Tossed Homemade Macaroni Noodles for #FoodieExtravaganza,#CooktheBooks and #FoodiesRead2016

Our Cook the Books selection for this month was An Unprejudiced Palate by Angelo Pellegrini.  This selection was chosen by Simona of Briciole.  The submission is not due until the end of the month so you still have time to join us.  Here is the link to the invitation.

  Simona, like Pellegrini, is an immigrant to the US from Italy.  Simona arrived as an adult.  Pellegrini arrived as a child.  This book was written in the 1940's so attitudes were different then they are today.  That along with the difference in cultures gave me, as the reader, the impression that Pellegrini was an arrogant, condescending snob that should have stayed in Italy or gone back to Italy since he apparently hates everything and everyone that is different from his home country.

My grandmother was an immigrant to this country,  She arrived as a 15 year old coming over on a ship all by herself.  She did not know the language. She landed on Ellis Island, just like Pellegrini and had to go through the same process as he.  My grandmother thanked God every day that she was lucky enough to live here in the land of opportunity.  She shared her culture but as a fond memory not as a comparison to how much better things were in Europe and how we as Americans are spoiled, ignorant brats.  She recognized that the reason she and all other immigrants come to this country is exactly because we are all spoiled brats.  We have been given great opportunities that were not available in other countries and that, unfortunately, are still not available in some.

It wasn't even that I disagreed with Pellegrini on certain issues.  I do agree that we, as a society, are not hard workers when it comes to manual labor, that we are a wasteful society who, for the most part, has never known hunger or poverty.  But that is not true of all Americans anymore than it is true that all immigrants come across as ungrateful and self centered.  I do believe that we should never hunt just for sport, that if we kill it we should use it for the purpose for which it was meant.  I do believe that we should grow our own food and support the small, local farmers.  I do believe that we should have to work for the things we want and need.  I also believe that most of us do this daily and I resent the author's implication otherwise.

I am not naive enough to think that the things he says are not true of some.  I have 6 sons and daughters from other countries who have lived in my house and become part of my family.  My Marina, from Russia, came to me after leaving another home in the USA where they ate fast food every single day of the week.  They even had a schedule of which fast food restaurant for each day and would place their orders before going to school.  This is very wrong, there is no denying that, but I also think it is the exception and not the rule.

Okay, I am done with this rant.  In case I wasn't clear, I did not care for this author at all, sorry Simona.  I did find  parts of the book interesting and enjoyed hearing his preparation of different foods.  I especially liked the recipes using parts of animals or vegetables not commonly eaten here in the USA except by people, like me, who were taught how by their grandparents or parents who immigrated to this country. 

Then as luck would have it our Foodie Extravaganza theme this month was Noodles.  I decided I was going to make homemade macaroni noodles which would also fit the theme for Cook the Books.  Foodie Extravaganza is a fun group that each month celebrates a National Food Holiday.  Whoever is hosting for the month goes to The Nibble, researches what foods are being celebrated and chooses one for our theme.  This month's host is Lauren from Gate to Plate whose blog brings together agriculture and cooking.  Take that Pellegrini!!

Okay, maybe I wasn't done ranting LOL.  I decided that I was making homemade pasta and that I was doing it in the most American way I could.  Using my Kitchen Aid Mixer and a recipe from Kitchen Aid for Tossed Macaroni that we ate as a main meal just as another slap at Pellegrini.  Okay, now I am done ranting.  For real this time......

I don't know why it has taken me so long to use this attachment for my kitchen aid.  I have had it for nearly 20 years.  It is so easy peasy and the pasta was perfect.  I may never buy boxed pasta again.  I adapted the recipe for Tossed Pasta slightly.  I didn't have any frozen peas so I used frozen mixed vegetables in the sauce.

I am also linking up with Foodies Read 2016.. a book club where we share the books we read involving food and any recipes that we might be inspired to make from them and a new link up with Weekend Cooking.

Basic Egg Noodle Pasta
adapted from Kitchen Aid

4-5  eggs (7/8 cup)
1 T. water
3 1/2 c. flour

Place eggs, water and flour in bowl of mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Turn to low speed and mix mix for 30 seconds.  Attach dough hook and knead on low for 2 minutes. If dough is still too dry add another egg and knead for 2 minutes longer.  Hand knead dough for about a minute then cover with a dry towel and allow to rest for 15 minutes before extruding through the pasta attachment.  Let set on a dry kitchen towel for no longer than 4 hrs before cooking in hot boiling, salted water to desired tenderness.  Print Recipe

Tossed Macaroni
adapted from Kitchen Aid

1 recipe Basic Egg Noodle pasta made into Macaroni Noodle, cooked al dente
1 (15 oz) carton ricotta cheese
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 lb bacon, diced
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1/3 c. parmesan cheese
pepper to taste

Cook bacon until crispy, add vegetables and saute 2 or 3 minutes. Drain fat. Place cheese and butter into a large bowl stirring to blend.  Add in hot pasta and toss to cover.  Add bacon and vegetable toss again.  Taste and season with pepper.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Print Recipe

Posting day for Foodie Extravaganza  is always the first Wednesday of each month. If you are a blogger and would like to join our group and blog along with us, come join our Facebook page Foodie Extravaganza. We would love to have you! If you're a spectator looking for delicious tid-bits check out our Foodie Extravaganza Pinterest Board! Looking for our previous parties? Check them out HERE.

Let's see what the other's have made.

• One Pot Garlic Pasta by From Gate to Plate 
• Haluski (Fried Cabbage & Noodles) by Making Miracles 
• Homemade Chinese Noodles by Fearlessly Creative Mammas 
• Spicy Shrimp with Peanut Noodles by cookinandcraftin 
• Bacon and Beer Mac & Cheese by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Sopa Seca de Fideo - Spicy Mexican Noodles by Food Lust People Love 
• Green Bean and Squash Laksa by Caroline's Cooking
• Kakaós Tészta (Hungarian Cocoa Noodles) by Tara's Multicultural Table 
• MiMi's Baked Ziti by Cooking With Carlee 
• Tortellini and Tomato Salad by The Freshman Cook
• Homemade Noodles by Our Good Life 
• Tossed Homemade Macaroni Noodles by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Kids' Special# 4 - Soft Noodles with Veggies and Poached Egg | G'Gina's Kitchenette