Rigatoni Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

So many different ingredients can be added to pasta. And there are so many different pastas to add ingredients to! Tonight, my choices were what was conveniently located in the pantry and fridge.

1/2 package rigatoni pasta
1/2 package sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves minced garlic
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Boil the pasta according to package directions. I cooked the rigatoni for 11 minutes, and then drained it for a minute and shook out the water. Don't rinse it with cold water unless you are planning to make a cold pasta salad.

While the pasta is cooking, add the olive oil to a small frying pan that has been heated over medium heat. Remember: hot pan, cold oil, food won't stick. Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook until the garlic is just starting to get brown. Remove from heat.

Place the drained pasta back into the saucepan in which it was cooked (I used a 4 quart pan). Mix the garlic-tomato-olive oil into the pasta. Spoon into a plate or pasta bowl. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Mom's Apple Crisp

Autumn is here.  The smells, the sights, the sounds (mostly of rain around here).  Here is an easy recipe for an apple crisp, and a great way to use your fall apple harvest.

4 large apples, cut into chunks
Cinnamon and nutmeg as you choose
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
4 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter cut into bits

1/2 cup each of walnuts and pecans
Dash of salt

Preheat over to 350.  Put apples in a pie pan.  Dust with cinnamon and nutmeg.  Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

In a food processor, chop nuts with a few short pulses.  Add sugar and flour and process to combine for five seconds.  Add salt and butter and pulse 8-10 times, until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Sprinkle topping over baked apples and continue baking until topping is lightly browned and crispy – about 30 minutes.

You can mix in 1/4 cup of apple cider with the apples, but not necessary if the apples are juicy.  Be sure to have a cup of hot apple cider with your crisp while you sit by the fire!