Category Archives: Pasta

Manti Turkish Homemade dumplings with a yogurt garlic chili sauce

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Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose Flour

1 egg lightly beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 lbs. ground lamb, veal or beef

1/3 cup finely chopped parsley

1/2 cup dice onions

fresh ground pepper and salt

 

Sauce:

2 cups Yogurt

minced  garlic

Pepper, butter, sumac and chili flakes according to taste

fresh chopped mint

sprinkle sumac spice (reddish-purple powder used as a spice in Middle eastern cuisine to add a lomony taste to salads or meat.

Directions:

Mix the flour and salt in a bowl.

Add egg and water, mixing well using your hands.
Add more water, to soften dough, if needed.
Cover  dough with a clean dish towel and set aside for 30 minutes.
For filling:
Combine diced onion,  raw ground beef or lamb,onion, parsley and salt.
Mix well and set aside meat mixture.
Divide dough into two pieces and
lightly dust a work surface and  dust rolling-pin with flour.  Divide dough into 2 balls.
Using half of dough and other half of dough covered in a bowl.
Roll into a rectangle, rolling the dough thin.
Cut into rolled dough into 2-inch squares with a knife .
Spoon meat filling in the center of each square.
Seal dumplings by gathering the edges of the dough and pinching them together at the top to form as if making won tons.
Place each finished manti on a floured platter and sprinkle flour each time over the finished manti to prevent from sticking
.
Refrigerate until ready to use.

In a large pot bring water to a boil add a big pinch of salt.  Gently drop manti into boiling water.

    First time I made manti the dumplings were too big
Boiling Dumplings:
 Cooked  manti will float when done to surface when done, about 9 to 10 minutes,  check the dumpling while cooking.  Do not over cook the dumplings, drain well.  Spoon the dumplings on a plate adding the toppings mixture. Garnish with chopped mint.
TOPPING: Do not burn  the chili flakes.
In a small saucepan heat oil at a low heat and add red pepper flakes
until pepper flakes have started to color the oil.
When oil is a light red remove from heat and set aside,
Mix minced garlic into room temperature yogurt,  add salt and a little water if  yogurt is too thick.
                                                                                               Big manti dumplings
Serve warm with  yogurt mixture sauce and red chili oil.
Place dumplings on a platter transfer to plates.  Add  yogurt sauce over the manti
(dumplings) and drizzle with the hot pepper oil. and fresh chopped mint for garnish and sprinkle sumac(opional).
Dumplings are supposed to be very tiny in size but as always I do not have enough time in the day to make it the traditional way.   Maybe one day when I have a few hours of leisure time.  I will add another photo and make star style dumpling by pinching the ends to form a star.
Chile oil can be found at most markets,  already bottled.  I always buy it at  Asian markets.
finally tiny dumplings,pinch the corners together to form a star.

finally tiny dumplings,pinch the corners together to form a star.

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Finally I learn to make it right with smaller dumplings, mint, sumac,  etc.  I sometimes crave manti, so when I want to eat it it must be perfect,  the Turkish way!
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Lasagna vegetarian: four layers of veggies and cheese

 

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This vegetarian lasagna is a meal.  I made a  four layers lasagna, zucchini, ricotta cheese, mushrooms, spinach and cheese.. with my homemade tomato sauce.

 

ingredients

1 box of lasagna noodles Trader Joe’s no boiling oven ready

1 large zucchini

1 small carton of mushrooms

1 small bag of frozen spinach

1  1/2 cups  grated parmagiano -reggiano cheese

1 small ricotta

4 cloves of garlic dice

extra virgin olive oil

sea salt

fresh ground pepper

chile flakes

My Italian marinara red sauce recipe*

Directions: I used a loaf pan serving for 4

I used this loaf pan that serves four.

I used this loaf pan that serves four.

Thinly slice the zucchini, mushrooms and cheese. Set aside.  Mix the ricotta cheese with a little extra virgin olive oil and pepper. Set aside.

rinse the spinach and squeeze out the water.  Dice the garlic.

Follow directions on the box on how to prepare  the noodles. Once the noodles are ready, start to layer.

firsh layer slice zucchine with oregano, dice garlic pepper and sea salt

First layer slice zucchini with oregano, dice garlic pepper and sea salt

second layer ricotta cheese mixture

second layer ricotta cheese mixture

spinach, dice garlic and salt with grated parmesan cheese

spinach, dice garlic and salt with grated parmesan cheese

 

sliced mushrooms with a drizzle of olive oil and dice garlic,. Cover mushrooms with Marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper

sliced mushrooms with a drizzle of olive oil and dice garlic,. Cover mushrooms with Marinara sauce, season with salt and pepper

 

 

top the last layer . with cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until the noodles are tender and all is bubbling hot. Uncover the last 5 minutes for a crispy cheese topping.

top the last layer with cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until the noodles are tender and all is bubbling hot. Uncover the last 5 minutes for a crispy cheese topping.

add more sauce to your liking.

add more sauce to your liking.

 

Italian red sauce recipe

Tomato Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 fresh Roma tomatoes chopped
5 cloves garlic diced
2 teaspoon oregano
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup parsley chopped
1 onion diced
chili flakes (to your liking)
fresh ground pepper
fresh basil add last to the ingredients to kept the beautiful green color.

In a large sauce pan add olive oil at a medium to low heat.  Add  diced onions and stir until translucent adding  diced garlic.

Cook 1 minute (do not burn the garlic) add fresh chopped tomatoes and the can of diced tomato sauce.

Stir the mixture, adding oregano, parsley, chili flakes, fresh ground pepper.

Salt to your liking.  Stir until all is combined.  Simmer for about 15- 20 minutes.

always use fresh Ingredients

always use fresh Ingredients

 

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Egg Pasta with Lemon Tagliolini al Limone

A  flavor of lemon and cream

A very creamy and lemony flavor pasta that is very easy to make and simply delicious.

Ingredients:
6 asparagus cut 1/2 inch long
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
juice of 2 lemons
zest of 2 lemons
1 cup heavy cream or half & half
a package of egg noodle pasta
fresh ground black pepper
sea salt
1 cup chopped parsley
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
In a large pasta pot start to boil water adding sea salt.
Using a large skillet over medium heat add the butter and olive oil ;
Let butter melt adding lemon zest once butter has melted.
Cook 2 minutes, add cut asparagus,  toss or stir gently.
Pour fresh lemon juice into  skillet and let it evaporate than add  cream, reduce heat.
Place pasta into  boiling water and cook for about 3 minutes. Drain and add the pasta to the cream sauce.
Add black pepper and 1/2 cup chopped parsley, stir gently while sprinkling grated cheese,

Transfer cooked pasta on a platter or on individual plates,  add more toppings of parmesan cheese, pepper and sprinkle the rest of the parsley.
Enjoy

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Filed under Italian, Pasta

Mussels with pasta cooked in Wine, Garlic and Lemon

Summer time is here and this is a recipe that is easy and fast to make for those hot summer days.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Lbs  mussels fresh or frozen
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped shallots
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped paisley
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 1 finely diced jalapeno
  • 1 cup good  dry white wine
  • 2 lemons  (juice of i lemon for cooking with mussels and the other cut up for the dish)
  • 1 teaspoons sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to your liking
  • 1 bag of your favorite spaghetti
  • cilantro for garnish
Directions:
Clean your mussels in a bowl of water to make sure all  sand is gone.  Rinse until water is clear. Remember if the shell does not open,  when cooked,  disregard the mussel and throw it away.
In a large pot or skillet add butter and olive oil.  Add shallots and cook at a low heat until translucent .
At this point start to boil water for your pasta using a large pot.  Bring to a boil.
Add  garlic (do not burn the garlic).  Cook for a minute than add wine,  parsley, cilantro, jalapeno,  juice of a lemon and add  cut lemon skin into the pot.  Salt & pepper to your liking.  Bring to a boil than reduce to a medium heat,  adding  mussels.  Stir well and cover with a lid.
Cook 8-10 minutes. Do not over cook the mussels or they will be rubbery in texture. 


n your pasta pot with boiling water,  add the spaghetti cook according to package directions (about 9 minutes)  Add  pasta amount depending on  servings.
At this point both should be ready about the same time.
When mussels are done do not open the lid.  Place cooked pasta in a large platter or bowl.  Spoon the cooked mussels over  pasta.  Sever with fresh cilantro and lemon slices.

Easy mussel seafood recipe for lazy summer days


very refreshing papaya salad
Enjoy with my papaya salad recipe.  Enjoy the rest of the white wine with your meal!




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Filed under Pasta, Seafood

Spaghetti and Turkey meatballs with Homemade sauce

Fresh Turkey meatballs with a homemade tomato sauce
Spaghetti and Turkey meatballs a simple recipe.
There is nothing as good as an easy flavorful pasta sauce. I love the smell of garlic slow cooking in olive oil.  Pasta sauce is very easy to make and only takes less than 30 minutes, always use fresh ingredients.

Turkey Meatballs recipe
1/2 lb ground Turkey
2 cloves garlic diced
1/3 of an onion diced
2 egg beaten
2 oz Parmesan (optional)

1 cup panko bread crumbs (panko is a Japanese style fine bread crumbs)

1 – 2 teaspoon chili flakes (to your liking)
1/2 salt
fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup milk
1 small brunch parsley finely chopped
1/3 cup olive oil.

Directions for Turkey Meatballs
In a large bowl add the ground turkey, diced garlic, diced parsley, chili flakes salt and pepper.
Add panko bread crumbs soaked in milk than squeeze the bread crumbs dry, add to turkey mixture.
Add a beaten egg, grated Parmesan add to the mixture.  Mix well, and start to roll into little round balls.
In a skillet add olive oil,  heat at a medium temperature,  add  meat balls,  turning for an even golden brown on all sides.

Tomato Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 fresh Roma tomatoes chopped
5 cloves garlic diced
2 teaspoon oregano
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup parsley chopped
1 onion diced
chili flakes (to your liking)
fresh ground pepper
fresh basil,  add last to the ingredients to kept the beautiful green color.

In a large sauce pan add olive oil at a medium to low heat.  Add  diced onions and stir until translucent adding  diced garlic.

Cook 1 minute (do not burn the garlic) add fresh chopped tomatoes and the can of diced tomato sauce.

Stir the mixture, adding oregano, parsley, chili flakes, fresh ground pepper.  Salt to your liking.  Stir until all is combined.  Cook for about 15 minutes.

Fresh Ingredients
Meatballs

Enjoy <3

Turkey meatballs are healthier and the chili flakes gives it spice!

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Egg Pappardelle Pasta with Roma Tomatoes, fresh Basil and Spinach

Egg  noodles pasta

I like to use “Gia Russa” brand only because I know the texture and this is a great tasting pasta.  It is made with eggs and durum wheat semolina.  Four egg nest in a package   (individual servings 4).

Empty package but this is what the pasta looks like “Gia Russa”

This is a simple and quick pasta to cook. Pasta takes only 9 minutes,  another 5  minutes to chop and mince all other ingredients.

Ingredients. (recipe for one person)
1 individual egg nest (pasta in package is already divided)
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Roma tomatoes per person chopped
3 cloves garlic  minced
1/2 cup fresh leaves spinach
fresh basil leaves (to your liking) I use 6 per serving
red chili flakes  (to your liking)
salt & fresh ground pepper
fresh grated reggiano-parmesano  cheese

Directions
In a medium pot prepare the pasta “ al dente * ” according to package directions (9 minutes cooking for best results)
While pasta is cooking,  start chopping tomatoes and mince garlic cloves.

In a skillet add olive oil at a medium heat.  Add  chopped tomatoes and cook for about 3 minutes. Adding  garlic,  stir a minute.

Do not burn the garlic.  Add spinach and mix lightly. When  pasta is done,  drain.   Place pasta on your dish.   Add  fresh basil and chili flakes. into the tomato mixture.  Spoon topping on pasta.  This pasta preparation should take about 12 minutes.  Top it off with grated reggiano parmesano cheese

Place pasta on the dish than spoon the  tomato mixture on top.

Serve and sprinkle cheese on the pasta (optional)

Egg pasta dishes are traditionally served as a first course in bowls or on plates.

* Al dente = refers to the desired texture of cooked pasta in Italian cooking.  It literally means “to the tooth”.   Tender but still with a firm bite.  Not mushy,  soft with texture.

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Spicy Eggplant with Orecchiette Pasta

Orecchiette pasta made with 100% wheat semolina. This pasta is a homemade pasta usually comes from the region of Puglia or Apulla a Southern part of Italy.  Its name comes from its shape which reminds one of little ears.  Orecchio means ears in Italian.
In Italy Orecchiette is served” Orecchiette alla carbonara.”or “Orecchiette coi Broccoletti”
(Broccoli). I will post these recipes in the future.

Ingredients:

Orecchiette Pasta (use Penne or any pasta to your liking)
1/4 cup olive oil
4 Italian eggplant chopped in cubes
4 small Roma tomatoes chopped
1 leek (white part) thinly sliced
5 asparagus  sliced diagonal
1/2 onion chopped
5 cloves of garlic diced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup  mushroom broth (more if needed)
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon chili flakes (more to taste)
5 Fresh basil leaves  (according to taste)
salt and fresh ground pepper
grated parmigiano cheese
Cilantro for garnishing

Pasta of your choice.  A firm pasta goes well with the ingredients like Penne or Orecchiette pasta.
Cook the pasta according to directions on package. Never over cook pasta.

Directions:
Start to prepare all vegetables, eggplants cut in small cubes, chop the tomatoes, cut slicing,  dicing and chopping.  Set a side.
In a large pan start to boil water for the pasta. While water is boiling,  i n a large skillet add olive oil,  place  cube cut eggplants and cook for 5 minutes.  Add a little more olive oil, adding  chopped leeks, onions,  tomatoes, and asparagus, add a little mushroom broth.   Place the pasta in boiling water and cook according to the time on the package (less 1 minute from package instructions).  Simmer until tender but do not over cook.
Add  tomato paste, garlic and more mushroom broth to the eggplant.
Add cream until you have a light peach color or pink color,
Remove the cooked paste and drain.  Place in a large bowl or platter. Spoon eggplant mixture over pasta and toss gently.
Serve and garnish with  grated parmigiano cheese, cilantro or parsley. Add more chili flakes if needed.

Orecchiette pasta  photo

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Filed under Italian, Pasta