Fab Foodie Mama

 A couple of years ago I read an article in The New Yorker where a man was describing his father recreating a pasta dish at home, made famous by the iconic River Cafe of London.  The River Cafe is a restaurant in the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, London, specializing in Italian cuisine.  It was opened in 1987 by chefs Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray, until Gray's death in 2010.  Since then, Rogers has been the sole owner and operator of the restaurant.    As I was reading the New Yorker article, I was intrigued about the pasta that was beautifully described.  Fragrant Italian sausage, tomatoes, herbs, cream.  I tried to recreate it myself without a specific recipe, but just from the author's description.  It turned out delicious, but I wanted to get my hands on the actual recipe so I searched for it and was able to find The River Cafe Cookbook, authored by Rogers and Gray, on Amazon.  Come to find out, there are two versions of this ...

Happy 2018 to everyone!  I hope everyone has high hopes for 2018 and and I wish everyone much prosperity and happiness. I turned 50 last year and am really trying to focus on my health and well being.  Diet and exercise need to be more automatic in my day to day activities.  The Mediterranean Diet philosophy seems to be one that I could adhere to.  It contains all of the foods I love. I'll track my progress here and try to blog recipes leading to my weight loss goals in 2018.  Ron and I have an upcoming trip to Vegas planned in a few weeks so I'll also blog about the food adventures there. Happy to be back - I have missed regular blogging.  Hope you enjoy my recipe for Italian cabbage coup.  Variations are really limitless, depending on your taste preferences.  This soup is low calorie, heart healthy (even healthier if you swap the sausage for chicken or even forgo meat altogether) yet so very satisfying. Italian Cabbage and Sausage Soup...

Hello Foodies!  Hope 2016 is treating you well and you are savoring every moment.  I want to share a super easy and satisfying weeknight supper. My son, Will is a Senior in High School this year and is playing Varsity Football.  When he gets home he is tired, sore and always hungry.....and RIGHT NOW, hungry! Try this robust, hearty and satisfying dish which takes 30 mins from start to finish... Sweet Sausage Rigatoni with Creamy Marinara 1 TB Olive Oil 1 Package Sweet Italian Sausage (ground or casings removed), abut 1-1.5 # 1 15 oz can Crushed Tomatoes 3/4 C water 1TB Dried Basil 1 TB Dehydrated Minced Onion 1t Garlic Powder 1/2 t Salt 1/2 t Black Pepper 2 t Dried Parsley 1 C Half and Half 1 lb Rigatoni, cooked per directions Directions: Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat and add sausage, crumbling as you add to pan.  Keep a bit chunky, about the size that you'd have on a pizza.  Cook until no longer pink, ...