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Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino

Camilla Salem — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:45:17 PST

Translated: spaghetti with garlic, oil, and chili pepper flakes.

This is the kind of meal that makes you stop and think that the simplest foods are often the most wonderful. With only a few ingredients that are staples in most pantries, you can create a beautiful, flavorful, heartwarming meal from scratch.

Spaghetti aglio, olio, e peperoncino is a traditional Italian pasta dish. It's well loved by many because it's so easy and inexpensive to make. This is a perfect solution whenever you're in a bind. For example, if guests come over and you've got nothing to serve, they are certain to be wowed when you present them with this meal.

It packs quite a kick from the minced garlic and chili pepper flakes, and I highly suggest enjoying this dish with fellow garlic lovers. Keep on going for more.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Lemon Spaghetti

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:48:25 PDT

Pasta is one of my favorite weeknight dinners. Most sauces, whether it be something classic like carbonara or different such as sun-dried tomato cream, come together in no time at all. The latest recipe to be added to my pasta rotation? This vegetarian-friendly lemon spaghetti. The just-cooked pasta is tossed with a creamy lemon-garlic sauce, tons of grated parmesan cheese, and a heavy sprinkling of fresh herbs. On its own, it's a delightfully light dinner; however, it would make an excellent side to grilled chicken or shrimp. I prefer to enjoy it with a chilled glass of sparkling Rosé. Here's the uncomplicated technique!

Satisfying Comfort Foods

YumSugar — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 03:30:21 PST

On Winter evenings when I come home hungry, fatigued, and cold from the rain, there's nothing I crave more than nostalgic childhood favorites like pot pie, macaroni and cheese, and meatballs. I've compiled my favorite recipes, so you know where to turn if you're craving comfort at your next meal. To make these palate pleasers, read on.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Bacon Pasta Is Easy and Comforting

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:30:50 PDT

Although I'm not of Italian descent, I think pasta is one of the most comforting dishes out there. After a long weekday, there's nothing like coming home to a steaming bowl of luscious noodles in a rich and flavorful sauce.

My favorite pasta of all time could very well be this creamy sun-dried tomato and bacon spaghetti. I've made it a million times and never tire of the combination of salty pork with sweet tomatoes.

It's decadent but not over the top, and it's quick but sophisticated enough to serve guests. It's also versatile: kids love it, men love it, probably the only people who won't be impressed with this pasta are vegetarians. I highly recommend this recipe: learn the easy technique here.

Pasta Popsicles: Get Tots Twirling Their Spaghetti on a Stick!

babysugar — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:00:15 PDT

There's no need for a tot to wrap his noodles around a fork when mama can make spaghetti on a stick! One trick parents use to convince children to try a new food is to kebab it. I recently came across a recipe for spaghetti pops and decided to serve them to my carb-loving tots.

For step-by-step instructions,

Spaghetti on a Stick
Instructables

Ingredients

3 cups cooked pasta
2 eggs
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan
1 cup Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1/2 tsp Onion Flakes
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp oregano

Directions

Mix eggs and Ricotta cheese in large bowl. Once well-mixed, add in pasta, Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper, onion flakes, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano.
Mix until well-blended.
Using chopsticks, or kebab sticks, twirl pasta onto sticks as tightly as possible (use hands to ensure everything is rolled tightly).
Spread bread crumbs on small plate and roll pops on the bread crumbs until lightly coated. Tightly wrap each pop in plastic wrap and place in freezer until frozen through.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a shallow frying pan over medium-high heat.
Add pops one-by-one and cook until lightly browned on each side.
Once browned, remove pops and place on baking sheet. Bake pops for 8-10 minutes, turning twice, until heated through.
Serve hot with tomato sauce for dipping.

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Cacio e Pepe Pasta: A Must-Add to Your Recipe Arsenal

YumSugar — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:00:31 PDT

Since it seems that lately everyone - including Julia Roberts herself! - has been talking about memorable food from the filming of Eat Pray Love, I've got oodles of al dente noodles on the brain, and it reminded me that I've yet to share with you my favorite Italian pasta to make at home.

I like to think of cacio e pepe (Italian for "cheese and pepper") as the Rome's cosmopolitan version of mac and cheese. It's a simple recipe that requires nothing more than spaghetti, cheese, butter, and seasonings. It's ready in a matter of minutes - and always gone even faster than that. For this reason, cacio e pepe is one of the most valued dishes in my weeknight recipe arsenal. Want a plate of this now? Then keep reading.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Spaghetti With Eggplant and Tomato Sauce

partysugar — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:00:31 PDT

Eggplant is an ingredient I rarely cook with. Since it's currently in season, I'm trying to use it more. I'm starting with this classic Italian preparation, known by some as pasta a la Norma. The sauce is made from fresh tomatoes and shallow-fried eggplant. It's seasoned with basil leaves and lots of cheese. I plan on serving mixed greens on the side and a full-bodied, unoaked Chardonnay. Want to see the recipe I'm using? It's vegetarian-friendly and can be found right here.

Berry Tempting: Spaghetti With Strawberries

YumSugar — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:00:16 PDT

It's common knowledge that strawberries are a natural addition to crumb cakes, parfaits, and cocktails. Yet I've always wanted to push the berry's boundaries, so this weekend I took the fruit to another level with a savory application.

Spaghetti and strawberries aren't a typical pairing, which is exactly why this recipe, courtesy of Manhattan restaurant Sfoglia, caught my eye. I gave it a try, despite secret fears that the end result would disappoint.

Thankfully, it didn't! Tomatoes, like rhubarb, have an acidity that's on par with strawberries, and a high-quality aged balsamic, which is more sweet than tart, helps to round out the flavors. Curious about the recipe? Then read more.

Yummy Links: From Alice's New Cookbook to Food Allergies

partysugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:15:27 PST

Alice Waters's new cookbook is called In the Green Kitchen. - Eater
Must make: bucatini with sausage. - Serious Eats
What do you think will be the future of cookbook publishing? - Chow
Writer Amy Tan recalls the food of Chinese New Years past. - SFoodie
Heart-shaped pizza: love it or hate it? - Grub Street NY
Make grilled cheese sandwiches five different ways. - Food Network
Are food allergies real or just plain hype? - The Epi-Log

Spaghetti and Meatballs Is a Comforting Classic

partysugar — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:50:38 PST

A couple of weekends ago, I had to prepare dinner for six guys. I needed a dish that was comforting, delicious, filling, and most importantly, could easily feed a crowd. I decided on classic spaghetti and meatballs. While the tomato sauce requires several hours, the resulting dish is wildly satisfying and not only did the boys love it, but so did I! Ladling out bowls of saucy spaghetti and perfectly juicy meatballs, I felt like a little Italian grandmother. Although there are tons of spaghetti and meatball recipes on the Internet, I chose this one because of some unusual twists. The addition of pancetta subtly flavors the marinara sauce and a half cup of water ensures that the mixture of ground pork, veal, and beef stays moist. I highly recommend you make this rewarding Italian favorite for your loved ones. To do so, get the recipe.