eggs is back!

Pumpkin Risotto with Rainbow Chard

Pumpkin, chard and all produce from the amazing weekly CSA box we've been getting since May from Groundwork Organics in Junction City, Oregon.

Pumpkin
Sage (grown at home -thanks mom)
Shallots
Garlic
Rainbow Chard
Nutmeg
Parm Cheese (or substitute)
Veg Stock Salt/Pepper
Penne pasta





The chanterelles were in our box from Groundwork Organics yesterday and I couldn't resist!

Penne Pasta with Chanterelles and Shallots

melt in your mouth amazing.

My Roots Are Showing

Italian and Norwegian comfort food:


Spinach-Ricotta Penne



Mushroom and Shallot Spaghetti



Norwegian Cinnamon Buns (Modified Nigella Lawson Recipe)



It has been freezing cold here in Eugene, Oregon for the last week or so.

Sunny and cold.

Warm, comforting, and homey food has been in order. The Italian food was a given, but I also have some strong Scandinavian ties too. So I tried Nigella's Norwegian Cinnamon Buns. Our tummies were very satisfied.

Walrus, J and I took advantage of all this sunshine we've been getting here in rain-central by getting out and soaking in the rays. There are quite a few nature trails up here in the hills and it fun to get all bundled up and head out for a hike. A trace of snow fell Thursday evening as we walked...now that's a perfect winter day!



Spinach-Ricotta Penne
serves 4-6

1 lb box of whole-wheat penne
1 large(12 oz or so) bag of fresh spinach
3 cloves of garlic - finely diced
1 tablespoon of Earth Balance Butter substitute (or reg. butter)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups of whole milk Ricotta
1/4 cup chopped fresh Parsley
1/4 teas spoon fresh grated nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in olive oil
Add garlic and saute for a minute to soften
Add spinach and saute( this is a lot of spinach so add a third at a time and saute with garlic to wilt spinach down)
Add salt and pepper to season ( I like about 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt)
Cook pasta for 10 minutes or so(just a bit under required -you will continue to cook pasta with the spinach mixture)
Add pasta to cooked spinach to coat
Add ricotta and nutmeg - blend as it melts into the pasta
Sprinkle on chopped parsley

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Enjoy!!

What is good food?

This is something I've been thinking about quite a bit lately. Obviously there is no one answer to this question and that perhaps makes it an interesting question to really delve into as a personal exploration.

I suppose for me, good food is food that we enjoy making and sharing with people we care about. I really love simple food, that does not have a lot of ingredients, but those few ingredients are fresh and delicious and (this is cliche) warm.

That's probably how I would put it.

I will always associate pasta with warmth and home. Even more so now that I am preparer of the food at my home. Pasta is a loving food.


And spaghetti is my favorite pasta, hands down.

1 box of whole wheat spaghetti
10 oz of cooked white beans
16 oz or so of chopped tomatoes
4 cloves of garlic chopped fine
oregano
3-4 chopped kalamata olives
salt and pepper
grated Parmesan (optional)

Great with a Columbia River Valley(OR/WA) Riesling or a Willamette Valley(OR) Pinot Gris.

Simple Pasta Supper

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with tomatoes, onions, garlic and white beans. Yup, that's a whole clove of garlic just sitting there on the plate.


(and a very nice glass of red!)