Sick In OK - Pasta - Seeds

                                                                                                                                                                                                     Pic Source: culturejaunt.com

The flu, stomach viruses, pneumonia, and colds are running ramped through this part of Oklahoma.  When you go into any store in town, all you hear or see are people coughing, blowing noses, and looking like death warmed over.  Last week, I started with a sore throat and sinus issues.  I thought I had control of it because the symptoms were getting better, then over a 3 day period I hit bottom.  I have a fever, sore throat, sinus issues, upset stomach, and feel weak.  I’ve been taking home remedies, drinking all kinds of water and hot tea, flushed out my sinuses and now I’m starting to feel much better.    

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I’ve found a very simple meal with pasta, pancetta and leeks that is to die for!!!!  The recipe can be found here.  It’s so good it makes you want to slap your Mama!!!!!    Bulldog Man gives this dish a 4 ½ paw rating.  In fact, this recipe will be part of my list of meals to make at any time.

                                                                                                                                                                                               Pic Source: The Pioneer Woman

Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks

12 ounces of pasta (bows)

Reserved Pasta Water (after pastas cooked), If Needed

3 ounces of Pancetta chopped

3 whole Leeks, sliced thin

½ cup Dry White (cooking) Wine

½ cup Heavy Cream

1 Tablespoon Butter

Salt and Pepper to taste

Parmesan Cheese, Shaved

Directions

Cook pasta and set aside.  Reserve ½ cup of pasta water.  Sauté chopped pancetta until fat is rendered and it starts to brown.  Add sliced leeks and cook for 8 minutes.  When you add the leeks, you can also throw in a pat or two of butter if you want (do it after the bacon is browned to prevent burnt butter).  This’ll give the dish some scrumptious flavor. After 8 to 10 minutes, pour in wine, and then cook an additional 1-2 minutes, until reduced.  Reduce heat to low, and then pour in cream.  Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in Parmesan shavings.  Toss in pasta, adding a little pasta water to thin as needed.  Serve with Parmesan shavings over the top. 

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While attempting to order Spearmint (herb) from several of my favorite catalogs, I ran into a problem.  Every seed company kept telling me the seeds are no longer available, there were all sold out.  About a week ago, the Seed Saver Exchange catalog came in the mail.  While skimming through the catalog, I noticed Spearmint (herb), I immediately ordered 500 seeds and didn’t get the message on the computer stating, “Sorry, we’re sold out”.  I’m so excited; I finally was able to get all the seeds I needed.    Then I made the mistake of scanning the entire catalog, I found a few additional vegetables, and herbs, so I ordered them.  Shhhhh…….. Don’t tell Bulldog Man.

What Bulldog Man doesn’t see won’t hurt him!!!!!    Right ?????