Sunday Supper: Penne alla Vecchia Bettola

Ina Garten is my food idol and here is why. She is completely self taught and didn’t start her career in food. Early in her career, she realized that food made her happy, took a leap of faith, bought a little deli and the rest is history. Her food is approachable, easy and always tastes good. Most importantly, her recipes never fail.

I have made so many of her recipes and honestly can’t pick a favorite but there are some true stand outs. Now this recipe isn’t her's but she did pick it as a favorite and learned how to make it. This pasta dish comes from one of Ina’s favorite Hamptons restaurants, Nick and Toni’s. It might seem like penne alla vodka and technically it is. However, it is the best penne alla vodka you will ever have.

Unites States of America, ItalyAnna GassFebruary 21, 2016sunday supper, sunday sauce, Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, Food Network, cooking with love, italian cooking, Penna Alla Vodka, Pasta, Nick and Toni's, Penna Alla Vecchia Bettola, family tradition

From Nonna's Kitchen: Nonna Gina’s Rice Balls

Growing up in an Italian home, I didn’t eat a lot of rice. We preferred pasta and my mother served it regularly as our staple carbohydrate. Once and a while, however, my mom would whip up a risotto and I would pout through dinner, pushing it to the edges of my plate hoping my father would think I had some.

Truth be told, I hate risotto. It just doesn’t do it for me. If I am going to eat something creamy and full of carbs, hand me a dish of cheesy polenta and I’m a happy girl. The one positive to hating risotto though, is that my mother had plenty leftover to make rice balls with for us the next day. Golden brown and crispy on the outside and creamy, cheesy inside make for a killer combination.

From Nonna's Kitchen, ItalyAnna GassJanuary 20, 2016nonna's kitchen, italian cooking, Rice Balls, Rissoto, Pasta, family tradition, cooking with love, easy entertaining, Parmigiana, Mozzarella

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