pad thai

microwave the sauce

ingredients until just

bubbling a bit

source, 6 servings

8 oz pad thai noodles, cooked, tossed with oil; 4 T tamarind paste+1/3 c maple syrup+2 T rice vinegar+pinch red pepper flakes; oil, 1 bunch chopped scallions, 1 t minced garlic, 4 c shredded cabbage, 1 c bean sprouts, 14 oz extra firm tofu, pressed, sliced; toppings: roasted salted peanuts, cilantro, lime wedges

microwave tamarind sauce ingredients; heat scallions & garlic in oil, add veggies, tofu, cook until tofu browns; add noodles, sauce; serve with toppings

bolognese

chop nuts & veggies

in the food processor just

short of a puree

source, 4 servings

1 lb tagliatelle, cooked; 1 lb mushrooms, 1 c toasted walnuts, 2 c mirepoix, olive oil, salt & pepper, 1/2 c white wine, tiny can tomato paste, 2 c broth, 1/2 c half & half, parm

process mushrooms, walnuts, mirepoix in food processor separately; cook mushrooms in oil in single layer until browning, toss with salt, remove; cook mirepoix in oil and salt until almost dry; add mushrooms, walnuts, pepper, cook 2 minutes; add wine, cook 2 minutes; add tomato paste, cook 2 minutes; add stock, simmer until thick; add half & half; serve over pasta, top with parm

noodle bowls

take things from the fridge

put them in a bowl, warm up

in the microwave

1 serving, 350 calories

3.5 oz baked tofu, 4 oz kelp noodles, 1/4 c dried shitake mushrooms, 1 T miso or tom yum paste, 1/4 c frozen kale, toppings: pickled ginger, kimchi, roasted seaweed, furikake, herbs

cover with water, microwave, add toppings

couscous cake

the chipmunks who eat

the fallen-down birdseed have

gone on vacation

source, 6 servings

sauce: 2 peppers, halved; 1 tomato, halved; 1 bulb garlic, top cut off; 1 onion, top cut off; olive oil, kosher salt & pepper, 2 T sherry vinegar, 1 T maple syrup; cake: 2 c israeli couscous, cooked in salted water; kosher salt & pepper, 8 green onions, halved, fried in olive oil until crispy; olive oil, 6 oz spinach, wilted in hot olive oil; 1 c full fat plain yogurt, 1 c shredded mozzarella, 1/2 c grated pecorino, 1/3 c flour, 2 eggs, 2 T minced garlic, 1 T coriander, 1 T basil

sauce: roast veggies with little oil, salt & pepper, on foil, garlic & onion wrapped in foil, 425 F, 40 minutes; blend with rest and more olive oil; cake: combine all but some fried onions, press into hot well-oiled pan, cook 10 minutes, slide onto plate, cook other side 10 minutes, adding oil and shaking pan as needed; top with more pecorino and remaining onions

lemon ricotta pasta

reserve 2 cups of

pasta cooking water, though

all might not be used

source, 6 servings

1 lb pasta, cooked in salted water; 1 c ricotta, 1 c grated parm, zest & juice of 2 lemons, kosher salt & pepper, red pepper flakes, basil

heat ricotta, parm, zest & juice, salt, pepper; add pasta water, starting with 1 c; stir; add pasta; top with more parm, red pepper flakes, basil, black pepper

artichoke dip pasta

geese fly overhead

the dog jumps in the air, a

silhouette at dusk

source, 5 servings

8 oz shells, cooked al dente in salted water; 2 T olive oil, 2 t minced garlic, pinch red pepper flakes, 12 oz spinach, 1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained; 2 c cream, 1 c grated parm, 6 oz sliced mozzarella, kosher salt & pepper

heat oil, garlic, spices, cook 2 minutes; add spinach, artichokes, cream, parm, pasta, stirring to incorporate after each; divide in ramekins, top with mozzarella, 400 F, 25 minutes

tomato garlic pasta salad

make garlic oil

in the morning, after lunch

add the tomatoes

source, 6 servings

1/2 c olive oil + 5 t minced garlic + 20 basil leaves, 7 tomatoes, chopped; 1 lb rigatoni, cooked in salted water; 1 lb fresh mozzarella, sliced

layer oil, tomatoes, hot pasta, cheese; stand 5 minutes, toss, serve room temperature with red pepper flakes

bowties with corn

crush the corn with the

side of the spoon while cooking

for a creamy sauce

source, 6 servings

1 lb bowties, cooked, 1/2 c water reserved; 1 T olive oil, 1/2 stick butter, 6 scallions, cut up; 3 c corn kernels, 1/2 c grated parm, 1/4 c basil, zest & juice of 1 lemon, salt & pepper; toppings: parm, red pepper flakes

cook oil, butter, spices, onion whites 3 minutes, add corn, cook 3 minutes, add water, parm, cook 5 minutes, mashing; add pasta; remove from heat, add lemon, basil, onion greens

pasta with tomato sauce & cheese

making cheese takes less

time than driving to the store

and bringing cheese back

source, 4 servings

1 lb pasta, cooked, tossed with butter, salt, pepper; cheese: 1 gallon milk, 1/2 – 1 c lemon juice, salt; sauce: 5 lbs tomatoes, grated; 1 t salt, tiny can tomato paste, bay leaf, basil sprig, 1 t garlic powder, 2 T olive oil; toppings: basil, pecorino, red pepper flakes

cheese: heat milk to simmering, add 1/2 c lemon, stir gently, add more lemon or increase heat if milk does not curdle; stand off heat 5 minutes, strain through cheesecloth, knead in salt; sauce: simmer 15 minutes or until reduced by half

eggplant pasta salad

dandelions don’t

want to be told not to come

back up for a week

source, 4 servings

1 eggplant, quartered, sliced, roasted with oil, salt, pepper, 425 F until dark brown; 1/2 lb pasta, cooked; dressing: 3/4 c walnuts, 3 T parm, 1 t minced garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, 2 T sherry vinegar, 1/4 c olive oil, 2 T sundried tomatoes; toppings: 2 oz ricotta salata, parsley, basil, olive oil, sherry vinegar

make dressing in food processor, combine, serve warm or cold