Bucatini Bolognese della Mamma

  We’ve all been there! Trying to say a compliment to someone and ending up being disrespectful or insulting. This time it was my dear brother who put his foot in his mouth and told my sister in law, that the way she prepared bistec encebollado was very good but… it didn’t taste like the…

Brown Butter and Sage Cream Sauce

SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO DISCONNECT TO CONNECT… It has been over a month since I’ve posted a new recipe, but I took a little vacation from the blogosphere, first because my camera broke and then because I was enjoying the company of my children during school break and they adamantly scold me if I’m at…

Ratatouille

Over the past few years, I’ve made it a habit to have Meatless Mondays.  It started with just me and now the whole family has joined in.  My husband, an enthusiastic carnivore, complained at first, but now has hopped on the wagon. As I have mentioned before in other posts, this was a gradual change…

My Ragú Bolognese

As you have probably noticed by now, many of my recipes build upon each other.  I often mix two of my basic recipes to make a new dish. Ragú Bolognese is a sauce made of ground meat, soffritto (the italian version of mirepoix- sauteed carrots, celery and onions in butter by the French, but instead, sauteed…

Pesto alla Genovese

The most popular kind of pesto originates in Genova in Northern Italy.  It gets its name from the word “pestare” which means “to pound”  in italian and its also the root of the word pestle.  Its main ingredients are basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, parmigiano reggiano, salt and extra-virgin olive oil. In the traditional way…

Penne all’arrabbiata

Yuri, my roomate while I did my study abroad in Rome, Italy many years ago (1994), (read How I became a Foodie), knows from personal experience that Penne all’arrabbiata is one of my favorite pasta dishes.  Last January, I saw her while skiing in Colorado and she reminded me that most of the times that…

Arugula-Walnut Pesto

A few weeks ago, I had to fly to Florida unexpectedly due to a family member’s operation.  Before I left, I saw I still had some arugula in the fridge which would have been spoiled by the time I returned home from my trip.  So a few minutes before leaving for the airport, I decided…

Meat Lasagna

As I have mentioned before, lasagnas are great alternatives for boat and fishing trips.  Last week, it was Club Nautico de San Juan‘s International Billfish Tournament, the longest consecutive fishing tournament in the world (57 years).  Anglers from all over the world come to Puerto Rico to this tag-and-release tournament and its a week full…

Orzo with Spinach

The word “orzo” in italian means “barley”. Orzo pasta (pasta shaped like rice or grain) is very versatile. It can be boiled, baked, used as a filler in casseroles or when making stuffed peppers.  Also, great in soups. The best orzo is made of durum semolina flour and is very popular in Italy, Greece and…

Linguine alla Carbonara

This is one of my favorite pastas! I have been preparing it for soooo long, I think I can make it with my eyes closed by now.  Linguine alla Carbonara is easy to prepare but must be eaten immediately! Make sure you have all the side dishes ready and served when you prepare it so…