This is my beef ragù with pappardelle and it is a keeper. Hearty, comfort food that’s perfect for the dead of winter. The word “ragù” comes from the French word “ragoutier,” which means “awake your appetite“. Ragù originated as a simple meat sauce, traditionally made with leftovers, and served as accompaniment to pasta. There is evidence that […]
One of the most common things people will ask me is what is a good, easy “quick meal”. To be honest, this question is never actually straightforward because what is typically added before I have a chance to answer is: “oh yeah, it can’t have a lot of prep work, my whole family has to […]
They say pesto sauce originated in Genoa, the capital city of Liguria, Italy. But this simple sauce can actually be traced to the ancient Romans. Romans made a very similar dish called “moretum,” a spread made of garlic, cheese, herbs, olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Another influential sauce was “agliata“, a garlic sauce, common during the […]
I have always loved linguine with clams, a simple, classic pasta dish. Honestly, what’s not to love? Called linguine alle vongole in Italian, this traditional Italian favorite is the perfect warm-weather go-to pasta dish no matter where you live. Widespread and popular on almost every Italian coast, Naples boasts it all began there and is actually […]
Skillets are amazing things. Considered trendy now, they have been an intricate part of kitchens for many years. The first known use of cast iron cookware dates all the way back to the Han Dynasty in China, around 220 A.D. By the 16th century, casting techniques became widespread in Europe, and quickly thereafter this versatile […]
This is a new(ish) family favorite. The best part, it pleases all. My husband and I love soup and my kids love pasta. The marriage is perfect. This Tuscan tortellini soup is a fantastic slow-cooker meal that is mostly effortless. A tomato-based soup is a great go-to option for me year-round. Tomatoes provide a great […]
Let’s talk about macaroni and cheese. It’s not health food, but it is a much-loved comfort dish that has been around for a long time. Kids love it, and grown-ups love to hate it–but only because they typically love it themselves and can’t resist it. To be honest, what’s not to love? It’s indeed comforting. […]
Spaghetti with meatballs and marinara sauce, is considered an American family favorite. Many think this well-known favorite is Italian, but it isn’t. Italy has its version of meatballs, but they are called “polpettes” but they are not served with pasta. Unlike most American meatballs, polpettes are typically made from turkey or fish and are much […]
Pasta is an incredible thing. I love that there are a million ways to make the same type of pasta taste quite different. And if I am being honest, I could eat pasta every day. I could live in Italy and eat homemade pasta for every meal. But neither of those options is reasonable. When […]
Minestrone is considered one of the cornerstones of Italian cuisine. Historically, minestrone was a humble soup, made primarily from leftovers with the addition of whatever vegetables were available, often with the addition of pasta. This soup was inexpensive, easy to make, filling, and could feed large groups. It was a soup intended for every day […]
Baked ziti (ziti al forno) is a true comfort food to me. A warm, baked, cheesy pasta dish bubbling from the oven is true comfort food. Baked pasta dishes such as this have been around since the Middle Ages when nobles served such dishes at banquets. Once popular all over Italy, these days it is […]
Pasta served with a shallot white wine sauce is much lighter than the cream-based alternatives that permeate Americanized Italian food. Paired with mushrooms, the sauce has a rich, earthy flavor. Pappardelle with wild mushrooms is as simple as it gets, but don’t be fooled by its simplicity, it’s delicious. I served this dish recently at […]
Welcome to my blog Simmer + Sauce. I always thought I was going to be a lawyer, but going to culinary school was one of the best decisions I ever made. I’m a former professional chef from NYC who loves to eat, cook and talk about food. My focus is great food, with solid recipes and reasonable ingredient lists. Cooking should be enjoyable, not stressful. Many of my recipes are family friendly and often on the healthy(ish) side.