calamarata pasta with shrimp and anchovy sauce

calamarata pasta

The calamarata pasta shape resembles calamari rings and is perfect with shrimp, lobster, mussels, or clams. Calamarata pasta hails from southern Italy, and in Sicily, calamarata is typically prepared with swordfish and tomatoes, a reflection of the island’s rich culinary traditions. Mr S and I recently returned from Sicily, TweetFacebookLinkedInTumblrStumbleDiggDelicious

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Carbonara (American or Italian?)

carbonara

Don’t shoot the messenger! 🙂  The title of my post may stir up a heated debate on the origins of this beloved pasta.  Mi scusi, allow me to explain.  Food historian Luca Cesari, author of A Brief History of Pasta, says carbonara is an American dish born in Italy towards the end of WWII. TweetFacebookLinkedInTumblrStumbleDiggDelicious

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pasta al limone

pasta al limone

If you enjoy a light and fresh pasta sauce, then this is a recipe for you!  Pasta al limone is easy to make and by the time it takes for the pasta to cook, dinner is served.  Combining lemon with pasta isn’t something new for yours truly.  But, this is the first time I ever…

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pastitsio (greek lasagna)

pastitsio

Pastitsio is a Greek-style lasagna that was influenced by a recipe from the 16th century. Pasticcio di Maccheroni was a creation for the Grand Duchy of Ferrara and was very popular with Italian nobility. During that time, the Balkans and the Greek coastal regions were occupied by the Republic of Venice. TweetFacebookLinkedInTumblrStumbleDiggDelicious

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pasta with roasted tomatoes & garlic

roasted tomatoes

This is one of my favourite, easy-to-make pasta dishes.  Roasted tomatoes are the bee’s knees!  The heat releases the tomatoes natural sugars resulting in an intense flavor.  Throw in a head of garlic and you have the most delicious roasted tomatoes you will ever devour! TweetFacebookLinkedInTumblrStumbleDiggDelicious

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pappardelle with potato & brown butter sauce

pappardelle with brown butter sauce

I recently purchased Pasta Grannies; it’s been a long time since I bought a cookbook.  I know, gasp!  But to be honest, I have a lovely curated collection of cookbooks.  Each has a special meaning for me.  So when I saw this book, it spoke to me and to the Italian grandmothers (nonne) who divulged…

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passatelli with parmigiano cream & balsamic vinegar

passatelli

A pasta made from breadcrumbs?  Umm, yep!  When I was preparing this, Mr. S was dubious but one bite and all doubts were erased. Passatelli hails from Italy’s Emilia Romagna region. This frugal traditional Italian dish is made with stale bread, Parmigiano Reggiano, eggs, and lemon zest. TweetFacebookLinkedInTumblrStumbleDiggDelicious

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fish pasta

fish pasta

Ever wondered what to do with leftover cooked fish?  For the record, I am not a fan of eating day-old cooked fish.  However, Mr. S is and he enjoys constructing a cold fish sandwich…eww!  However, this fish pasta has changed my view.  Last week I was in the mood for pasta but didn’t fancy a…

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creamy baked spaghetti with leeks and anchovies

baked spaghetti

Who doesn’t like a one-pot pasta dish?  This isn’t my first time making baked spaghetti and definitely won’t be the last.  I am always drawn to dishes that include anchovies and this baked spaghetti is a keeper!  I made it for two consecutive days, that’s how delicious it is! TweetFacebookLinkedInTumblrStumbleDiggDelicious

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pasta with olive sauce and pangrattato

pasta with olive sauce

As a kid and for that matter a young adult, I despised olives!  To me, they just tasted like salt with a whole lot of bitterness.  That food memory stayed with me for a very long time.  It was only 20 years ago that I began to enjoy these fruits.  My first bite was a…

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