{"id":475,"date":"2018-11-19T17:57:00","date_gmt":"2018-11-19T17:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rivernorthpark.com\/blog\/?p=475"},"modified":"2018-11-29T17:59:02","modified_gmt":"2018-11-29T17:59:02","slug":"first-time-cooking-for-friends-heres-a-dish-thats-sure-to-please","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rivernorthpark.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/19\/first-time-cooking-for-friends-heres-a-dish-thats-sure-to-please\/","title":{"rendered":"First Time Cooking for Friends? Here’s a Dish That’s Sure to Please!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\nIf you’re planning to cook for friends and it’s your first time arranging a dinner for others, you may be feeling slightly intimidated by the task before you. But fear not! <\/p>\n

When you’re a beginner in any discipline, it’s best to start slow and easy. And the same goes for cooking. Below, we have a quick and simple dish that anyone can make — even if you’re a novice in the kitchen. It’s not expensive, vegetarian, always a crowd-pleaser, and most of all, absolutely mouthwatering.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, and did we mention it takes just 20 minutes to make?<\/p>\n

It’s called Pomodoro Fresco <\/em>(literally “fresh tomatoes” in Italian… but don’t worry, it’s got other delicious ingredients too)!<\/p>\n

Let’s get started!<\/p>\n

Pomodoro Fresco: The Recipe<\/h2>\n

What You’ll Need:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
• 1 lb. ripe tomatoes on the vine<\/li>\n
• 1 tbsp. olive oil<\/li>\n
• 2 to 3 cloves minced or mashed garlic<\/li>\n
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, divided<\/li>\n
• 1 tbsp. grated or shaved Parmesan cheese<\/li>\n
• 4 ounces penne pasta<\/li>\n
• 1 to 2 sun-dried tomatoes<\/li>\n
• Salt and pepper to taste<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Instructions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

  1. Start by pureeing the tomatoes in a food processor. Set aside.<\/p>\n

  2. Next, in a large pan or skillet, heat the olive oil and add the garlic. <\/p>\n

  3. Slowly saut\u00e9 over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. <\/p>\n

  4. Pour the tomato puree you set aside in step one into the pan with the olive oil and garlic. Bring the pan to a simmer and leave, stirring occasionally. <\/p>\n

  5. In the meantime, boil some water in a pot. Add salt to the water. Once it begins boiling, add in your 4 ounces of penne pasta. <\/p>\n

  6. Cook the pasta until it is “al dente” (slightly <\/em>undercooked); then drain it, taking care to reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water. <\/p>\n

  7. Add the cooked pasta, the set-aside drained water, and basil (minus 1 tablespoon) into the tomato sauce and stir. <\/p>\n

  8. Allow the mixture to cook for 1 to 2 minutes. <\/p>\n

  9. Plate the pasta for your guests and garnish with the fresh Parmesan cheese and remaining basil.<\/p>\n

  Our lovely apartments in Chicago<\/a> are the perfect place to invite and entertain guests. Relocating in the city or moving to Chicago for the first time? Call us today to see which floor plans are available. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  If you’re planning to cook for friends and it’s your first time arranging a dinner for others, you may be feeling slightly intimidated by the task before you. But fear not!  When you’re a beginner in any discipline, it’s best to start slow and easy. And the same goes for cooking. Below, we have a… <\/p>\n

  Read More →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9799,"featured_media":472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[136,160,163],"class_list":["post-475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-and-drink","tag-easy-recipes","tag-party-prep","tag-quick-meals"],"metadata":{"_pingme":["1"],"_encloseme":["1"],"_yoast_wpseo_title":["First Time Cooking for Friends? Here's a Dish That's Sure to Please!"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["If you\u2019re planning to cook for friends and it\u2019s your first time arranging a dinner for others, you may be feeling slightly intimidated by the task before you. But fear not!\u00a0 When you\u2019re a beginner in any discipline, it\u2019s best to start slow and easy. And the same goes for cooking. Below, we have a quick and simple dish that anyone can make \u2014 even if you\u2019re a novice in the kitchen. It\u2019s not expensive, vegetarian, always a crowd-pleaser, and most of all, absolutely\u00a0mouthwatering. Oh, and did we mention it takes just 20 minutes to make? It\u2019s called\u00a0Pomodoro\u00a0Fresco\u00a0(literally \u201cfresh tomatoes\u201d in Italian\u2026 but don\u2019t worry, it\u2019s got other delicious ingredients too)!"],"_yoast_wpseo_metakeywords":["It\u2019s called\u00a0Pomodoro\u00a0Fresco\u00a0(literally \u201cfresh tomatoes\u201d in Italian\u2026 but don\u2019t worry, it\u2019s got other delicious ingredients too)!"],"_thumbnail_id":["472"]},"yoast_head":"\n