Authentic Fettuccine Alfredo

Straight from my Italian friend.  This Alfredo is rich, creamy, and delicious!  Do not skimp on the cheese.  You want really good quality cheese for this dish, as it's the star of the show!  Add grilled chicken or shrimp, if desired.  I usually serve steamed broccoli and garlic bread on the side.

Authentic Fettuccine Alfredo


Serves 6-8

1/2 c butter
2/3 c light cream (I use half and half)
1 1/2 c freshly grated Locatelli Pecorino Romano cheese
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
1 lb. fettuccine
Salt and pepper
Pasta water

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, melt butter over low heat.  Gradually add in cream, stirring well.  When pasta is nearly cooked, slowly add cheese into butter and cream, stirring continually until smooth.  Remove from heat.

Drain pasta, reserving 2/3-3/4 cup of the water.  Do not rinse pasta.

Return sauce to low heat, adding in pasta water until the sauce reaches desired consistency.  (You want it thin enough to be "saucy", but you don't want it thin and runny.)  Toss sauce and pasta together in a large bowl.  Sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.

Menu Plan Monday

Here's what's cooking this week:

Chick-fil-a date with friends
Vegetable fried rice
"Thanksgiving" dinner  (Turkey, stuffing, etc.)
Fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli
Picnic with another child from preschool & her Mom
Dinner at my sister-in-law's house
Sandwiches and/or leftovers

Healthy Grains with Shrimp

I picked up a bag of Healthy Grains from Trader Joe's to try.  The reviews were mixed.  I liked the combination of pearly couscous and crunchy beans, while my Mom thought the texture was "different."  My Dad liked them though, which is saying a lot!

Healthy Grains with Shrimp

1/2 pkg. Trader Joe's Healthy Grains
2 tsp butter, divided
1 1/4 c vegetable broth
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined

Prepare grains with butter and broth according to package directions.  Meanwhile, saute shrimp in remaining butter until pink and opaque.  (Season as desired.)  Stir shrimp into grains, and serve.

We enjoyed ours with steamed broccoli on the side.

Yellow Split Pea Soup

This is a combination of two different recipes.  I couldn't leave well-enough alone.  If desired, you could season this many different ways, using a variety of herbs.  Don't be afraid to experiment!  Also, you could puree the soup a little with an immersion blender, or mash it a bit with a potato masher, if you'd like a thicker soup.

Yellow Split Pea Soup

2 cups split yellow peas
1 small onion, minced
2 carrots, peeled and minced
1 stalk celery, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large potato, peeled and minced
8 cups vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.  Cook on HIGH for 8-10 hours.

Stovetop method:
Soak peas in water overnight.  In the morning, drain the peas and set aside.
In a large stockpot, cook the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in 2 tbsp butter until tender.  Add potato, peas, and stock to stockpot.  Bring to a boil.  Cover; continue to boil for 20 minutes.  Turn heat to low, and let simmer, covered, until peas are tender.

Trying New Recipes

I have a lot of cookbooks.  As in, I have two shelves full here at home, and two packing boxes full in my sister's basement.  Beginning next week, I'd like to start making at least one new recipe per week from them.  I'll just grab a book, flip to a page, and try what I find!  Whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, etc.  If it's good I'll post it.  Hopefully you'll be getting that new recipe every week.  :)

Menu Plan for this week

Yes, I'm late.  Sorry about that!

Chick-fil-a
Mixed grains with grilled shrimp and veggies
Tacos
Slow cooker whole chicken, potatoes, cooked carrots, green beans
Mexican skillet
Bean soup and cornbread
(Out one night)

The night that we make the slow cooker chicken, everyone but me will eat the chicken.  I'll feast on a baked potato and the other veggies.

For the tacos, I use black beans, and add taco seasoning.  After they're warmed, I eat the black beans in my tacos instead of beef.

Loss.

There is a family that I have known for as long as I can remember.  My parents were friends with the parents, and my sister and I were friends with the kids.  I spent summer days hanging out at their house, and the father was my Explorers leader.  During high school, their daughter moved to Georgia.  The weekend that I turned sixteen, my sister married their son.  They had two children, linking our families forever.  Divorce followed, which was hard on both families.  And although we, technically, are no longer family, I still consider them such.  Mostly because they are the family of my niece and nephew, but also because they have been a part of my life throughout all of it.  Their daughter is still a friend to me.  I still consider my ex-brother-in-law to be one of the best men I've ever known, and a part of my family.  He has since remarried and had another child.  Our children play together. 

The point of this story?  The father lost his battle with cancer a few days ago.  I am so glad that his daughter was able to be with him, that he was surrounded by his family.  My niece and nephew were at his side.  My ex-brother-in-law was able to say goodbye.  For all of these things I am grateful. 

May you rest in peace, B.