As requested!
I'm no way any expert, but it seems that there is an appetite (haha) for a thread to share recipes, ideas and inspiration.
Here's one of my lazy, quick ones (my grandmother's, really).
Casareccia with hazelnuts and fresh vegetables
Needs:
- EVOO
- Salt and pepper
- Dried or fresh oregano
- Handful basil leaves
- Handul shelled and crushed hazelnuts
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 sliced onion (Tropea preferably)
- 1 Romano pepper
- 20g grated pecorino
- 200g casareccia pasta
First put a pan of water on to boil with some salt.
While it is coming to the boil cut the onion into small pieces, along with the red pepper, garlic, nuts, basil leaves and oregano. Mix it all with grated parmesan cheese and put it into a small pan with 4 teaspoons of extra virgin oil. Leave it on low heat until the onion becomes soft.
When water comes to the boil, put casareccia pasta in and follow the cooking instructions. Drain the pasta 2 minutes before it's ready and put the drained pasta in the vegetable pan, mixing it up with other ingredients. Turn up the heat a little, but still leaving it still fairly low, and go on mixing for a couple of minutes. Serve with some fresh basil leaves sprinkled on top.
You can substitute the casareccia for gemili, strozzapreti, etc. And the hazelnuts for pine nuts or even walnuts. And the peppers for zucchini. I'd avoid using tomatoes in this one though, because they make everything too soggy.
Look forward to reading everyone's recipes!