Presto Pasta Nights #144

 

I had a wonderful time this week checking out all of the mouth-watering entries for this last Presto Pasta Night of the year. It led me to discovering some tasty new blogs along with new friends(hopefully). A huge thank-you to Ruth for allowing me to host and to everyone who took the time to send me their entries during this busy holiday season.


To kick off the round-up I thought we would start with the mastermind behind Presto Pasta Nights, Ruth of Once Upon a Feast who shares not one but "three ways to honor the sausage." Her first is a Rotini with Sweet Fennel Sausages, Sun-dried Tomatoes & Black Olives. Ruth says about this one "These sweet fennel sausages work so well with tomatoes that this one is always delicious."





The second is Last Minute with Fennel Sausage & Mushrooms in Tomato Sauce. Ruth describes the dish as "a garlicy, spicy dish with olive oil and a little white wine as the base for the sauce."





And last but not least Bucatini Bolognese. These are all competing to be my new favorite!





Bergamot of Cooking Escapades sent this Spaghetti in Roasted Garlic, Tomato and Red Pepper Sauce. She was looking for something different to please her daughter and this was a winner. Pass me a plate please!





Angela of Spinach Tiger made her Mom's recipe for Spaghetti and Meatballs: Retro Rose's Spaghetti and Meatballs. Angela talks about her "food rules" and says "Although the meatballs would be cooked in a tomato sauce, they would never actually be served with the spaghetti." It's a very interesting and entertaining post I bid you to go over and read the post in it's entirety.





Next up is Jeanne of Cook Sister! who made a Chicken, Roasted Butternut & Feta Lasagna. Jeanne says she "recently cooked the dish for a relaxed Sunday lunch with friends and all I can tell you, dear readers, is this:  Make. This. Dish." I concur.





Chaya, The Comfy Cook made Linguine with Lemon, Mushrooms, Garlic & Thyme. Chaya was looking for something to soothe her hunger and says "Since, I have a yearning for pasta, I went seeking an easy lunch recipe that had flavor and this fits the bill." Hmm... it's lunch-time here...





Joanne of Eats Well With Others made a festive Wintry Green Baked Ziti. Why is it festive you might be thinking? Joanne says "nothing says Christmas like the red and green of kale and tomato sauce in a cheesy baked pasta dish." I say pure comfort! Is there any left?





 Ozoz of Kitchen Butterfly made a Linguine Al Cartoccio, a re-creation of a dish she enjoyed in Rome that is loaded with seafood. It is baked in a bag and Ozoz says "When you opened it, you got a delightful nose of pasta, fresh seafood and herbs." A lovely 'gift' to make for the holidays; how about Christmas lunch? recommends Ozoz. I'm game!

 


Graziana of Erbe in Cucina(Cooking with Herbs) made Walnuts Pasa with Marjoram. Graziana tells how she was first introduced to marjoram; "When I was a child, my mother find marjoram as an ingredient for walnuts sauce, and bought this new, mysterious herb. Since then, marjoram it's a must-have for me.." This dish is a must-have for me!





Abby of Eat the Right Stuff made a Rabbit Ragu. Abby cooked her first rabbit years ago and has enjoyed it in restaurants since. She says  "I was worried the meat would be tough but amazingly it wasn’t and the ragu tasted absolutely wonderful. i added a handful of mixed wild mushrooms to the ragu which worked really well." I've never eaten rabbit but this looks quite appealing!





SE of Denufood made a Orzo Pasta with Greens. SE says "...this dish which  is very simple, quick, no frills recipe and perfect with greens and olive oil." Healthy and vibrant.





Pam of Sidewalk Shoes made a Warmed Olive and Garlic Pasta. This dish was inspired by her life-long love of olives. About the dish she says " this is a very pretty, and super quick and easy weeknight pasta dish." I too love olives -  and this dish!





Deb of Kahakai Kitchen made A Few of "My Favorite Things" Pasta. Deb says " Lots of ingredients, but it all works--a little tangy, a little spicy, some good texture and crunch, and a whole lotta yum. (Sausage, garlic, red chili flakes, artichoke hearts, spinach, capers, lemon and a crunchy topping of toasted breadcrumbs and pine nuts)." Lots of my favorites too! An incredible dish!





Teresa of A Blog About Food made this Asian Beef and Noodle Bowl. She used Ramen noodles and says she "liked it a lot because you DON'T use the salt laden flavor packet, and it includes a lot of wonderful healthy ingredients like spinach and carrots." Is this plate full for me?





Tigerfish from Teczcape - An Escape To Food made this nutritious Chicken Livers with Vegetables Noodle Soup. Tigerfish says " Like cod liver oil, chicken liver is a nutrient-packed superfood supplement that can help boost energy, muscle growth, brain power, and general health." Just great for growing kids!





Cari of Cari Cooks made two dishes. Her first is Penne with Roasted Zucchini, Italian Sausage & Feta. Cari says "the simpliest things in life are often the greatest pleasures." This may be simple to make but the flavors are anything but!





Her second: Rotini with Poached Salmon, Peppers, & Goat Cheese. Another easy but delicious combo.




Ching of Little Corner of Mine made Stir-Fried Vietnamese Rice Noodle(Loh See Fun). Ching says she "found the Vietnamese rice noodle at my Asian supermarket. Instead of preparing it in soup, I did a quick stir-fry in white sauce. I was too lazy to prepare the soup for it and wanted a change from my usual black sauce." Anytime is a good time for this tasty stir-fry!





Christine of Kits Chow made a Tagliatelle with Baby Cuttlefish, Chile Peppers & Tomatoes. The recipe came from Gordon Ramsay's new Cookalong show. Christine says " The dish turned out to be delicious! Quick and easy too. It only took about 15 minutes." I love the spiciness!





Happy Cook from My Kitchen Treasures made Chicken Ramen.  Happy Cook says " Combine noodles, hot stock, fresh vegetables and lightly grilled chicken and you have a complete meal in a bowl. The writter of this book says fast food really doesn't get better than this and I have to totally agree with him." I agree too! It looks hearty and warming.





My submission is this Ratatouille Pasta. Thinly sliced zucchini and eggplant are sauted and flavored with garlic, onion and Italian seasonings then simmered with tomatoes and artichokes to make this quick, easy and light dish. It's wholesome and nutritious and a brand new favorite of mine.





I hope you enjoyed this diverse and delicious round-up as much as I did! Presto Pasta Nights will reconvene for the second week of January. Ruth will be kicking off the new year by hosting.

Happy Holidays!