Sane Cooking ~ Pasta Fagioli

My Nanny was the greatest woman that I have ever known.  She was so direct and not withholding of any of her thoughts or opinions.  (I wish I were more like that.)

Even though she didn't think so, she was a great cook as well.  She liked to make what she called, "peasant food."  Italian dishes that don't cost a lot of money, but can fill you up and feed a lot of people.  One of my favorite dishes is pasta fagioli, which is essentially pasta with beans.  


This is one of those dishes that I like to make when I'm pressed for time or ideas.  Let's be honest, when it's 6 o'clock and I haven't even started thinking of what to make for dinner.  I keep the ingredients on hand for such cases.


Pasta Fagioli 
(a la Nanny)
 
Ingredients:

1 can cannolini beans (drained) 
1/2 can diced cut tomatoes
1/2 lb small pasta (I like Ditalini)
1-2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
2 TBL olive oil

Preparations:

Boil pasta according to the directions on the box.  Save some of the pasta water after straining.

Sauté garlic in olive oil.  Be careful not to let the garlic brown.  

Add the tomatoes and cook a few minutes in pan.  Then add the drained cannelini beans.  Cook for a few minutes longer to allow the beans to retain the flavor of the tomatoes and garlic.

Combine all ingredients in serving dish.  Top with some of the remaining pasta water.  

Serve with a drizzle of olive oil.  

Buon Apetito!




Alexis

The Feast of St. Joseph ~ Pasta Con Sarde

Being of Italian descent, there are many traditions and customs that all revolve around food.  You know, an amazing bowl of pasta with a fresh marinara sauce, savory meatballs, or crispy homemade biscottis. 

Well, today is a special holiday that taps into my Sicilian side, the Feast of St. Joseph.  Joseph, Mary's husband, is known by many Sicilian's as their patron saint.  According to legend, there was a severe drought at the time, and the people prayed for their patron saint to bring them rain. They promised that if he answered their prayers, they would prepare a large feast to honor him. The rain did come, and the people of Sicily prepared a large banquet for their patron saint.  

Because the feast occurs during Lent, traditionally no meat is allowed on the celebration table.  Foods are traditionally served containing bread crumbs to represent saw dust since St. Joseph was a carpenter. 

Since my grandfather, father, brother, and varied uncles and cousins all share Saint Joseph's name, my family has celebrated this feast with a traditional Sicilian dinner.  I wanted to share my favorite dish from this important feast.  



Pasta Con Sarde (Pasta with Sardines)

This recipe uses a sardine seasoning mix for this pasta con sarde.  There are many recipes out there, but this one is easy.

 

Ingredients:

 

1 can of Cuoco

1 large sweet onion

1/2 cup virgin olive oil

1 pound of Perciatelli #15 pasta (this pasta looks like spaghetti, but has a hole in it)

1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs

salt & pepper to taste 

grated parmesan cheese

 

 

Preparation: 

 

-Pan fry breadcrumbs in olive oil and saute until light tan/brown.  

-Boil water for pasta.

-Saute onion with olive oil and season to taste with some breadcrumbs.

-Add can of Cuoco and mix, breaking up the fish. 

-Drain pasta and top with sauce.

-Top with grated paremsan cheese and more breadcrumbs.

 

 

You may not be a fan of sardines before eating this dish, but I'm sure you will feel differently when you try it!

 

Happy Feast of St. Joseph's Day!

Alexis