COOK LIKE SAM: GREEN MALTAGLIATI WITH OVEN DRIED TOMATOES, BASIL AND BLACK PEPPER MASCARPONE

SUNDAY WE DECIDED TO HAVE OUR OWN LITTLE "OSCAR" DINNER PARTY. I STARTED PLANNING THE MENU ON FRIDAY. FRIDAY NIGHT KAREN AND I WENT OUT TO DINNER AND THEN HIT THE GROCERY STORE. NOT YOUR TYPICAL DATE NIGHT BUT KAREN HAS BEEN A REAL TROOPER ON MY "CULINARY ADVENTURE". THE MENU LINE UP FOR SUNDAY WAS ROASTED PEPPER ROLL-UPS, ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH CAPERS AND EGGS AND GREEN MALTAGLIATI. FOR DESSERT I MADE PEACHES IN PRIMITIVO. I DID SOME PREP WORK ON SATURDAY MORNING. THE SAUCE FOR THE PASTA HAD THE BASIC TOMATO SAUCE AND ROASTED TOMATOES. I MADE BOTH OF THEM SATURDAY MORNING. THE TOMATOES ROASTED IN THE OVEN FOR 10 HOURS. I ALSO MADE THE SYRUP FOR THE PEACHES WHICH CONSISTED OF SUGAR, RED WINE AND 1 CLOVE.

ROASTED PEPPERS FOR THE ROLL-UPS.

ROLLED-UP PEPPERS READY FOR THE OVEN. THE FILLING CONSISTED OF OLIVE OIL, CAPERS, TOASTED PINE NUTS, RAISINS, ANCHOVIES, TOASTED BREAD CRUMBS AND PARSLEY FROM OUR GARDEN. I ALSO MADE SOME WITHOUT ANCHOVIES FOR THE NON ANCHOVY LOVERS!

I HAD LOTS OF HELP IN THE KITCHEN. KATHERINE IS PREPPING THE ASPARAGUS!

KATHERINE SLICING THE SCALLIONS FOR THE ROASTED ASPARAGUS!

BECCA, MADELEINE, KRISTIA, KAREN, ELIZABETH AND SARAH IN THE CORNER. KIMBERLY, JACOB AND NICK WERE ALSO THERE (NOT PICTURED). I NEED TO HAVE A TALK WITH MY PRODUCTION MANAGER!

ROASTED PEPPER ROLL-UPS OUT OF THE OVEN!

RACHEL CUTTING THE FRESH PASTA!

ROASTED ASPARAGUS JUST OUT OF THE OVEN. THE SAUCE CONSISTED OF RED WINE VINEGAR, CHOPPED EGG WHITE (WHICH I MADE SATURDAY), SCALLIONS AND OLIVE OIL WITH A SPRINKLE OF CHOPPED EGG YOLK TO FINISH IT OFF.

GREEN MALTAGLIATI IN THE SAUCE! THE PASTA DOUGH WAS MADE WITH SPINACH (GREEN)! THE SAUCE CONSISTED OF THE BASIC TOMATO SAUCE WITH THE ROASTED TOMATOES AND FRESH BASIL (FROM OUR GARDEN)!

GREEN MALTAGLIATI TOPPED OFF WITH THE MASCARPONE AND BLACK PEPPER. THE MASCARPONE CHEESE JUST MELTED INTO THE PASTA AND REALLY MADE THE DISH TASTE FANTASTIC!!