Following the popularity of our first Recipe Twitter poll, we thought we’d just have to serve another. This month we are working with Carmela Sereno Hayes, author of ‘A Passion for Pasta’ and ‘Southern Italian Family Cooking’.
I’ve known Carmela for a couple of years now, and I wish we lived closer, as I find her more than inspirational. She never stops! She always makes time to support and teach, whilst juggling her many obligations and still building her pasta empire.
Carmela has just released her second book, ‘A passion for Pasta’. When I recently asked her about the release she replied, “I’m very happy, it has been received with open arms, recipes have been shared and dishes have been successfully made”.
It appears that Carmela is not just inspirational to me.
Where does your passion for food come from?
If I’m honest my passion most certainly comes from Nonna Carmela. Her love of cooking and her frugal way of feeding a family on a tight budget from scratch is just inspirational. I could watch her make pasta for hours.
Who or what are your sources of inspiration?
As mentioned above, the who is Nonna Carmela and the what has to be pasta! I’m obsessed by pasta, making, teaching and cooking it, I just can’t get enough!
How would you describe your style of cooking?
Simple, seasonal and delicious. Frugal whilst following my mantra of ‘cucina povera’ cooking.
What are your favourite ingredients?
Pasta as a core then a good extra virgin olive oil , rich balsamic, fresh tomatoes, garlic and a fantastically aged Parmesan. Oh, and not forgetting a variety of fresh herbs and chilli, my list is truly endless.
What is your favourite meal to cook at home?
My favourite dish is my freshly made lasagne using a delicious meat sugo with boiled eggs, mozzarella and Parmesan and NO béchamel. I adore eating it as well as making it.
Carmela’s recipe options are:
- Egg yolk ravioli with brown butter and sage
- Fava bean flour farfalle
- Spaghetti with Parma ham and lemon
Thank you to Carmela for taking the time to answer these questions for me. I look forward to sharing a bottle of prosecco with you, the “Queen of Pasta” next time I see you.
Carmela Hayes
Twitter @carmela_kitchen
Twitter @PastaCarmela
For more information click here