White Spaghetti

This has been a favorite of mine since I was little. I usually request this of my mom for my birthday dinner if we are staying in.
Cook pancetta, bacon or ham until crispy and set aside.
Cook spaghetti until done & quickly mix in bacon, egg, heavy cream (or butter), grated parmesan cheese and flat leaf parsley. Season & dig in.

Vietnamese Bun

One of my favorites. Easy to make for a crowd, the ingredients can all be prepared ahead of time & layered in front of your guests eyes. Layer the following washed, dried and chopped ingredients into serving dishes:
Lettuce
Scallions
Cilantro leaves
Bean Sprouts
Shredded Carrot
Cooked and cooled Rice or Soba noodles
More cilantro
Salt and Pepper
Peanuts

Then stir fry shrimp, fish, or any meat you like in the following sauce:
Hoisin
Honey
Soy
Peanut Butter
Rooster sauce

Lay the fried meat over the cool salad and enjoy!

Chocolate Sour Cream Torte

This pretty cake has been given the "not too sweet-stands up to any cake in the old country" stamp of approval by our distinguished Austrian friend Helga. A nice finish to any meal, a bit of chocolate-y goodness without any cloying sugary-ness.

Stir together 1/2 C cocoa with 1/2 cup boiling water until smooth. Preheat oven to 375F. Grease 2 round 8 or 9 inch cake pans. Sift 2 C flour together with 2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt & set aside. Cream 2 T butter with 1 1/2 C sugar, beat in 2 egg yolks and 1 tsp vanilla. Stir 1 tsp baking soda into 1 cup sour cream and fold into cream mixture. Fold in dry ingredients and mix well. Beat in cocoa mixture, and divide between pans. Bake 20-25 minutes until middle springs back when touched. Cool a few minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. Sandwich layers together with strawberry jam (or your favorite jam) and dust with confectioner's sugar. Recipe taken from a lovely cook book: "The Pleasures of Afternoon Tea" by Angela Hynes.

Breakfast Frittata

Fry up some bacon, jalapenos, scallions and any left over veg you have. Add eggs, cheese, salt and pepper and tomatoes. Cover & let it set up over medium high heat, and you have a delicious frittata. Serve with sour cream & strong coffee!