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Tasty Treats

Oodles of Noodles

By Renee Poirier
Photography by Francis Tetrault

We encourage you to share your tasty treats with us. Delicious meal ideas – just like mom used to make. E-mail your recipe or suggestions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The origins and myths of pasta can be glamorously debated. Some versions start with Marco Polo in 1295, bringing home samples from China. In his twenty-year journey he brought home a variety of spices and noodles, but arguably not made of durum wheat. The Japanese Buddhist priests are said to have adopted the noodle from China in the 9th century, on their travels to study Buddhism. Recently, petrified noodles were discovered in China – dating back 7000 years, they were vacuum-sealed under some pottery. Chinese noodles are extremely long to represent long life.

An American spin on pasta can be found in “Yankee Doodle,” actually a mocking song from the pre-revolutionary era. The well-dressed and finely-coiffed British men were called “macaronis.” “Doodle” is German slang for simpleton. Visiting Americans stuck a feather in their hat to be in vogue. Ironically, the song became a chant for the American boys of war. Now that you know what it means, can you recall the popular verse?

SEAFOOD PASTA

Ingredients:

  • cooked al dente pasta (serving two)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • handful of thawed clean shrimp or prawns
  • 454 g frozen Captain Highliner mussels in garlic butter sauce
  • Julienne red pepper
  • 1 tbsp chili flakes
  • garlic toast
  • parsley and parmesan to garnish

How to prepare:

  • the trick to this dish is not to sear anything so keep your temperature med
  • heat your non-stick skillet or wok
  • add oil, chilies and shrimp for 3 or 4 min, until pink
  • add pasta, peppers and frozen mussels
  • cover for 12 min while stirring frequently
  • discard unopened mussels
  • serve with grated parmesan, parsley and garlic toast

TERIYAKI CHICKEN UDON

Ingredients:

  • 400 g fresh udon noodles (serving two)
  • 1 cup chicken, sliced (breast) or
    shredded (skinless thigh)
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tsp chopped garlic
  • 4 tbsp teriyaki sauce
  • Julienne carrots
  • 1 cup chopped broccoli

How to prepare:

  • this dish is a perfect way to use all your veggies on hand
  • marinade the chicken for ½ hour
  • heat non-stick skillet or wok to med, add oil
  • add chicken, carrots, garlic and ginger, stir for 5 min
  • add the fresh udon and broccoli
  • allow this dish to sear gently

 

YANKEE DOODLE MAC & CHEESE BAKE

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked al dente macaroni
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup grated creamy havarti cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ tsp dry mustard powder
  • ½ tsp paprika

How to prepare:

  • use the empty pot that is still warm from your macaroni
  • on low, melt butter, adding flour slowly, and whisk
  • stir in milk and spices, let it warm
  • add cheese (reserve some for a topping)
  • heat and stir until cheese melts
  • add macaroni to a casserole dish
  • pour the semi-thick cheese sauce over noodles
  • sprinkle remaining cheese on top
  • bake at 350° for 30 to 40 min

 

ICED GREEN TEA with LEMON

Ingredients:

  • 2 green tea bags
  • 4 cups hot water
  • Lemon slices
How to prepare:
  • brew your tea, and transfer to glass jar with lid
  • refrigerate overnight
  • pour over ice to serve, add lemon juice
  • cut lemon slice from the centre down and prop it on the glass
  • lemon helps your body absorb the antioxidants from the green tea