Lazy Sunday Zesty Garlic Pasta

Cook pasta to al dente. Don't forget to add oil, salt and pepper while it boils. Drain and set aside.

In a medium pan, saute minced garlic and chopped mushrooms in olive oil. Add a teaspoon of lemon zest or grated lemon peel (use orange zest if lemon is not available) and squeeze in a few drops of pure lemon/orange juice. Mix. Add chopped fresh spinach and parsley. Mix. Pour the pasta over the mixture and continue mixing. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Paella

Heat olive oil in a wide, shallow pan (use a paellera if you have one). Stir fry the cubed chicken breast and chorizo (or any kind of sausage you have on hand). Set aside.

Saute garlic, onion and diced bell peppers (use red, green and yellow to add more color to your dish) in the remaining oil. Add diced tomatoes and continue mixing for about 2 mins. Put 1 cup of rice (spanish, arborio, jasmine or just regular rice) and continue mixing. Season with paprika and saffron (kasuba). Pour a can of chicken broth in the mixture and let it boil. Stir occasionally to avoid rice sticking to the pan. When rice is already cooked, continue to simmer until enough water has evaporated leaving the paella only a bit sticky but not too dry. Add the fried chorizo, chicken and sweet peas. Adjust the taste with salt, pepper and a little sugar. Garnish with fresh lemons.

To make a seafood paella, substitute the chicken and chorizo with mixed seafoods (clams, lobster balls, shrimp, squid, etc) but there is no need to fry it (just make sure it is cleaned well and cut into desired sizes...if using shrimp, just peel it all the way thru the tail but keep the head intact -- or your choice of course!) When rice is cooked, top it with the mixed seafoods and cover the pan with aluminum foil. The steam will cook the seafoods.