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.

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.

The Changing Face of Dinner Udon Noodle Style

I had a plan.   Use udon noodles, beet greens and shrimp (What... you don't see any shrimp?) for a quick pasta dinner that fulfilled two purposes.... 1.  doesn't heat up the kitchen; 2.  is a contribution for Presto Pasta Night, this week hosted by Simona of Briciole.... for the seventh time, no less!  But things conspired against me.

Presto Pasta Night #276

This week is another short week for Presto Pasta Nights.  Not too many entries, but each one incredibly delicious and worth their weight in gold.... Thanks all for your entries.

Presto Pasta Night #275

Quite a lovely roundup for the middle of summer when everyone is off doing summery stuff.  Thanks everyone for sharing some tasty treats and great stories too...

Delicious Steak Potatoes and Pasta

I'm not sure where the days have gone.  It's already Wednesday and I seem to have lost a day this week somehow.   Life's been a whirlwind with a nice visit from my younger daughter.  We ate well, but I never got a chance to write about it.   So here are some of the highlights...

Presto Pasta Night Roundup #274

I purposefully keep Presto Pasta Night theme free.  That way everyone can just be creative and share whatever pops into their head.  But somehow, it seems that most of the dishes take old classics, those traditional dishes our moms made, and took them to a whole new level.  Check it out

Presto Pasta Night Roundup #273

I can't believe it's Friday and I'm hosting this week's Presto Pasta Night Roundup #273.   It's summer and it's hot (maybe too hot to prepare pasta), so this week's roundup is a little light on entries but not on flavour.  In spite of that, it is a wonderful trip around the globe.  Thanks everyone for sharing your awesome pastas.

First in Hilda, of FilipinoFoodStore, is a first time PPNer - and I hope this is just the first of many entries.  She takes us on a wonderful travelogue to the historic city of Vigan in the Philippines  and shares this awesome looking Vigan Longanisa Bolognese.

Next, Janet of The Taste Space is back , and takes us to Mexico with her Mexican Zucchini Lasagna that looks very tempting.

Then Pam of Sidewalk Shoes, who finds herself thinking Italian when she says "pasta" and opened a whole world when she chose "noodles"... like this Stir-fry Noodles with Chicken, Mushrooms and Green Beans... and so takes us to Asia.

Following that deliciousness is Stash of Simple Kitchen Seasons from NYC - one of my very favorite cities to visit - with a wonderful dish Spaghetti con Grachio e Pomodoro - which certainly sounds very Italian and scrumptious.

I almost forgot about my own dish this week of Broken Spaghetti Risotto with Shrimp & Kale that I made on Monday, it seems like forever ago.

Thanks everyone for my pasta trip around the world.


Next week, I'll be hosting again ... it seems everyone is on vacation.   That said,  I'd love to see what you plan on making.  Just write about it, mention Presto Pasta Nights and send me an email - ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.  

If you'd like to host a PPN Roundup. Just drop me a line to pick a date. August 3rd as well as August 24th and beyond are available.  It's never to early to sign up and join the fun! 

Presto Pasta Night #271

Now that I've totally confused everyone by inadvertently posting a roundup from June 2011!!! let's get real with the true Presto Pasta Night 271 roundup... which is awesome.  Thanks everyone for great contributions.   Please let me know if I somehow missed your entry so I can add it here.

First in... actually, she missed last week's somehow but there's no way I could keep HoneyB of The Life & Loves of Grumpy's HoneyBunch a secret.   I was licking my screen when I saw her Velvety Shrimp Pasta.

Our next early bird.. Sunday Morning...is Graziana of Erbe in Cucina came up with this delicious Baked Tuna, Zucchini Pasta.  It's too hot to heat up our ovens this week, but I'm definitely saving this for the first cold spell... and some fresh zucchini from my daughter's garden.

On to Tigerfish of Teczcape - a frequent PPNer and one of my favorite, shares a perfect dish whether you're  suffering from the heat (serve it cold) or the cold (serve it hot)... Leaf Mustard Greens Noodle Salad.

Another awesome PPN regular is Joanne who always Eats Well With Others.  This time she shared a glorious Pasta with Garlic Scapes, Sugar Snap Peas and Ricotta.  A lovely dish for me, especially since my daughter's garden has lots of garlic scapes and peas.

Val of More Than Burnt Toast has been MIA from Presto Pasta Nights for a while, but her return is spectacular - lovely read (I'm jealous of her upcoming trip to Italy, her recent participation in a food writing workshop), gorgeous photo and an easy to follow recipe for Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi with Basil Butter.

Susan, The Well Seasoned Cook shared a great dish - and a new bean for me to try... Tri-colored Rotini with Lupin Beans and Vegetables. Doesn't it look wonderful!

Finally, one of my own - Scallops & Asparagus Orzo Risotto - very tasty indeed.

Thanks everyone for all the delicious dishes.  Don't forget that next week Riddhima of Culinary Vibes will be hosting for the first time.  Please send her your pastas by next Thursday - email riddhimac (at) gmail (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.  

If you'd like to host a PPN Roundup. Just drop me a line to pick a date. July 20 & 27 as well as August 24 and beyond are available.  It's never to early to sign up!

Scallop & Asparagus Orzo Risotto - in Spite of the Heat

Another hot day, ending with some rain meant no barbecuing and no wish to heat up the kitchen. So what did I make for dinner....

Presto Pasta Night Roundup #270 & Happy Canada Day

Sorry for the double post, but it's a busy weekend here in Nova Scotia... family and Canada Day weekend seem to be conspiring to keep me from writing more than this.  That said, I had to let you know about this week's wonderful Presto Pasta Night Roundup and to remind you that I'm hosting next week.

Heather, Girlichef extraordinaire did a fantastic job of hosting this week's Presto Pasta Night Roundup and she couldn't have done it without all those truly inspired and inspiring entries.   Thanks everyone for making this week so special.

Presto Pasta Night #270

Next week, I'm hosting again and I'd love to have one of your pasta dishes in the roundup.  Just write - mention Once Upon a Feast and Presto Pasta Nights (with links) and email it to  ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday, July 5 and check back for the roundup on Friday, July 6 

If you'd like to host a PPN Roundup. Just drop me a line to pick a date. July 13 & 20 and beyond are available.  It's never to early to sign up!

Awesome Ribs & a New Pesto Thanks to Pinterest

I've been trying to catch up on sharing some of my recent dishes...It's not that I haven't been cooking.... just that I've been too busy to share. The sun has been shining, and two little boys have been begging me to play.    Good thing I remember to "Pin" my favorites so I can find them exactly when I need them.

My incentive to write.... it's already Thursday but we still have time to share a pasta dish with Presto Pasta Nights....

Presto Pasta Night Roundup #267

First in, Dharm - Dad, Baker & Chef who hasn't been around here for a while, but he's definitely back in my good graces with this wonderful combination of my favorite ingredients - Spaghetti ei Gamberi, which means lots of garlic... this time roasted, mushrooms, shrimp and herbs.   Hope this is the first of many more Dharm pasta treats.

 Next up, Bergamot (love the name and love it in Earl Grey Tea,,, but I digress) of Cooking Escapades shares a very unique plate of pasta.  I love it when ethnic cuisines collide.  Check out the Stir Fry of Noodles with Spicy Teriyaki Paneer.

HoneyB of The Life & Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch sent in this Quick & Easy Chicken Alfredo.  It's a perfect spontaneous dinner thought up on the way home from work.

Helen of Fuss Free Flavors, after over indulging in Ireland, made this heavenly Greek Salad Pasta to bring things back to healthy order.

Somehow .... I can't imagine how, or what we'd do without a delicious entry from Tigerfish at Teczcape. This Chicken with Carrot & Shallot Sauce over Angel Hair Pasta looks amazing.  Thanks for letting me know I missed it.

And then there's my sad story... no recipe, but a word of warning...I've been meaning to make an orzo risotto ever since I saw a Pilaf recipe a couple of weeks ago in my latest LCBO Food & Drink magazine. Since my little knee surgery, I find myself getting tired quickly and have figured out that if I prep something in the morning for a quick last minute cooking workout before dinner... we eat well.   I read somewhere (not sure where) that you can make a quick risotto (perhaps you really do need rice for this) early in the day or even the day before and then just stir fry at the last minute with mushrooms or whatever vegetable you prefer.  It won't have the creaminess of risotto, but it will be delicious.    Bottom line... I wasted 2 cups of homemade roasted vegetable broth, a handful of dried wild mushrooms and the soaking broth plus 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesiano-Reggiano cheese.   How could something look that good and taste so bland?  Fortunately, the spinach sauteed with garlic and a splash of balsamic vinegar with the oven baked veal chops tasted great.

Words of wisdom.... the orzo risotto needs to be done 30 minutes before serving....

And that's it for this week's roundup.  Thanks everyone for delicious dishes to put on our tables.  Next week, Elizabeth of The Law Students Cookbook will be hosting Presto Pasta Nights.  Send your entries to elizabeth (at) crabtech (dot) net  and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday, June 14 and check back for the roundup on Friday, June 15


If you'd like to host a PPN Roundup. Just drop me a line to pick a date. June 29 and beyond are available.  It's never to early to sign up!

Presto Pasta Night s

Stash of Simple Kitchen Seasons did a great hosting job for this week's Presto Pasta Night #266 and all the dishes look very "Springy".   Thanks all!

This coming week, I'll be hosting and I've already pinned a couple of wonderful choices to adapt, thanks to...

Epicurious - Pasta With Garlic Scape Pesto - should I add shrimp or chicken or .....?  

or.. this FineCooking recipe for Fusilli with Green Beans & Pancetta... truth is .. it's the pancetta I crave and how about changing up the veg to the short lived but super delicious fiddleheads...

I'll keep you posted.  Now it's time for you to start thinking about what pasta dish you'll be sharing.   Just write about it, mention Presto Pasta Nights and send your URL link to me at  ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday and I'll be sure to star it in next Friday's roundup. BTW, if you don't have a blog, but do have a great pasta recipe, email it to me and I'll post it for you.

If you'd like to host a PPN Roundup. Just drop me a line to pick a date. June 29 and beyond are available.  It's never to early to sign up!

A Delay in Posting - Blame it on Knee Surgery

Sorry for the double post, and I'll blame it ... and my tardiness in sharing the latest Presto Pasta Night news on having some knee surgery done last week.  My grandson said it best..."I'm still  foggy" and having some difficulty sitting at my computer for long.   So I apologize to the wonderful Alicia of Cook. Craft. Enjoy for hosting last week and for those of you who shared delicious pasta dishes with us, for not writing about it sooner.   You can check them out here.... Presto Pasta Night #264

And, hopefully you will all be sharing another tasty pasta with Rachel, The Crispy Cook, who is hosting yet again, this coming Friday...only two sleeps from now!.  Send your entries to oldsaratogabooks (at) gmail (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday, May 24 and check back for the roundup on Friday, May 25.  Once again, my apologies for the delay in sharing. 

 And I promise to share what a challenged cook and her assistant (AKA My Honey) eat during my hobbling about - a lovely scramble (similar to this one) with goat cheese (from my favorite Ran-Cher Acres) , roasted asparagus (peeking in the background), roasted red peppers (admittedly from a jar) and some fresh arugula and herbs from my daughter's garden.

Supper was simple... Shrimp, More Roasted Asparagus and Arugula over basil pesto from my freezer (similar to this one). .  


And now it's time for a nap.   More good food to come.... Please don't forget to share a pasta with Rachel.  Send your entries to oldsaratogabooks (at) gmail (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com 

Springtime Pasta - Great Even in the Rain

One of the best things about living in Canada is the changing seasons.  And Spring is definitely my favorite time of year... everything starts to bloom.  The grey landscape of winter is replaced by green.  My favorite foods spring up (excuse the pun)...asparagus, fiddle heads, tender greens and herbs...

which made for a perfect Spring Pasta dish just in time for Presto Pasta Night hosted this time by Emma of Emma's Kitchen Diary.

Presto Pasta Night #262

It's that time again, a new month... this one May...and another opportunity for me to host a Presto Pasta Night Feast.  This week the theme seems to be comfort food... at least that's my take. As usual, it's awesome, so without further ado....and much thanks to all who sent in these fantastic dishes....

Presto Pasta Night #260

UPDATE: My bad!   I somehow missed out on these awesome bloggers and their entries....My sincerest apologies!
Gay, our resident Scientist in the Kitchen shared these Drunken Noodles that sound very tasty.

Deb at Kahakai Kitchen in Hawaii sent in this gorgeous Thai Garlic Soup that I could use right now - it's so grey and foggy and damp here.

This week's Presto Pasta Night Roundup has lots of Springtime.  Asparagus is definitely an early harbinger and hopefully I can find some at my local farmers market soon.   All the dishes grabbed my attention and I know you'll enjoy them as much as I do.   Thanks all for sharing!

First in is Emma of Emma's Kitchen Diary... well actually sent in for last week's roundup and somehow fell through the email cracks.  Would have been tasty last week... even better this week.  Spring is definitely here with her Pappardelle with Tuscan Sausages, Asparagus and Peas.

Next up is Heather, our favorite Girlichef with a spiced up Mac 'n Cheese with Roasted Jalapeno Salsa.  Quite the punch to our old comfort dish.

And now, another surprise dish... this time it's pasta without any pasta.   That's right.... take a very close look at the gorgeous photo and check out what Janet of the Taste Space did.  It's Raw Alfredo Sauce with Basil, Cherry Tomatoes and... that's right... Zucchini Noodles!

Stash of The Spamwise Chronicles really brings Springtime to his dish of Pasta Primavera.  I can't wait to see what ingredients I find at our local farmers market this week to make my own.

And, next from one of my very favorite food bloggers, Joanne who Eats Well with Others and has a fantastic  philosophy about fitness... in its most basic terms...have a fitness goal!   I must try that.  As for her pasta... I definitely will have a healthy bowl of her Roasted Asparagus & Tomato Pasta with Goat Cheese as incentive.

This time around, I actually prepared two pasta dishes - a main Creamy Shrimp & Mushroom Pasta with a Little Heat 

and a savory couscous that really doesn't have a "recipe"  just made with chicken broth rather than water and some fresh mint & parsley, tossed in after fluffing and just before serving.  You can see it peeking under the meat..

 It was perfect to sop up the gravy of the Tunisian Style Braised Beef Ribs found on fineCooking and "pinned" to my new obsession - my Pinterest boards.

Thanks again everyone for wonderful pastas.  Now it's time to turn over the pasta pot to Simona of Briciole who is hosting next Friday's PPN Roundup (Friday April 27).   Please share a dish mentioning Presto Pasta Nights,and  Briciole and send your entries to simosite (at) mac (dot) com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday, April 26 and check back for the roundup on Friday, April 27.
If you'd like to host a PPN Roundup. Just drop me a line to pick a date. May 18th and beyond are available.  It's never to early to sign up!