Penne a la Carbonara

I've had a desire to make pasta carbonara of late.  Earlier this summer I tried a carbonara recipe that left me wanting.  There seemed to be a flavor missing, but as I hadn't tasted carbonara prior to making this recipe, I wasn't sure what I should be tasting.  Then I had the pleasure of visiting a locally-owned Italian restaurant, Piatto Cucina Italiana.  They served a dish similar to this recipe and when I tasted that dish, it was full of flavor and tasted incredible!  Now I knew what I was looking for!

This recipe is wonderful and reminded me of my visit to Piatto Cucina Italiana here in Tulsa.  If you live here or happen to be visiting you should go there, but in case you can't make it to Tulsa, try this recipe:

Penne a la Carbonara

Live well, eat well, enjoy!

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Penne Pasta with Spinach and Bacon

The first time I made Penne Pasta with Spinach and Bacon I found it was tasty but not really flavorful. The pasta to sauce/ingredient ratio was lacking. That time I followed the recipe exactly. So as I was planning my menu for the next week. (A rarity for me.) I looked at this recipe and decided to try it again, with some Fine Mama's twists.

 I found this recipe on www.allrecipes.com. I absolutely love the site. Lots of great recipes and I encourage you to go out there and look for some too. To tweak this recipe, I went to the website and pulled up the recipe. Using the serving size adjustment tool, I doubled the recipe. I figured I like the flavors, but wanted more flavor. As I was cooking, I thought of the pasta to ingredient ratio and decided to only use one box of pasta. Doubling the recipe called for two. I then followed the directions and cooked the bacon until crisp and brown, but use the doubled amount. I used more garlic but didn't double it. Doubled the amount of diced tomatoes and the spinach. I did add one simple ingredient: fresh cracked black pepper:

 The result: 



Here's the link to the original recipe:

  Penne Pasta with Spinach and Bacon. 

Here's the way I tweaked it and gave it a Fine Mama's touch:

Ingredients:
1 (12 ounce) package of penne pasta
4 tbsp olive oil, divide in equal parts
12 slices of bacon, chopped
3 tbsp minced garlic
2 (14.5 ounce) cans of diced tomatoes (recommend using no salt added)
Fresh cracked pepper
2 bunches (or 1 large plastic container) fresh spinach, rinsed and torn into bite size pieces

Directions: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta, and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. (Salting the water here is the main seasoning for your spinach later) Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the bacon in the skillet and cook until browned and crisp. (If you have excessive amounts of oil after this step, remove all but 2 - 3 tablespoons). Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, lightly season with pepper and cook until heated through. Place the spinach into a colander, and drain the hot pasta over it so it is wilted. Transfer to a large serving bowl and toss with the remaining olive oil. Toss with the bacon and tomato mixture. Serve and enjoy!


 Live well, eat well, enjoy!

 Cyn aka Fine Mama

Home-made french fries

You don't have to go to restaurants to get great french fries. It is easy to make them yourself. I fry the potatoes twice, because potatoes just taste better cooked twice. (Twice baked potaoes? Come on you know you love them.) Easy steps: Heat the oil in a fryer or heavy bottom skillet Cut potatoes into french fry size sticks (peel first if desired) Fry (in small batches) the raw french fries until they are tender but not brown Drain on paper towels After about 10 minutes, fry the tender french fries a second time until golden brown Drain on paper towels Sprinkle with salt immediately Easy!

Live well, eat well, enjoy! Cyn aka Fine Mama

Pesto Cream Sauce with Shrimp

This recipe is from www.allrecipes.com. When it was in my daily email yesterday I thought "that looks good!" Well, it is good! Here's the recipe. It goes very quick, especially if you prep all of the other ingredients while the pasta cooks. Pesto Cream Sauce with Shrimp recipe Live well, eat well, enjoy Cyn aka Fine Mama

Herb Crusted Pork Loin (or Tenderloin)

Let's face it, it's HOT outside. At least it is in my neck of the woods. The temps have been 110+ for weeks. When it's this hot who wants to cook? But you gotta eat and you don't want to keep spending money on meals out. This recipe, Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin, is a good quick recipe. Although your oven is turned up high, you don't have to stay in the kitchen with it. (it's that easy!)

To make your kitchen time easier (and cooler!), pair this with a nice side salad or quick microwave steam veggies. (We have to have our veggies!)

At any rate, try this tasty recipe. By the way, it's another Paula Deen recipe. She's fast becoming one of my culinary heroes. (Butter really does make it better!)

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Parmesan crusted pork chops

I was cooking pork chops today and wanted to try a different recipe. I really didn't want the same old flavor. I surfed FoodNetwork.com and found this recipe for Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops. I think there are some things that I would change the next time I make it, but overall it was tasty. I switched to canola oil rather than olive oil because of the higher burn point. I also used relatively thick pork chops and finished them off in a 300 degree oven for about 10 minutes to be sure they were cooked through.


I paired the pork chops with my Broccoli, Rice and cheese redone. I've included the recipe as a reminder of this wonderfully tasty dish.

Broccoli Rice and Cheese/redone
Ingredients
1 box Rice-a-Roni
Chicken broth
Romano Cheese
Frozen broccoli
Directions
Prepare a box of Rice-a-Roni according to the box instructions using chicken broth in place of the water. When the Rice-a-Roni is done, add grated Romano cheese (at least 1/2 to 3/4 cup; more if you like it really cheesy) and stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of chopped broccoli.



Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Baked Tilapia with Tomato and Basil

So I was watching Food Network (no surprise there, right?!) and I saw Paula Deen make this recipe, Baked Tilapia with Tomato and Basil. I'm not usually a Tilapia fan, but the recipe looked fabulous and easy. So I saved it and thought I'll try it. In this same episode there were Honey Balsamic Green Beans paired with the tilapia. I saved that one too.

I can't tell you how WONDERFUL these recipes turned out. My words just stop, (stop laughing, it's possible). So I'm sharing the recipes with you. It was a quick and easy meal and positively delicious. Healthy and light too! Click the links above and enjoy!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Roasted Red Potato Salad - a Fine Mama's creation

So this past 4th of July I decided to reinvent potato salad. I personally love it, but most of the people in my home don't. So, a huge traditional potato salad goes to waste. (I can only eat so much and maintain my sexy fine mama figure. LOL) I've been on this quest for quite some time and have read recipe after recipe after recipe. I've tried some, but none hit the mark. Then I decided to trust myself and put all of the information I had read and my own knowledge of tastes together and create my own recipe. After all, what did I have to lose? NOTHING! And it was a hit! No leftover potato salad to throw away.

Here's the recipe for a really tasty Roasted Red Potato Salad. I preferred it warm, but it was good cold too.

Ingredients:
8-10 small to medium size Red Potatoes
Thyme (fresh or dried)
Rosemary (fresh or dried)
sea salt
fresh cracked black pepper
Olive Oil
3 slices of bacon
3 green onions, chopped

Ingredients for dressing:
2 parts mayo
1 part mustard
2 parts pickle relish (I use sweet)
1 part sugar
1/2 part salt
fresh cracked black pepper

Quarter potatoes so all are about the same small size
Place potatoes on a baking sheet and add seasonings to taste. (I use 1-2 tbsps)
Place potatoes in a pre-heated 375 degree oven and roast until done but not overcooked. (a fork should slide into the potato easily and if you bite one it will be crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside)

Place bacon on a cooking rack on a baking sheet. (I use the same rack used to cool cookies or cakes) bake at 400 degrees until crispy.

While bacon is cooking, mix dressing for salad:

Mix all ingredients using the same size spoon as the part measure. I used a serving spoon from my silverware set.
Stir until smooth.
Taste and adjust as you need for taste.
Set aside.

Place potatoes, green onions and bacon in a large bowl. Pour dressing over the top and stir to coat all potatoes with dressing. This works best if the potatoes are still warm.

Serve warm or cold.

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

New recipes coming!!

So, while I've been recovering, I've been cooking. I'll be posting new recipes and recipe finds soon. Some noteworthy recipes to look for: Potato Salad remix (this one is mine and was fantastic!) and I recently tried a baked Tilapia recipe that was wonderful. There are more finds to share and I look forward to sharing them with you soon!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Recipes from Interview with Sonny Mac June 15, 2011

Today I had the pleasure of visiting with Sonny Mac from KJAMS 105.3 for a quick phone interview about this blog and my recipes. I shared a few recipes there and as promised am posting them here. I hope that you'll enjoy them and try them for yourself. I kept these quick and easy. If you try them please let me know how they turned out for you. Happy Cooking!

Romantic dinner:
Grilled Steak
Ingredients
2 steaks (cut of your choice)
Grill seasoning
Directions
Apply grill seasoning and grill the steaks to desired doneness.

Broccoli Rice and Cheese/redone
Ingredients
1 box Rice-a-Roni
Chicken broth
Romano Cheese
Frozen broccoli
Directions
Prepare a box of Rice-a-Roni according to the box instructions using chicken broth in place of the water. When the Rice-a-Roni is done, add grated Romano cheese (at least 1/2 to 3/4 cup; more if you like it really cheesy) and stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of chopped broccoli.

or you can serve a baked potato

Steamed Veggies

Kids Meal:
Baked Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
1 small package boneless skinless chicken breasts or 1 package of chicken tenders
salt
pepper
paprika
flavor seasonings to taste
Directions
Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika (or the seasoning of your choice) Bake at 350 degrees until chicken is done.

Broccoli Rice and Cheese/redone
see recipe above

Steam Veggies


Dessert:
Strawberry Shortcake
Slice a pint of strawberries, sprinkle with about a half cup of sugar and let sit for 20-30 minutes. When strawberries are juicy spoon over shortcake and top with whipped cream.

Chocolate Sheet Cake
Ingredients:
Cake:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup margarine (2 sticks)
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup water
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon soda
2 eggs (well beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Icing:
1/2 margarine (1 stick)
6 tablespoons milk
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 pkg (box) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Sift sugar and flour into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Put 2 sticks of margarine, 4 tbsp cocoa powder and 1 cup water in sauce pan. Bring mixture to a rapid boil and pour over flour and sugar. BEAT WELL.

Add 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp soda (dissolved in milk) 2 eggs well beaten, 1 tsp vanilla. Mix well after adding.

Pour into a greased and floured 11X16 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins or until cake is firm. This is a very thin batter. DO NOT ADD EXTRA FLOUR.

Icing
Start making icing 5 minutes before you take cake from oven.

Melt and bring to a boil: 1 stick of margarine, 6 tbsp milk, 4 tbsp cocoa. Remove from heat and add: 1 box sifted powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup chopped pecans.

Beat well and spread over the cake while it is hot. Leave the care kin the pan to ice. Spread icing quickly, but gently so you don't tear the cake.

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Steaks with Cross-hatch marks

For years I would see pictures of steaks with beautiful and appetizing grill marks on them. Never crossed my mind how they got there. I just knew that my steaks didn't have them. After watching The Food Network repeatedly, the secret was revealed. (Thanks to Bobby Flay!) You simply turn the steak, or whatever piece of meat your grilling, so it marks in both directions. It works on an outdoor grill or on an indoor grill pan. And there you have the secret of the cross-hatch revealed! Yes, it's really that simple. Does it change the taste of the steak, chicken, pork. etc? Absolutely not. But it looks gorgeous on the plate. Now, my steaks taste delicious and look fabulous!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

I miss cooking!

So, I had surgery June 1 that keeps me off my feet and out of my kitchen. Major bummer! I'm feeling good enough now to post here, though. So I'll post some of the recipes and dishes that I cooked just before surgery and anything else interesting I can find. Look for updates here soon. Fine Mama's not in the kitchen, but she can still talk about food and good recipes!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Back in the kitchen again

I know it's been a while since the last post.  I've been busy on my other blog, cynsingsjazz.blogspot.com.  But I'm back in the kitchen and a recent dinner was home-made chicken and dumplings. 

This is a regular meal in my house and loved by all.  I've included pics of the cooking process today. 

I hope you enjoy the pics.  Trust me, the dumplings were delicious!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Homemade Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

This was so yummy!

Jambalaya Pasta with chicken, andouille, shrimp and penne

Incredibly good recipe! Try it!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Steak sandwiches

Who needs black-eyed peas on New Year's Day? I didn't want to cook a big meal, so after scanning the frig, I decided to make a steak sandwich.

I grilled some thin cut ribeye steaks with Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick. Then I toasted some Italian bread slices. I mixed mayo, mustard and horseradish for a sandwich spread that was incredible.

Put it all together and YUM!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Chicken Piccata

I got a new phone a few months ago. (#team android!) I downloaded the "In the Kitchen" app that Food Network has and found this wonderful recipe by Giada de Laurentis. I made a side dish of green beans with almonds and my family and I enjoyed.

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

A quick and easy dinner

Some meals need no explanation. I'll just say, this was so good!

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama

Whole Wheat Spaghetti and Meatballs

I decided that I wanted to make meatballs. What better way to have meatballs than in a very traditional way, spaghetti and meatballs. Of course, I didn't stick to traditional.

On a previous trip to the grocery store, I stopped and looked at whole wheat pasta and thought "I should really try this, especially since my goal is to eat better this year." So my decision to make meatballs was joined with the decision to use the whole wheat spaghetti I had bought.

I pulled on memories of food shows (yeah, I'm a FoodNetwork junkie) and thought I don't need a recipe. (Fortunately, I was right this time.) The meatballs are made with 90/10 ground beef. I usually buy lean ground beef. Not only is it better for you, but you don't lose as much when you cook it and there's so much less fat.

I added an egg and some seasonings that I'm not sure I could recall right now, oh and Italian breadcrumbs. Mix it like meatloaf. (Yes, you have to stick your hands in and get messy! lol) I then rolled 13 meatballs and baked them in a 350 degree oven.

I mixed the meatballs with the spaghetti sauce and topped the whole wheat spaghetti with it. The meal was hit at my house.

Live well, eat well, enjoy...

Cyn aka Fine Mama