August 2022

Cocoa Pasta

This month’s favorite meal would have to be the home-cooked cocoa pasta I made with my friend Silvia. While unfamiliar to many, this dish from Northern Italy hit the spot on a warm, Saturday afternoon. We made it entirely from scratch in the comforting setting of her kitchen. At first, I expected to taste more of the cocoa in the pasta, but was pleasantly surprised when the cocoa flavor was subtle and more of an after-taste. For the sauce, we did a brie, pepper, and butter sauce. This paired perfectly with the tagliatelle. We also topped it with parmesan cheese for more flavor.

I not only enjoyed the taste of this dish, but also the process of making it with Silvia and her family (see below for pictures). Making the dish and then eating it together in her backyard was such a relaxing and fun experience. I’m going to miss moments like this with my hometown family and friends. However, I am excited to head back to school and dive into more delicious food in NYC during the fall.