Mangia Con Elena

  Goat Cheese, Parmigiano and Grape Tomato Pasta Mista IG: @mangia.con.elena We like to call this "Italian Mac n' Cheese." This pasta dish is incredibly simple and can be ready and on your table in less than 30 minutes! Definitely a go to dish in my house when I am craving pasta but have little time or energy. In addition, the smell of the garlic and tomatoes simmering definitely perk me up!   Goat cheese and grated parmigiano- reggiano are blended with the flavours of grape tomatoes simmered in garlic and olive oil to release its juices. Add a bit of pasta water to thicken the sauce and you have a creamy, flavourful and delicious bowl of pasta.  When I have as assortment of half full pasta bags in my pantry, it is time to make "pasta mista," which means mixed pasta.  This one is farfalle and tortiligione.  When making this dish, choose a pasta shape with crevices or twists as it is the best vessel for this wonderful sauce. Trust me, you will be glad you did whe

  Summer Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes in a Creamy Goat Cheese Sauce IG: @mangia.con.elena I love everything about summer fresh produce and I get pretty excited when the fresh zucchini and other amazing vegetables make their way to the local markets! BUT  the best for me is when the tomatoes are at their prime!  I can not get enough of this delicious, versatile and amazing fruit and vegetable. Did you know that the tomato is both? Just makes it even more incredible. Memories of growing up eating tomatoes fresh off the vine and enjoying them a multitude of different ways in different dishes.  In the fall we would harvest them and spend a week making and preserving passata and tomatoes infused with fresh basil. The smell in my house was just heavenly.  I continue to make many dishes showcasing the amazing tomato and this is a really simple one that combines roasted tomatoes with creamy goat cheese, garlic, oregano and basil.  This pasta dish comes together in the time it takes to put the w

  Pasta with Eggplant with Ricotta and Tomatoes IG: @mangia.con.elena    Eggplant is an Italian vegetable that is incredibly flavourful and used in many authentic Italian dishes. It can have a strong flavour that may be a bit too intense for some palates. Some dishes require you to generously salt the eggplant first, place on a colander and let some of the bitterness leech out. This dish does not require you to do that because the eggplant is peeled and diced into smaller cubes allowing the eggplant to become jammy and milder tasting. It also makes the sauce creamier as well. I used fresh herbs but you can definitely substitute dried- just remember to use less as dried herbs are more aromatic. I also would recommend you use full fat ricotta as it makes the sauce incredibly flavourful.  As with all of my recipes the measurements and ingredients are just estimates and suggestions. Don't like a spice? Then leave it out! If you feel you want more of one ingredient then add more! When i

  Linguine with Zucchini, Asparagus and Sun Dried Tomatoes/Pasta Primavera IG: @mangia.con.elena Primavera means springtime and typically Pasta Primavera is made with a variety of fresh vegetables. You can use a combination of whatever vegetables you like and sometimes it is made with a cream sauce. This recipe is a simple and quick recipe featuring shallots, garlic, zucchini, fresh tender asparagus and lots of grated parmigiano- reggiano!  I will often make this dish when I have lots of veggies to use up before my next market day. It is a wonderful way to showcase the freshest of spring and summer vegetables!!! It is light, quick and delicious! I prefer linguine for this dish but you can certainly choose to use whichever pasta you would like. As with all of my recipes the measurements for spices are just estimates. Don't like a spice? Then leave it out! If you feel you want more of one ingredient then add more! When it is enough for you is what QB signifies in my recipes. It is im

  Pasta with Tuna, Olives and Capers IG : @mangia.con.elena Pinterest: Mangia Con Elena Good Friday is just around the corner and with that comes many traditional foods to mark this significant event in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar.  Good Friday signifies the end of Lent, the crucifixion of Jesus and Easter Monday celebrates his resurrection.  On each Friday during the Lenten season many Catholics abstain from meat and traditionally eat fish. Good Friday in my childhood was a day of fast that would be broken at dinner with a meal consisting of fish. The dish my mother served frequently was spaghetti with tuna and olives in a rich and spicy tomato sauce. Along side the pasta there was usually a pinzimonio which is cut up vegetables, olives, cheese and other finger foods as well as pizza filled with rapini and a salad.  I have always loved my mother's pasta con tonno. I loved the smell of it and the taste is incredible. I know that it is not for everyone, however I would highly r