western european Archives - Pragmatic Cooking

parsley sprigs surround a bowl of spaghetti speckled with herbs, chili flakes, and cheese

Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil (Aglio e Olio)

Posted on July 16, 2022February 24, 2023 by Pragmatic Cooking

Spaghetti with garlic and oil is my latest quick-dinner fascination. I can just snag some parsley on the way home from work and the rest of the ingredients are probably already waiting in my pantry. I’m pretty much always in the mood for some pasta, and this dish is a nice change from a run-of-the-mill spaghetti with red sauce. It’s full of flavor thanks to an abundance of garlic and Parmesan, and striking a gorgeous balance between cool, fresh parsley and the heat of red pepper flakes. It’s a breeze to make and measuring isn’t really required once you’ve made it a time or two.

Ruby Chocolate Raspberry Fools

Posted on February 5, 2022July 16, 2022 by Pragmatic Cooking

A simple dessert that’s rich and light at the same time. With pink hues that are sure to delight the eye, and fresh, juicy raspberries harmonizing with the toasty, fruity notes of ruby chocolate. My mousse-like version has a few more steps than a traditional fruit fool, but it’s still quite quick and easy to make and has the added benefit of being more stable! Ruby chocolate raspberry fools are perfect for finishing off a fancy dinner or as a romantic Valentine’s Day treat. This recipe makes just enough for 2, but it doubles or triples easily if you want to make it for a group.

on two ornate white plates, a popover, split in half, topped with cream and clementine slices. in the background another plate, out of focus, and whole clementines

Popovers with Clementines and Cream

Posted on November 15, 2021November 21, 2021 by Pragmatic Cooking

Popovers are truly a delightful food; light, crisp, and hollow, just waiting to accommodate whatever fillings your heart desires! Here I’ve served them with a lazy pastry cream (no tempering or straining required here) and chewy poached clementines, both of which can be made ahead, by the way. These luxurious popovers with clementines and cream are the ultimate weekend brunch dish.

A tart nearly overflowing with brown-colored frangipane is topped with peach slices and arranged on a pale yellow plate with an ornate knife

Peach Tarts with Cookie Butter Frangipane

Posted on August 22, 2021April 11, 2022 by Pragmatic Cooking

So, one great thing about being an adult is that no one can stop you from adding cookie butter to your patisserie. These rich mini peach tarts with cookie butter frangipane are truly irresistible from the bottom of their crisp, buttery shells to the top of their peach-adorned frangipane crowns.

Mini Red Velvet Crepe Cake

Posted on February 12, 2021August 7, 2021 by Pragmatic Cooking

This red velvet crepe cake is a fanciful, decadent treat. With a firmer, springier texture than a regular cake, the impressively thin red layers hold a surprising quantity of luscious cream cheese creme patisserie.

100% Fruit Compote

Posted on July 29, 2020July 16, 2022 by Pragmatic Cooking

Compote–a dish of stewed fruit–is great with things like yogurt, pancakes, waffles, ice cream, etc. This exceedingly easy recipe eschews the usual sugar syrup instead using raisins for an added bit of sweetness.