Simple Spaghetti

Some people don’t have the time to make elaborate dinners or wait three hours for their sauces to simmer. Fortunately, I have the time and energy- but I am lazy. Oh, woe is me!

Therefore, I’d like to share my simple and delicious spaghetti recipe with my fellow lazy friends, exhausted parents on week nights and newbies in the kitchen that do not want to start another fire.

First, you’ll need a couple of ingredients:

Ingredients:
2 tbs Olive Oil
1 tbs butter (optional)
1  1/2 cups Crushed Tomatoes (with or without seasonings)
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 tbs Chopped Fresh Basil
4 Cloves Garlic (or to your taste)
4 oz Cappellini Pasta

Directions:

1)   Start boiling water with 1 tbs salt for pasta. Meanwhile…

2) On medium heat, heat olive oil and butter. Sautee garlic for two minutes and for the love of all good food in life, please do not burn it

3) Add crushed tomatoes, bring to a light simmer then turn to low heat

4) Add basil, mix and let the awesome aromas take over your kitchen

By this point, you will hear people in your house say “My god! What is that heavenly smell?” Refrain from boasting until you are completely finished cooking. Onward!

5)   Add pasta to boiling water. When al dente (~ 3 minutes) strain and add to sauce.

6) Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

7) Coat the pasta with sauce by tossing it together

8) Add some more Parmesan at the end if you'd like

True lazy home cooks will not be done at this point though. There are 2 more ingredients I left out before making this a truly simple and sluggish dish for the lazies.

9)   TV
10) Bed

 Enjoy!

Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Tartines for Dinner Club

            It was my first time attending a dinner club and the experience was great. Initially when I heard the theme was French, I felt a bit daunted- but when you’re sitting at a table with talented home cooks and share a love of good food, you can be sure these girls rocked it in the kitchen. Here are some photos and below is a recipe for a tasty hors d’oeuvre that any newbie can master in 20 minutes or less. I promise!

Fabulous home cooks right here!

Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Tartines

Panko Crusted Rack of Lamb

Baked Zucchini

Ham & Vegetables Crepes with Gruyere Sauce

A plate of goodness. Aww yeahhh...

Chocolate Mousse & Vanilla Whipped Cream

Yep. It was a good, filling night.

Below is the tartine recipe to make you an hors d’oeuvre superstar!

Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomato Tartines
(From Epicurious with some tweaks)

1 French baguette (cut 1/2-inch thick)
3.5 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 tbs julienned sun-dried tomatoes
1 tbs julienned fresh basil
1 tps balsamic vinegar
2 tbs black olive tapenade
8 oz mild goat cheese log, cut 1/4-inch

1) Preheat oven to 350 F

Meanwhile…

2) Brush baguette slices with olive oil, face up on baking sheet
Toast in the oven for 7 minutes. When finished, set aside to cool but leave oven on.

3) Combine fresh and dried tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar and a little olive oil

4) Spread each toast with tapenade, then place sliced goat cheese on top
*TIP* I used a wire to cut the cheese log. You can also use dental floss.

5) Scoop a teaspoon of tomato mixture on each toast. Sprinkle salt, pepper, olive oil for finishing touches and bake for 5 minutes.
Aaand voilà! You are now an hors d’oeuvre superstar!