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Rigatoni & Pesto alla Menta (Mint Pesto)is a plate of pasta to please Mom on her special day. A savory pesto made with fresh mint is another Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen, Italian Style.

MINT PESTO

I know you are thinking mint equals sweet? No, leave it to the Italians to make use of every herb in the garden, like mint, and spin it into a wonderful pasta dish. This pesto is a change from the classic Basil Pesto. Creamy and flecked with fresh mint, pine nuts and Pecorino Romano cheese spiced with a hint of marinated black pepper. A surprise winner. While in Italy I savored every variety of pasta dishes. I do remember a mint pesto dish and I went out searching for a recipe. Yes, mint pesto (Pesto alla Menta) is an Italian classic. This recipe is a simple one I found, with slight adaptations, it feel like the pasta I had in Italy.

COOKING ITALIAN

While in Italy I savored every variety of pasta dishes. I do remember a mint pesto dish and I went out searching for a recipe. Yes, mint pesto (Pesto alla Menta) is an Italian classic. This recipe is a simple one I found, with slight adaptations, it feel like the pasta I had in Italy.

COOKING THE SEASONS

This Spring I took a cutting from a friend’s mint plant. I always admired how lush and vigorous it was. Well, I planted a form of “super mint” that turned into mint gone wild. Living along the coast receiving a record amount of rain sent the mint taking over the entire garden. I harvested a huge crop of mint and will freeze some for later. A fresh mint pesto recipe came to mind, and here it is.

RIGATONI WITH PESTO ALLA MENTO

Sturdy rigatoni works well with this pesto. Fresh mint leaves are the star, yet they do not overpower the pesto and are NOT at all sweet. Classic pesto components such as garlic, pine nuts, and Romano cheese are included. There is bright bite from the marinated black peppercorns and red pepper flakes. Serve with extra cheese if desired. The pesto pairs well with soft cheeses, a topping for ripe tomatoes and of course on pizza.

 

Quick comfort = a bowl of noodles. Miso Udon Noodle Soup is both quick & comforting. The savory Unami flavor is ready in 15 minutes. Soup’s on – another Little Jewels from the Bijouxs Kitchen.

NOODLE SOUP

Noodles,  always a favorite in the Bijouxs Kitchen. My Hurry Curry Laksa has been a unique favorite, while my Feeling Good Bowl of Noodles is a simple vegan comfort soup. Japanese food is a joy, I always order Udon noodles when dining out but now living far from my home town restaurants, I decided to give Udon Noodle Soup a try.

MISO UDON NOODLE SOUP

I really think you are going to like this recipe. I spotted fresh Udon noodles in Trader Joe’s now the main ingredient was secured and the rest was simple. Udon Noodle Soup when dining out can be served in many versions – I tend to favor the simple bowl with mushrooms & vegetables in a rich brown broth. That was the model I used for this soup and this is now going to be a go-to favorite.

15 MINUTE SOUP

Who does not like meals in 15 minutes! This udon is exactly what I want, noodles bathed in a bowl of miso infused broth with Shiitake mushrooms, garlic, ginger and sliced green onion. All the ingredients are easily picked up at your favorite supermarket. Dried udon noodles will also work, or any thick chewy noodle of your choice.

Miso Udon Noodle Soup another simply satisfying Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

Food fads come and go, but the Bijouxs remain. In 2023 Bijouxs Little Jewels Recipe Collection will celebrate 13, yes thirteen years! I have been bringing you recipes and photography created from my curated collection of recipes, gathered on all my many food journeys around the world and working as a personal chef. To kick off 2023 I am sharing my latest version of a classic I posted back early in the blog days, Eggplant Gratin Provençal. Continue reading Eggplant Gratin Provençal

Behold the humble bowl of beans, warming comfort in the late winter chill. Italian White Beans creamy and garlic infused create a master recipe – versatile, flexible, easily transformed into a variety of dishes – a bowl of little white jewels, a Bijouxs Basics everyday beauty. Continue reading Italian White Beans

Freshly made jam spread on a warm crispy croissant flanked by an espresso is an Italian way to greet La matina, in Italian ‘the morning.’ Anytime of day we can carve out for ourselves, quiet intention, even better when accompanied by this lovely, simple jewel recipe Morello Cherry Jam.

MORELLO CHERRIES

Tart “pie” cherries have become a bit of a rarity here in Southern California. I used to be able to find them at Farmer’s Markets for my Grandmother Mary’s Cherry Pie. Now I have begun using the tart Morello Cherries lightly sweetened jarred variety in their place in this Simple Cherry Tart and Cherry Clafoutis with Cherry Balsamic Glaze.

HONEY FROM A WEED

Morello Cherry Jam (Marmellata Di Ciligie Marasche) is a Tuscan classic inspired by the book Honey from a Weed, Fasting and Feasting in Tuscany by Patience Gray. If you are not yet familiar with Patience Gray, check her out. Her first cookbook Plats du Jour from 1957 caused a worldwide stir for its unique style and recipes. Her recipes are classical, bringing forward cooking techniques and ingredients long forgotten. The simple, basic cooking methods are based on using whole foods, which makes them a perfect fit for todays cooks. What’s old is new.

REFRIGERATOR JAM

I usually make  these quick jams in small batches, savoring the smell of fruit that drifts about the house as they simmer. Most of each jar is used within the week, for breakfast with a croissant, stirred into yogurt, or to make a decadent cherry and almond butter sandwich, my favorite. There is no pectin in this jam, used ‘in contempt’ as you cannot taste the fruit in a jelled jam.

Please enjoy this simple Morello Cherry Jam from Bijouxs Little Jewel from the Kitchen.