// spaghetti carbonara //

Boar's Head pancetta

spaghetti carbonara

spring salad w/apple & roasted shallot vinaigrette

fresh watermelon

I kept seeing recipes for Spaghetti Carbonara pop up on random food sites and after seeing so many pictures of the dish, I started craving it. This is a first time dish for me - in eating it AND making it. I've always seen it on Italian menus, but it just seemed too heavy for me. After much research for an authentic recipe, the original one seems to not have any cream in it at all. Supposedly, it's an American addition...go figure. Guess it's like adding cream cheese to sushi rolls. I added a spring salad and some fresh watermelon for dessert. This mid-90 degree weather 24/7 is just too much. I really need a chill-cation. Anyway, if you're down for some good ol' comfort food, this dish is basically pasta, bacon, cheese and egg. The standards for things that are good and bad for you. 

// meatballs & spaghetti //

I wasn't planning on making this dish tonight until I was walking through the fresh meats section at the Dekalb Farmer's Market and saw some stuff that caught my eye. Ground sweet pork sausage and a turkey version as well. Got 1/2 a pound of each and picked up some of their fresh pasta, sauce and parmesan cheese in the refrigerated section to complete my meal. I love that this farmer's market makes a lot of their stuff in-house and it's incredibly affordable. Makes planning meals for the week way easier. Just found this easy meatballs recipe and simmered in the sauce for about 30 minutes on low heat. Now just turn on an episode of Jersey Shore and sit back and enjoy your plate of spaghetti & meatballs!

// stuffed shells //

New year...new post. I've been a lil busy towards the end of 2009, but still cooking up new recipes every week. Just haven't had time to post. So, to start off this year I'll show you an easy recipe for stuffed shells that I found. It looks really impressive to those who aren't in the kitchen helping...or to those who don't cook at all. Anyhow, made it for the 1st time for FAM DIN and it came out perfect. Right guys? Of course they'll nod yes because I feed them every week. ^_^