Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Pasta Piccante Divertimentio - I totally made this up!

My Italian never was good – yo hablo espanol mejor que yo hablo Italiano! I totally made this dish up in my head – like completely. Loosely translated it means “Spicy Fun Pasta.” I couldn’t think of anything and yes, I know that title is corny – but hey, what’s a brotha to do? 

Anyway – so, how about this for another quick pasta dish - sun dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil, white wine, all over a bit of linguini topped with really good Parmesan cheese. Oh, did I mention I added in red pepper flakes for a little fun? I paired this with pan seared tilapia that got a touch of cornstarch as a coating (Thanks Sunny Anderson for this tip) and the pan got deglazed with a pat of butter and a squeeze of fresh lemon. I mean – hello – what more can you ask for on a Wednesday. This was some good eating for sure. And as always – it takes NO TIME AT ALL. Wanna know what I was most surprised at? Awww – come on, ask me? 

*pauses* 

Darius T. Williams, what were you most surprised about? 

Thanks for asking. I was most surprised that the fruitiness in the white wine was absolutely divine with the lemon butter over the fish. I mean, really – there was a party in my mouth! 

Two more points to make…the first is, I tried. I mean, really – I really really tried not to add peas. But you know, something just didn’t seem right with having pasta without peas. Maybe I have a medical condition? I mean, I don’t know – but I’m sorry – I’ve just gotta add peas to my pasta. You don’t have to – but me…I think I’m sick without them. The second point is this – you will notice that there is NO BUTTER in this recipe (for the pasta at least - lol). I read a comment someone made that my food will kill you if you eat too much of it. After thinking about it – I agree. But you know, good food should taste good – and sometimes butter and cream can be your friend. I mean, not all the time – but you know, majority of the time it makes me feel really really good. Butter and Cream are my friends! Are they yours? 

The Ingredients

½ pound of linguini

3 tablespoons of really good olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons of shallots (or Vidalia onions), minced

½ cup of white wine, something you’d drink

½ cup of sun dried tomatoes

8 or 9 (or more) leaves of basil

1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (or less if you’re a whimp)

Salt and pepper 

The Method

Prepare the pasta in “shockingly salty water.” Once done, drain and reserve. In a deep skillet cook oil, garlic, shallots, and tomatoes together on high heat until the oil becomes fragrant – about 3 minutes. Add wine and let reduce slightly. Add everything else to the pan and toss together well. Garnish with basil and a drizzle of olive oil


I added in the peas here. I swear I wasn't going to do it at first - but ya know...I couldn't resist.






















The foundations of flavor - shallots, garlic, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and white wine!



















Starting this dish off right!




















The ingredients for this dish. I bet you have all these in your fridge. See - pasta made simple!




















Remember - good pasta begins with "shockingly" salty water!

















70 comments:

T.Allen said...

Okay...now I can work with this, no meat! I laughed at the comment about your food killing someone. I don't think I'll die, but you sure put the kibosh on a sister's diet!

We Are Not Martha said...

First of all, I love the name of the pasta!!

Second of all, I ALWAYS add peas to my pasta. They make it soooo much better.

And third of all, you seriously have the best writing style of anyone. Ever.

That's all.

Sues

Maria Verivaki said...

peas a popular addition to rice, never seen it with pasta, but at least you're being original!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Wonderful! although it is only 7h30 in the morning, this dish is making me hungry ;-P!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

Butter and Cream are my friends too. Just ask my hips. And peas and pasta really *do* go well together. This is a really great dish, Darius! :)

RunningMom said...

I bought all the stuff to make the famous mac & cheese but have been doing so much eating out for my birthday, I haven't made it yet.. soon... very soon.

I voluntarily ate a whole mushroom for the first time EVER this week and kinda liked it. I might possibly, maybe, could kinda, sorta, perchance give peas another try. I am 35 now, I might like them.

But only the fresh firm baby green ones. I can even stomach the smell of canned peas. Yuck.

Oh BTW - no wimps here, the more red pepper the better ;)

RunningMom said...

that should have been "can't" - sorry.

N'Drea ~ the Storyteller said...

This pasta dish is right up my street. :)

Christo Gonzales said...

corny - where is the maize - just kidding - thought I would follow up corny with more corny - this looks great!

brneyedgal967 said...

I don't know what I adore more - your creative dishes or your funky triangle plates! Where did you get those?!?

Veronica said...

I love the title! Might not be able to do the peas though...I only like raw peas.

Dave Van Buren said...

i don't do peas, but I might give that white wine sauce a try. I've never had a pasta dish I didn't like.

Anonymous said...

Have I told you lately that I love you?

I get satisfied just LOOKING at your pictures.

And I love peas. I understand your addiction.

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

You are the Pasta King. You keep coming up with so many interesting pasta recipes that I think I can forgive you for your constant use of peas. ;-)

Maria said...

I love making up my own dishes. Yours looks wonderful!!

OhioMom said...

Best part of cooking is making it up as you go, my friend Lucy taught me the trick with the red pepper flakes for pasta dishes, yummy!

Butter is my friend too, who wants to eat "fake" butter ?

Nazarina A said...

C'mon Darius, how long have we known each other! What's a sister to do to get an invite to dinner?

vanillasugarblog said...

Another fine creation here. I could eat pasta every night; I never tire of it.
Glad you are creative.

Jan said...

Wow - a nice creation you made there!!

Lucy..♥ said...

That looks absolutely wonderful, loving all those flavors and I just love peas w/my pasta too!!

Jazzy said...

My favorite grandmother was a pea fanatic...she passed that right on down to me. Might be why my favorite bedtime story as a child was, Princess and the Pea! LOL

I'm going to try this recipe...probably this week and let you know.

As always, this made me drool!!

sonya said...

Mmm mmmm mmmmmmmm

Laquita said...

I am new to your site - just wanted to say this looks sooo good :o) When is your book going to come out?? - Your food pics remind me of one of my other favorite food/recipe blogs http://nyamfood.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Butter and cream are always MY friends!

Anonymous said...

Butter and cream are always MY friends!

Lisa Turner said...

This sounds and look fabulous! I love the addition of peas. So colourful. And though I like butter and cream, one can have too much of a good thing sometimes.

Allie said...

The peas look wonderful here! I really should eat more of them, and you always remind me of that!

Sandy said...

you and your peas/// you crack me up.looks yummy nevertheless

Unknown said...

hehe, the peas probably jumped in on their own! this sounds fabulous :)

test it comm said...

Simple and tasty. Just the way I like it. The sweet peas would go well in this dish.

Mary Coleman said...

I must not have been at home when you called for me to come over and eat this with you. I know, it would have taken me 11 hours to get there, but still..i would have made the effort!!

giz said...

Ok - you're allowed to cook in my kitchen and make up whatever you darned well like. You incorporated all the taste good stuff and voila...a masterpiece.

tavolini said...

Look at these great photos!! Darius, this dish looks like a WINNER. I've got some sun dried tomatoes chilling in my cupboard that would work just fine with this :)

Unknown said...

it looks so delicious... i just finished dinner and now, i want your pasta dish... :)

Anonymous said...

Great dish.
I believe most Foodies get the urge to create something off the cuff, and greaet dishes like this always become the result.

What type of sundried tomotoes did you use? Dehydrated, canned, or in oil?

Regarding your affinity for peas: there's nothing wrong with always throwing them in your dishes. We all have something that we use. Shucks, I will eat brussel sprouts and lima beans all by themselves. I'm just fine with that. lol

www.lbjsbrownbag.com/blog

Anonymous said...

Repeat to yourself... "asparagus...asparagus...asparagus."

Much, much better than peas.

fuzzy said...

You know what I was going to say? As soon as I say the pic, no this dude didn't use them friggin peas again! You love them things!

Anonymous said...

I love making up pasta dishes, and sun-dried tomatoes are so great. Looks delish.

Nina Timm said...

If you "just made this up", you are a freakin genius!!! My mouth is watering so badly now!

Dee said...

Lol! A party in my mouth *cackles* I like that almost as much as I do the pasta :)

Lo said...

I'm loving this. There's nothing wrong with a nice, spicy pasta dish. And butter and cream makes anything just a little bit better.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Butter is my friend too Darius...but as they say everything in moderation...you can have your butter, cream and peas in your pasta once in a while:D

NKP said...

Man likes his peas!
Butter and cream are my friends too, not to mention pasta and bread. Mmmmmm...
Your dinner is fun and absolutely delish.

Lela said...

This definitely looks good. I may make it tonight, if I can get out to get some sun dried tomatoes and basil. Your fridge is obviously much better stocked than mine!

Product Junkie Diva said...

this looks great!!!!!!!!
PJD

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Another winning pasta dish Darius! Are you sure you are not part Italian? I love peas with pasta too. All the ingrediants blend well together and could be a whole meal in itself!

She Draws said...

I know I always say Im' gonna try something but I really want to try this.. like it's not weighed down by too much sauce and sometime that's good!!!

Great!!!

Go B.

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Yo, Paisan, this sounds good to me. ;)

Bunny said...

I love it that your so creative, me not so much so I envy you! This is great!

Debbie said...

The dish looks great and I mean great!!! Butter and cream - they are two of my best friends!!! I believe if you are taking the time to make the food, then make it right and how it would taste best. If it's too rich then just eat in moderation...that's my motto anyway!

Anonymous said...

Sounds absolutely divine, I love the colorful-ness!

Daziano said...

Hey, your pasta has a southern Italian flair!! Buon divertimento!!!

Gloria Baker said...

I love your pasta Darius, really!!! Look so wonderful, and yummy!!! Gloria

houstonmacbro said...

Very creative! Do you think cream (which I see you left out this time) would go well with/in this dish? Just wondering about doing a variation of it...?

Christine said...

I did notice that you put peas in this dish, but hey, peas are great! I always put some in ramen noodles.

This dish, heh, sounds like a Festivus miracle! With all the different flavors that blend together, I can't imagine anyone passing it by.

Dining Alone said...

Peas are good food! I will definitely add them to most anything. Great recipe!

Dragon said...

Pretty and fun. Great dish!

Laurie said...

I want that party in my mouth! That dish looks so yummy. Butter and cream make everything taste better. The key is moderation. I'd rather eat less of truly good food than more of the low fat stuff.

Glad to find your blog.

Chou said...

Ah yum! On of my profs has postulated that Italian is the new French--way to join in the trend.:)

keith said...

Ok, so I finally left a comment on this blog Sir. Damn.I wish I could be a taster. Can you FEDEX them to me and I'll give you my honest opinion ? I don't want to move to Chicago just for food alone.

I really looks good. I may try the bites for our potluch for around christmas. Or again, you could FedEx them in. Just a thought

One Man’s Opinion said...

You are such a genius. I just wish you were not so bougie. LOL

Jeanne said...

Butter and cream are my BEST friends! The taste and texture can't be replicated, no matter what anybody says. And have also just recently discovered tilapia - yum.

redmenace said...

Why wasn't I invited? That is an amazing menu!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

That is a beautiful dish! I will be making that pasta!

Anonymous said...

Looks amazing! I can't wait to give this a try! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I looooove the look of that bruschetta baby!! (and that of your pal Calvin ;-)
Good job!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Man that all looks incredible! And cute triangular plates!

Anonymous said...

You are having waaaaaay too much fun! I just love the divertimiento. Haven't heard it applied to food before, but this dish is perfect for the name. Doncha just love coming up with droolworthy pasta? If I had more energy in my pre-turkey day haze, I'd totally take this on. LOVE it.

Product Junkie Diva said...

It looks so delicious....
pjd

A.M. said...

oh yum. Can u pleaseeeee come to my house and cook for me lol. U put so much effort into this post. I luv it :)