Squid Ink Pasta With Stilton Blue & Fresh Figs
Feels like forever since I last posted here. Wait, it’s been forever!What can I say..There was work, lots of it and at a fast pace, summer hang outs with friends and weekend discoveries around town. A trip to France that pumped all my energy and emotions and getting back in the groove of things which has been easier than anticipated.
I am spending the weekend in a cabin in the northern Georgia with my bestie Tami from Running With Tweezers and I can tell Fall is right around the bend. I am a bridesmaid at her wedding and we decided to do a bachelorette weekend all together in a serene and peaceful house. The Appalachian mountains are quite lovely and tranquil during Fall.
We are just spending a couple of quiet days catching up, genuinely talking about our hopes, fears, giving each others support and words of wisdom. Cooking, snacking, drinking wine and relaxing on the back porch doing nothing of extreme importance. A couple of days to read, relax and enjoy the sound of the river below. I needed it.
Adjusting our internal clocks.
Adjusting my own after three weeks spent in France surrounded by family, great meals, long dinners under the sun and shaded homestead was easier than I thought. I went back into the kitchen right away and cooked comforting meals every night. The husband is still back and forth between here and Charleston so it’s been me and old pup Tippy (will be 17 this coming year!), a good book in the evening and catching up on y’alls blogs and instagrams…
On the weekend, easy peasy meals have been most welcome. The weather has been hot and humid, typically Southern and there has not been much time spent baking, roasting, braising, etc… I am looking forward to those days when Sundays turn into lamb roasts, onion soup and braised chicken. Until then, it’s a loaded heirloom tomato salad, a minty quinoa and cucumber salad or better yet, a quick pasta dish with nothing else than a couple of add ons and a drizzle of olive oil.
When in France, I picked up the coolest black and white spaghetti at a gourmet store. Striped squid in gluten free spaghetti. I feel like playing Mikado with my brothers again everytime I boil a handful. My to-go lunch one hot Saturday was a simple quick toss of said pasta with Stilton blue and fresh cut figs. A little olive oil and I was in business. Simple method, simple flavors. Cooking like we do in my family.
A preview of Fall in a plate.
Squid Ink Pasta With Stilton Blue and Fresh Figs:
Serves 2
8 oz dry skid ink pasta (substitute gf spaghetti)
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup crumbled Stilton blue cheese
6 to 8 figs, quartered
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Throw in the pasta and cook for 12 minutes. Drain and put into a large bowl. Drizzle a little olive oil (about 1 tablespoon) and toss. Add the crumbled blue cheese and figs. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle a little more olive oil to taste.
Comments
Tracy Grant September 8, 2013 um 11:37 pm
So Gorgeous! I am very excited for the final slot to be filled. They are so in for a treat. Someday it will be me! ๐
Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate September 9, 2013 um 1:18 am
Hey welcome back, I've missed your posts and your pictures! Blue cheese is always my favorite ingredient to put in pasta, this recipe looks fantastic!
Broderick September 9, 2013 um 2:29 am
That pasta looks beautiful!
ThisGirlBlogs September 9, 2013 um 8:02 am
That is one gorgeous plate of food! Would love to tuck in to that ๐
Robyn September 9, 2013 um 11:23 am
Wow, the pasta is beautiful and the shots keep your eye engaged for such a long time.
I bought your book recently, Helene, and I am consumed with it! As a beginner, there is so much to learn but I love every moment. Thanks so much.
Unknown September 9, 2013 um 12:08 pm
Nice to hear from you again! I am glad life is so full. And thank you for the beautiful photos. Truly inspiring.
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures September 9, 2013 um 1:16 pm
I've never seen such beautiful pasta before!
Jamie September 9, 2013 um 3:48 pm
Jamie @ lifelovelemons
Wow… This is the prettiest pasta I've ever seen. And most delicious looking!
www.lifelovelemons.com
Jillian@TheHumbleGourmet September 9, 2013 um 4:18 pm
We've missed you on the blog!
I adore squid ink pasta; there's a slight sweetness to it, which I'm sure pairs nicely with the figs. Yum!
Colette (Coco) September 9, 2013 um 5:32 pm
Love the "zebra" pasta look. Beautiful contrast w the figs.
Jessi September 10, 2013 um 1:07 am
So glad to have your inspiring dishes back! So glad your trip to France was a lovely one. Thank you for the gorgeous recipe! Much love to you!
Jenn September 11, 2013 um 4:07 pm
That is one of the most beautiful dishes I've ever seen! I love that it's so simple, with such elegant and unusual ingredients. I'm going to see if I can find some similar pasta here in the Seattle area and will try this out! Thanks for sharing.
Rocky Mountain Woman September 11, 2013 um 8:41 pm
perfect flavor combo for a late summer dinner or lunch!
Anonymous September 12, 2013 um 3:38 pm
THis is the pretties pasta I have ever seen
Liria September 14, 2013 um 7:48 am
Welcome back, it's very inspiring reading you and watching your pictures. I love each one. That zebra pasta is amazing it's the first time I see it. I agree with you that simple cooked meals are most of the times the best, that's who we also cook in my family ๐
Sini September 15, 2013 um 11:51 am
Wow, look at that pasta! Reminds me of crested porcupine quills ๐
BrazilianFoodie September 16, 2013 um 11:42 pm
There is no better excuse than a trip to France ๐
Great to see such beautiful photos from you again. Welcome back!
Louise September 17, 2013 um 9:14 am
Awesome, I cannot wait to find this pasta!
Unknown September 17, 2013 um 4:24 pm
Oh you still take the most beautiful photos on the blog sphere. I am glad you have been busy, it means people treasure your talent!
I recently purchased your book and it has heaped me greatly with my food blog photography. You are such an inspiration to me.
I hope you blog more, I really miss your recipes!
Trisha September 19, 2013 um 3:17 pm
The colours of this are visually amazing! i bet it tastes just as good as it looks! x
gfs September 19, 2013 um 11:38 pm
Those colours in the pasta are just gorgeous and I do love a simple pasta dish, they're so comforting!
MGT September 27, 2013 um 5:04 pm
I have to agree with Robin's post! This pasta is beautiful to gaze at – stunning photos of pasta!! Looks amazing! And can appreciate the simplicity of the recipe.
Brenden October 7, 2013 um 10:08 am
Pasta looks preeti awesome and I think it taste really good with cheese. You have lost of tasty and healthy recipes in your blog, Thanks for sharing with us.
Boris October 9, 2013 um 9:38 pm
I love Figs and I also love Stilton Cheese, which is far and away the most popular blue cheese sold here in England.
I really like your photographs too – beautiful.
All very enjoyable.
Jenn @ A Toast to the Good Life October 22, 2013 um 8:43 pm
Fabulous photos! I love the fig and blue cheese combo. ๐ Very nicely done.
Tuscan Olive Grove Girl November 12, 2013 um 8:55 am
Would never have thought of thiscombination but it makes for a pretty spectacular looking dish…will try it next time figs are in season here. Grazie!
lauren ashley September 12, 2014 um 3:26 am
Can you help me learn where to buy the pasta?
Helene September 30, 2014 um 12:02 am
Lauren Ashley: amazon.com is probably your best bet or a fine Italian gourmet store.