Thyme For Cooking, the Blog: Presto Pasta Nights; # 73: The Round-up!

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Presto Pasta Nights #73

Gilli, of So So Simple decided to make soup do to the cold, winter weather in Auckland, New Zealand. Well, one thing led to another and she ended up with Spicy Fish Pasta Bake. She says the secret ingredient is the Piri Piri seasoning... I think it's the soup!

Congratulations are in order for Georgia, of Oh Kitchen, What Won't You Do??? . Her boyfriend just proposed (Marriage... I think). Doesn't this Couscous Salad with Scallops look like the perfect celebratory summer dinner? Congrats and best wishes to you both, Georgia and Andrew! When is the wedding?

The first time I had spaghetti in a Greek restaurant there was something different, and delicious, about it that I just couldn't figure out. Cinnamon! Lulu, of Mama's Taverna, gives a wonderful photo step-by-step of how to make Spaghetti with Meat Sauce the Greek way.

Maxine, of Chew on That, normally eschews convenience foods; until she discovered pesto paste, that is. Pesto in a tube! I like that idea. And I particularly like what she did with it. Her Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Chicken looks far too good to be classified as 'convenience food'!

I had every intention of planting Rainbow Swiss Chard this year.... Didn't get it done! Now I can really kick myself 'cause I'll have to wait a whole year to make this yummy Pasta with Kielbasa and Swiss Chard from Brooke of Victuals & Libations. As for you - get chard; don't wait!

Jiggly bits notwithstanding, Rita, of Mochachocolata-Rita, out of Hong Kong, may not have discovered any new desserts this summer but she certainly found a wonderful beef dish... with pasta, of course. Tangy and Spicy Beef Rice Noodle Soup has me almost yearning for winter... But I'll settle for cool weather. And you still have time, Rita...

Judith, of Think on It, in Umbria, Italy, has made a gorgeous salad: Sicilian style Couscous Salad. It's got lots and lots of summertime ingredients in it and would be perfect for a party or picnic. It's the type pf salad that can stand up to hot weather (but I see me standing in the fridge, polishing off the leftovers)

Chorizo and Butternut Squash with Penne. Oh. My! Abby, of Eat the Right Stuff, has turned simple ingredients into a complex dish. And she let the squash do the sauce.... comfort food without the heavy cream and cheese. I want this. NOW, please!

From near to my old home, Chicago, US, Joelen, of Joelen's Culinary Adventures is cooking Italian, but with a twist. Her Chicken Parmigiana Rolls with Pasta can have a place on my table anytime! Stuffed chicken, chunky sauce, what's not to love?

Daphne, from Perth, and the author of More Than Words, has been playing with beans. More specifically, she has been playing with butter beans.... But she assures us that, despite the catchy title, they really aren't.... mean, that is. Lean Mean Bean Fettuccine. Yum!

Looking for something creamy, comforting, and sure to make the family happy? Try Creamy Chicken, Brinjal, Mushroom and Spinach Pasta. Dharm, Dad~Baker & Chef, made this fantastic lunch for the kids.
It would have made my happy, too! Good Dad! Don't know Brinjal? Hah! Neither did I.....Do now!

Pam, of Sidewalk Shoes, is in love with peanut sauces... As am I. We won't mention the other things she loves/hates... But her Peanut Noodles with Grilled Asian Chicken, now, that's truly something to love! Peanut butter and jelly? I'll pass, thank you. Peanut sauce with noodles? Hand me a fork and get out of the way!

I clicked on Sarah's blog, What Smells So Good, and so an old familiar face... Unfortunately, (for us) her Un - Canned Beefaroni was soo good, (and, I'm quite certain, soo much better than 'his') it was gone before she could grab her camera.

I have to admit to something that is, well, un-American: I'm not in love with Mac & Cheese. I don't dislike it; I'm just not in love with it. There are other ways I prefer to indulge. Until now, that is. Elizabeth, of Elizabeth's Cooking Experiments has made Mascarpone Mac & Cheese. She has converted me.

Vicki, of A Work in Progress, is bemoaning her lack of (home grown) basil. She did have enough cherry tomatoes from her very own plants to make this delicious Spaghetti with Tomatoes and Basil. I love the mix of red and yellow tomatoes... and a bit of green. Very pretty. I want this.

I love pasta salads, warm or cold... And I love having leftover bits in the fridge to make them with. Tigerfish, of Teczcape - An Escape to Food, agrees with me (tho she may not have known that). Her Warm Pasta Salad (or Stir-Fry Pasta) is a great example of a wee bit of planning for a fantastic dish!

Allergy Mom, over at The Allergic Kid has come up with an amazing pesto that her whole family can enjoy. Basil and Marinated Artichoke Pesto uses artichoke hearts in place of the pine nuts and Parmesan. She describes it (modestly) as 'dancing around the kitchen delicious'. I'm inclined to agree.

I do love a toddler with good taste! The one residing at the FoodieTots household is showing a profound love a goat cheese. Add it to the Roasted Roma Tomato Pappardelle and I think he is really on to something. Chef/mom might have had a hand in the idea, as well.... Love these orange Romas!

Haalo, of Cook (almost) Anything, always finds such interesting pasta shapes. And she always knows exactly how to use them. This simple, warming Shimeji and Pasta Soup uses the small, 'melon seed' pasta. Lunch, anyone?

I keep having flashbacks to my misspent youth - first Beefaroni and now Spaghettio's! Kitchenetta, of Got No Milk, assures us that they really aren't; they're Aneletti with Spicy Lentil Sauce. It looks rather a lot nicer than the stuff in the can, doesn't it? I could eat... Pretty plate!

Apu, of Annarasa, is into pasta and legumes, too. Her veg of choice is the black bean. Spicy Black Bean Fusili has it all: peppers, cheese, beans, olives, jalapenos; a pasta version of a favorite Vegetarian Taco. A bit creamier, and much easier to eat... I'll take the pasta, thank you!

Looking for an alternative to traditional pesto? Too much of something green in your box this week? Turn it into a veggie pesto! Serena, of Rock Cakes did just that: Broccoli Pesto. It's not as dark green as traditional pesto, but the taste and healthiness of it all must be fantastic!

A woman after my own heart... How can one go wrong with bacon? Gay, of A Scientist in the Kitchen has made Linguini with Bacon and Cream Sauce. I have to admit, like Gay, I don't often make white sauces. I don't know her reasons, but mine is that I eat it all and it goes straight to "me 'ips"! Sigh...

And, to wrap it all up, and lest you forget that it's summer here in the Vendée a cold salad, chez moi:
Chicken and Grilled Pepper Pasta Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing

One more.....
Breadchick, of The Sour Dough has been eating out of her pantry. She made Presto Pasta on the Pantry Plan in just 6 minutes! And I won't even tell you how little it cost. You can see for yourself how delicious it looks. If mon mari ever finds out food can be prepared in that little time... I shudder to think....