Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Ciao~

It's a staple here...pasta..all forms.. sometimes ...more intricate..sometimes easy..



Jacques uses his Jamie Oliver pasta pot and cooks the pasta..while I am in charge of the sauces.. he chose shrimp pasta.. and made his own in a cazuela in the oven and poured on his pasta..
I chose lemon oil.. tuna.. garlic and french shallots..
It's so easy..I use my hot spicy ingredient~



I bought it in Italy and hope I never run out..
It reminds me so much of that trip..
Le voyage extraordinaire de ma vie avec Jacques.

..
We watched Eat Pray Love again one night last week.. Ahh..Roma:) And Julia♥..
Lest we forget Javier♥ And Bali~

It is really so easy to make a comforting meal in no time..at very little cost.
I love homemade meals..And they don't have to be fancy..ever.
at

33 comments:

  1. PeggyMarch 23, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Looks like a beautiful pasta dish!

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  2. Yvonne @ StoneGableMarch 23, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Cooking with your husband... bliss! There is something so comforting about a beautiful pasta meal.
    xo Yvonne

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  3. LindaMarch 23, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Pasta is not easy to photograph and that plate of pasta may just be the most beautiful one I have ever seen!
    Gorgeous!

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  4. RitaMarch 23, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Sounds like the trip of a lifetime; I am also blessed with a man who loves to cook. Have not seen that movie yet. Merci pour ta visite chez moi.
    Rita

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  5. SarahMarch 23, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Had pasta with a simple tomato sauce just yesterday. ;-) It's a staple around here as well.
    Love the quote for Soul Food. Beautiful! ~ Sarah

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  6. ShelMarch 23, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Beautiful dish....such a beautiful part of the world..and I loved that movie and the book!
    You have a marriage made in heaven Monique!
    Shel xx

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  7. Deana SidneyMarch 23, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    That's one gorgeous pile of pasta, Monique. I love that you cook with your husband... so romantic. The movie is a delight.. I actually watched several parts over again when I rented it... the healing power of love and food and spirit... remarkable. How I love lemon and pasta!

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  8. AnonymousMarch 23, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Ciao Monique...pasta...a delicious sauce..and sitting around a kitchen table with a loved one..there is happiness in such a small thing...Beautiful!
    bisous
    ronelle

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  9. jabrebMarch 23, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    Comfort food = pasta! With any sauce. Just purchased a new product for me: Tinkyada Fettucini Style Brown Rice Pasta..looking at the package it is manufactured by Food Directions, Inc. located in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada...haven't tried it yet but will let you know if it's good.

    Wonderful that you two cook together.

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  10. SavoringTime in the KitchenMarch 23, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    What a beautiful dish of pasta, Monique! It has been too long since I've had a good pasta dish and I love your version with tuna.

    I still haven't seen the movie. I will watch for it!

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  11. Kathy WalkerMarch 23, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Pasta is so "flexible"! :-) I love the many different sauces and ingredients that can come together and make a wonderful meal. Your pasta dish looks delicious! Your trip....fabulous!

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  12. DianneMarch 23, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Bonjour Monique Pasta is such a friendly meal - eating and talking and drinking -just beautiful!
    Have a lovely week
    xx

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  13. CarolynMarch 23, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Your meals always look fancy to me!That looks like a great trip.

    Take care,
    Carolyn

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  14. SarahMarch 23, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    The forest in the shape of Italy is amazing. Where did you find it?

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  15. La Table De NanaMarch 24, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Castelluccio is where we saw the boot~
    Gorgeous area..

    Thanks everyone..have a great day~

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  16. Hélène (Cannes)March 24, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    C'est la cuisine que je préfère moi aussi, tu le sais. Simple, terrienne et savoureuse, pas compliquée pour deux sous ! ;o)
    Bisous
    Hélène

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  17. LucyMarch 24, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    This pasta dish looks delicious - I love new ways to use pasta and can see this being a true treat in the middle of the week.

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  18. Flavia GalassoMarch 24, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Next time you are going to come to Italy...call me!!! very good your pasta....CIAO Flavia

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  19. Shirley @ Kokken69March 24, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Both pastas sounded absolutely delicious. I have just recently lugged back a pasta maker from the US... Can't wait to make fresh pasta with it. Your lemon oil recipe just reminded me of a wonderful recipe I have read recently in a book....

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  20. AnhMarch 24, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    I made similar pasta almost every week ;) It's a KEEPEr

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  21. NinetteMarch 24, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Mmm, lemon oil. It sounds amazing. I lived in Florence as a college student for awhile ... I'm getting the itch to go back.

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  22. La Table De NanaMarch 25, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    There is always an itch to go back to Florence~I wish I would have had more time there..The artists:) the Mimes..the architecture..the food..



    Have a great day everyone~
    Shirley..can't wait to see your pastas:) I can imagine lugging back a machine is work..My friend bought hers in Italy and lugged it back:)

    Flavia..you are a lucky girl:)

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  23. La Cuisine d'HeleneMarch 25, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Your pasta dish is gorgeous. I really liked that movie. Bon week-end!

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  24. MarysolMarch 25, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Dear Monique, I would love nothing more than to help myself to both pasta dishes.

    Btw, if you ever make another trip to Florence for more of their special spice, I hope you'll consider taking me with you, even if you have to stash me in your suitcase.

    Happy weekend.

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  25. lilabragaMarch 26, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Dear Monique,
    I do agree with you about Florence and about a good home made food.
    My mouth waters thinking of a good home made pasta...wish I could eat it too!
    hugs
    lila

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  26. BarbaraMarch 26, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Nothing better than a simple pasta dish, Monique.
    How wonderful you cook with your husband. So romantic!

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  27. Entertaining WomenMarch 27, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Arrive via Just Me Shel. The recipes in your posts are lovely...count me a new follower. Hope that you'll come for a visit to my spot, too. Thank you for sharing your wonderful edibles. Cherry Kay

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  28. nooschiMarch 27, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Your pasta looks gorgeous!! Delicious.

    I love Eat Pray Love...I get emotional when I watch that movie. But all happy feelings.

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  29. JacquelineMarch 29, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Monique, your pssta looks incredible. Your pictures of Italy take me back too. We might get to go in May to visit my husband's cousin who is a purse and shoe designer there and she thought she could arrange some cooking classes. How wonderful!

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  30. Marie RaynerMarch 29, 2011 at 3:56 AM

    How I wish that Todd loved pasta like I do and that he cooked. It would be so much fun to do together. I love your pictures of Italy. That is a place I dream of going one day. xxoo

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  31. La Table De NanaMarch 29, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    You will get there Marie..with your love of food! It's must if you can..
    Jacqueline..GO Go Go.. Oh how fun is that?!
    Jessica..Eat Pray Love I think will be a staple here.
    It is a feel good movie.
    I bought the soundtrack for a friend..it is good:)

    I bet you would be a great travel companion Sol..
    In my suitcase? You obviously have not seen how I pack?:)
    I have not traveled very much..it was an experience just packing:)

    Thank you everyone..again humble post:)

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  32. 2 StewsMarch 29, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    We do the same at our house with pasta...add our favorites to the basic boiled pasta. I think I'll have to look for that spice. I also love hot and spicy.

    Thanks!

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  33. Mari @ Once Upon a PlateMarch 30, 2011 at 1:36 AM

    So lovely! You're right ~ it's true... we were thinking (and doing) something so similar within the past few days. :D ((hugs))

    Your version looks irresistible, I would be very happy to have that placed before me. Very nice.

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