What makes this dish great is its simplicity. Traditional cacio e pepe doesn’t include greens, but I find some arugula lightens up the dish. Feel free to swap the arugula for peas or asparagus spears or even artichoke hearts. It’s an all-in-one meal, no salad needed!
Entreés
Brain Food: Dad’s Lemon Roasted Chicken
In a tangy twist on a classic chicken recipe, a whole (organic free-range) chicken is rubbed inside and out with aromatic herbs, then baked with freshly squeezed lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil for a light and flavorful Italian dish. Paired with roasted potatoes, this dish makes for a perfect meal.
Flank Steak Tagliata with Salsa Verde
Tagliata is Italian for sliced steak. You’ll find it on nearly every Italian restaurant menu. But it’s easy to make at home, and a great choice for an unfussy meal. (Sometimes it’s also a good way to make one steak feed two.) Flank steak makes a great tagliata. It’s relatively inexpensive and easy to cook.
Jambalaya Casserole
This Louisiana inspired chicken and rice casserole adds a little jazz to the standard casserole list. I love having the flavors of jambalaya in a make-ahead, buffet-friendly version.
Bollyburgers (Succulent, Spicy Hamburgers with Mango Salsa)
This hamburger is packed with robust spices—garlic, ginger, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, and red chilli—which come together seamlessly to create an incredibly savory burger experience.
Chicken Korma (Chicken Breasts Smothered in Rich Yogurt Sauce with Almonds and Raisins)
Korma is traditionally luxurious and over the top, with meat braised in a rich sauce of yogurt, cream, and nuts. I love the flavor of korma, but have always looked for a simpler—and healthier—way to prepare it. This is my solution.
