Pasta a la Carbonara is a favorite in our family because it’s very simple and quick to make for dinner with salad and a glass of wine. I add shallots in oil to enhance the mushrooms.
Italian
Recipes for Italian cuisine. Feel like you have taken a trip to one of the many beautiful Italian cities.
Pasta Fagioli Soup
When the stars make you drool
Joost-a like pasta fazool (Pasta Fagioli)
That’s amore
When you dance down the street
With a cloud at your feet, you’re in love
When you walk in a dream
But you know you’re not dreamin’, signore
‘Scusami, but you see
Back in old Napoli, that’s amore
Pasta Fagioli Soup
We all remember Dean Martin singing That’s Amore, either on television if you’re old enough, or in the movie Moonstruck if you’re not. It was raining here today in Glendale, and I had a PTA meeting to go to, so I thought that soup would be an excellent idea.
I have a wonderful book, The Mafia Cookbook, where I know I can get very authentic Italian recipes. This soup can either be an appetizer, having very little meat, as it is in the book, or you can add meat like I did and have a full filling meal.
Well, let’s get started.
Stuffed Mushrooms in Wine Sauce
Love Mushrooms
I love mushrooms, and lately, I have been finding nice big ones at the local corner store. I picked up six of them and decided to wait and have them stuffed for our meatless Friday meal.
The Nesco is the perfect appliance to cook them, as they do not dry out, and can steam in wine. Clean up is a snap, and your kitchen does not heat up.
Risotto Rice Balls with Garlic Basil Tomato Mayonnaise
Make these rice balls with leftover Risotto, and serve as an appetizer or a light lunch with a tossed salad. They are easy to make, and everyone will love them.
Risotto with Mushrooms and Saffron
Risotto with saffron and mushrooms is a real treat. The rice used is Arborio, from Italy, although most supermarkets carry it these days. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world – but fear not. You can usually find very small amounts of saffron in markets like Trader Joe’s. Luckily you don’t need much.
Italian Fennel Pork Chops
These Fennel Pork Chops will remind you of Italian sausage. They have a lovely wine sauce and go beautifully with risotto. Enjoy them with a nice glass of Shiraz and an antipasto salad to start.
Bloody Margarets – Not Your Usual Bloody Mary Recipe
This is a different Bloody Mary recipe. Presenting Bloody Margaret, she’s oh so lovely with her fresh basil and citrus vodka. Enjoy!
Stuffed Mushrooms and Baby Red Peppers
Recipes in this Post
Wonderful Vegetables
I love living in Glendale and having all these small fresh vegetable grocery stores. Today, I happened to go to two different stores, and one had giant mushrooms, and the other, Edna’s had small, heart-shaped red peppers. Both were just the size for stuffing.
Lasagna alla casa di Boswell
This lasagna with ricotta, spinach, and sausage is rich and delicious. It’s time-consuming but a lot of it can be made ahead, so enjoy it with friends, a big salad, and a bottle of red wine.
Chicken with Gorgonzola and Pistachios
Sauted chicken in a creamy sauce with Gorgonzola cheese and pistachio nuts.