LIFE IS GOOD and Elbow Macaroni with Toasted Breadcrumbs

It is a wonder how ones mood changes with the weather. And today is sunny and warm and beautiful. Even the brownish grass in the lawn looks somewhat brighter! Lawn- that just remained me of an old quarrel between Marie and Frank (Everybody Loves Raymond): "Who invented the lawn?" LOL So, my mood is on its highest, just put into oven some cabbage loafs, made some salad with leftover steamed cabbage leaves (with tons of garlic!), and stirred my "sourdough mother"! The procedure started yesterday after I bookmarked and printed out the recipe @Stumptown Savoury. There are many many wonderful recipes on this site, please do check them out! You can find the recipe here. Can hardly wait until my "sourdough mother" is ready and I can start baking with it!!!

Another good thing elated me today: I got a Stylish Blogger Award from  Elyse @The Cultural Dish! Thank you Elyse! If you follow this blog you  are probably familiar with super elegant Valentine Profiteroles and Cake Balls. If not, what are you waiting for, click that links and indulge yourself in yumminess! Official thank is on My Awards page.

Yesterday I mentioned my little computer helper, my youngest son. I wanted to glue his photo to the post but as he wasn't into it, I just let go. Anyhow, after he read all the flattering comment, he kind of said: "Oh well you can just put me on if you like!"  So here he is. I took the pic this morning before his concert. He is playing cielo.

Now about the recipe. As I said many times before, my oldest son is studying Pharmacy overseas and he started to cook at his home away from home. Simple, easy dishes, just yesterday he treated himself with crapes with Nutella filling. One of the simplest ways to prepare pasta is to just toss it with some toasted breadcrumbs and enjoy with a dollop of mayo and a side of salad. Variation is the key to make things interesting, right? I used elbow macaroni, but any kind of pasta will do just fine, as I learned through the years: In cooking there is no wrong way, there is just my way and your way!

Elbow Macaroni With Toasted Breadcrumbs

ELBOW MACARONI with TOASTED BREADCRUMBS
(for the printable version click here)

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked elbow macaroni (or any other pasta)
4 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup bread crumbs (plain, Italian Style, Panko, the choice is yours)
pinch of salt
dash of black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp crushed chili peppers
dollop of mayo
grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Into a skillet over medium heat, pour olive oil, add breadcrumbs of your choice, salt, pepper, crunched chili peppers, and stir until breadcrumbs become golden brown and crunchy, about 3 - 4 minutes. Add cooked elbow macaroni or pasta of your choice, stir to cover all the macaroni/pasta with breadcrumbs, and let cook for another minute or two. Keep on stirring!

Serve topped with some grated Parmesan cheese and a dollop of mayo! YUM!!!