Hi Reader,

This week, get ready to experience the flavors of Italy in the comfort of your home with some delicious Italian recipes. My Italian son-in-law raves about my homemade spaghetti meat sauce :)

We also have a few tips for cooking pasta. For example:

• should you add oil to the water?
• should you salt the water?
• should you rinse your pasta after cooking it?

As always, hope you find something you like!

Cheryl and Jenna

For those celebrating the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, on Oct 2nd, here are 33 Rosh Hashanah recipe ideas in case you missed them.

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Latest Hit

Banana Chocolate Chunk Muffins (No Mixer Needed)

I love eating these super moist, fluffy banana chocolate chunk muffins slightly warm for a perfect balance of melty chocolate and intense banana flavor—so good! This tried-and-true recipe makes the best-ever snack, lunchbox treat or dessert. 35 minutes (plus 10 minutes cooling)

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Italian Favorites

The Best Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce

I’ve been making this homemade spaghetti meat sauce for 40 years. No one will let me change a thing. It’s thick, rich and delicious. And freezes perfectly. 1 hour 15 min.

Easy Pan-Fried Gnocchi With Lemon Ricotta and Herbs

Crispy pan-fried gnocchi dressed in a herby vinaigrette and topped with zesty ricotta, roasted nuts and chives make a lovely vegetarian main dish or side. We use store-bought gnocchi for a quick and easy shortcut. 20 minutes.

Chicken Meatball (Wedding) Soup With Zest

This chicken meatball soup (also known as wedding soup) is a delicious combination of meatballs, tender orzo pasta, savory chicken broth and vegetables. A hearty, comforting meal-in-a-bowl, kicked up with lemon zest. 30 minutes.

Eggplant Parmesan (30 Minutes)

No breading, no frying and no pre-salting. This easy eggplant parmesan is unfussy, healthy and simply delicious. Good shortcuts cut the time way down and it's much lower calorie than the typical Italian-American version. Make it on the grill or in the oven. 30 minutes.

Simple San Marzano Tomato Sauce

Italian cooking is all about good quality, fresh ingredients. Choosing San Marzano tomatoes (in a can) will bring your tomato sauce to a whole new level. 1 hour 15 minutes.

Italian Meatballs (Moist, Tender, Bake-or-Fry)

I make and freeze these tender, moist Italian meatballs to have on hand for quick meals of spaghetti, subs or wedding soup. Admittedly, a few disappear before they hit the freezer! 35 minutes.

Sous Vide Veal Chops With Mushroom Sauce

If you’re looking for a veal chop recipe guaranteed to be tender and boosted with a delicious sauce, check out these no-fail sous vide veal chops with mushroom sauce. Easy and impressive. 3 hours 40 minutes.

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Tips for Cooking Pasta

1. Salt the cooking water generously just before you drop in your pasta. DON'T add oil.
2. Use a large pot with plenty of water to prevent clumping.
3. NEVER rinse cooked pasta for a warm dish - the starch helps the sauce cling better. It's ok to rinse it for a cold dish like a pasta salad.
4. Reserve some pasta water to add to your sauce to help create a more cohesive and silky sauce.
5. Follow package instructions with recommended cooking times on your pasta package.
6. Dress pasta right away by tossing it with sauce immediately to prevent it from sticking.
7. Finish cooking pasta in the sauce: For even more flavor absorption, transfer the almost-done pasta directly into the sauce and let it cook together for a minute or two.

​Foolproof tricks for cooking even better pasta (Food 52)

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What You're Saying...

17 of my friends and I can confirm this is probably one of most delicious cakes ever! (One said that it was definitely the very best she had ever had)... I like the method too – makes the cake really fluffy. Karolina

​Orange Polenta Cake (Gluten-free)​

Have a great week!

Cheryl and Jenna

jenna-cheryl@twokooksinthekitchen.com

​https://twokooksinthekitchen.com/​

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