Archives for October 2008

Fettucine Alfredo

Quite an indulgence, perhaps not for those counting calories. Always remember, moderation is key so enjoy good food with good people and good conversation whenever you can!

1 box fettuccine noodles
1 1/4 sticks butter, softened (don’t use margarine)
2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1-2 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 tsp. black pepper
4-6 large, fresh basil leaves, stemmed and sliced into ribbons

Thirty minutes before beginning to boil water for pasta, on your counter top set out  the butter, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for room temperature purposes. In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, into a large bowl, place the softened butter and mash as best you can with a wooden spoon then add the cream and cheese and mix well.

Meanwhile, drain the pasta and immediately transfer to the bowl with the butter mixture and mix very, very well. Add the salt, pepper and basil and mix well again – be careful because it spatters – serve.

Spicy, Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Even those who normally don’t care for sweet potatoes may become converts.

2 large sweet potatoes
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and get out a large rimmed sheet pan. Peel then cut each potato in half lengthwise; cut each half into 4 slices; dump onto rimmed sheet pan. Sprinkle oil over, set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix the spices together then sprinkle over the potatoes on the sheet pan. With your hands, mix around very well, then make sure that the potatoes are in one, even, single layer. Place into preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. Serve.

The Perfect Roast Beef

The name says it all.

5-6 pound beef roast
1 small onion, peeled & diced very small
2 Tbsp. minced, fresh parsley or 2 tsp. dry
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. fresh rosemary or thyme
Kosher salt & ground black pepper
Paprika

Place meat, fat side up, on a rack in a roasting pan about 2 hours prior to cooking; preheat oven to 500 degrees after 30 minutes. In a small bowl mix together the onion, parsley, garlic, rosemary/thyme. With a small, sharp knife, make 1-inch deep slits, about 1-inch long all over the meat, then with your hands, take blobs of the onion & spices mixture and push into the slits – use all the mixture.If you can’t get it all into the slits, just rub the rest all over the meat. Then sprinkle salt, pepper & paprika liberally all over.

Place in the 500 degree preheated oven for 45 minutes; turn oven off but don’t open the door! Leave in there for another 90 minutes. Take out, let sit for 10 minutes, then slice & serve.