#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Pantry Cooking, Part 2

March 19, 2007 · Narrative

Another night for pantry cooking. If you’ve been playing along and have a well-stocked pantry, the only thing you’ll need to buy to make tonight’s recipe is bacon or pancetta, and chances are, you just may have some on hand. I happened to have some leftover from Saturday night’s Colcannon, so I was set.

Tonight’s recipe is a bit unusual. Cinnamon Pancetta Carbonara is a riff on the more traditional Spaghetti Carbonara with a little extra subtle flavor coming from the addition of the cinnamon. The recipe originally comes from Giada DeLaurentiis. Two years ago, we had a “Something with Cinnamon” theme at my old Supper Club, and this was one of the dishes we feasted on. That was definitely one of my favorite themes for Supper Club, because it brought out tons of savory dishes that you might not have tried otherwise. I mean, really, who ever heard of pasta with cinnamon? One bite two years ago, and I was hooked, and the recipe quickly got elevated to OMG status.

I’ve found, because of the addition of cinnamon, people either love it or hate it, so I wouldn’t suggest making it for company. The Husband happens to love it, along with me, but my Dad didn’t. Mom was on the fence. But don’t let that scare you awar. Do try it. You just may surprise yourself. Brave enough to take it for a whirl? You can find the recipe right here.

And with the cinnamon and chives, this is the perfect submission for the upcoming Weekend Herb Blogging, this time hosted by Thyme for Cooking.

Until tomorrow…

A year ago today… one degree of separation from Martha Stewart.
Two years ago today… mmmm, love those.

P.S. Don’t forget to join in the fun for tomorrow’s ARF/5-A-Day round-up.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Alisha says

    March 20, 2007 at 3:49 am

    You know I love that pasta dish — it’s amazing how something so quick and easy tastes that good. However, I’ve always left the cinnamon out. Maybe next time I’ll be brave and put it in.

    Reply
  2. Katie says

    March 20, 2007 at 8:50 am

    I’ve had cinnamon in a tomato-based sauce at a Greek restaurant but wouldn’t have thought to put it into this.
    I’m intrigued. I put nutmeg in most white sauces, so I’m going to try this.
    Anything that rates an OMG status goes on my list!

    Reply
  3. erinlovesmarc says

    March 20, 2007 at 3:22 pm

    I saw that pasta dish on her show but I was always too chicken to try it…I always wondering how cinnamony (is that a word?!) it was…does the cinnamon just give the sauce a little something like Katie said about the nutmeg or can you really taste the cinnamon? Thanks, erin

    Reply
  4. Cate says

    March 20, 2007 at 3:26 pm

    Alisha – Isn’t it fabulous? Rich and creamy and oh so good. I always forget how much I like it, until we have it again. Definitely an OMG. G’on, be brave … and just go for it.

    Katie – hope you go for it. That tomato-based sauce with cinnamon sounds interesting – will have to look for one. I promise, you won’t go wrong with Cinnamon Pancetta Carbonara.

    Erin – It is really very faint, in the background. Maybe work yourself up to it. Try the recipe once without out, and then again with half of the amount. It’s such a small amount to begin with. Report back if you take the plunge. :)

    Reply
  5. Amy Vallery says

    March 20, 2007 at 9:55 pm

    Hi Cate, thanks for your comment on my blog! I absolutely love pantry cooking and need some more ideas for simple recipes to have on hand. I will definitely be keeping an eye on your blog and hope you will post more pantry cooking recipes. I’ll also have to give the cinnamon pasta dish a try, I even think I have all of the ingredients on hand!

    Reply
  6. Peabody says

    March 22, 2007 at 11:43 am

    Well I ma going to have to try a recipe that got elevated to OMG status.

    Reply
  7. Willa says

    March 22, 2007 at 11:16 pm

    Carbonera was always one of my most favorites- my mom used to make it for me, and then later for my husband, as a special birthday supper. I’ve used cinnamon in greek dishes, (MMMMM, pastisio, which I guess, come to think of it, isn’t too far from carbonera- both are sort of creamy) but never thought about it for anything else. I definietly will have to try this

    Reply
  8. Helene says

    March 26, 2007 at 11:59 am

    I had a recipe by Oliver Jamie yesterday a chicken with cinnamon, and yes I agree with you, it adds a very special note to the dish. So yours on my list too!! :)

    Reply
  9. Kalyn says

    March 27, 2007 at 3:32 am

    It does sound interesting. I like the idea! My sister is allergic to cinnamon, poor thing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Storytelling…
Through photos.
Words. And recipes.

Archives

Categories

Instagram

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

Copyright © 2023 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design