Archive from August, 2009

Friday Pasta Night~ Pasta Puttanesca

Aug 28, 2009 by     4 Comments    Posted under: Blogroll, recipes, saving money

hear ye hear yeHear ye, Hear ye!!  (no, no, the British aren’t coming). I hereby declare Friday night as pasta night! I’m not talking about the same old… spaghetti & meatballs or macaroni & cheese stuff, no, I’m on a quest to find, cook and eat some yummy pasta recipes. Since John and I don’t go out to eat  in restaurants, this will be our ‘night out’.

Hey, we want to find fun things to do that don’t cost a lot of money, try new things and have a party!

pasta

Here’s what I’m trying this Friday Night.I got this recipe from:

http://www.recipezaar.com/Pasta-Puttanesca-the-Madames-Pasta-176435

Pasta Puttanesca 

45 min | 15 min prep

SERVES 2

  • 1/2 lb spaghetti
  • 1 (14 ounce) can Italian tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 4 tablespoons flat leaf parsley
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons black olives, minced
  • 2 tablespoons green olives, minced
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 3 ounces red wine
  • Parmesan cheese
  • fresh basil leaf, chopped
  1. Sauté onions, garlic, and pepper flakes in the olive oil for about two minutes until fragrant.
  2. Add tomatoes and half of their juices, sugar, wine, fresh parsley, olives, capers, anchovy paste,(or anchovies)and Italian seasoning.
  3. Bring to a boil and simmer about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, and adding more reserved juice if it becomes dry. Break up large chunks of tomatoes but please leave a chunky consistency, we’re NOT making spaghetti!
  4. While this is simmering, prepare spaghetti until done and drain.
  5. Sauce should be ready now so combine pasta and sauce and toss well.
  6. Top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

* I’ll use the basil from my garden.

** I’ll use the anchovy paste because it adds really great flavor to other dishes I make.
I’d love to have you try it and let me know what you think and I will also give our ‘review’.

Our 3 weeks in Virginia & North Dakota

Aug 24, 2009 by     9 Comments    Posted under: Family

Here are some photos of our time in the USA. We’re glad we were able to go and visit and help out the family.