Things may have admittedly been a bit quiet over here on the blog owing to a certain little person’s arrival, but that doesn’t mean to say that I haven’t been squirreling away in the background on some other projects over the summer. I managed (just about) to keep up with my regular feature and recipe writing for JamieOliver.com – always a great source of inspiration with the themes on the site changing regularly. Following lots of unusual and intriguing World Cup recipes, we moved on to outdoor eating. My summery Polish cucumber salad was a big hit, as was this orzo, courgette and prawn pasta dish – perfect to feed a crowd with whilst the sun was shining and a great recipe to bookmark for pescatarian friends.
We’re now into a season of sharing recipes for anyone who follows a specialist diet – be it dairy free, gluten free or wheat free. I contributed one of my quickest weeknight suppers; a gluten free pasta carbonara made with organic brown rice pasta. This is such a great recipe to have up your sleeve if you have to avoid gluten, or like me, you simply want to make a few healthier swaps for your families lifestyle.
I always look forward to the autumn as lots of new cookery books are released, which means that I get to cram my shelves with even more books. September saw the release of Jamie’s sixteenth book – Comfort Food. I’m pleased to see calorie counting temporarily suspended to welcome some delicious heart-warming treats, including a recipe for my kind of comfort food – Polish Pierogi. I’ll be giving those a go next week and reporting back!
In the meantime, I also shared a recipe for a ham, courgette and mushroom lasagne made with fresh pasta sheets and an easy white sauce, which certainly counts as comfort food. As the days start to get shorter and the nights grow darker, this is the perfect cheese-topped, oven-baked crowd-pleaser.
Having a few clever and adaptable pasta recipes up your sleeve can help you out whether you are looking to feed a large family, or have friends coming over for supper. Here are some more of my favourites gathered from the web.
More Crowd-Pleasers
From Amuse Your Bouche – Becca’s Spaghetti alla Puttanesca – (Vegan)
From Kavey Eats – Kavey’s Chicken, Bacon, Mushroom and Creme Fraiche Pasta (Weeknight winner)
From Maison Cupcake – Sarah’s Giant Pasta Shells with Asparagus and Bacon (and a Vitamix Pesto) (Great for a dinner party)
From Feeding Boys and a Firefighter – Katie’s Lemon and Mint Pesto with Tagliatelle (Vegetarian)
From Cook Sister – Jeanne’s Easy Crab, Chilli and Rocket Pasta (Pescatarian)
I hope you get to try some of these recipes – let me know if you do.
Time to put my feet up again I think!
Ren Behan is a freelance contributor to JamieOliver.Com
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Deena kakaya says
I have to echo Kellies words; I really don’t know how you do it either!
I am so pleased to see a post about pasta; they make up so many meals in our home but many of us foodies hold back from posting pasta recipes? I like the light and easy look of those fresh dishes x
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Hmmmm you got me thinking about my crowd pleasing pasta recipes. At the moment they all involve fennel.
laura@howtocookgoodfood says
You have now got me thinking how I need to cook more delicious pasta recipes with the Autumn upon us, especially that lasagne. I hope all is well with you and your gorgeous baby who will be enjoying these dishes very soon!
kellie@foodtoglow says
I really don’t know how you do it. Beautiful recipes and images as always. You are an inspiration in so many ways, Ren. PS you need to update your wee bio as your bump has ‘graduated’ to a baby! 😉
Kavey says
Thank you for sharing my pasta recipe. That simple unauthentic little recipe remains one of the most popular recipes on my blog, oddly enough!!!
Nazima, franglais kitchen says
well done on getting back into the swing of things! this looks delicious. Looking forward to hearing how the Pierogi recipe goes too 🙂
Judith says
lo just reading about all that fab food and I am loving the images. Now to go pop something in the oven before I gnaw husband’s arm off 😉
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
everything looks so comforting and delicious.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
My Italian friends tell me they wean their babies on orzo over there so you might be making it again for someone else soon! Thanks for the mention 🙂
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
You’ve done so well to keep on top of everything Ren!! These all look wonderful, I’d eat pasta every day if I could get away with it!! Thanks for the mention 🙂