Category Archives: 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains

Risotto aux petits pois et à la menthe

Longing for a hint of spring as the Paris winter drags on and on, I made a cheery pot of risotto with peas and fresh mint the other day. The inspiration for this dish was not my own. I first … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Storzapretti

Storzapretti are Corsican dumplings made with spinach or chard and cheese, topped with tomato sauce and more cheese, and baked until bubbly and golden. According to legend, a priest once found the dumplings so delicious that he stuffed himself to … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Risotto aux épinards

I discovered spinach risotto many years ago at a dinner party in Venice. Our host, a genial fellow named Giorgio, was chatting me up, so I followed him into the kitchen and watched as he chopped and sautéd and ladled … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fusilli aux courgettes

A culinary delight on a recent trip to Italy was an innovative pairing of twisty pasta and zucchini. This dish — the creation of my friend Gisella, a superlative cook — is not as simple as it sounds. The zucchini … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Risotto aux champignons sauvages

This unusual wild mushroom risotto is the creation of John O’Shea, the brilliant young British chef who presides over the kitchen at JJ Beaumarchais, a restaurant downstairs from my apartment. It is unusual first because instead of rice it uses … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gnocchis à la sauge

Fluffy gnocchi sautéd with fresh sage in melted butter is one of my go-to dishes when I need to get a quick meal on the table. The butter is browned ever so slightly, enhancing the lusty flavor of the sage, … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Salade aux grains, sauce sésame

When staying with friends in Provence this summer, I was served a mixed-grain salad that knocked my socks off. The star of this salad was petit épeautre, or einkorn wheat, a rustic grain with a nutty flavor that is grown … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Orecchiette aux petits pois et jambon de pays

One of the pleasures of spring is fresh peas, and one of my favorite ways to serve them is in pasta with dry-cured ham and cream. The flavors marry delightfully, and the dish takes only moments to prepare. The only … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rigatoni gorgonzola noix

Gorgonzola and walnuts, rigatoni and cream, topped by arugula — a perfect dish for a rainy May in Paris. They say April is the cruelest month, but this is not the case in my city. After a couple weeks of … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Penne au potiron et aux noix

This dish gives an interesting twist to pumpkin that may be of interest as the holidays approach. Yes, I’m thinking Thanksgiving. The combination of pasta and pumpkin is popular in both France and Italy, and the walnuts add depth. This … Continue reading

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment