Pantry Carbonara

Carbonara can seem fancy because there is a technique to getting those eggs to form a perfect sauce rather than become a scrambled mess atop your noodles. But my husband — with his Italian roots — reminds me that it’s really a simple supper, meant to be an easy weeknight meal using what every householdContinue reading “Pantry Carbonara”

In-Season Veggie Pasta Salad

  When early spring begins to show her face and salads are again appealing, it’s time to throw together this dish. In summer, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, cucumbers and green onions can easily be subbed for the veggies listed below. But just now, asparagus, kale and chives are all I’ve got growing, so olives and dried tomatoes orContinue reading “In-Season Veggie Pasta Salad”

Herby Orzo

I’ve made my share of risotto and herby pasta over the years, but this winter I fell in love with a new earth-y, broth-y, rice-like pasta dish that has the potential to taste even better as the first fresh herbs of spring shoot up and I’m looking for ways to eat them. I can’t say enough aboutContinue reading “Herby Orzo”

Super Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Why is it that some of the seemingly simplest sauces are the hardest to make? I have been stirring up my own Alfredo sauce going on 20 years but it was very hit or miss. It all depended on the kind of cream I used or how finely grated the Parmesan was or how muchContinue reading “Super Creamy Alfredo Sauce”

Herby Alfredo Pasta Dinner

  In the spring, I walk around my garden thinking mostly of one thing: How to get all the delicious, thriving herbs and greens from my yard onto my plate. Could a snip of parsley, a handful of spinach, a few strands of oregano, a spring onion and maybe a mushroom or two somehow, magicallyContinue reading “Herby Alfredo Pasta Dinner”

Family Favorite Mac and Cheese

  If my kids did the meal planning around here, it would go something like this: Monday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Tuesday Tacos, Wednesday Pizza, Thursday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Friday Mom’s Mac and Cheese, Saturday Pizza. They would, if given the chance, eat this mac and cheese several nights of every week. Which, of course, meansContinue reading “Family Favorite Mac and Cheese”