Wolverine CuiZine loves Al Dente!

Carmen Lee  

With the chilly weather upon us, there is nothing more comforting than spending quality time inside with good friends and great food. And that is exactly what Wolverine CuiZine did over Winter Break – we feasted on two delicious dishes made from Al Dente’s sizzling pastas and sauces.

The potluck was delicious!

The first of the two was a simple and fabulous Al Dente spinach fettuccine tossed in roasted garlic sauce and mozzarella. Al Dente’s “tender but firm” pasta has a distinct and not too overpowering spinach flavor and a beautiful texture, making it a great canvas for Al Dente’s aromatic roasted garlic sauce. This dish was a huge hit, as people kept coming back for more.

Delicious roasted garlic sauce from Al Dente!

Right next to the generous dish of spinach fettuccine was a huge bowl of baked goodness: egg fettuccine with Roasted Garlic sauce, organic turkey sausage, and loads of mozzarella and Parmesan. What is there not to like about great pasta, flavorful sauce and melted cheese? The recipe also couldn’t get any simpler – there is minimal prep work, and the oven does the rest!

Our fundraising potluck sponsored by Al Dente was a major success as we raised money toward our year-end publishing goals, all while eating very well and enjoying the great company. Return trips to the table to get seconds and thirds were not uncommon, as people really enjoyed the fresh made pasta made with truly quality ingredients. Al Dente’s pastas and sauces elevated our fundraising dinner to another level, making the event something extraordinary.

Thank you Al Dente!

Carbonara on a Chilly Day

Carmen Lee  

This article continues our series featuring Al Dente pasta.

There is something so comforting about a big bowl of pasta that warms you up on a chilly day. Inexpensive and easy to make, this Spinach Carbonara is great for entertaining or for those rainy days when all you want to do is curl up on the sofa with a great movie and a hearty bowl of pasta.

Spinach Carbonara
PREP IT
1 package of Al Dente Spinach Fettuccine (about 12 oz.)
½ package of bacon (about 8oz.), cut into 1-cm pieces
1 whole egg and 2 egg yolks, room temperature
1 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
½ bag of baby spinach leaves, washed (about 3oz.)
Salt & Pepper

CREATE IT
I. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, saving the pasta cooking water.
II. Meanwhile, crisp the bacon in a skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes. While the bacon crisps, combine Parmesan cheese, egg and egg yolks, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; add half a cup of hot pasta cooking water to eggs and whisk well.
III. Drain pasta and add to skillet with bacon. Add egg blend to the skillet, tossing to prevent the eggs from scrambling. While tossing pasta, ladle pasta water into the skillet of pasta until you form a great, silky sauce.
IV. Gently toss in the spinach leaves with the pasta.

SERVE IT
Garnish with Parmesan cheese and serve. This dish is wonderful, eaten among friends and family or simply as a personal treat.

Insights into Al Dente

Carmen Lee  

Picture beautiful ribbons of Italian tradition, canvases on which to create masterpieces of color and flavor. I mean, who doesn’t love pasta?
Thankfully, for pasta lovers and skeptics alike, I am starting a series that explores the world of pasta in its best form; al dente, meaning as perfectly prepared as possible. One company that has taken this technique to heart is the Ann Arbor based Al Dente Pasta whose creativity is unbounded, as seen in pasta varieties such as squid ink fettuccine and spicy sesame linguini. Monique, the founder of Al Dente, draws inspiration from travel and the local community. With an amazing amount of dedication and passion, she and her husband Dennis put modern twists on a wonderful tradition. This teamwork is more than a company – it’s a family. Managed by Monique’s sister, Al Dente has expanded nationwide, selling to cities across the country and even in Canada. People around the country get to enjoy the family’s fresh take on pasta. What a great way to pass on this beautiful tradition!

Is your mouth watering yet?

In this series, I will report all the latest and local happenings at Al Dente. I’ll even post step-by-step recipes of delicious dishes, so you can enjoy a taste of Italy in your own home. Keep on the lookout for future posts! If you’re not completely in love with pasta yet, you definitely will be soon.