tagged ‘pasta’

Dried & fresh mushroom tagliatelle with white wine

in Savoury, Taste -

These dried & fresh mushroom tagliatelle with white wine are exactly what a plate of pasta should be: simple, delicious and good enough to go for seconds.

Dried & fresh mushroom tagliatelle with white wine

Dried mushrooms are by far one of my favourite ingredients to use; I do so sparingly though, keeping the precious dark gems at the back of my cupboard, waiting for the right moment to soak some of them in water, toss with few other ingredients and marvel once again at their rich, deep flavour and power to transform any dish into something wonderful. [READ MORE]

Cavolo nero & sun dried tomato mac & cheese with crunchy pecan topping

in Savoury, Taste -

This cavolo nero & sun dried tomato mac & cheese with crunchy pecan topping is what my cheesy autumnal dreams are made of!

My love for both pasta and cooking with seasonal ingredients is well documented here, as is my excitement over what to cook when seasons change. I may miss summer and its bright coloured juicy treasures at first, but by mid September, I have fully embraced autumn, it’s vibrant hues of deep orange, red and orange and I find myself, almost without realising, ready for heartier dishes. This year, up until a few days, we were graced with an unexpected glorious indian summer, filled with sunny days and almost balmy nights. And then, all of a sudden, the weather turned very cold- just in time for my dear cavolo nero to be featured in all its glory in a couple dishes. [READ MORE]

Anchovy, pea & garlic lemony tagliatelle

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This anchovy, pea & garlic lemony tagliatelle is the perfect end of summer dish: colourful, delicious and comforting in spades. 

Anchovy, pea & garlic lemony tagliatelle

After a blissful, busy, creative and delicious summer, I am back in crazy, moody London, both happy and sad for my return; I am thinking back to sunny, laid back days filled with the freshest food and the longest nights; and I also can’t wait to embrace my usual routine again and for new exciting food adventures to come. [READ MORE]

Zucchini & smocked trout spaghetti

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This zucchini & smocked trout spaghetti is not only a delicious stunner put together in mere minutes, but also my new favourite summer pasta dish!

Zucchini & smocked trout spaghetti

My answer to the question “what’s your favourite food” is always: pasta. Pasta forever. Yet, I make it quite rarely. Part of it is because I want to enjoy it more, on special occasions- which can vary from a fancy dinner date to an utterly informal and quick one pot dish, eaten hungrily straight from the pan. Another is my inability to have a little bit of pasta; it’s never a little bit, it’s always a lot. A lot. And carbs- as much as I love them, they tend to weigh me down, so I rather favour quinoa, roast veggies and fish instead. [READ MORE]

Green pasta salad with parsley & thyme vinaigrette

in Savoury, Taste -

I am a little bit obsessed with this green pasta salad with parsley & thyme vinaigrette- I’ll be making it all summer long and I hope you will too.

Green pasta salad with parsley & thyme vinaigrette

Like with any good salad, it all starts with a delicious vinaigrette- which, in this case started in the same way most of my dishes begin: with a pinch of this and a dash of that, with whatever I had in hand and thoughts of how flavours and ingredients pair nicely together. The first time I made it, I had a plate of wholewheat penne and a can of tuna to play with. As simple -and frankly- as boring as it gets. [READ MORE]

Asparagus & tuna pasta salad

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Perfect for this time of year, this asparagus & tuna pasta salad is colourful, delicious and irresistibly light- it’s an ideal lunch or dinner for spring.

Asparagus & tuna pasta salad

It seems like every year, I am somehow oblivious to the infinite charms of asparagi. Autumn passes and then winter too and I never think about them, nor do I miss them. And then spring arrives, irresistible and thirsty, bearing gifts of almost unbearable beauty: berries and crunchy cucumbers, delicate greens and, always seemingly to my surprise, asparagus. A little crusty, yet delicate too, requiring so very little and giving back so very much. [READ MORE]

Sausage & porcini bolognese

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Appropriately thick, deliciously aromatic and ever so slightly spicy, this sausage & porcini bolognese is comfort food at it’s best. Dig in!

Sausage & porcini bolognese

As much as I love pasta, I almost never make meaty sauces to go with it. I seldom cook meat in general, but that’s not to say I don’t enjoy the quite rare occasions when I’ll have it. Even though a steak doesn’t do much for me, I’m a sucker for thick, juicy ribs, a simple, spicy & refreshing thai beef salad and a good old bolognese. [READ MORE]

Chorizo, kale & blue cheese pasta bake

in Savoury, Taste -

pasta-bake-4

Let’s start the week with the absolute best food in the planet: pasta (duh!). Ever since I was a kid I loved everything about pasta: all the varieties and their versatility, how they’re basically the perfect canvas for different sauces and ingredients, textures and layers. From a perfectly green, salty and nutty pesto, the elegance of a squid ink sauce, or the wonderful simplicity of a one pot dish, pasta is king. As part of a tuna salad, in a jar or featuring the best summer ingredients, to more wintery versions, featuring dark colours and no frills. And of course, my all time favourite version: covered in a cheese sauce and baked until bubbly, golden brown and delicious. If I had to choose one comfort food, it would be this. Every time. [READ MORE]

Mascarpone, pea & tarragon one-pot pasta

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Mascarpone, pea & tarragon one-pot pasta

Pasta is probably my favourite thing to eat; it’s easy, simple and delicious, aka the definition of comfort food. Although I can’t resist a serving (or two) of a classic tomato sauce slow-cooked with all sorts of herbs, garlic and onion, or a big plate of this stunning, pitch black squid-ink spaghetti, I’m usually partial to more speedy sauces, which you can whip up almost on the spot, with pretty much any ingredient you have in hand. [READ MORE]

Creamy sunchoke, almond & dill pasta

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Creamy sunchoke, almond & dill pasta

Happy Monday everyone! Today is the last day of the BHMA Food Blog Awards competition. Maybe by now you’ve had enough of it: enough mentions, shout-outs, recipes featuring Knorr stocks (which are delicious btw,  competition or not). But bear with me just for a tinsy bit longer. Bear with me just long enough to tell you a little bit about this delicious pasta dish. [READ MORE]