PASTA & RISOTTO
SUMMER TOMATO PASTA AL'ARRABIATA
Spicy Italian tomato sauce fired up by garlic & chilies
Besides the fact that it TASTES as GOOD as it looks, it ticks a lot of HEALTH boxes 1) chili pepper boosts your metabolism 2) garlic supports your immune system, 3) cooked tomatoes are full of LOADS of stuff your body needs (especially men, to ward off prostate cancer) 4) Spinach gives you the goodness of green and 5) I serve it over ricotta-stuffed tortellini with a bit of added buffalo mozzarella and parmesan for protein and calcium.
Classic bolognese ingredients, with minced mushrooms replacing the minced meat. Served over zucchini noodles for a low-carb, high vitamin meal!
Mushrooms, tomatoes paste (puree) onion, celery, carrot, oregano, milk, canned (tinned) tomatoes, & white wine.
Classic bolognese ingredients, with minced mushrooms replacing the minced meat. Served over zucchini noodles for a low-carb, high vitamin meal!
VEGETARIAN BOLOGNESE
Replace Minced Meat with Minced Mushrooms
Minced mushrooms give your bolognase a similar texture as meat, and the slow-cooked taste is so good, most people don't pick up on the fact that the meat is missing!
Watching your processed carbs or have a gluten alergy? Serve it over zucchini noodles for a low calorie, high-nutrient meal!
White wine, stock/broth, dried bulgur, butter, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, olive oil, onion.
Add your hot broth/stock 1/2 a cup at a time and stir frequently until dissolved. Repeat until bulgur is softened. Then turn off heat and stir in your mushrooms.
SIMPLE BULGUR RISOTTO
With Sautéed Mushrooms
Using bulgur instead of white rice instantly kicks this dish up a notch in the nutrient department, yet still delivers on the taste, texture and creaminess you expect from a properly cooked risotto!
Caramelized onions and bell peppers with sautéed mushrooms & garlic served over spelt pasta, topped with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
Onions, red & yellow bell peppers, garlic and mushrooms.
Caramelized onions and bell peppers with sautéed mushrooms & garlic, served over spelt pasta, topped with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
Caramelized onions and bell peppers with sautéed mushrooms & garlic served over spelt pasta, topped with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
SPAGHETTI LEKKER
Caramelized Onions and Red Bell Peppers with Sautéed Mushrooms and Garlic
My stepson named this dish when he was about 11 years old. As with most kids, he has a tendancy to like things that are sweet...but I try to avoid adding processed sugar to meals. The secret to this dish is simply caramelizing red onions and red bell peppers so that their natural sugars come out.
Over spinach pasta
Ground beef, ground pork, milk, eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, spices.
Serve in crusty bread along side a salad.
Over spinach pasta
CLASSIC ITALIAN MEATBALS
Cooked in a homemade tomatoe sauce.
This is an absolute favorite in our house, and so versatile – serve over pasta, make meatball subs, or just in a big bowl with toothpicks for a party favorite!
While you can easily buy pre-made meatballs, nothing beats homemade…not to mention being able to control the amount of filler as many store-bought meatballs tend to have more breadcrumbs or potato starch to get the price down. Just sayin…
Pictured here with mushrooms, broccoli and small garden peas (petite pois)
Fresh basil leaves, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese and salt.
With sautéed mushrooms
Pictured here with mushrooms, broccoli and small garden peas (petite pois)
CLASSIC PESTO PASTA WITH VEGGIES
You can't go wrong with a fresh, homemade pesto sauce! This classic Italian sauce is so versatile, as it's flavor compliments so many different vegetables,. and it's also a great way to season fish or mix with yogurt for dip.
Make a double batch and have it on hand!
Roasted butternut squash and beetroot served over black pasta, topped with feta, pecans and thyme.
Roasted butternut squash and beetroot served over black pasta, topped with feta, pecans and thyme.
ROASTED PUMPKIN & BEETS OVER BLACK PASTA
The 'blackness' of the pasta comes from a classic Italian method of making the pasta with squid ink. Might sound weird to some, but the taste is subtle and delicious, and is a super compliment to roasted vegetables.
Recipe coming soon.
Fettuccine pasta with sautéed brussels and mushrooms, in a cauliflower sauce topped with pine nuts and basil.
Fettuccine pasta with sautéed brussels and mushrooms, in a cauliflower sauce topped with pine nuts and basil.
Fettuccine pasta with sautéed brussels and mushrooms, in a cauliflower sauce topped with pine nuts and basil.
'CREAMY' BRUSSELS SPROUTS FETTUCCINI
The creaminess from this dish comes from slow-cooking cauliflower with onions and garlic, then pureeing it into a smooth sauce. No butter or cream necessary!
Recipe coming soon.
MEDITERRANEAN PASTA BOWL
Sundried tomatoes, olives, pine nuts, caramelized onions and bell peppers, parmesan cheese, fresh basil…this dish combines some of my favorites bits from the Mediterranean. What’s also great about this dish is that you can serve it hot as a main meal, or room temperature as a side salad for party pleaser that’s easy to make ahead of time.
Recipe coming soon.
Swap the white pasta with white cabbage for a gluten-free, low carb version of a classic pesto pasta dish.
White cabbage, oyster mushrooms and classic basil pesto
If you're not gluten intolerant, feel free to use standard spaghetti noodles. It's yummy all-round!
Swap the white pasta with white cabbage for a gluten-free, low carb version of a classic pesto pasta dish.
CLASSIC PESTO OVER CABBAGE
For a lower-carb, gluten-free version of a classic!
Recipe coming soon.