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Showing posts with label Italian food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian food. Show all posts

Sunday, 29 May 2016

A Time For Celebration

There's two times in a year that our family totally goes stupid with celebration. The months of May and November are the busiest times of the year to celebrate birthdays. We have four family members celebrating birthdays in May and 3 family members celebrating in November. The rest of the family are scattered, thank God. Birthdays are very important to me and my family. It's a time to get together with family and celebrate. The gifts are not the main focus. It's the quality time that we spend together. We have a nice meal and catch up. Our lives are so busy, that communicating with each other isn't done enough. Wow. I know but it's reality.

So, I went on a field trip again. My family and I went to a beautiful restaurant north of Toronto called Farro Ristorante.  This restaurant is our family favorite. When there's a special occasion, we always come here to celebrate. The professional, knowledgeable, friendly staff truly make us feel comfortable and at home. The rustic décor reminds me of an old style restaurant back in Italy.

Classic memorabilia displayed throughout the restaurant along with specialty pastas, sold for you to take home. Their wood burning oven truly makes your pizza eating experience the ultimate.

Just a small sample of their wine collection

While we wait for our meal, we have some fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Homemade hummus spread - so delicious and creamy!

Olive oil and balsamic vinegar

We all had a carbfest for dinner. Enjoying their signature pizzas. My dad chose their delicious  mushroom risotto.

This was my pizza. Massimo’s Pizza Bianca- New Potatoes, Caramelized Onions, in house Smoked
Pancetta & Mozzarella. Lord have mercy!

Quattro Stagioni with Prosciutto Cotto, Artichokes, Mushrooms, Olives, D.O.P.
Tomato Sauce & Mozzarella - Blessed!

The pizza had a thin, crispy crust that was perfectly cooked. This is true authentic pizza ladies and gentlemen. Old school, traditional Italian food at it's finest. Made with fresh ingredients. You can really taste the difference.

Risotto ai Funghi- Italian Rice with Mushrooms, Parmigiano & Truffle Essence

The ambiance in this place is truly amazing. So, once we were done dinner, we headed over to my mom's for some after dinner drinks, cake and coffee to cap off the evening!

Some spumante to toast.

Lemon Yogurt Birthday Cake - Divine!


And of course my cappuccino!


An evening full of good food and laughter. Who needs gifts! The opportunity to share some laughs, eat good food and relax is the ultimate gift a person can ever have.

Monday, 16 May 2016

Penne With Peas and Mushrooms

This dish is easy and quick to make. If you're a soccer mom, this would be a great pre-game meal that is quick and easy to make.  If you like spicy, add a bit of hot pepper flakes. Also nice with rice or gluten free pasta.

Penne with Peas and Mushrooms

Penne With Peas and Mushrooms

1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
2 cups chopped mushrooms
1 cup frozen peas
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pkg, cooked penne
4 tbsp. olive oil
hot pepper flakes, optional

Once the pasta has cooked, reserve 1 ladle of the pasta water for later.

Sautee the onion and garlic with the olive oil until golden. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking for about 8 minutes.


Sautee the mushrooms until cooked





Add the frozen peas to the mushrooms and continue cooking

Add the cooked pasta and the reserved water and continue cooking for another 5 minutes

Serve With Parmesan Cheese