Super easy, delicious and cooked in one pot, this is a beloved and classic Neapolitan dish.
Pasta
Beans, Greens and Pasta Soup
This is a very simple, tasty, inexpensive, nutritious and quick meal, using whatever beans, greens and pasta we may have on hand. You may use tinned beans and frozen greens, small pasta or larger sized or even rice, millet, quinoa or cous cous. Ultimately, this recipe should serve as an inspiration to explore combination of…
Neapolitan Classics: Simply Delicious Everyday Tomato Sauce
History Despite that tomatoes were only introduced to Italy in the mid-16th century, tomato sauce, or la salsa di pomodoro, is another staple of cucina povera, which literally translates to poor kitchen – peasant food. The first recipe for tomato-sauce-topped pasta and pizza appeared in 1779 in Antonio Nebbia’s cookbook Il Cuoco Maceratese. Today, the humble tomato sauce is ubiquitous,…
No Oil Creamy Spring Bow Ties
What? A creamy sauce made without oils? Yes, it can be done … and you have seen the basic method on this blog before (remember The Easiest and Creamiest Mac & Cheese and the broccoli mac & cheese). This dish sacrifices nothing in terms of flavour. It packs a tangy punch, it is creamy and full of…
Neapolitan Classics: Pasta e Patate
This is a very typical Neapolitan dish and almost embodies the essence of cucina povera. In Naples, you will find it at home and in many restaurants and trattorie. It is very easy to prepare and is inexpensive. Yes, this is, in fact, a recipe for pasta and potatoes. Carbohydrates are not bad for you. They…
Easiest Mac and Cheese with Broccoli and Cauliflower (so you can go ahead and feel smug anyway!)
You want mac & cheese… oh but you shouldn’t (for some reason)… but with this recipe, you absolutely should! It’s made with little to no fat/oil, it has vegetables in it, it’s all in one pot and takes no time at all. The concept is simple and based upon this recipe; you’ll basically cook the pasta in…
The Easiest and Creamiest Mac & Cheese
I have been experimenting with, what to me is, a revolutionary cooking method for pasta that uses the gluten released by the pasta as a creaminess enhancer. I was inspired to try this method by a fellow vegan whose details I’ve now misplaced and by preparing my Lady Assassin Spaghetti. As you will see from…
Basic Pasta Cooking
Cooking pasta begins with boiling water. This seems obvious, but I’ve been surprised at how often this isn’t the first step. Mind you, there are dishes that will require something different and that’s usually to achieve a certain effect. From time to time, you will see those recipes here (for example, see The Easiest and…
Broccoli-Cauliflower Penne with Dill Mayonnaise
This is an easy (cook all in one pot), indulgent (well, it has mayo!) and very tasty dish. Don’t be afraid to make your own mayonnaise. It is super easy. And… if you don’t want to indulge in mayo, that’s ok too. You can, instead, replace it with a bit of olive oil. Recipe after…
Neapolitan Classics: Fusilli With Artichokes and Vegan Smoked Cheese
Artichokes are flower buds. Once they bloom, they become inedible, but before then, they’re a glorious and special food. They’re fresh now (Spring), so go to your local fruit & vegetable monger and get some. When I’m in Naples during the season, I don’t mind at all having artichokes every day and I always hope…
