23 Sep 2015

Cold Pasta Salad

by Eva M | posted in: Cold Pasta Salad, Pasta | 0

Pasta salad is so good. You can make it ahead of time and it gets better and better the longer it sits. I make this as a side salad for most barbecues, and I have brought it to the beach for lunch. It’s great.

Ingredients

1 Lb Rotini Pasta
1 Pint Grape Tomatoes – sliced lengthwise
1 Can Small Black Olives – Pitted
6 oz, Feta Cheese
¼ Lb Sliced Pepperoni
½ Lb Hard Salami
2 – 6oz Jars Marinated Artichoke Hearts
2 TBSP Chopped Basil

2 Cups Broccoli Florets – Optional

1 Bottle (16 oz) Italian Salad Dressing

Salt & Pepper

Instructions
Boil Pasta following the package directions. Cook until al dente. Drain pasta and season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, add the hot pasta and ½ the feta cheese. Mix well. Add the grape tomatoes, olives, pepperoni, salami, artichoke hearts and cooked broccoli florets. Toss to combine all the ingredients. Add the salad dressing and the chopped basil. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle the rest of the feta cheese on top before serving.

23 Sep 2015

Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil

by Eva M | posted in: Pasta, Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil | 0

Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil is a staple in all Italian homes. This is a great meal when you are in a rush or when you come home late and want something good to eat.

Ingredients

1 Lb Spaghetti
2/3 Cup Olive Oil
6 Garlic Cloves – Siced thin
¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
½ Cup Parsley – Chopped
Fresh Ground Pepper
Salt

Instructions

Boil the pasta following the package directions. Cook until the pasta is al dente. Reserve 1 ½ – 2 Cups Pasta water. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the sliced garlic. When it is starting to turn brown, add the pasta water and let it reduce by 1/3. Add the al dente pasta. Toss with tongs to ensure that all the spaghetti is coated. Add Salt and pepper to taste. Toss for 1 minute.Remove from the heat. Add the cheese and parsley. Toss and serve immediately.

23 Sep 2015

Orecchiette with Broccoli and Sausage

by Eva M | posted in: Orecchiette with Broccoli and Sausage, Pasta | 0

Whenever I go out to an Italian restaurant, I find this on the menu. The reason it’s there is because it is so good and easy to make. You can’t go wrong with a pasta dish as good as this one.

Ingredients

1 LB Orecchiette Pasta
¼ Cup Olive Oil
4 Cloves Garlic – Chopped
1 LB Italian Sausage Meat
1 Head Broccoli – Florets only
1 Cup Grating Cheese
¼ Cup Parsley – chopped

Instructions

In a large stockpot, boil the pasta following the package directions. Cook until the pasta is al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water
In a large skillet, brown the sausage meat. Once it is brown, remove it from the pan.
Heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped garlic. Saute for 1-2 minutes. Add the broccoli florets to the olive oil and sauté until tender.
Add the browned sausage meat back to the pan. Add the pasta and the pasta water. Continue cooking for 1 minute.Remove from the heat and add the cheese and parsley.

23 Sep 2015

Baked Ziti

by Eva M | posted in: Baked Ziti, Pasta | 0

Baked Ziti is a dish that you find on almost every buffet table for any occasion that everyone looks forward to. It is not only delicious, but it is most definitely a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients for Meat Sauce

2- 28 oz cans San Marzano Tomatoes – crushed
2-6 oz cans Tomato Paste
1 Large Onion
3 Cloves Garlic
1 Lb Ground Beef – Lean
1 Lb Ground Pork
2 TBSP Fresh Parsley
3 TBSP Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Ingredients for Cheese Mixture
2 Lb Ricotta Cheese
1 Lb Mozzarella Cheese
1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 TBSP Parsley, Chopped
2 Eggs

Additional Ingredients
1 Lb Zita Pasta

Additional grating cheese for serving

Instructions for Meat Sauce

In a heavy bottom stock pot, add the olive oil. Slice the onion and add to the hot oil. Cook on medium heat until brown, be careful not to burn. Smash the garlic cloves with the side of a knife and add to the pot. Let cook an additional minute or two. Remove the onion and garlic from the pot. Throw away the onion and save the garlic for later.

Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pot. Season the meat with salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon parsley. Chop the reserved garlic cloves and add them to the meat. Let brown completely. Drain any visible fat from the meat.

Add the crushed tomatoes and the tomato paste. Fill each empty can of tomato paste with water and add it to the pot. Put a small amount of water in the San Marzano empty cans to remove any leftover tomatoes from the can and add to the pot.Over medium heat, let the tomato and meat mixture come to a low boil. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

Simmer for 1 hour over low heat.

Instructions for Cheese Mixture
Add all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix.

Instructions for assembling the Baked Ziti
Cook the Ziti following the package directions. Do not overcook. Cook until the pasta is al dente. Drain.

In a large baking bowl, combine the hot pasta and cheese mixture. Add the meat/sauce mixture until it is very moist and well combined.

Pour into large baking pan. Top with additional meat sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake in a 350º oven for 30 minutes or until bubbling hot.

21 Sep 2015

Hello world!

by matt | posted in: Cooking | 0

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!