Julia Child is reported to have said, "I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate." For me, I was 30. While I have always loved food, cooking was something I feared, disliked, and avoided until motherhood compelled me to overcome my feelings and, in spite of myself, I found I began to enjoy trying new recipes, creating tasty meals, and sharing them with others. These are the adventures of my learning to love something that overwhelmed and intimidated me for far too long. I hope you will enjoy (and perhaps benefit from) the tales of a reluctant cook!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Pasta with Lamb and Cherry Tomato Ragu- Courtesy of Everyday with Rachael Ray (originally posted April 22, 2014)


I discovered this recipe on Rachael Ray’s website a number of years back and it quickly became one of my husband’s favorite dishes. I took a break from making it for a while in order to learn some new recipes, but when I made it again last week for a dinner guest, I was reminded of why we both loved it so much. 

This meal is relatively easy to throw together, but the result is a delicious, comforting, satisfying, family-friendly meal. I present, for your culinary enjoyment:

Pasta with Lamb and Cherry Tomato Ragu- Courtesy of Everyday with Rachael Ray
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Ingredients:
Salt and pepper
12 ounces long, wide pasta, such as pappardelle or fettuccine
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 pound ground lamb
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 large shallot, chopped
2 - 3 large cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped
1/3 pound ricotta salata cheese or feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente.
Drain, reserving 1 ladle full of pasta cooking water.
While the pasta is working, in a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat.
Add the lamb and cook, crumbling it, until browned, about 5 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and cook, tossing, until they burst, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the shallot and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir the reserved pasta cooking water into the lamb ragu.
Add the pasta, mint and parsley and toss.
Top the pasta with the cheese.
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/rachael-ray-30-minute-meals/pasta-with-lamb-and-cherry-tomato-ragu

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