Kelly the Culinarian: Cooking with Kelly: Giada's recipe is a miss

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Cooking with Kelly: Giada's recipe is a miss

During the weekend, I tried this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis. It's whole-wheat pasta, ricotta, grean beans, tomato and lemon. I also added some Rose Peppercorns from Flavorbank. Otherwise, I followed her recipe to a T.

And it was awful. There was barely any flavor except the overwhelming nature of the lemon. Gross. I think I've decided I just don't like ricotta. It was tasteless. I should have foregone the recipe and used feta or cream cheese or something with a little bit of richness. I love pasta, but I expect the sauce to have some flavor, some tang, maybe a little richness. If I wanted to eat baby food, I would have.

Instead, I had a little bit so as not to waste and threw the rest out. Giada, you failed me.

9 comments:

Stella said...

It's rather disappointing when the recipe has failed. But practice makes perfect Kelly, maybe you could even improve her recipe but adding your own touch!;)

Dawg said...

Just throw in a forced smile and lots of cleavage!

Seriously, I'm not a fan of ricotta myself and that recipe does look pretty bland.

I'd say skip the ricotta, up the garlic and olive oil and you'll have a tastier, albeit simple, dish with probably the same calories (given this dish was meant for her 'bikini' episode). Some herbs could help, too.

I will say this for Giada, though, on her Iron Chef battle against RR, et al. (which she should have won), the 'reality' nature of the show allowed her real personality to come through, and she seemed funny, likeable and decidely not like the film princess she is. Maybe the rigor of filming an entire season of shows in one week causes her to put up that fake (to me) demeanor. I dunno.

I want to meet her so I can call her "Giardia." I've been dying to do that. I'm sure she'd find it hilarious.

Sylvia said...

Sometimes happens.For me a frustration,added with the sensation that I waste my time.

FH said...

Hi Kelly, I was going to say use cream cheese and little sour cream,you already said it.
Sorry it failed.Look at my failed attempt of fried Ice Cream at Foodieshope post!:D
btw,rose peppercorns sounds great!:)

People St.Clair said...

Agree try it again and add your own flavor to it, with some of Giada's recipes I've tried that's what I've done.

Retno Prihadana said...

I think you should add pasta sauce rather than ricotta :). I used to mix ricotta and spinach as one of layer for making lasagna and its taste good enough.

frantic foodie said...

kelly,
it's ok, that's how you learn.
Anyway try ricotta salata next time. A salty kind of ricotta but firm like a feta

tigerfish said...

Hahha...I guess that is the reason why I do not like cream-based pasta dishes all this while. I prefer tomato-based sauces.

Cynthia said...

Darn! Do your own thing hon, just draw inspiration from them.