We all know what pasta embodies, but have you ever wondered what “carbonara” means? Carbonaro means charcoal in Italian, but to this day, the connection to this savory, flavorsome dish remains uncertain. Some food historians believe this pasta may have been popular among charcoal makers working in the Apennine Mountains; or perhaps it is…
Tag: garlic
Replace Bottled Sauce with 20 Minute Magnificent Marinara
While there are hundreds of amazing brands of pasta sauces on the market, I don’t buy bottled sauce anymore…period. Here’s why. This rich, thick, bubbly brew costs about $3.50-$4 a batch, possesses all of the freshness under the Tuscan sun and puts a smile on the face of everyone who consumes it. The Mmmms are infinite! Reasons…
Tortelloni Italia Italian Pasta Salad
Today, during pasta week, we continue in the theme of Italia. This time using delectable aged cheese filled puffs of pasta. Mmm! For those not aware, Tortelloni are stuffed pasta, the same shape as tortellini, but a bit larger. They are usually stuffed with various types of aged cheeses and or ricotta and leafy…
7 Lucky Foods For Friday the 13th: Combat the Bad & Make It Good!
Superstitions abound on this day; the dreaded Friday the 13th. Visions of black cats crossing your path, walking under open ladders, seeing the triple digits 666; all seemingly never good to encounter. Some people live in fear of Friday the 13th. They’ll have to get through May 13 the best they can this year, but…
Ana’s Earth Day Brown Rice & Vegetable Harvest Bake
On this day, April 22nd we demonstrate our support and protection of our beloved Mother Nature. Earth Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide and global actions are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and celebrated in more…
Easy & Delectable Shrimp Pad Thai
Pad Thai is stir-fried shrimp, chicken or tofu (or all three) enveloped in rice noodles swirling in a succulent sweet, salty, sour and spicy sauce then crowned with roasted peanuts. It has been a long-standing, family favorite due to its explosive flavor combinations. After all, it still IS pasta, right? This time in Asian form….
Easy Tom Kha Gai Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
Tom Kha Gai or Coconut Chicken soup is an amazing, immune boosting potage offering bona fide, bold, incredibly delicious, Thai flavors. With one bite your taste buds will be transformed and you will find this classic, Asian, culinary gem to be overwhelmingly irresistible! This recipe for Tom Kha Gai is the best Thai coconut soup I’ve…
Crunchy Thai Cashew Salad
The undeniable simplicity of this salad is astounding! The crunchy astringent taste of cucumbers, the sweet crisp edge of carrots, cashews and red peppers, the pungent, licorice notes of cilantro and basil and the spicy, salty, sweet and sourness of lime, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and chili produces a memorable flavor explosion that you…
Thai Week’s Chicken Satay: Simply Classic
Today we begin our week into the exploration of Thai Cuisine. Thai fare simply bursts with flavors; sweet, sour, salty, astringent and spicy; which according to Ayurveda are vital components to completely satisfy our senses including the palate. Today, we start with a classic appetizer; satay. This recipe uses chicken, but feel free to substitute…
Grandpa Louie’s Sicilian Stuffed Artichokes Carciofo
Few things ignite the deep flames of the fondest memories of my childhood than spending moments with Grandpa Louie and Grandma Lena at my parent’s cottage by the lake. If my siblings and I were fortunate enough, we would experience one of these three, rare occurrences; a sample of a freshly plucked purple fig from our…
Once Upon a Spice 