The best little pasta dish in Texas, great possibilities, and you can add your own favorites to it

The best little pasta dish in Texas, great possibilities, and you can add your own favorites to it
By: Shelley Pogue

Article ID: 941918
Article Submitted: January 22, 2008
Category: Food and Drink :: Pasta Dishes
Article Word Count: 929

Basil pesto is one of the easiest types of sauces to make. There is very little preparation for this sauce and it packs a ton of flavor. There are several different types of basil that you can get at your local market. There is cinnamon basil, Thai basil, lemon basil and Genovese basil just to name a few. Genovese is considered to be one of the best to make pesto the old Italian way, and if it is available it is the one to use. Basil has many medicinal uses as well, but this recipe is for a great flavor addition on your favorite type of pasta. This dish should take less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

You will need to come up with a grocery list, so you can get all of the ingredients in hand, to make this great dish.

Items list for the Basil Pesto: 2 cups fresh basil leaves, 4 cloves garlic, crushed , 3/4 - 1 cup of pine nuts, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded, 3/4 Romano cheese shredded, 1 cup of good quality olive oil, pinch of salt and black pepper, T/T. You will also need one pound of your favorite pasta, penne pasta, farfalle pasta (bow tie) or fettuccine if you wish. 1/4 cup of heavy cream optional.

1. I start my water at this point to get ahead of the game, and I use a generous amount of salt in the water for the pasta. Depending on the pasta you use it would be best to follow the directions on the box. Just make sure you add salt the water, it is important.

2. Get out your food processor or blender at this point. Add your washed basil, garlic and pine nuts at this time and blend.

3. While blending you need to start incorporating the olive oil at this point, in a slow but steady stream.

4. Stop the food processor and add cheese, salt and pepper. Blend again and then taste for seasonings. Add more salt an pepper if it is needed. I remember while attending Culinary school, I was asked by one of my chef instructors: Did you forgot your salt extractor today? You can always add more of any ingredient, but you can not take it out!

5. Remove all of the pesto from the food processor, and hold until you are finished. I will put it into a container that I can keep in the refrigerator, so I will have it for a week or two. And that way you are not continually transferring to many bowls to clean.

6. I would add my pasta to the boiling water at this point and prep the rest of my ingredients at this point. If I were going to add a salad with this dish I would get if made at this point. It will not take long to wash your lettuce and get ingredients ready for dinner with your family.

7. I like to add artichokes, bacon and sun-dried tomatoes to this dish just to give it some flare. I also take some extra pine nuts, and roast them to add them to the finished dish as well. To roast your pine nuts you can do it in a over or over a stove top burner. You just have to watch them to make sure they do not get too much color. They will taste very bitter, or burned if this happens. You can add any ingredient to your pasta dish that you prefer. I am sure some Kalamata black olives would be tasty on this dish as well. This is what makes it your dish, every ones taste buds are a little different. If you are wanting to have a special dinner for loved ones or guests. You can offer them a wide variety of ingredients to add to there own dish in the center of the table. It will make them feel very special, and offer them the ingredients to make it their own dish.

8. The pasta is probably ready to be drained at this point. Do not wash the pasta, and return it to the same pan. I would start to add in some of the pesto starting with 2-3 tablespoons and turn the pasta with tongs if you have them to mix in the pesto. Continue until the desired amount of pesto is on the pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste and then serve.

9. If you are not concerned about the fat content: Then go from step 7 to step 9 In a separate bowl add a couple of tablespoons of the pasta water to the the 1/4 cup of heavy cream to the, add the 2 Tbsp of pesto and mix. Drain the pasta, but do not rinse. Put the pasta back into the same pan and pour the cream pesto mixture into the pot and turn with a wooden spoon of tongs. Make sure there is a good covering of the mixture on the desired pasta. You can also add more cheese at this point if you so desire.

10. Set the table and get ready to dig in. After I put the portion on to my plate I would then add my artichokes, bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts. Or you can put yours on a nice serving platter in the middle of the table with a piece of basil garnish and everyone can serve themselves.

I hope that you enjoy this dish. Making a basil pesto sauce is very easy and it taste great. I hope that you will find those ingredients that you really love and incorporate them into this dish to call it you own.

Chef Shelley Pogue, a Cum Laude, Le Cordon Blue graduate and research and development chef for Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Pogue
pasta

AntiPasto Salad

8 cups mixed greens, such as mesclun, gourmet, Italian or Mediterranean salad mix
1 1/2 cup artichoke heart quarters, drained
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, drained
1 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained
1/2 cup ripe olives
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces smoked provolone cheese, cut into 1/2 cubes
2 tablespoons of aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup julienned fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon dried basil

Place greens on large serving platter. Arrange artichoke hearts, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and olives over greens. Combine bread crumbs, Italian seasoning and salt in shallow bowl. Dip cheese cubes in egg, then bread crumb mixture, turning to coat all sides thoroughly. Repeat process, coating cheese in egg then bread crumb mixture again. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Place cheese cubes in skillet; cook 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown, turning frequently to cook all sides. Place cheese on antipasto platter; drizzle with vinegar and sprinkle with basil, if desired. Serve immediately.

Chef Shelley Pogue, a Cum Laude, Le Cordon Blue graduate and Executive Research and Development Chef, for Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Pogue

ChefShelleyPogue.com

Italian Wedding Cookies Recipe

I will be catering several weddings this spring, so I came up with my own version of Italian wedding cookies, after many trials, and a few errors to produce a delicate buttery cookie that is made with ground nuts. There are several different types of these cookies which include the Mexican Wedding cookies, often coated with a mixture of cinnamon and confectioners' sugar. The Russian Tea Cakes which can be made with ground hazelnuts, and Italian Wedding cookies which traditionally use ground almonds. All of them are delicious, and each recipe utilizes a different proportion of butter and flour. They are a very good suprise in you mouth, delicate little cookie. I would try all different types, or versions to figure out the one you like best.

These Italian Wedding cookies are buttery, delicate, and have a wonderful flavor. This is a very easy recipe to make, and they are worth the effort put forth for every cookie and crumble left.

Italian Wedding Cookies:

1½ cups unsalted butter

¾ cup confectioners' sugar

¾ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups finely ground almonds

4 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste

3 cups of sifted all purpose flour

1/3 cup confectioners sugar for dipping

First, preheat your oven to 325 degrees if you have an electric oven and about 300 to 315 if you have a gas oven. Gas ovens cook much faster than an electric oven depending on the oven. If you have a convection oven I recommend turning the fan off if you can, it will burn the cookies before they are fully cooked.

First you will soften and mix the butter in a bowl, and you will sift and then add the ¾ cup confectioners sugar and salt to the butter. You will then mix the butter, and sugar with salt mixture until it is light and fluffy. You will now add the ground almonds and the vanilla bean paste. You will then add the sifted flour in until it just mixed, you do not want to over mix, or overwork the dough. The cookies will not be very light in texture if you do.

Take about one teaspoon of dough in your hand at a time, and roll it into a ball. You will then place the rolled cookie dough balls on the parchment paper or an ungreased cookie sheet if you do not have parchment paper. You will then bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes. You will want to watch the first batch fairly closely and turn halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. You want to make sure to get them cooked but not too brown. Once the cookies are done you will remove from the oven, and cool the cookies for about five minutes, and then roll in the left over confectioners sugar.

You will then hold these little delicate cookies until you are ready for service.

Chef Shelley Pogue, a Cum Laude, Le Cordon Blue graduate and Executive Research and Development Chef, for Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA.
ChefShelleyPogue.com

Chocolate Raspberry Scone Recipe

A brief history of what we call Scones. They are of a light brown color on top, and they have a light and soft texture inside and they are similar to a biscuit. There are several different variations from Scotland, Germany, and don't forget the Dutch. here is a recipe that I have put together for you to try. They are very nice if you are a chocolate, and raspberry lover like myself.

Chocolate Raspberry Scones

2 Cups all purpose flour

1/3 Cup sugar

1 Teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 Teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 Teaspoon of salt

3 Ounces of butter, cut into pieces

1/2 Cup of dark chocolate chips

1/2 Cup of milk chocolate chips

1/2 Cup milk

1 Teaspoon of vanilla bean paste

1 Large egg, lightly beaten

1 Cup raspberries

1 Large egg, lightly beaten

Egg Wash

2 Tablespoons of milk

1 Large egg

First you will preheat oven to 375F. Then you will first whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make sure that you do not get the measurements backwards for the baking soda, and the baking powder. Trust me it will be a very bad tasting scone if you do. It will be more like a raspberry chocolate brick.

You will then start to cut in the butter the into the flour mixture with a pastry blender if you have one, or a food processor with a dough blade will work as well. If you do not have either you can use two knives, or a fork until crumbly. You will then add your chocolate chips into the dough mix and give it a light stir.

In a small mixing bowl you will then add the milk, vanilla bean paste, and the slightly beaten egg. One you have given the liquid mixture a little stir you will start to add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until the dough comes together. Do not over work or over mix you dough it, will not let the scone rise properly during baking if you do. The scone will be very dense if this happens.

You will take the crumbly dough mixture and knead very gently on a lightly floured surface 3 to 5 times, or until it comes together. You will then pat the dough into a circle that is about 1 inch thick. You will then cut your scones into the desired shape. You can use a round cookie cutter, or any metal ring design, or squares if you prefer.

You will then place the scones on a lightly greased baking sheet, or one that has been prepared with a nonstick spray. Make the egg wash, and brush the tops with this mixture you will then add some regular sugar on top and bake.

Bake for about 10 minutes and then turn 180 degrees and then continue for another 10 minutes. The total cooking time should take about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove scones from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once they have cooled you can add your raspberries on top for garnish sprinkled with a little sugar. These are delicious.

Chef Shelley Pogue, a Cum Laude, Le Cordon Blue graduate and Executive Research and Development Chef, for Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA. Shelley is also the desserts editor for BellaOnline.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Pogue

Chef Shell P's Pasta Carbonara, A little taste of Italy, very simple for you to prepare at your home

Article ID: 942018
Article Submitted: January 22, 2008
Category: Food and Drink :: Pasta Dishes
Article Word Count: 533

If you are looking for a classic Italian dish then this is the one for you. It is fairly easy for anyone to cook if you just follow the directions. To make it the traditional way you will need to use prosciutto or pancetta which is Italian bacon. I prefer to use good American bacon most of the time just because I like the flavor of our pork products. However if it is going to be the classic Italian dish then the other type of pork fat needs to be used.

Ingredients list: 1 lb of bacon if you are going to prepare the US version, 1/4- 1/2 lb of pancetta or prosciutto, they both have a very strong flavor so use sparingly depending on your tastes. 1 lb of linguine, 2-3 eggs, 1/4-1/3 cup of Italian parsley fresh if available, a really good parmesan cheese grated, salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

1. Cut your pork products into lard-on strips, or 1/4" strips and then saute/render your pork product that you desire in you dish. You want to get the pieces crisp but not too done. Remove the cooked pork with a slotted spoon and pat dry and hold for later.

2. You will get your water going for your pasta. Follow the instructions on the box for your pasta. Just remember to salt your water. Stir in the pasta and make sure it is fully covered with the water. Cook until done but not overcooked. You will still want some bite to the pasta or al dente- firm to the bite. You can bite into the pasta, look at the center and you will see whether it is done or not by noticing the center. If it is not the same color all the way through then it is still not done. Practice makes perfect on this step. But you will definitely now if it is overcooked, it will be mushy and will fall apart on you.

3. You will first want to have a separate pot of simmering or close to boiling water. You will want to add the eggs to this water only for about 20-30 seconds to kill any bacteria such as salmonella. Remove from the water and rinse and then immediately break into bowl. Beat the eggs very well or thoroughly in a mixing bowl that you can serve this dish in.

4. When the pasta is fully cooked, drain it and try to remove all excess water. Do not rinse!

5. Put the drained pasta into the serving dish with the eggs and toss the pasta into the egg mixture. The heat from the pasta will cook the egg mixture. Just make sure you stir well, but be careful not to cut your pasta.

6. Add your pork products, parsley and cheese at this point and give it another toss. Plate it up, pour yourself and guest some wine, and break bread together.

This is a very classical Italian dish as I stated before. Just take precautions when preparing the egg mixture. And I hope that you enjoy this dish, if you like you can use bacon or sausage and eat for a breakfast meal served with danish or some type of bread. Ciao!

Chef Shelley Pogue, a Cum Laude, Le Cordon Blue graduate and research and development chef for Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Pogue
pasta

Pasta Puttanesca, Lady of the night pasta, Chef Shelley Pogue's version, great dish as a main course

This is a great dish, and it has many great and different flavors. It was originally made for the working women in Italy. It was supposedly very easy to make if you were in a time crunch, and the ingredients were not expensive. The women did not have much time to eat and not very much money to spend on food. I assume that the carb values also came in handy. This sauce should take maybe 20-30 minutes, so if you want a fast and easy meal this is one to try. It is not for the faint pallet. You must like bold flavors in order to want to try this dish.

Ingredients list: 1 pound of dried pasta, 2 cans of Italian tomatoes, 1/4 cup of a good olive oil, 1 tsp of oregano preferably fresh, 2-4 garlic cloves minced, 1/2 cup of black olives, Nicoise, 1/4 c of capers, 4-6 anchovy fillets that have been washed and chopped,1/2 cup of Italian parsley for garnish, salt and pepper to taste, be careful on the salt levels you will get plenty from the capers, anchovies and olives.

1. Boil your pasta according to the instructions on the box. If you know how to make fresh pasta then of course that would be the best choice. There are some stores that have a good fresh pasta source so try them out if you like.

2. while your pasta is on the stove cooking you will start preparation on the Lady of the night sauce or Puttanesca sauce. Open the canned tomatoes and drain well, and then give them a rough chop. This is to be a rustic sauce and dish.

3. Add olive oil to the pan over med to low heat and add your tomatoes. Raise the heat to a nice simmer or med-high to a high heat. Just be careful not to burn the tomatoes. You will then add garlic, oregano,, olives, anchovies, capers. Add one at a time and sir until you get them all incorporated into the sauce. Reduce the heat and let simmer and reduce the contents of the sauce by half or until it is at the desired thickness. ***Reduce by half= if you have 1 cup of liquid over heat if you reduce it over the heat you are taking the contents down to 1/2 a cup.

4. Drain your pasta, but do not rinse. Add to your serving dish or bowl and pour sauce over it and garnish with the parsley.

This is a great dish! I like to eat this dish with a good Merlot and some nice garlic bread. It is a very tasty and flavorful dish. It will open your taste buds like never before. This is an easy dish to prepare, and you should probably look up some history on the dish to

Chef Shelley Pogue, a Cum Laude, Le Cordon Blue graduate and research and development chef for Vertical Sales and Marketing, San Ramon, CA.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chef_Shelley_R._Pogue
pasta