Thursday, February 10, 2011

Presto Pasta Night #200 - Amazing

I can't really believe that my harebrained idea of doing a pasta roundup nearly four years ago, is actually celebrating issue #200. Helen of Fuss Free Flavours will be hosting Presto Pasta Night tomorrow and you all still have time to enter. Just email your entry to helen (at) best-shaw (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com

But let's talk about me for a second... I did plan on creating something truly out of this world for the event. It is pretty spectacular considering all that tension 200 issues ago, when I wondered if there was anyone else out there who loved pasta as much as I did/do. Roundup after roundup, I have not been disappointed. Thanks everyone for your awesome dishes over the years. Just check them all out! March 4th Presto Pasta Night will turn FOUR! And I hope to see all of you and your friends at the birthday bash.

Back to my entry... Yesterday I mentioned Foodily.Com as a great place to check out recipes whether or not you had the latest and greatest iPad or iPhone. I even mentioned looking up "Pasta" + "mascarpone" because I knew I had some mascarpone in my fridge with an expiry date that was coming up fast. First choice of 111 was from Jamie Oliver - one of my favorites, because he really does cook for those of us who like easy, simple to do, tasty dishes.
His dish - Tagliatelle with Mascarpone, Parmesan & Spinach fit the bill - easy to prepare, ingredients in the fridge. Oh... wait... I'm an idiot... no mascarpone! In fact, it was ricotta. No worries. Heavy cream (48%)...not really an option in Canada although apparently creme fraiche might do. I decided to use whipping cream (35%) which, frankly, still has way more calories than I need. Tagliatelle...nope...just went with some multigrain fusilli. That's the wonderful thing about a Jamie recipe... they're really just starting points.

My Honey thought it a little bland, but then most of my pastas are quite savory. This one, IMHO, is just mellow and reminded me of a very delicious mac & cheese. As for bland... no way! With 2 cloves of garlic and lots of nutmeg, not to mention butter and cream... it was creamy and ...need I say it again... mellow. I'll be making one of his favorites on Saturday - requested by my daughter who loves shrimp but doesn't cook it at home...
Should I go with Pasta with Shrimp, Mussels & Chorizo
Or Pasta with Garlic Shrimp & Pancetta

I'm polling... so leave your choice in the comments. And while you're at it... What's your favorite mild and mellow pasta dish?

4 comments:

Jules said...

My vote is Tagliatelle with Mascarpone, Parmesan & Spinach. That looks very tasty. Though I love the flavor of the chorizo, even if I would have to leave out the seafood.

Can't wait for tomorrow and the Big Birthday Bash. I'm trying to think of something really amazing for that one.

Johanna GGG said...

Hi Ruth - I am very behind in blog reading but I wanted to say congratulations on 200 PPNs - I love reading them and it has inspired me in the pasta recipes that I cook but didn't manage to send in anything for PPN200 so am sending a comment instead to show you my appreciation

Ruth Daniels said...

Thanks for the comments, ladies. I do hope to see you both at the big fourth birthday bash, March 4th.

Jean Jacques said...

Hi! I just got stumble upon your blogs and saw this post of yours, the pasta with shrimp, mussel and chorizo are very delicious I had one of that pasta and I can't get enough of it. So for me thats my choice.