Presto Pasta Night Grand Finale Roundup

Probably the best part of creating Presto Pasta Nights and nurturing it all these many weeks later  (290 to be exact), is... GASP... not the pasta, which is always great, don't get me wrong.  It's the fantastic bloggers I've met and followed over the years.  It's been a blast, a pleasure and a privilege to have gotten to know you all. So, because I hate "good byes", I'll just move along to fantastic bloggers and their delicious entries this week...

Presto Pasta Night Memories Continue

It is very nostalgic to wander through the old Presto Pasta Night Roundups, being reminded of when stalwart fans joined in.   I was going to continue doing down the "birthday" path and noticed that Kirsten of From Kirsten's Kitchen to Yours and host of last week's roundup, first hosted right after PPN's Third Birthday.  So I thought I'd share that one instead.

More Presto Pasta Night Memories

For Chapter Three of my little walk down Presto Pasta Night memory lane, I thought I'd share my take on our first Birthday Party.  There were thirty very wonderful bloggers at the table, sharing some awesome dishes.   Admittedly, the logo leaves something to be desired, but the food...

Presto Pasta Night Walk Down Memory Lane

This week will be the very last Presto Pasta Night Roundup and I thought I'd take us on a walk down memory lane all week, starting with the very first round up 290 weeks ago and to spotlight some special moments over the years.

Pasta In Under the Wire for Presto Pasta Night.

It's the second to last Presto Pasta Night Roundup and I obviously had to make something.  My intention was to go all out and make my own pasta, but somehow my lazy day got the better of me.

A Perfect Presto Pasta - Dinner & Breakfast

Tonight is the deadline for this week's Presto Pasta Night, being hosted by Simona of Briciole .  This is Simona's ninth time as host and we are lucky to have her.  I'm just getting my entry in under the wire...

I made Fiorelli with Homemade Garlicky Breadcrumbs, minimally adapted from this one in the latest fineCooking Magazine.  My copy arrived in the mail today and fell open on page 52... How could I resist three of my favorite ingredients - garlic (6 large cloves), anchovies (I used 6) fresh breadcrumbs - perfect for the two day old rosemary focaccia sitting on my counter... not to mention my latest pasta purchase - President's Choice Fiorelli, which was fantastic.

It's late and I still have to put things away... the leftovers will make an awesome frittata tomorrow morning.  I just want to remind everyone that, counting tomorrow, there are only three Presto Pasta Night Roundups left.  I do hope you plan on joining in the fun.  You still have time to send Simona an entry for this week simosite (at) mac (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com

Presto Pasta Night Roundup #287 and Three To Go

This week's Presto Pasta Night Roundup is particularly short - there are just two of us sharing pastas, but I promise that you'll want to make them both.  They are easily vegetarian or meaty, depending on the ingredients...

Simple Comfort Food When Eating Alone

What kind of supper do you put together after a busy day?  My choice last night wasn't even a recipe really, just using perfect ingredients from the fridge and freezer.

Pasta Research and No Pasta for Dinner

You'd think with the delicious Chicken with Capers, Lemon and Garlic (I'll post the recipe tomorrow), that a simple pasta side would be a logical choice.  But...

An Interesting Presto Pasta Night Roundup

When I first came up with the idea of a weekly pasta roundup, back in 2007, I was wondering if anyone would show up.

Presto Pasta Night Reminder & KitchenAid Stand Mixer Giveaway

It's too beautiful to stay inside writing today.  But before I head out, I thought I'd share last night's pasta dish

Shortest Presto Pasta Night Roundup

This week's roundup consists of only three dishes... make that four.  I somehow missed Claire of Chez Cayenne, who fortunately caught the fact that I hadn't included it.  Perhaps my Spam folder had a great meal.   I love her Cheezy Vegan Mushroom & Roasted Pepper Lasagna.

Tigerfish of Teczcape, long time PPNer made an intriguing dish of Loofah in Rich Tomato Broth.  The only loofah I've ever known is the one I use to exfoliate.   But before it's dried and used as a sponge, it's a very tasty ingredient.  Now I have to hunt for some here in Nova Scotia.

I've always asked for non-bloggers to share recipes but they rarely do.  This week, we all got lucky when my friend Costas Halavrezos, my favorite Spice Man at the Historic Farmers Market here in Halifax sent me an email.  This Mesta Village Pasta was heavenly.  I only added shrimp so my Honey of the "I don't like tomatoes" camp, would try it.  It worked but the shrimp are totally unnecessary 

Actually, I had planned on making a simple side pasta tossed with some olive oil and David Rocco's Chili Pesto to go with a new chicken dish.

Instead I made it with some sauteed shrimp for my Honey as a main... thus the extra shrimp being added to the Mesta Village Pasta.  That dish worked really well too.

Next week, Elizabeth of The Law Students Cookbook is hosting for the second time.  Let her feel the love and share lots of recipes with her.  Just write, mention Presto Pasta Nights and The Law Student Cookbook with links and email your URL to elizabeth (at) crabtech (dot) net and cc me ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday.

If you don't have a blog, but like Costas, you would like to share a dish send it to me at ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.    And if you'd like to host an upcoming PPN, let me know that too.  In the meantime,  have a great weekend.

Sharing my Friend Costas' Mesta Village Pasta

I'm always asking people to send me their pasta recipes for the weekly Presto Pasta Night Roundup... even if they don't have a food blog.   That said, it's rare to actually get a recipes from non-bloggers for me to write up.   This time my friend Costas Halavezos AKA The Spice Man who I met at the Historic Farmers Market   back in 2010 and, over the years have shared many a fantastic spice purchase and the recipes I've made with them.  (As recently as a month ago).   So I'm very excited to share his contribution...

My New Pesto Addiction

I've written about David Rocco's latest Book Made in Italy , and I've shared a recipe or two already, but now I have to confess my latest addiction and I blame it all on him.

Presto Pasta Night Roundup #281

I really don't know where the week went.  I guess I'm still trying to get into the old routine... not to mention that the Jewish New Year starts this coming Sunday, which means lots of shopping and cooking in addition to everything else.   So I've been a bad host... not mentioning through the week to remind everyone to send in their pasta treats.   Fortunately for us, a few people did anyway.

Tandy of Lavender & Lime and a frequent PPN contributor made her own pasta using duck eggs.  How cool is that?

Tigerfish of Teczcape is back with a wonderful comfort dish of Zhajiang Noodles and Meat Sauce.

Sarah of What Smells So Good? and another PPN regular shared a droolingly delicious looking Goat Cheese Cannelloni.

And then there's me... it's not that I didn't MAKE pasta this week.  We actually had it several times, but....the week flew by and the pasta was some old tried and true... pesto...marinara with mushrooms...cheesy macaroni...without the herbs ( apparently they are poison to little boys)and an Asian stir fry with leftover lamb and ... frankly prep was so rushed I didn't even get all the ingredients written down.  The grandsons did a sleep over here last Saturday and at three and five, are set in their eating ways.

I chose multi colored farfalle because they are so cute and I figured it would entice little boys.   The older one ate a few with a little marinara (mushrooms removed) and the little one had me pick out the green (spinach) and orange (not sure which vegetable) bowties, choosing to eat only the white noodles.   The Cheesy macaroni was enjoyed by Poppa (aka My Honey).

I'm hosting again next week and already made a tasty Meatball dish from David Rocco's newest book Made in Italy .   If you have a dish, please write about it and send it to ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by next Thursday, Sept 20.   In the meantime, enjoy your weekend and thanks to Tandy, Tigerfish and Sarah for bringing us tasty treats this week.

Finally - Weather for Baked Pasta & Clafouti

Blame it on Hurricane Isaac, but we're finally getting some cool rainy (make that torrential rain) days, perfect for actually being able to use the oven.  And between my love of Pinterest, the ultimate place to store all those great recipes you come across via the web, and my new eCookbook Laurent Gras - My Provence (which I wrote about here)  I decided to whip up some quick-to-prepare and totally delicious dishes.

Presto Pasta Night Roundup #279

Another short but delicious roundup.  Thanks everyone for your wonderful entries.

First in was Simona, of Briciole and frequent PPN host herself.  She'll be hosting next week too, for the eighth time, no less.   This week she shared her homemade Sardinian Gnocchetti with Tomato Sauce and I'm drooling.

Tigerfish of Teczcape shares a Kabocha Squash One-Pot dish that gets better every time you serve it.

Janet of The Taste Space has the perfect dish for 1) the extraordinary heat wave we've been having; 2) those with nut allergies; 3) vegetarians everywhere.  It's a Raw Nut Free Lasagna.  Check it out.  It's definitely not your usual baked lasagna.

Denise of Oh Taste 'n See made a Heavenly Greek Chicken Pasta.  I love the very Mediterranean ingredients... artichokes, Kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes... you get the idea.

Last, but not least, this week is my own adaptation of a wonderful Cannelloni with Spring Greens from an amazing new eBook Laurent Gras - My Provence I'll be writing more about this book soon.

Next week... or rather, this coming week, Simona of Briciole is back as host for the eighth time, so please send your great pastas to her at simosite (at) mac (dot) com with a cc to ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday.

Tasty Hint of Cannelloni

Just a teaser... tonight's Cannelloni with Spring Greens comes from Laurent Gras - My Provence.  The recipe and a review of this very awesome eBook to come.   In the meantime, you still have until late tonight to share your pasta with Presto Pasta Nights.  Just send your link to ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) and check back for the roundup tomorrow.

Farmers and Their Markets

I usually, make that often, share my Saturday market scores - just to entice you to visit your local farmers markets.  In fact, if you can, drive out to meet a farmer, it will open your eyes to a whole new way of looking at food.  We're lucky here in Nova Scotia, we even have an official Open Farm Day that is province wide.  Not only can you check out the farms, you can share in some fun - great food and activities...  I digress...caught up in the moment.  Check out the photo and see if you can guess what this leafy green is.

Presto Pasta Night #278

It is the height of summer north of the Equator and it's been hot, hot, hot.  So I'm not surprised that the Presto Pasta Night Roundups of late have been short.  Too hot to cook, too much sun to call us all outdoors... or cooling off in air conditioned movie theaters... just saying....  So a very special "Thank You" to the three troopers who did share their droolingly delicious pastas.

First in Janet of The Taste Space did create this very summery, absolutely gorgeous Mango and Snap Pea Noodle dish that's doesn't heat up the kitchen too much.

It's been a while since Claire of Chez Cayenne brought us a dish, so I'm glad she shared this wonderful summer plate of Thai Curry Rice Noodles and Tofu. It's also quick to whip up  without too much time over a hot stove.

Then Kirsten of From Kirsten's Kitchen to Yours, another PPN regular of old shared an awesome vegan "Dirty" Pesto with Conchiglie and Sun-dried Tomatoes.  Now even vegans can enjoy one of my very favorite "sauces" - pesto!

And that's it for this week.   Even I stayed out of the kitchen.  Better luck next week.  I'll be hosting again and hopefully the weather will break, we'll all get back into our usual rhythm ... which means lots of pasta... and we'll all be sharing right here.    If you have a pasta dish you'd like to share, just write about it, mention and link to Presto Pasta Nights and email me your link by next Thursday to ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.  If you don't have a blog, but would love to share your pasta dish with us, just email me the recipe and I'll post it for you.