The Easter brunch we attended at a local hotel had the most amazing pasta bar. It allowed you to select your favorite ingredients, hand them over to a chef, and within minutes—PRESTO—a piping hot, made-to-order pasta creation was ready for your dining pleasure.
The buffet got me thinking about how easy it would be to host your own pasta party using the same set-up as the hotel. Simply set out a number of different pastas (angel hair, penne, rigatoni, etc.) and sauces, along with mushrooms, sausage, green peppers, plump Roma tomatoes, plus a host of different cheeses, and you’ve got the ingredients for the perfect pasta party.
Here are a few recipes to get you started:
CLASSIC MARINARA SAUCE
Ingredients:
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup dry white wine
4 to 6 basil leaves
Directions:
In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Sauté until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil and wine simmer covered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick.
For extra smooth sauce, add cooled sauce to a food processor. Process until desired consistency.
Serve over fresh cooked pasta.
ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH CLAM SAUCE
Ingredients:
1 stick butter
3 to 4 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon flour
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup milk
Pinch red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
1 (3.5 ounce) can minced or chopped clams with juice
12 ounces angel hair pasta, cooked
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Melt butter on medium, low heat in a large skillet.
Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Whisk in flour and cook another minute. Whisk in broth and milk and clams with juice.
Bring to a simmer until sauce starts to thicken a bit. Turn down heat and add pasta. Toss pasta to coat with sauce.
Top with chopped parsley and cheese.
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