A FEW SIMPLE RECIPES WITH PASTA
AND VEGETABLESI have a tendency to cook on Sundays for the whole week, labeling and freezing adequate portions for a later use. For that purpose, I try to buy the freshest ingredients, and I emphasize the careful handling and cooking for health reasons. The following recipes were used for my Sunday cooking:

PENNE WITH MUSHROOMS AND GORGONZOLA
(2 servings)

3 tb olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 lb sliced mushrooms
4 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried oregano
3/4 lb penne pasta
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola or other Blue Cheese

Heat oil in large skillet over medium high. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add mushrooms; sautée until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil and oregano and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Add pasta and cooking liquid to sauce in skillet. Toss over medium heat until mixture is heated through and sauce coats pasta. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to bowl. Sprinkle with Gorgonzola and serve.

MINESTRONE
(8 servings)

The Ligurians in Italy claim the Minestrone as their own. Nevertheless, in most regions in Italy we can enjoy a thick, hearty vegetable soup known also as minestrone. I love all kind of soups, and this recipe published in Dean and Deluca Newsletter, motivated me to cook it. It was delicious, and I am looking forward to enjoy the other freezed portions.

4 tb olive oil
2 large yellow onions, cut into slivers
1 tsp sugar
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1/3 lb green beans, trimmed and diced
2 small zucchini, diced
2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
2 cups canned, crushed tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
2 cups water
2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp chopped fresh basil
Salt to taste
Ground pepper to taste
1 cup dried beans, such as cannellini, soaked and cooked according to package directions (about 2 cups cooked)
1/2 cup short, dried pasta, such as ditalini or elbow macaroni
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano
3 tb finely chopped basil leaves for garnish

Heat olive oil over moderate heat in large saucepan. Add onions and sugar, stir well, and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until onions are wilted and light golden. Uncover and cook for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until onions are brown and well caramelized.

Add carrots, celery, potatoes, and green beans and cook for 10 minutes, or until vegetables soften slightly. Add zucchini and cabbage, and cook for 10 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, water, herbs, salt and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low, cover and simmer gently for 2 hours. Add cannellini beans, and cook mixture for another 30 minutes.

When ready to serve, cook the pasta in at least 2 quarts of boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain. Add pasta to pan. Adjust seasonings. Ladle into warmed soup bowls, and garnish each serving with Parmigiano to taste, and some basil leaves.

BEEF AND PEPPER STIR FRY

12 ounces sirloin steak, sliced into strips
2 tb soy sauce
2 tb sherry
1 tb cornstarch
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tb oil
1 tb sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tb grated fresh gingerroot
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 cup snow peas
2 sliced green onions
4 tb water or broth
4 tb oyster sauce Hot linguini

In a bowl, mix the steak, soy sauce, sherry, cornstarch and brown sugar. Marinate for at least an hour. Heat the oils together in a large fry pan or wok and stir fry the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds. Add the peppers, peas and scallions and stir-fry over high heat for about 3 minutes. Add the beef with the marinade to the wok and stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes. Pour in the broth and oyster sauce and stir until the sauce has thickened. Serve over noodles or over white rice.

Buen Provecho!