Chef Boyardee Ravioli

Chef Boyardee is a staple of some people's childhoods. It wasn't for me. I don't recall ever eating it. Kristin was shocked and appalled when she heard this. Chef Boyardee was her version of my Alphaghetti. So, one day we were grocery shopping, as we semi-regulary do. We had to get a can of CB Ravioli, because I hadn't truly lived (or something like that). A little while later I tried it. I probably should have had it as a child. I think the foods we grow up on are imprinted on our brain and no matter what they actually taste like our brain gives a positive response to them. I did not get a positive response from CB Ravioli. It was fine for canned pasta, I guess, but it weren't no Alphaghetti, if you ask me. Then again, maybe Alphaghetti would taste the same without nostalgia?

VERDICT: Polite - Not terrible, but my memories are always going to chose Alphaghetti.

Risotto

Mmm, Risotto

A while back Kristin and I were inspired to make risotto. It is a labour intensive process: Browning it beforehand, adding liquid at certain intervals, the continual stirring. If you are prepared for all that, though, it is wonderful.
We made a creamy, parmesan risotto from the recipe on the box. How cool is that? It was the first time I had tried risotto, but I had no fear to overcome. Knowing it was pasta and cheese and smelling it on my plate alleviated any anxiety.
It was excellent. Rich and flavourful. I never wanted to stop eating it. Risotto is what Mac & Cheese dreams it could be. A mouthful of risotto is delight.
 VERDICT: This doesn't often happen on a first tasting, but risotto is favourite!

photo borrowed from http://www.gustosecco.com/assets/risotto_m634544.jpg

Pasta Carbonara

11/15/09 - I know it is only pasta, white sauce, pepper and bacon, but I still had never had it before and I figure I should have a post about something I like by now, so it looks like I'm making some progress. Anything with bacon is good (even scallops) so this was an easy food to try, especially when the bacon is real, thick, and in plenty. Oh, there was also freshly grated real parmesan to top it with, so I had no hesitation to try this.

As much as I enjoyed the bacon, I also enjoyed the white sauce. The creamy, garlickiness was a delight. I have gone from fear, to trying it and finding it not bad, to be able to now say definitively, "White sauce: I like it!" Pasta Carbonara is good to eat!

Not only have I learned of another food I like, but, when it was served,  I also heard a story about how it got its name. The pasta part is pretty obvious, but why carbonara? Pasta carbonara is topped with freshly ground pepper, but in Italy, where it originates, it isn't just topped with pepper, but literally covered in pepper. So much so that it looks black, like charcoal, or carbon. I don't know how well I'd do with that much pepper, but I definitely like the North American version.

VERDICT: Make

photo borrowed from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1052/ultimate-spaghetti-carbonara