… or, I don’t know, something gross.
So here’s the dillio. Back in February, I posted a recipe for Chicken Carbonara. It’s like, the most delicious thing ever. Rich, satisfying and definitely ticks off all the right boxes for comfort food: bacon, carbs, chicken and cream.
Thing is, Maple Leaf Foods picked up the post and published it on their Facebook Fan Page. Pretty cool, huh? I thought so. Until a random “fan” commented:
“eww that looks like cat food mixed with noodles. Chewed and regurgitated. Sorry.”
Ouch.
I normally don’t let random musings from the peanut gallery break my stride, except I can’t seem to shake the whole cat food reference. And now I’m paranoid that everything I photograph looks like cat food.
For example, Purina Sushi –
And Whiskas Gourmet Tacos –
Mmmkay.
So I know I’m being overly sensitive, and I should really just challenge that FB troll to a cooking duel or something where the winner gets to beat the loser with a stale bread stick. Because if there’s one thing I can do, it’s cook.
Perhaps I’ll never moonlight as a food photographer, but dammit, I can cook!
As it happens, on a day when we literally had NOTHING in the fridge or pantry, I turned out an incredibly delicious dinner. I’ll call it:
Three Cheese Tortellini with Crab Cream Sauce
The official description: Chunks of crab folded into a classic Béchamel Sauce and layered over Three Cheese Tortellini. Finished with freshly grated Parmesan, torn basil and a hint of nutmeg.
Sounds like something you’d like to make? It’s SUPER TERRIFIC, I kid you not. Here’s the official picture:
Oy. Seriously? I don’t even know what to think.
Is it appetizing-looking? Something you’d enjoy? Or does it look like cat food? Or… something worse? I can’t seem to let this go… Save me Jebus! Save me!
And so I’ve decided to put forth the following disclaimer: This is absolutely scrumptious. And, I made it from scratch using ingredients I had on hand, so not only do I turn out yummy cat food dishes, but I turn them out WELL.
Perhaps I’ll re-name the dish:
Three Cheese Tortellini with Crab Cream Sauce
The Best Damned Cat Food You’ll Ever Have
Olivieri Tortellini with Three Cheeses
2 tbsp salted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup hot milk
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup chicken stock, as needed
1 can chunk crab meat, drained well
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
pinch freshly ground nutmeg
3-4 fresh basil leaves, torn
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add Olivieri Tortellini with Three Cheeses and cook to manufacturer’s directions, about 6-8 minutes.
In a separate pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir until the floury taste “cooks out”, about 2-3 minutes. Whisk in hot milk and stir until smooth. (If the consistency is too thick, you can add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chicken stock as needed to thin out sauce.)
Lower heat to medium-low; fold in crab meat and Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of freshly ground nutmeg and torn basil.
Drain pasta and serve a generous portion, layering sauce on top. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
All of your pictures are delicious looking and I would make any one of them! And I would definitely want to watch a cookign duel, so much fun!
Hahaha I’m quite certain of my prowess in the kitchen, so bring it on!
That looks delicious! But I’m allergic to crab…Do you think it would be just as good if I substituted the crab with lobster (which I’m not allergic to)?
If you’re not allergic to lobster, absolutely! It would make a wonderful substitute!
LOL what a nasty facebook fan! Just shows you that people are brave behind the computer, wonder what her dinners look like? FTR I love your recipes and pictures too !!!
Ha! Thanks RubyRed. Honestly it doesn’t bother me – and I’m kind of glad she said it: it gave me inspiration to write this post! :)
How funny that you’re paranoid! I’m sorry but none of your pictures look like cat food… a cat should be so lucky!
:) Thank you!
They look delicious, honest! :-)
Don’t let some moron get you worked up!
Tee hee, not worked up, just annoyed! But all in good fun!
Hey Lena don’t sweat it !!! And besides most ladies like cats anyway!!! Heh Heh !! Everthing looks delicious!!
I like cats too! I know someone who sampled cat food – she said it tasted like corned beef in a can, LOL!
LOL – your title is hilarious!! Sometimes the grossest (is that a word?) looking foods taste best. And that carbonara looks nothing but delicious!! Maybe the troll feeds their cat human food? Your foodie posts make me drool, and I’ve tried numerous recipes that you’ve posted with great success. Please keep sharing your favourite recipes and photos and inspiring us all!
Thanks Shauna! I’m so glad that you’ve been enjoying the recipes – now I just need to see more on your amazing blog! You’re such a good cook! xo
Hahahaha! Never thought of cat food — the troll is WEIRD!!! This dish looks yummy. I’ve got a can of crabmeat in the pantry — now I know what to do with it since my croquettes suck butt. I’m the worst cook, but this looks manageable!
You are so NOT the worst cook! I think you’re amazing, and the fact that you’ve got crab meat in the pantry proves that you’re adventurous! xo
That’s a sucky comment to have gotten. :(
Oh I know. But it’s all good, I’m thick-skinned and well-fed, LOL!
That sounds delish and looks delish too! There are mean, mean people on the internet who do not care what others think or do not care how their words impact others. At least you are able to joke about it, because you know you can cook and that your food tastes amazing! Never mind anyone who says awful things like that in such a public forum. That’s rude and uncalled for. Can’t stand meanies like that. #justsayin :)
Thanks Christine :) Well, I suppose that at least this person said what’s on her mind, so I have to give her credit for that! But yeah, I think it’s far too easy to be mean to someone’s computer vs their face. However, I love that YOU are a sweetheart! xx
“The Best Damned Cat Food You’ll Ever Have” – I can’t stop laughing. Thanks for putting a smile on my face! Trolls will be trolls. I’m glad you got some awesomely entertaining material out of it and turned it around into something positive.
I probably wouldn’t have thought of cat food at all until it was mentioned and now it’s all I can think of! :)
HA! Thanks Rae :) So you can totally see why I’m paranoid – until it was pointed out, I didn’t think of it… but now it’s all I see!
Ok — just copied the recipe down. Off the to the grocery store now! I know what we’re having for dinner tomorrow night!!
Yay! Please let me know what you think (honestly, I can take it, ha!)
Don’t let ONE idiot ruin your thunder. ALL your recipes ROCK!
AND good photos and easy to read recipes :)
Sometimes ‘ego’ comes into the picture. don’t let others get to you!
LOVE everything about your comment! Thanks for the reassurance – and I’m happy you love my recipes! xx
Just keep up the great work Lena and ignore the nasty comments. I love all your recipes and the awesome pictures definitely inspire me to try your delicious recipes.
Thanks Marissa! I know that you’ve tried many of my recipes, and for your confidence in my cooking -and photographing – ability, I’m quite appreciative!
That’s one tasty catfood, Lena!
Here’s an article you should take a quick peek at:
http://food52.com/blog/2761_food_photography_101
HA! Thanks, glad you approve. And thanks for the link – will totally study the tips and tricks!
Hey Lena —
Tried it tonight and Charlotte LOVED it!!! It was muy tasty, although I forgot the spices and couldn’t find fresh basil at the store last night. What I loved best is that it’s literally a 15-minute meal. So easy to prepare and delish! Thanks!!!
Janice
SUCCESS! I’m so happy that you both enjoyed it.
This looks so delicious and so easy to make which is my staple for cooking because I try to keep my recipes to 6 ingredients or less and the easier the better