Things that are home made or made from scratch often just taste better. Why do you think that is? Could it be that the reason is love? Fresh pasta is made with just a few ingredients flour, eggs, salt, and a splash of water. Using dry pasta just doesn’t replicate the quality you get with fresh dough. For this lasagna I opted to add fresh mozzarella and a nice meatball.
Fresh pasta dough is worth the effort.Add a nice meatballFill the lasagna with layers of flavor goodness.Your stomach will thank you!
There is no replication for the love and passion a chef puts into their food. Love and passion can not be substituted. That is why it is important to cook what inspires you.
In the need for dinner in a hurry and a with some chicken, ham , and vegetables at the ready I put together this easy take on carbonara. The dish was light for a pasta dish but very satisfying.
To put together- start cooking your pasta. Cut up your bacon (or turkey bacon if you choose) or Ham ( or turkey ham). Start to sautee your fat in the pan with a little olive oil. Cook until you smell the flavor sing to your nose. Time to add the vegetables. I used onions,garlic, peas, and summer squash. Sauteed these flavors until they reach rock star status and hit the right chords on the flavor building train. Crack an egg and scramble it and place off to the side. When you paste is ready seat aside some of the pasta water and drain the pasta. Add the desired amount of pasta to your pan with the other ingredients and turn the heat to warm or even off. While mixing the dish add the egg and keep stirring so the eggs can achieve harmony with your dish. Add grated parmesan and a touch of pasta water. Season with a touch of salt (if needed) black pepper and garnish with basil or parsley. To get really adventurous add fresh mozzarella and lemon zest to wow your guest and add that pop.
With less time in the kitchen, you’ll have more time to catch up with friends and family.
Ocimum Basilicum or Basil as we call it is an herb that is probably something you’ve cooked with many times before. It is probably outside of parsley or cilantro the most common herb in our kitchens. Basil originated in Asia and Africa until the world found out about its great flavor. There are estimated to be close to 150 different types of basil.
Basil and Tomatoes complete each other!
Basil matches perfectly with anything tomato. Squash, Soups,Eggplant,Sauces,Tea and Craft cocktails also are great uses for basil. Basil is a decent source of Vitamin K with 13% of suggested daily allowance per tablespoon. When cooking add the basil near the end or just before serving to keep the flavor from being diluted.
Studies into the health benefits of basil have yielded promising findings although the quantity of data is still minimal. Basil potentially helps with reducing effects of diabetes,memory loss,alternative to antibiotics, acne treatment, bug bite treatment, nausea, antioxidant,headache,stress reduction, repel insects and depression among other theories.
It is said if you pour hot water over bruised leaves in a cup and put a towel over your head and inhale the steam it will rid you of or reduce the headache.
Basil tea headache cure ?
Fun fact ….Basil was once thought to turn into a scorpion if placed under a pot !!! I love the flavor of basil and ill bet you do to hopefully this information enriched your day and excited your mind.
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