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Pasta alla Carbonara

7/14/2015

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Serves 6

1/2 pound thick cut, good quality bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces
4 large garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
3 eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup heavy cream at room temperature
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup chopped parsley
ground black pepper to taste
1 lb dried Fettuccini

1. Heat a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook 3 minutes until the fat renders. Add the garlic and continue to cook for 3-5 minutes until the bacon just begins to crisp. Remove the pan from the heat. Keep about ¼ cup of the fat for the pasta, discard the rest. You’ll be adding the bacon with the fat to the pasta dish.

2. In the bowl you’ll be serving the pasta, beat together eggs and cream just until blended. Stir in cheese and set aside.

3. Cook the pasta and drain. Immediately add the hot pasta to the egg mixture and toss together with the bacon and garlic. The hot pasta will help to warm the eggs and create a creamy sauce that will cling to the pasta. Finish the pasta with freshly ground pepper and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

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No-Cook Spring Rolls

7/13/2015

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Sometimes its just too hot to cook. This vegetable spring roll recipe is so easy to prepare. If its your first time using the delicate spring roll wrappers don't worry, the packages have plenty to practice with. If you would like to make rolls that are more filling, add soaked rice noodles to your rolls. Sliced turkey, sliced roast beef and cooked shrimp can be easily added if you like.
The coconut peanut sauce is my new favorite. I discovered a delicious peanut sauce recipe at greencitygrowers.com. I made a few changes and added a can of coconut milk to their recipe to create a version that I use with so many recipes. Massage it into chopped kale, drizzle it over chicken and rice, and serve it with steamed broccoli. Enjoy!

1 package 8 ½ inch rice spring roll wrappers
2 large carrots, shredded
½ head of red cabbage, shredded
1 red pepper, chopped thinly
3 scallions, sliced thinly
2 Tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped roughly
2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips (Thai basil or sweet basil)
2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped roughly

Put one piece of rice paper in the water and turn over until soft and pliable. Place the rice paper out onto a clean cutting board.
Place a small amount of the cooled noodles on the rice paper in the center. Sprinkle some of the carrot, red cabbage, red pepper, and herb mixture onto the noodles.
Lift the edge of the paper closest to you over the top of the rice. Fold up each side and then roll the rice into a tight log. Set aside and repeat.

No-Cook Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauces

Makes 8-10 appetizer rolls
Spring Rolls
1 package 8 ½ inch rice spring roll wrappers
2 large carrots, shredded
½ head of red cabbage, shredded
1 red pepper, chopped thinly
3 scallions, sliced thinly
2 Tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped roughly
2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips (Thai basil or sweet basil)
2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped roughly
Optional: soaked rice noodles can be added to filling

Spring Rolls
1. To soften the rice papers pour 2 cups of cool water into a pie plate.
2. Put one piece of rice paper in the water and turn over until soft and pliable. Place the rice paper out onto a clean cutting board.
3. Place a small amount of the cooled noodles on the rice paper in the center. Sprinkle some of the carrot, red cabbage, red pepper, and herb mixture onto the noodles.
4.  Lift the edge of the paper closest to you over the top of the rice. Fold up each side and then roll the rice into a tight log. Set aside and repeat.
5.    Serve with dipping sauces.

Tea Dipping Sauce
1 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1 pinch crushed red pepper
1 Tbs loose leafed flavored tea (jasmine, raspberry, orange spice)

1. Combine the vinegar, sugar, red pepper, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2.  Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
3.  Remove the sauce from the heat and add the tealeaves to steep for 5 minutes. Strain the tea leaves cool to serve.

Coconut Peanut Sauce
4 cloves of garlic
½ cup soy sauce
1/3 cup toasted sesame oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup peanut oil
1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter (unsweetened)
1/3 cup honey
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
1 14 ounce can coconut milk
Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.

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Pasta alla Carbonara

No-Cook Spring Rolls

No-Cook Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauces

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