GET TOGETHER

I invited a few new acquaintances in our church group. Don’t really know them much yet, and I’m not sure if we’re gonna click…but sharing the same passion for pasta is a start. So, in this getting-to-know-each-other nite, I prepared a “pasta bar”. A few varying sauces, toppings (tuna, bacon, chicken strips, meatballs, cheese) and choices of 4 cooked pasta (famous spaghetti noodles, twist, shells, and flat noodles); and basic tomato sauce, pesto and basic cream sauce. With it are toasted slices of French bread and tossed some greens.

The evening was a success. Everyone enjoyed dinner…better yet everyone enjoyed the company of each other. I hope this starts the friendship I’m hoping to blossom.

Here are the sauces, you might wanna try this yourself one day…

BASIC TOMATO SAUCE
1-1 ½ K plum tomatoes
¼ c olive oil
2-2 ½ c finely chopped onions
3 cloves garlic
3 broth cubes
1c chopped fresh parsley
3Tbsp chopped fresh oregano
1-1 ½ Tbsp fresh thyme
1c water
To taste salt and pepper

1. Boil tomatoes, peel off skin, chop. Set aside.
2. Saute onions in heated oil, add garlic.
3. Stir in broth cubes and celery.
4. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato paste and herbs. Let simmer and pour in water.
5. Season to taste.

BASIC PESTO SAUCE
38g fresh basil leaves
4Tbsp chopped garlic
1c walnuts
2Tbsp garlic flavored seasoning
½ c grated parmesan cheese

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender
2. Blend till smooth
3. Pour over pasta

BASIC CREAM SAUCE
½ c butter
½ c flour
1pc chicken broth cube dissolved in: (or fresh chicken broth)
1 ½ c water
1pack thick cream
1tsp nutmeg

1. Heat butter in a pan, add flour until cooked through
2. Slowly stir in dissolve broth, continuously stirring
3. Add cream and nutmeg.