Pasta alla Formiana

To the hilarity of my friends, my mom and I have a tradition of going to Mimi's Cafe for Thanksgiving. Yes, your smirk is audible. Why such a tradition? Well, once when I was around 14 my entire family went to Mimi's Cafe for brunch. One of the happiest afternoons of my life. I suppose the goodwill stuck--either that or they happened to be the only place open on Thanksgiving back in 2006. This year, however, I decided to make the all-important Thanksgiving meal. Why? Because Mimi's was now out of reach (my mother moved), 2people1turkey is wasteful and I refuse to spend $36 on one meal. I mean, unless I'm at Doughnut Plant in NYC or something.

My menu: gamberetto e rucola bruschetta and pasta alla formiana.


I'm sorry if this renders my meal totally un-legitimate, but I got both recipes from Giada. You know, Food Network Giada. The titillating Italian babe. Yeah, her. But, regardless of where I got the recipes, I'm proud to have succeeded in my efforts. I've recently taken huge interest in cooking and felt quite titillated myself at the opportunity to use my mom's island, massive stove and credit card (grazie, mamma).

Gamberetto e rucola bruschetta


This was the (only) appetizer. Shrimp, arugula, onion, garlic, red wine, parmesan cheese. Voila!

Just pile this spread (what's "spread" in Italian?) on some garlic crostini (which my mother ruined) and there you go. Spicy arugula, meaty shrimp, and cheesy parm. Like Thanksgivin' chips n' dip.

Pasta alla formiana

This took an entire hour to bake (ergo the appetizer) but after inputing ease and taste factor, it was worth it. What's neither easy nor tasty in regards to cooking time? Turkey. But I digress.

Simply blend a can of tomatoes with tons of oregano, olive oil, some sugar, and a pinch of garlic. Mixed in raw pasta and pour the goodness into a baking bowl lined with slices of fresh tomato. I repeat: a baking bowl lined with slices of fresh tomato. Glamor and class? Methinks yes. After an hour in the cooker, you're left with some of the lightest, freshest-tasting pasta you've ever had in your life.

Hope y'all had fun slavin' away at your turkeys or spendin' 36 bucks on one plate o' food!

;) I kid. Sorta

, Henry

PS  I sure am updating a lot. Hm. I guess my brain's got a lot to say. Call me, friends, for I'm clearly in the beginning stages of become a cat lady. Kthxbye.