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Magazine Mondays: Pasta!

Date: May. 3rd 2010
Category: Gnocchi, Pasta, Pizza and Rice, Magazine Mondays
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Sometimes I’m convinced that I have some sort of internal navigation system that activates as soon as I see a recipe I simply must try.

The navigation system kicks in and directs me home, as fast as possible, to try said recipe.

This can be a problem when you’re … say … at work.

Thus ensues a lengthy inner monologue between myself and navigation system on why I can’t leave work early to go home and cook.

Ah, the dilemmas of a cream puff!

The navigation system kicked in big time when I caught a glimpse of this recipe and read the accompanying article, from Saveur.

Published in Issue 120, I actually have the magazine and when I caught a glimpse of the article on-line, I remembered that I had bookmarked it.

After reading about the history of this much-abused pasta dish, I realized that I’ve basically been eating my mother’s version of “alfredo” for as long as I can remember.

The traditional pasta dish consists of pasta, Parmigiano Reggiano and butter. In my family, pasta with butter and Parmigiano has been a staple of quick family dinners. The difference between my mother’s version, and the original, is that my mother would use just enough butter and cheese to flavour the pasta. The technique of twirling the pasta in a warmed plate and slowly building a sauce, using nothing more than the bond of butter and cheese, is unique to the original.

I went ahead and followed the recipe, carefully slicing pats of butter and laying them in the bottom of a large warmed bowl. I twirled my pasta carefully working in the Parmigiano Reggiano, and I did it all with the bowl sitting on top of the pot of boiled pasta water (that kept the bowl extra warm!).

The end result was delicious. Navigation system fully satisfied!

This is my entry for this week’s edition of Magazine Mondays, the “non-event” I created to finally put all those magazine recipes to good use.

Here’s who joined me for this week’s MM:

Wandering Coyote of ReTorte made Lemon Buttermilk Pudding Cake from the November 2009 issue of Canadian Living.

Tina of Life in the Slow Lane at Squirrel Head Manor made Coffee Sirloin Roast from the August 2009 issue of Taste of Home.

Tia from Buttercream Barbie made a Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza using a pizza dough recipe from a May 2007 issue of Canadian Living.

Tamy from Always Eat on the Good China made Apple Raisin Noodle Pudding and Imperial Pudding.

Carla from RecipeAddict made Tomato Jam from the July/August 2000 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Janet from The Taste Space made Chilled Soba with Baby Bok Choy, Snow Peas, Spinach and Tofu from the July 2008 issue of Gourmet.

Have a great week, everyone!

Ciao!

14 Comments

Tia @ ButtercreamBarbie

05/3/10 at 8:10 pm

looks like wandering coyote and I will be keeping canadian living on their toes since we’re both constantly making their recipes! \\

your pasta looks so creamy and restaurant-like. just the way i like it. pure pasta and sauce, no meat or veggies to get in the way. \\

xoxo tia

Elaine

05/3/10 at 11:32 pm

That looks lovely - I want to eat it despite having no taste buds for the past few days due to a cold.

Question: how does the taste differ from your mother’s? At a guess, the cheese is less melted. Any other differences?

Caffettiera

05/4/10 at 5:48 am

I can’t believe that ‘linguini Alfredo’ is meant to be pasta with butter and parmesan. I would never ever ever have guessed in a million years. Pasta with butter and parmesan is a staple for any italian child. Pasta Alfredo does not exist in italy and abroad it can be anything, but it usually does contain some chicken and some cream.
What a revelation!!

Simone (junglefrog)

05/4/10 at 5:59 am

That just looks almost too good to be true! I have got to try this myself! I would do it tonight if not for the fact that it would be too cheesy for Tom so I will have to wait for a moment when he is not gonna be home for dinner. Too impatient already!

Claudia

05/4/10 at 6:05 am

Butter and cheese has been a staple in my home forever. We add peas or tomatoes and are done. The kids learned to whip this up when still very young - of course that was in the days of yore.

Beth @ 990 Square

05/4/10 at 7:43 am

I hate when the need to make a particular recipe strikes at work. My brain goes totally one track until I make the recipe in question! Even if I make something else, I’m still not satisfied!

Jean

05/4/10 at 11:37 am

I love this idea–good way to get a leg up on the recipe to-do list. I’d like to participate soon.

BTW, your Alfredo sauce looks great. Like many kids, this was my first non-tomato based pasta dish. Brings back memories!

tasteofbeirut

05/4/10 at 5:53 pm

This is my favorite way to eat pasta!

Paula

05/5/10 at 12:41 am

It looks so delicious!

Katie @ Cozydelicious

05/7/10 at 6:59 am

I would never have believed that photos of such simple food - pasta, butter, cheese - could be so lovely! You make me want pasta right now! (and it’s 9am!) This is so lovely and one of my favorite treats.

Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy

05/7/10 at 6:05 pm

There is no better comfort food than pasta and homemade sauce, but that process sounds so old time and great!

Heather Antonelli

05/8/10 at 3:55 pm

This entry took me straight back to childhood. A staple on our family dinner table as well. I could literally taste the butter and parmesan melting on my tongue. Food Porn. Great reminder that sometimes its the most simple of meals that become the classics.

emiglia

05/9/10 at 6:23 pm

I could try every fettuccine alfredo recipe ever and still not have tried enough. Add one more to my ever-growing list. Thanks, Ivonne!

Ryan @ Self defense course, Knockout techniques

10/10/10 at 10:49 am

I can’t wait. What a food menu and picture you added. I will definitely try to make it but not sure can i make it or not. Wish me luck. Thanks a lot.

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Magazine Mondays: Pasta!

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