Wednesday, November 16, 2011

My version of Fettuccine Alfredo

When you have a holiday meal coming up the next day, you don't need a lot of work preparing a meal for the evening before. Since you could probably still have pies in the oven, you need something fast and something that can get prepared on the stovetop. This is our favorite go-to recipe. Don't like meatless? You can throw in some diced ham or chicken just before serving. A simple tossed salad goes well with this and your family will think they have been transferred to an Italian Cafe for dinner.

My Version of Fettuccine Alfredo

16 ounces pasta noodles (spaghetti works well, but fettuccine noodles hold the sauce better!)
1 cup heavy cream (milk works if you are watching budget and calories)
1 stick butter
3/4 cup grated Romano or Parmesan Cheese, dusted with 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

Cook your choice of pasta until just done. You don't want a mushy presentation here! Drain the pasta and place back in the pot. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in another pot. Add the milk gradually and bring to a simmer. Add the flour-dusted cheese and stir constantly until it form a lightly thickened sauce. Add the pepper and onion to the cheese sauce, toss with the cooked pasta, arrange on a serving platter and sprinkle with the parsley.

You can easily increase or decrease this recipe depending on how many you are serving and whether this is a side dish or a course in itself. Additional grated cheese on the side as well as pepper can only improve each person's portions according to individual tastes. Chili flakes are an interesting sprinkle on the hot pasta.

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