One of my best-received recipes was for a one-pot garlic Parmesan pasta. Since the weather is turning and I am starting to cook more..I have been looking for some easy family weeknight recipes. I came across this cheesy, Tomato pasta, and decided to give it a try. The recipe itself is rather simple but it is really tasty. I added some cheese and parley sausage that I ordered from Vincent’s Meat Market on Arthur Ave and the dish was perfection!!! I think it is going to be a weekly go-to for the next year!! Bon Appetit!
adapted from Rasa Malaysia
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 oz. fresh tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian basil
- 8 oz. spaghetti
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2-1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon butter
Heat oil in a wide skillet, pan or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, saute 3 minutes or until they start to brown. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian basil and spaghetti.
Press the spaghetti with a spatula to submerge the pasta in the liquid. If your skillet, pan or pot is not wide enough, break the spaghetti into halves before cooking. Cover with the lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 8 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. If the pasta is not cooked after 8 minutes, add a little bit more chicken broth, cover the lid and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Uncover the lid and add salt and the butter. Turn off the heat and top the pasta with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.
There’s nothing like making your home cozy and special for the end of fall and winter. Everyone has their own vision for how to go about this, but there are some really quick and easy ways to make your home feel a bit special in the winter months. It seems to be the main goal is to create a different feel to suit the season. A lot of people are spending more time than usual in their homes too. Coronavirus seems to be settling in again. Unfortunately, it means a lot of places, depending on where you live, might be limited right now and you and your family will be spending more time at home. Let’s try to make it the coziest it can be….
A Fresh Coat Makes All The Difference
Sometimes a home can look a little tired and dreary when all it needs is a fresh coat of paint. This can be a refresh of the same color that’s already there, or it can be a different color entirely, to match the winter mood in the house. Of course, for bigger projects speak to a professional like Barker-Whittle painters, but if it’s only one room or so you can do it yourself. Make sure you get a sample first to ensure you get the right color. It’s such a simple thing to do and will make the room look completely different even if you keep everything else exactly the same. Make sure you invest in some decent tarps to cover your furniture, especially if you’re using heavy-duty and dark color paints. You need to cover the floor too, especially if it’s carpet. One simple mistake can end up costing a lot of money.
Change Things Around
One easy way to help the home feel a bit different is by simply switching around some of the furniture. Change the focal point in the room from one wall to the other. It really does make a difference. This coupled with some new paint or decorative objects and you’re onto a winner look. All this might just mean is putting the sofa against another wall, and the TV somewhere else. A lot of people get hung up on TV placement and think they can’t move it…but consider putting the TV up high on the wall instead to give a new dynamic to the room.
Curb Appeal Makes A Difference
If you’re planning a fall./halloween display or a winter/Christmas decorations it’s a good idea to clean up the front porch. Consider using some varnish on the wood, or even sanding it down to help it look fresher. Cut the grass and clean the garden out one last time before winter sets in. It is best to do it now before it gets freezing. If you have a porch or any kind of external awning, consider repainting or repairing warped or damaged wood. Knowing your home looks great on the outside helps you to feel good on the inside.