Cereal and Pasta Dishes

Pasta and grain dishes are the backbone of weeknight cooking in most households, mine included. There's a reason spaghetti aglio e olio has survived centuries — it's cheap, fast, and absurdly good when you get the garlic right. This section covers everything from Italian pasta classics to Central Asian pilafs and Eastern European buckwheat dishes. I have a soft spot for risotto, though I'll admit it demands more attention than most people want to give after a long day. The pasta recipes here stick to shapes you can find in any supermarket — no hunting for obscure bronze-die artisan tubes. Grain dishes go beyond rice: you'll find bulgur, couscous, and buckwheat recipes that work as mains, not just sides. One thing I've learned: the quality of your pasta water matters more than the brand of pasta. Salt it like the sea, save a cup before draining, and you're halfway to a restaurant-quality dish.