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Woman allegedly murders great-aunt with spaghetti

<p>Italian police are investigating the bizarre alleged murder of Maria Basso, 80.</p> <p>Paola Pepe, her young great-niece, was arrested for the alleged murder after she was believed to have force-fed Basso with spaghetti, Italian newspaper <em>Corriere della Sera </em>reported. </p> <p>Basso was vulnerable to choking if she did not eat finely chopped or pureed food, despite this Pepe still took out her great-aunt for a meal in a Sicily restaurant in December 2022. </p> <p>She allegedly bought Basso spaghetti, and two days later her great-aunt was dead, after some of the pasta allegedly got lodged in her airways. </p> <p>Her death initially looked like an accident, until Italian police launched further investigations and found that Pepe had amended her great-aunt's will just two days before the meal.</p> <p>The<em> Corriere della Sera</em> reported Pepe had taken an unusual interest in her great-aunt's finances in the months leading up to her death after she had unexpectedly turned up during Basso's 80th birthday, and spent hours alone with her. </p> <p>Pepe eventually moved Basso to a care home 1300 kilometres away, without telling her close family members, and reportedly did not take any of Basso's medication or personal belongings to the new home. </p> <p>Police alleged that after isolating her great-aunt, she managed to convince Basso to change her will so that Pepe was named sole beneficiary of Basso's estate, which was worth $775,000. </p> <p>Basso initially intended to give her estate to a charity, as she had no children according to local media.</p> <p>Pepe has denied all accusations and was bailed, but is wearing a police ankle bracelet while waiting for her trial. </p> <p><em>Image: Strettoweb</em></p> <p> </p>

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MasterChef winner Adam Liaw shares spaghetti bolognese recipe with bizarre ingredient

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Former MasterChef winner Adam Liaw has been keeping his fans occupied during the coronavirus pandemic by running online cooking lessons.</p> <p>However, his latest dish has raised eyebrows for a surprising ingredient and it’s one that is well loved by most Australians.</p> <p>Liaw, 41, shared his spaghetti Bolognese recipe to Instagram and revealed that he adds Vegemite into the mix.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_a_prtlgQE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_a_prtlgQE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Over the next 3 weeks I’m running a weekly 15-minute online cooking class for @Vegemite over Zoom. Tune in at 5pm AEST this Tuesday April 28 for the first one, showing you how to make your spaghetti bolognese the Aussiest spag bol ever with a Vegemite toast pangrattato. Follow @Vegemite for details. The Zoom link is in my profile and the sessions are limited to the first 300 participants who join, so make sure you’re on time! Swipe for the ingredients. #tasteslikeaustralia #Vegemite #sp</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/adamliaw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Adam Liaw</a> (@adamliaw) on Apr 25, 2020 at 4:10pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>He posted a photo of the “most Aussie spag bol ever with a Vegemite toast pangrattato”.</p> <p>The cooking term pangrattato refers to breadcrumbs and Liaw used Vegemite toast to make his crumbs, which are sprinkled over the pasta and sauce to serve.</p> <p>He has also recently advised home cooks to substitute missing ingredients instead of buying more so they don’t have to return to the supermarket.</p> <p>“If you don't have sugar, use honey. If you run out of soy sauce, use a bit of salt. No lemon juice? Try vinegar instead,” he said in a piece for <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/news/adam-liaws-six-step-process-to-help-plan-your-meals-waste-less-food-and-cook-more-20200325-h1muvn" target="_blank">The Good Food</a>. </p> <p>Liaw advised budding chefs to waste less as well as clean out space in their pantries. </p> <p>“If you have some odds and ends of vegetables, chop them up and throw them into that quarantine bolognese. Turn bones and offcuts into stock,” he said.</p> <p>“Before anything goes in the bin, think to yourself "how can I use this?"</p> </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

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Chicken and pesto spaghetti

<p>“Pesto is always a pleasure to make – so simple yet so delightful. I love this Ligurian sauce, as it really highlights the individual ingredients. You need to source pungent and vibrant basil, a block of nutty yet sharp parmesan (I like to use Parmigiano Reggiano), the freshest possible pine nuts and good-quality extra-virgin olive oil. Pesto tossed through freshly cooked pasta is a great vegetarian dish.  To bulk it out a little, I’ve added chicken mince,” writes Justine Schofield in her latest cookbook <em>Simple Every Day</em>.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves</span></strong>: 4</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients</span>:</strong></p> <ul> <li>120 ml extra-virgin olive oil</li> <li>400 g chicken mince</li> <li>salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper</li> <li>1 garlic clove, peeled</li> <li>25 g pine nuts</li> <li>2 large handfuls of basil leaves (about 160 g)</li> <li>40 g (½ cup) freshly grated parmesan, plus extra to serve</li> <li>400 g spaghetti</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <p>1. Place a large frying pan over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the mince and, using the back of a fork, crush to break up any lumps. Fry for 1 minute, then toss and cook for a further 3–4 minutes until the chicken turns white and is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.</p> <p>2. Using a mortar and pestle, combine the garlic and a pinch of salt and pound to a thick paste. Add the pine nuts and pound until a crumb forms. Add a handful of basil leaves, drizzle in a little of the remaining oil and pound to bruise the leaves and release their flavour. Add another handful of basil and a bit more oil and pound until the leaves are crushed and a vibrant, fragrant thick green paste forms. Add the rest of the oil and the cheese and mix to combine. Check the seasoning. Set aside.</p> <p>3. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for about 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and return to the pan. Stir in the cooked chicken mince, then add the pesto and toss until well combined. Serve immediately with a little extra parmesan, if you like.</p> <p><em>Recipe courtesy of </em>Simple Every Day<em> by Justine Schofield (Plum, $39.99).</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Baked lamb meatballs and spaghetti

<p>The mixture for these tasty meatballs can be combined and rolled in advance, or you can cook the whole meatball and sauce element of the recipe ahead of time. Then all you will need to do it cook the pasta and prepare the salad when you are ready to eat.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 5</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <p><em>For the baked lamb meatballs</em></p> <ul> <li>500g lamb mince</li> <li>½ cup fine breadcrumbs</li> <li>1 carrot, grated</li> <li>1 egg</li> <li>1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary leaves</li> <li>1 tablespoon chopped oregano leaves</li> <li>½ brown onion, finely diced</li> <li>½ teaspoon salt</li> </ul> <p><em>For the tomato silverbeet sauce and spaghetti</em></p> <ul> <li>½ brown onion, finely diced</li> <li>1 clove garlic, thinly sliced</li> <li>600-700ml jar tomato passata</li> <li>1 teaspoon sugar</li> <li>3–4 stalks silverbeet, white stalks removed, leaves thinly sliced (3 cups total)</li> <li>1 cup grated mozzarella cheese</li> <li>400g dried spaghetti</li> </ul> <p><em>For the salad</em></p> <ul> <li>1 lettuce, roughly chopped</li> <li>2 tomatoes, diced 1cm</li> <li>½ telegraph cucumber, diced 1cm</li> <li>2 teaspoons olive oil</li> <li>Juice of ½ a lemon</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Preheat oven and a large casserole/lasagne style dish to 230°C.</li> <li>Combine all baked lamb meatball ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well using clean hands. Use a tablespoon to measure mixture and roll into golf-ball sized balls. Put into preheated baking dish and bake for 10 minutes. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil.</li> <li>While meatballs bake, prepare sauce; heat a drizzle of olive oil in a medium pot on medium heat. Fry onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes, until softened and just starting to colour. Add passata and sugar and bring to the boil then and add silverbeet. Simmer for 2 minutes until wilted and season with salt and pepper.</li> <li>Remove meatballs from oven and pour sauce over to cover. Sprinkle with cheese and bake a further 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden.</li> <li>While meatballs are baking, cook spaghetti in pot of boiling water for 10–12 minutes until al dente (just tender). Drain and return to pot with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.</li> <li>In a large bowl, toss all salad ingredients together and season with salt and pepper.</li> <li>To serve, divide spaghetti between plates and top with baked lamb meatballs and sauce. Serve salad on the side.</li> </ol> <p><em>Written by Nadia Lim. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a></span>.</em></strong></p>

Food & Wine

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Spaghetti puttanesca

<p>Give in to those pasta cravings with this delicious recipe for the classic Italian dish, spaghetti alla puttanesca.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 4</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>2 tbsp. olive oil</li> <li>2 cloves garlic, chopped</li> <li>1 small red chilli, finely chopped</li> <li>75g green olives, pitted and sliced</li> <li>75g black olives, pitted and sliced</li> <li>6 semi-sundried tomatoes, sliced into strips</li> <li>2 tbsp. capers, rinsed</li> <li>45g anchovies</li> <li>Can diced tomatoes (425g)</li> <li>400g spaghetti</li> <li>½ cup fresh basil leaves, shredded</li> <li>Parmesan, grated (to serve, optional)</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Heat oil in a frypan.</li> <li>Add garlic, chilli and anchovies, turn the heat to medium and cook for 1 minute.</li> <li>Stir in olives, semi-sundried tomatoes, capers and diced tomatoes. Let simmer for about 20 minutes and season with salt and pepper, to taste.</li> <li>Cook pasta per instructions on the packet.</li> <li>Drain the pasta, then combine and toss with the sauce.</li> <li>Divide into four bowls, sprinkle with parmesan (optional) and serve.</li> </ol> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what’s your all-time favourite pasta dish?</p> <p><em><strong>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 178 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>.</span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/12/peruvian-pasta-bake/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Peruvian pasta bake</em></strong></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/09/sicilian-style-gnocchi/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Sicilian style gnocchi</em></strong></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/09/best-ever-beef-lasagne/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Best-ever beef lasagne</em></strong></span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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The reason why there’s a hole in your pasta spoon

<p>If you’ve ever wondered why there’s a hole in your spaghetti spoon, we’ve finally discovered the answer. One savvy internet user shared this smart hack on Facebook, and we have to say, we’re surprised we didn’t think of it before!</p> <p>Apparently, that hole in your spoon holds the recommended serving size of dry spaghetti per person – perfect for portion-controlling your meals.</p> <p><img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/26716/13407044_608490545984219_7948779297670236150_n_499x665.jpg" alt="spaghetti spoon" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, did you know about this clever trick? Do you have any other kitchen tips you’d like to share? Let us know!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/08/8-household-spots-dirtier-than-your-toilet-seat/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 household spots dirtier than your toilet seat</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/08/the-secret-to-cleaning-your-cheese-grater/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The secret trick to cleaning your cheese grater</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/08/foods-you-should-never-put-in-the-fridge/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>9 foods you should never put in the fridge</strong></span></em></a></p>

News

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Slow-cooked spaghetti bolognese

<p>A clever take on a family classic, this slow cooked spaghetti bolognese has a melt-in-the-mouth goodness that really hits the spot in the cooler months.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span> </strong>4 to 6</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>2 tablespoon vegetable oil</li> <li>400g beef mince</li> <li>1 teaspoon mineral salt</li> <li>½ teaspoon cracked black pepper</li> <li>2 tablespoon olive oil</li> <li>1 small onion, finely diced</li> <li>1 carrot, finely diced</li> <li>1 stick celery, finely diced</li> <li>1 tan roughly chopped oregano</li> <li>2 cloves garlic</li> <li>400g can organic chopped tomatoes</li> <li>2 tablespoon tamari or 1 tablespoon soy sauce</li> <li>1 teaspoon brown sugar</li> <li>300g dried pasta</li> <li>75g parmesan, grated</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Heat the oil in a large frying pan and brown the mince in batches, sprinkling with salt and pepper as you go.</li> <li>Remove and set aside.</li> <li>Heat the olive oil in the same frying pan and gently saute the onion, carrot, celery, oregano and garlic for five minutes.</li> <li>Add the tomatoes, tamari and brown sugar with the mince.</li> <li>Add to the slow cooker and cook on low for six hours.</li> <li>Serve with spaghetti, cheese, fresh herbs, and olives if desired.</li> </ol> <p>Don’t you just love spaghetti bolognese? What’s your favourite winter dish? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Laura Faire. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 178 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</span></a>.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-pasta/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Slow cooker creamy chicken pasta</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/06/bolognaise-style-mushroom-ragu/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Bolognaise-style mushroom ragu</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/sundried-tomato-and-parmesan-dip/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Chunky sundried tomato and parmesan dip</strong></em></span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Spaghetti with chanterelle mushrooms and cognac

<p>For something a little bit more fancy than spaghetti bolognaise, try this colourful and light dish with an adult twist-cognac. Perfect for intimate or large gatherings</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>300g spaghetti (or similar pasta like tagliatelles)</li> <li>200g chanterelle mushrooms</li> <li>1 small red chilli pepper, minced</li> <li>1 handful fresh parsley, chopped</li> <li>2 cloves garlic, crushed</li> <li>2 tbsp cognac</li> <li>2 tbsp salted butter</li> <li>Sea salt &amp; fresh ground pepper</li> <li>4 tbsp grated Västerbotten cheese (or parmesan cheese)</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Brush off any dirt from the mushrooms with a pastry brush and tear them in half.</li> <li>Heat the butter in a very hot frying pan and add the mushrooms. Let them fry fast, tossing once or twice, then add the garlic and red chilli pepper with a pinch of salt (it is very important to season the mushrooms slightly, as it really brings out the flavour). Then add the cognac and continue to fry for 4 or 5 minutes, tossing regularly.</li> <li>Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain and add to the mushrooms, with the grated cheese (Västerbotten or parmesan). Toss gently, coating the pasta with the mushrooms and their flavour.</li> <li>Season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper and sprinkle some fresh parsley.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Related Link:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/01/gnocchi-gorgonzola/"></a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/02/glazed-ham/"><strong>Delicious glazed ham</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/02/pecan-pie-recipe/"><strong>Pecan pie</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/02/citrus-layer-cake/">Citrus layer cake</a></strong></em></span></p>

Food & Wine