Sundried Tomato and Shittake Pasta

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Italian Food | Pasta Recipe - Sundried tomato and shittake pasta ingredientsWhen the weather gets cold outside I have a tendency to indulge in warm, comfort food. Soups, stews and roasts feature heavily in my menus. There are few things more comforting than sitting under a blanket with a good book, snow swirling outside the windows, and delicious smells drifting from the stove. The steam envelops the room in warmth and my belly grumbles in anticipation of things to come.

However, all my comforting meals usually have a heavy meat component. All that meaty goodness is not so great on my digestion (and my waistline!!!!). So I have decided to keep trying to add more veggie based dishes to my winter repertoire. I’ve come up with this pasta dish because the shittake mushrooms still give me the meaty texture and the cream cheese allows for the comforting creaminess without being too heavy. I hope you give this a try as well.

1 garlic clove chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
3 shittake mushrooms sliced
3 sundried tomatoes sliced
1/4  cream cheese brick
2 cups pre-washed baby spinach leaves
pappardelle or other ribbon pasta (cook according to package directions)
1/2 cup of pasta water reserved 
 
Prep time: 10 minutes     Cook time: 10-15 minutes
 

1. Add olive oil to a saute pan and turn the heat on medium. Put the garlic and sundried tomatoes into the pan and gently fry to flavour the oil and warm the ingredients.

Stirring garlic and sundried tomatoes for Italian Pasta dish

2. After about 2-3 add the sliced shiitake mushrooms. Keep frying them until they soften and release juices.

Stirring in shiitake mushrooms into my easy pasta recipe

3. Add the cream cheese to the pan and stir to form a creamy sauce. Use the reserved pasta water to thin out if the sauce becomes to thick,

Cream cheese added into pan into my italian pasta dishStirring in the cream cheese into my pasta sauce

4. Place half the spinach into the pan and stir into the sauce to wilt down.

Stirring in the spinach into my easy Italian pasta recipe

5. Add the second half of the spinach, then the cooked warm pasta and combine into the sauce.

Pappardelle added to the pan into my sundried tomato, shiitake mushroom and cream cheese pasta recipeCombing ingredients and pasta - pappardelle, shiitake mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes and cream cheese6. The dish is ready to plate when the ingredients are all combined and warmed through. Don’t forget to garnish with some parmigiano after plating.

Italian Food - Recipe for shiitake mushroom, sundried tomato and spinach pappardelle pastaThis pasta dish tastes very luxurious because of all that creaminess and the flavours are strong and burst in your mouth. With this one, a little goes a long way…your taste buds and your waist line will thank you!

 

Weekend Edition

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Snow covered trees - winter in Victoria Park, London OntarioThe last few days London has been hit by a lot of snow. Might be a little late for that white Christmas, but mother nature is certainly making up for her tardiness and laying a rather large blanket of the fluffy stuff over the entire region…and I know she’s not done anytime soon. I’ll have to start getting creative about some in-home entertainment since I’m not a fan of the cold.

While I’m figuring out my hibernation options, I’ll be enjoying these weekend links. Hope you do too!

  • I’m a huge fan of Reese Witherspoon and she has a new movie called Wild coming out. It’s based on a true story of a thousand mile journey along the Pacific Coast that one woman undertook to discover her true self. If you want more inspiration of self-discovery, check out these 8 women who’ve also set out on some amazing adventures.
  • Montreal is my European home in Canada and I’ve never gone a year without visiting at least once. But this time of year the temperature in Quebec is brutal and you couldn’t get me out there with five coats on. So instead I enjoy the beautiful instagram snaps from @livemontreal. It’s almost like being there…but warmer!
  • Although the holidays are now a distant memory and crazy New Year’s resolutions are haunting my dreams, I’m still not willing to give up on delicious treats. I’ll be indulging my taste buds with some yummy hot drink recipes and stunning photography from the gorgeous Linda Lomelino on her blog Call Me Cupcake.

Stay warm friends!

My 2015 Intentions

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2015 resolutions on my desk by Cobblestones and CappuccinosI’m baaack! I’ve been having the most wonderful time over the holidays indulging in family, friends, and food. It’s been a whirl wind of twinkling lights, bubbly treats and sleeping in. And although we didn’t get a white Christmas in London, the boy and I have enjoyed the cold weather. We even managed to strap on skates for a spin on the rink at Victoria Park, rewarded by obligatory hot chocolate (bribes work well to get me out of my comfort zone).

But I can’t believe we’re already five days into 2015! The last few months have flown by as I’ve shared my life’s simple pleasures with you. So first of all, I want to thank you for stopping by my little blog and taking the time to chat with me and give me feedback on how I’m doing. I love knowing what you all think and enjoy reading about on the blog. And it’s been fun bringing the things I enjoy to you. Of course, the new year means more surprises, adventures and indulgences. I hope you stick around and share those with me over the coming days. In the meantime, my biggest concern is trying to remember that “5″ every time I write down the date. Ugh, this will take a few more weeks.

I don’t know about you but every year, as champagne bubbles hit my brain and the clock strikes midnight, my bleary brain attempts to make resolutions, which promptly get broken or forgotten as soon as the real world comes into focus. So in an attempt to break this unsuccessful habit, but not willing to give up on bettering myself, I’ve decided to come up with some intentions for 2015, rather than resolutions. Intentions seem more doable and more flexible than resolutions. And this year, instead of making them on January 1, I’ve taken the time to really think about what I want to accomplish this year. So without further ado, here are my 2015 Intentions (in no particular order).

1. Make a new dish that requires blood, sweat, and tears to accomplish. Okay, hopefully not all those. But I want to really make something I wouldn’t normally try. Something completely from scratch that takes hours to prepare and minutes to inhale.

2. Try one new thing each month. Whether it’s a food, an activity, or a destination. This seems like a doable thing, an intention which should further my horizon. Make me a better me – well on the way to becoming “The Most Interesting Woman in the World”!

3.Travel MORE! This one won’t be a surprise to anyone who knows me. But this year specifically I want to head to Malta. It’s been a destination the boy and I have discussed for the last three years and have yet to pin down. Hopefully, saying this out loud will commit me to accomplishing it in 2015. This is definitely an intention I’m looking forward to completing!

I will keep you all posted on my successes or failures, and I would love to hear what you have planned for 2015.

An Italian Christmas with Massimo Bruno

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Massimo Bruno Toronto studio kitchenThis past Sunday the boy and I had an opportunity to indulge in a Christmas feast in Toronto, Italian style. With promises of abundant food and a gregarious group of strangers (soon to be friends) squeezed in at a communal table, we were ready for a real European dining event!

Our host, Italian chef Massimo Bruno, had organized another of his popular, always sold-out Supper Club dinners. This one around the holiday theme, the fifth annual “Buon Natale” Christmas in Italy. The holiday dishes featured were many of his favourites, and the evening was dedicated to his Mama who would be celebrating Christmas back in Italy. The dinner was held at his cooking studio on King Street East where many of his Supper Clubs and cooking classes are held.

Massimo Bruno - Italian Chef in TorontoMassimo Bruno checking for his Supper Club guestsChristmas in the Massimo Bruno kitchen studioLike a great host, Massimo kept an eye out for his guests, welcoming each personally, and entertaining the rest of the room with great Italian humour, as we waited for everyone to arrive. Whether you were a Supper Club virgin or a frequent diner, you were made to feel right at home. And with a “bring your own wine” policy, the atmosphere was more than merry. Although, the boy and I didn’t bring any wine since we were driving back to London after dinner, more than a few of the guests offered to share their libations with us.

But of course, we were there for the amazing food. The warmth of the studio was only intensified by all the cooking in the open kitchen. Massimo, along with some help from his brother and friends Giovanna, and Enzo, prepared the feast in front of our eyes. And cooking for such a large group is no small task.

Enzo cooking in the kitchen studio at Massimo Bruno's Supper ClubSunday sauce at the Massimo Bruno Supper ClubAntipasti in the kitchen at Massimo Bruno Italian Supper ClubAnd we came ready for a feast!

Antipasti
Homemade focaccia
Calamari fritti (fried calamari)
Bresaola, Grana e Rucola (cured beef with arugola and parmigiano cheese)
Baccala’ frito (fried cod)
Burrata e pomodori (burrata with tomatoes and basil)
Lenticchie e Salsicce (sicilian lentils with barese sausage) 
Primi
Il Ragu della Domenica (Ziti pasta with big Sunday sauce)
Mafaldine ai Frutti di Mare (curly fettucine with seafood sauce)
Secondi
Agnello al Forno (baked lamb with shallots and white wine)
Insalata (salad)
Dolce
Flourless ricotta lemon cake
Pandore
Panettone
Espresso

Massimo Bruno Italian Supper Club - Tomato focacciaMassimo Bruno Italian Supper Club - Bresaola and arugulaBurrata plates at Massimo Bruno's Supper ClubAs soon as the food hit the table, I didn’t know what to try first. The burrata’s cheesey exterior revealed a flowing cream centre that paired perfectly with the fried tomatoes. Thin slices of bresaola were coated in a thin layer olive oil and shavings of parmigiano. Homemade barese sausages swam in tiny lentils and were the perfect start on a cold evening. Small plates of these antipasti were placed along the table and everyone passed them around for second and third helpings.

Massimo Bruno Supper Club - Italian antipastiMassimo Bruno Italian Supper Club DinnerGuests at Massimo Bruno's Buon Natale Supper ClubAfter these “small” bites, I couldn’t believe there was more food to come. The variety was amazing and the chatter around the table grew in the casual family atmosphere. I felt like I was having dinner with all my extended family and cousins back home. Massimo floated around the room chatting, taking photos, and generally ensuring that no one went hungry.

Massimo Bruno Italian Supper Club - Shrimp pastaZiti with Sunday sauce at Massimo Bruno's Supper ClubWine and photos at Massimo Bruno's Italian Supper ClubFinally the dishes were cleared and the desserts and coffee passed around. I’m positive I wasn’t the only one thinking of unbuttoning my pants or looking around for couch for an after dinner nap. The best evidence for the quality of food and dining atmosphere is a doodle filled wall full of thanks and comments from past guests.

Thank you's at Massimo Bruno's kitchen studio in TorontoThe drive to Toronto was well rewarded with the best Italian food and atmosphere I’ve found outside of Italy. If you’d like to experience it yourself, head over to Massimo’s site and discover something unforgettable.

Buon Natale a Tutti!

Guilt-free Treats and Giveaway!

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Natural bath products - Creamsicle flavour bath bomb made by Clean TreatsEvery European girl, including this one, has a weakness for indulging in luxurious body care. Whether a relaxing massage, a moisturizing body mask, an invigorating scrub or a warm bath, taking care of your body has an impact not only on your physical self but also on your mind. Anytime I can take time out of the day,or a week, even just 5-10 minutes, I disconnect from the stress of the day and concentrate just on me.

To that effect, I go absolutely wild for scented body care products! The more they smell like my favourite treats (think chocolate chip ice cream, cupcakes, cookies), the quicker they find their way to my shopping cart. So when I discovered Mellanie’s new line of natural handcmade soap, bath and body care products, Clean Treats, I was in heaven! And of course I had to share my discovery with you guys!

Assortment of natural handcrafted soaps by Clean TreatsNatural Soap made by Clean Treats - Pumpkin spice flavourMellanie hand makes her beautiful products with natural and nourishing ingredients like essential oils, shea and cocoa butters, and even coffee! With a view toward them being visually appealing and smelling extraordinary, the entire line is like having a bake shop in your bathroom. My slice of the Salted Coconut Custard soap is currently enveloping the space around my sink in a fantasy island scent (and I have to keep shooing my curious cat from sampling the bubbles). And even though the boy is more of a shower than a bath guy, the Vanilla Gelato Body Bomb had him hogging the bathroom for an hour!

Natural body care product made by Clean Treats - various flavours of their body scrubI asked Mellanie a few questions about her line and her inspiration, and here is what she had to say:

How did you come up with the name Clean Treats? It actually took a lot of brainstorming, revising and asking friends and family which names they liked best. In the end, Clean Treats was such an obvious choice. I loved the double meaning of “clean” in that my products a) clean your body and b) are naturally “clean” without the chemicals that are commonly used in other commercial bath and body products. The “treats” idea is also a very important part of who I want to be as a company; I love creating products that people like to spoil themselves with.

Do you test all your products personally? YES! I do not, nor will I ever, test any of my products on animals. I only test on humans! My family and I are the first ones to test each of my products. When I feel that I have it “right”, I often send my testers out to friends and neighbours to be sure each one is a winner before they make it into my store.

Earl Grey and juniper flavour - natural soap made by Clean Treats in London, OntarioEarl Grey and Juniper natural handcrafted Soapby Clean Treats Bath & BodyLavender Bliss - natural homemade soap by Clean Treats Bath & BodyHow do you come up with new products/scents? It is about 75% selfish actually. I love to cook and bake so many of my ideas come from the foods I love; anything pumpkin, coconut or chocolate are always on my mind. I am also a big gardener, so many of the scents I love are botanical or floral like lavender and mint. It’s really a creative process for me – I research different ingredients and brainstorm ideas for how they would work in a possible product.

Who inspires you? There are so many other soapers and women entrepreneurs out there that inspire me! I am a member of several online groups where we all share ideas and support each other in our businesses. It’s so great to find a community like that. There are a few soap companies in particular though that I look to for inspiration; The Soap Kitchen is a big one because I love the owner’s enthusiasm and spirit. You really get a sense of the joy and care she puts into her products.

Boho Gold - Natural soap handmade by Clean Treats in London Ontario  Natural bath products - Snowball butter bomb by Clean Treats Bath & BodyWhat is the most indulgent thing you’ve done for yourself in the last few months? I picked my daughter up from school early (she is 7) and we went for manicures and pedicures. It was so much fun to spoil ourselves together. I really believe that everyone should take time to treat themselves and the ones they love. Reconnect with your own joy, even if it is only for a few minutes.

Natural body care products - Lavender body butter by Clean TreatsNatural bath products - Vanilla gelato bath bombs by Clean TreatsAs you can see from her answers, Mellanie has an amazing attitude toward her business and her customers. The natural bath and body care products are so popular that she quickly sells out as soon as a new batch of freshly made items hits the Clean Treats shop. She’s already sold out of most of the seasonal items but there are plenty of others to choose from. If you want to surprise someone for Christmas or indulge your own senses, you’ll have to hurry. The deadline for Christmas shipping is December 18th!

Natural Body Care - Chocomint body butter by Clean Treats Bath & BodyHowever, I’m super excited to announce that Mellanie has generously offered one of her most popular items (and my new obsession!!!!!) the Choco Mint Whipped Body Frosting as my first official blog giveaway! A fantastic, lavish treat just in time for Christmas! It’s super easy to enter and the winner will be chosen from all entrants via a random draw December 17, 2014 at 6pm. The name of the lucky person will be announced on the blog and on social media. You have until then to play along.

** UPDATE ** The WINNER of the draw is Frank Morello.  Thank you to everyone who entered!

 

HOW TO ENTER

1. Facebook: “Like” both Clean Treats and Cobblestones and Cappuccinos pages and share the Facebook Giveaway post on your page with an awesome comment. If you already “Like” one of us, you’re halfway there!

OR

2. Twitter: “Follow” both @cleantreatsbath and @CobblesandCapps and retweet our giveaway tweet. If you’re already following one of us, you’re one click away from entering!

OR

3. For an extra entry, do both!

Good luck to everyone!