty minutes. I like to make this fettuccini after a busy day when I …