Presto, Pesto

If you're looking for a way to use up scads of arugula, look no further than pesto!  It is an easy, flavorful, healthy way to use up extra zesty greens.

We make pesto every year from basil, parsley and wild Italian Arugula.  It keeps really well in the freezer, so you can eat it all year on your sandwiches, pasta and green beans.  Immersion blenders makes the process especially easy.

Food Lately

Goodness, it's been a while.  I think I'd better stop promising to do better about writing consistently and just do it!

I figured I better post some pictures of food lately so you know what I've been up to.  Recipes and more coming soon.

Pizza baking

Cut pizza

Pizza for dinner

Alfredo sauce

cookies

Serve up the Pasta

New pasta shapes are always fun to learn.  I love imagining nonnas in their kitchens, sitting around the table.  I imagine that they sit there all day making pasta.  Which, of course, they never do.  Thus, we have pasta shapes that are very easy to make.  Even nonnas don't spend all day in the kitchen.

So, here comes trofie.  Trofie is just about the easiest shape you can make.  They are great if you like doughy pasta that tastes an awful lot like German Spaetzle.  You can watch this video to learn how to make trofie.   

I'd like to point out how easy pasta is.  You truly cannot mess it up.  It can be flour and water, egg and water with milk, oil or anything that you've got too much of.  You'll notice that I have a lot of egg yolks.  If you glance through my recent posts you'll see royal icing and coconut cake, both of which use just whites.  Pasta is the answer.

My Recipe:

8 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons cream (or milk, or water for that matter)

1. Place flour in a large bowl.  Make a slight well in the center for the wet ingredients
2. Incorporate wet ingredients with a fork or your fingers
3. When everything is just mixed, knead the dough for at least 10 minutes with the heal of your hand
4.  Let dough sit for 45 minutes before forming shapes
5. Boil heavily salted water and cook to taste

No Machines Required: Simple Pasta

Here's how it began.
I had never made pasta before.  I found myself with 4 leftover egg yolks.

I searched Pinterest and Google for recipes to use up said yolks.

PASTA.

It is the answer.

Also, people make fun of me for pronouncing the "L" in yolk.
People can be mean.

You'll Need:
-2.5 cups flour
-4 egg yolks
-2 T. olive oil
-1/3 cup water
-cornmeal for surface

First.


In a large bowl, place flour and create a well in the center.

Second.


Mix 1/4 cup of the water with yolks and olive oil.

Third.


Pour the wet ingredients in to the center of the flour and mix with a fork until everything is incorporated.

Fourth.


When the dough has come together enough to knead, place dough on a surface sprinkled with corn meal.

Fifth.


For about ten minutes or until dough is smooth and easy to work with, adding water as necessary (you may not need more, it just depends)


Sixth.


Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.  Roll out an cut into desired shapes. I made Pisarei.  Boil water with salt and cook until pasta floats and is tender.  You can also freeze the uncooked pasta shapes!

Healthy Dinner: Tuna with Cherry Tomatoes

Have you tried flash frozen tuna?  You should!  It tastes awesome and is so good for you.  So here is a recipe, inspired by Martha Stewart.

You'll Need:
- 1 lb. thawed/fresh tuna steaks
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 2/3 cup white wine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt & pepper
- 1/2 lb. cooked pasta (any variety)
- large skillet

First. 


Cut the tuna into pieces about 2x2 inches.  Season with salt and pepper

Second.


Put olive oil in the skillet and heat up with half of the minced garlic.

Third.


When the skillet is hot, add tuna and cook for about 1.5 minutes.  Then turn and put in all the ingredients and cook for about 2-3 minutes.  Serve over pasta!

Fact of the Matter: Sunny Saturdays lift my mood.