My Favourite Pasta Recipes
Today is a lazy day for me. I know you must be wondering what the heck a lazy day is. It depends on how you define it, but in my case it’s one of those days when I wake up late, say at 12 noon, then I want to finish all the chores I never got to do during the week. Then I count the remaining hours and wonder how am I ever going slot the chores in such a small window of time. Then I get frustrated and pace up and down. Then I look at my watch and the time is now 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Then I think my whole day is ruined and I get upset. And the chain reaction continues until later in the day when I finally plant myself squarely, on a chair, and accomplish one thing, like doing this post.
Did you ever read the book “Now discover your strengths” by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton? The book essentially gives a powerful and accurate way to find out what our strengths are. In this book I’m one of those people described under the Achiever theme. As an achiever “You feel as if everyday starts at zero. By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about yourself. And by every day, you mean every single day -workdays, weekends and vacations. No matter how much you may feel you deserve a day of rest, if the day passes without some form of achievement, no matter how small, you will feel dissatisfied” Do you ever feel this way? Sorry for filling your mind with strengths and talent jargon, but I enjoyed reading this book so much. I think I’ve read it five times! I hope you’re enjoying your weekend. I wish you a pleasant and fulfilling Sunday. The recipe today is so simple…no need to explain anything. Best wishes!!!
- Ingredients
- 400g dried spaghettini
- ¼-½ cup finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil and thyme)
- 115g (4oz, 1 stick) butter
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- ½-1 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano Cheese
Please always remember to assemble all the ingredients before you start. I actually just cooked pasta for one person so these ingredients do not reflect amounts suggested in the recipe. This recipe is so simple, I didn’t see the need to include cooking steps.
The pasta is utterly simple but very tasty
Please ensure you add grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese. Without cheese, I don’t know how I would describe the taste of this pasta!
Spaghettini with Butter and Herb Sauce
Preparation time: 10 minutes; Cooking time: 15 minutes; Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
- 400g dried spaghettini
- ¼-½ cup finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil and thyme)
- 115g (4oz, 1 stick) butter
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- ½-1 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano Cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta as per packet instructions in plenty of salted water until almost al dente.
- Just before pasta is ready melt the butter in a large pan or skillet until it sizzles, drain pasta and add to the melted butter, sprinkle in the herbs and cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can add some dried chilli flakes or finely chopped chilli, if you like. Serve with some more Parmesan cheese on the side.
myfavouritepastime.com
My Favourite Pastime 
Being Italian-American, i love all pasta dishes, but since my angioplasty I’m only supposed to eat multigrain pasta, so have been searching for brands I like, I cloud sub one of those here but not sure how to get around the butter issue on my low-fat diet:
http://nosaltnofatnosugar.com/2012/12/22/do-all-whole-wheat-pastas-taste-like-paste-no-try-barilla-plus/
Hi Frank,
I’m not sure about the butter issue either. I think if you’re on a strict diet there are some things you should just stop eating all together. I admire you resolve and determination. I cook multigrain pasta sometimes. Have a great weekend!
Liz
Just the look of this spaghetti glazed with butter and herb makes me drool yam yam. What herb is this ? Does it have any aroma and can i find this herb in africa. Give the herb name ???. Tom Soyer.
Hi there Tom,
Great to hear from you again. I used thyme, basil and parsley. I know you can find parsley in the market because it’s a very common herb. For the other two try the local supermarket like Nakumatt, if they sell herbs in little pots. You are more likely to find them growing in pots for sale at a supermarket. I usually buy herbs in pots. And you can transplant them because the weather in Africa is good the whole year round. Let me know if you find them. Thanks for visiting the blog and best wishes to everybody!
Liz
Pasta is always my favorite “go to” recipe just for me. This looks yummy!
Thanks. Pasta is my favourite too. Have a great day!
Liz
Another great and simple pasta recipe. I love your pasta dishes, I am going to cook this one soon.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you. I love simple pasta recipes I can make in a jiffy. Happy cooking and wish you a pleasant week!
Liz
I haven’t read the book you mentioned but I can relate to the “achiever” theme! It gets a little crazy sometimes, this need to point at tangible results.
It was a great read. Thanks for visiting!
Liz
Oh, I love the simplicity of this recipe…perfect for days when I feel disorganized or just don’t feel like doing much. I once took part in the Belbin Profile to find my niche in the scheme of things in the work place. I am what was called ‘ a finisher’ and it’s proven so true. So you are an achiever…you have certainly been doing something right with all your blog posts lately. Good going Liz! Since arriving home I feel like I’ve been on a fast moving escalator and I want off. Therefore I’ve been practicing something I’ve read about. I’m beginning to give myself permission to sometimes do nothing but sit and just be! It’s so hard, but I plan to get better at it! Grin! Have a great week!
Hi Sandy,
I also have those days when I don’t feel like lifting a finger or a foot, that’s why I love simple recipes. I can even cook by remote control (instructing someone as I sit and do nothing). I am what was called “a starter”. Doing things up to 90% then just giving up…so you and I could work very well. I start and you finish. I’m terrible with huge projects coz I always need a finisher!
Take time off, and smell the flowers. There’s no rush. I just want to do most of my blogging this year then next year I shall slow down to do other things! I am with you, I find it so hard, almost impossible to sit down and do nothing. I fall asleep. Enjoy the week Sandy. Today is so windy here, but am enjoying the breeze. All my windows are open and I’m listening to music and blogging….what a wonderful day!!!
Best wishes
Liz
Many times simple is best! Looks delicious. Sleep until noon, I wouldn’t even know how! Sounds nice though. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
I really don’t like sleeping late that’s why I get disorganized when I do. Enjoy the new week!
Liz
I love this simple and great!
Thank you. I love it too!
Liz
So simple – so perfect!
Thank you! Best wishes!
Liz
This pasta looks delicious! 🙂
Thank you!
Liz
You are welcome! 🙂
Best wishes,
Alice
I never had lazy days in months, Liz. There’s always something that needs to be done. This pasta looks so simple, yet so delicious! Thanks for sharing, Liz. Enjoy your tea (or coffee) in the morning. 😉
I never have lazy days unless I wake up late. I hate waking up late. It messes my day. I’m glad to hear you always have something to be done. I just saw your introduction of new bloggers. Thanks for sharing! Have a lovely evening. I know by now you’ve had dinner. I’ve just woken up, a bit late. Last night I spent time on the blog until very late…I am now trying to do todays post. Best wishes!
Hmmmm 🙂 loved your story about your lazy day 🙂 I do hope that one day you’ll be able to have a lazy sunday my way: lazy 😉 enjoy your Sunday!
I would love to enjoy Sunday the way you describe it, but even now I have a list of things to finish before I start lazying about. Time is always too short for me!!!! Have a wonderful, lazy Sunday!!!!
liz
I know that feeling, sometimes. Have a wonderful (lazy) Sunday too, Liz!
Ha ha thank you!!!
Liz
A nice side dish – cheese is always welcomed! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Hey Judie,
I know. I’m sure I would shop for cheese in your house. I love the way you stock cheese.
Say cheese!!!
Liz
Cheese! (Huge smile!). Good morning!
Good morning. You must be an early riser! I need to sip some masala tea to start off my day. Have a lovely day!!!
Liz
I have garam masala spice. Is that the same flavor as your tea?
No at all. The masala tea is a mix of ground: black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. I love the zing from the pepper. It tastes so good!
Liz
I don’t drink much tea, but like to keep interesting ones around for afternoons when coffee is not quite right. I’ve been drinking ones that have a licorice flavor, but the masala sounds like a pleasing combination. Will look for it on next shopping trip. Thanks for the suggestion. ;->
I drink at least 2-3 cups masala tea a day. I’m not much of a coffee drinker. I probably drink a cup of coffee once every two weeks. But there are days when I drink coffee three to four times a week, probably during the cold days. Have a great evening!
Liz
I make something very similar to this but add a little garlic and no thyme. I will try this your way next time!!
Oh yes the addition of garlic is a brilliant idea. I sometimes make it with garlic too. Have a lovely Sunday!
Liz