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 Deadline

I've been babysitting my grandsons for the last few days and I can't believe it's Thursday already and that I'm hosting this week's Presto Pasta Night once again.   I did actually make a fantastic last minute throw together pasta dish with cavatappi (left over from my Maple Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad, ) some left over delicious spicy guacamole - who'd have thought guacamole with pasta but it's awesome.  Add to the mix a handful of gravalox or lox, as we call it and a little cream to make it extra silky and you have a perfect dish for a harried throw together meal... especially when little boys have waaaaay more energy than a grandma!  

In fact,  there was no time for a photo, no time to figure out quantities... this is an "eyeball" measurement dish.   And this is a post just to remind you all that there's still a little time to send in your pasta delights before tomorrow's roundup.  Just email the link with all the info  ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com .

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 Roundup #207

It may be April Fool's Day, but this roundup is no joke!... just plain good fun, great food and... well check it out for yourselves. Thanks everyone for such awesome pastas. First in... Lana of Bibberche was a touch late for last week's roundup, but I'm so glad to have her start this week's with her Glorious Creamy Mushroom Pasta and her tale of Heidi like adventures. Girlichef has to face the fact that her "baby" isn't really a baby anymore... towering over her! So we all have to help her eat some delicious, comforting, Sour Cream Noodle Bake to accept it. Dhallie of Pud Blag ni Ako is a first time PPNer and shines with this very fresh Crab Pasta. Wish her uncle would show up at my door with fresh crab. Grazianna of Erbe in Cucina made some amazing looking Gnocci & Zucchini Skewers. Allysia, Happy Vegan is a first time PPNer (hope she comes back often) and shares a lovely Spaghetti with Swiss Chard Pesto - a perfect option when you can't find basil. Cindy of Hun...What's For Dinner? (and who hasn't heard that one?) is a first time PPNer too and shares a heavenly Spinach & Artichoke Mac 'n Cheese. Imagine - combining my favorite dip with comforting mac n cheese! Michelle, better known as Italian Mama Chef, knows the way to my heart... garlic, creamy cheesy sauce & broccoli. Check out this comforting Broccoli Ricotta Pasta. Tigerfish of Teczcape and one of my very favorite PPN regulars always shows up with something wonderful. This time it's Kale & Red Pepper Pasta Sauce. Claudia of Honey From Rock, is another favorite PPner of mine. Here she takes tuna casserole to a whole new & awesome level... Tuna Stuffed Pasta Shells. I always look forward to Kirsten of From Kirsten's Kitchen to Yours who always shares something wonderful and this time is no exception. Her Shrimp with Lemon, Feta & Orzo has me thinking maybe shrimp three times this week is not too much. Biren of Roti 'n Rice is back with a beautiful (she's a great photographer) and wonderful dish of Goma Dare Soba made from staples always on hand in her house. Tandy over at Lavender & Lime returns to the PPN table with a fantastic Asparagus & Artichoke Pasta. Spring is definitely in the air. Kim at Feed Me Seymour shares a dish with one of my very favorite cheeses - Brie... not very diet friendly, but hey... Brie & Bacon Bonanza. Deb of the wonderful Kahakai Kitchen shares not only an awesome Fresh Herb Pasta Salad but a lovely book and a great place to find renewal. Debbi Does Dinner hosted PPN a couple of weeks ago and adapted one of the dishes at her roundup... another reason I love doing PPN... all the potential to make so many dishes our own. Her healthy, creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta... Beth Anne of The Seventh Level of Boredom is back with a twist on a Jamie Oliver dish... Fresh Asian Noodle Salad. I love how adaptable Jamie's recipes are. Shu Han of Mummy, I Can Cook made the most amazing pesto for her Pan Fried Shrimp with Glass Noodles & Thai Basil & Cilantro Pesto. Now if only I could find enough Thai basil in this town! Perhaps I'll just grow my own. Krista, The Beet Reporter sent in this Mac 'n Cheese Pizza... don't turn your nose up like that. It sounds awesome. Last but not least, my very easy Creamy Garlic & Herb Shrimp Pasta. Another adaptation, this time from Kraft's What's Cooking Magazine. Next week, Allie of Yum in Tum will be hosting. Let her feel your love and send your PPN entries to bahpeanut (at)gmail (dot)com and cc ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com

Officially Moved In But Where's the Kitchen?

It's official...we've moved in to our new home, but as you can see it will be a while before I get to really enjoy my awesome kitchen.
And this is the view from the kitchen to what usually is a spectacular view of The Bedford Basin and a glimmer of the mouth of Halifax Harbour where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.... Can you see our new Weber BBQ on the balcony? Look closely under the reflection of the light in the window (third from left).
This is the photo my Honey took, standing on the balcony... today it looks like we live in the clouds or some mystical land. Do you think some good fairies will come and magically unpack for us?...and perhaps massage my aching feet and back?
But I digress.... tomorrow is Friday and time for another fantastic Presto Pasta Night Roundup. We will be beyond busy handing over keys to our old place and hopefully heading out to camp to see family...mainly two delicious little boys who have been missing us as much as we've been missing them....Sooooooo.....I'm giving you all a head's up to keep checking More Than Words tomorrow where Daphne will be putting together this week's roundup. I admit that I haven't had a second (not to mention I was without the internet since yesterday) to check out the entries. I'm sure they're all wonderful and I'm looking forward to kicking off my shoes and checking them all out sometime soon. Thanks everyone for taking part, and Daphne for hosting for the FOURTH time!!!

Next week, it's my turn to host. Hopefully I will have found the pasta pot and actually take part....I'm definitely craving pasta! Please mention Once Upon a Feast and Presto Pasta Night and email your entries to - ruth (at) gmail (dot) com.

Now it's time for a long soak in my new tub...if I can find the bubbles!

A Brilliant Presto Pasta Night - #171 is on the Table

I know cross posting is tedious, but it's well worth the double take... Helen of Fuss Free Flavours did a super fantastic job this week hosting Presto Pasta Night #171.

There are lots of dishes for those of us sweltering in the heat wave...and lots more for those who need a sweater...I'll be bookmarking those for later, you can be assured.

Thanks everyone for a particularly stellar roundup.

Next week Pam of Sidewalk Shoes will be hosting...again! Lucky us. It's her third time!!! Send her all your droolingly delicious dishes by next Thursday. Just mention Presto Pasta Nights, Sidewalk Shoes and send the link to morefromscraps (at) comcast (dot) net and cc me ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com.

Presto Pasta Night Roundup #166

It's that time again, I'm happy to say, Presto Pasta Night Roundup - #166 this week, filled with the best pasta dishes from around the world, is back and it's fantastic. But who wants to hear from me...after all we've been waiting a whole week since the last one.

First in (last Friday before the proverbial ink was dry on PPN #165) was Muneeba of An Edible Symphony (aptly named) with this tasty Cajun Chicken Pasta.
Tigerfish of Teczcape is nominated for the Singapore Blog Awards 2010- and she has my vote. I mean, what's not to love...her photos are beautiful, her recipes very tasty. Not sure if there's still time, but if there is...go vote! In the meantime, check out her Beef & Celery Pasta With Tomatoes.
Abby of Eat The Right Stuff - and we always do after a visit there, made Thousand Layer Lasagna Pots that have me drooling and are definitely on my list of dishes to wolf down once I actually get to eat pasta again. This South Beach Diet phase one is hard on a pasta lover.
Graziana of Erbe in Cucina used a new to me and unique herb for her Farfalle with Onion and Cinnamon Basil - note to self - find some!
Nic, of Lemon & Cheese shares the perfect recipe for those of us who are carbonara-making challenged. Check out her Zucchini Carbonara for delicious details.
Marye of Restless Chipotle whipped up this tasty Ravioli with Peas & Proscuitto, but I bet the eaters did some slow savoring.
Daphne, of More Than Words (I'll say - her recipes are awesome) shares this Creamy Smoked Paprika & Tomato Sauce with Chicken that has me drooling.
Creative Sanyukta (I'll Say!!!) put together this eye-catching dish of Indianized Squash & Veggie Spaghetti with lots of garlic - perfect for me.
KC of Kits Chow really outdid herself this week with her own miniPPN. I counted at least eight of her tried and true favorites - mine too. I had a hard time deciding which wonderful photo to include, but decided on this one for the Cantonese Braised Short Ribs.
Radhika of Soup & Dessert is a first time PPNer - so welcome and I do hope you make it a habit. This Goat Cheese, Pesto & Swiss Chard Pasta has some of my very favorite ingredients. It will be on my table soon.
Joanne, who Eats Well With Others, is back with Homemade Ravioli with Brown Butter, Almonds & Zucchini. I don't know how she finds the time to write her hysterical stories and make all her awesome dishes, and attend Med school. I'm tired just thinking about it, but very glad she does and shares with us so often.
Jean of Lemons & Anchovies is back with a wonderful plate of Penne with Radicchio & Pancetta. It's always fantastic to be able to recreate a dish eaten in a restaurant. A skill I have yet to develop.
Pam of Sidewalk Shoes is back too, with this mouth-watering Fusilli with Shrimp & Arugula - enough said, except "Pass a fork, please".
Claudia of Honey From Rock, another PPNer started out wondering which herbs to use on her pasta. I love the result with this Pasta With Herbs, Sardines & Capers.

I, on the other hand, feel like the biggest of losers - even though it's only 4 pounds, actually. No pasta for me, and next week looks the same. Note to self - much more exercise to help the process speed along. I did share some great pasta resources over here , though. Have fun with it.

Thanks all for your absolutely fabulous entries this week. And don't forget that next week Kirsten of Kirsten's Kitchen will be hosting again - lucky us! Just send your entries to kirstenmlindquist (at) gmail (dot) com and cc me ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by June 10

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