Pappardelle Alla Casa Mia
These are rather like broad tagliatelle and I prepared the dish like this…
Roast about 10 cherry tomatoes cut in half, in olive oil with 5 garlic cloves and a sprinkle of dried chili for twenty minutes. Halfway through the roasting, add some small whole mushrooms. I used oyster, buna-shimeji and shiro-shimeji varieties. Meanwhile bring some water to the boil, add salt and the pappardelle. After 5 minutes, add a handful of baby spinach leaves and cook for a further 6 minutes.
Serve the pasta with the roasted, tomatoes, garlic and mushrooms.
Total preparation and cooking time 25 minutes.
Buon appetito!
The lighting was overcast daylight (the best diffusser) through my kitchen window.
N.B. This image is now for sale as laminated kitchen art!

Technical Details:
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: 12-24mm f4
Focal Length: 20mm
ISO: 250
Exposure: 1/125 sec at f /4
Lighting: Daylight
Post Processing: Photoshop CS3
© 2008 John Hooton Photography
Pappardelle Alla Casa Mia belongs to the following groups:
60 and Beyond, Food for Thought, Former DPF Members, Italy and all Things Italian , Recipes (along with photo), Still Life Fine Art and Food Photography and Vibrant and Vivid Color Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

tonilouise
Oh yummo…Dinner tonight I’m thinking..Beautifully photographed as well..My mouth is watering..Hmmmm
John Hooton replied
Thank you for the comment ToniLouise. Let me know what you think once you have tasted it!
Warren Williams
Got to try this. Like your images well presented. You need to put this in the “Food group”
John Hooton replied
Likewise Warren, let me know what you think once you have it in front of you in 3D, and thanks for the tip!
Gilberte
Wow John what a lovely photo and good cook you must be.
John Hooton replied
Not that good! But some of the best food is the simplest to make.
Farmncamera
And he cooks too!. WOW…. Now that makes me hungry….and few things seem to make me hungry these days!. :) xx
John Hooton replied
The presentation is half the knack!!
LjMaxx
A very well presented food image John. Looks like Chef quality. I agree. Simple foods often look & taste the very best… There is such a large niche for this kinda image.
John Hooton replied
Thanks Lj, I must shoot some more food soon!
Anaa
Excellent !!! :)
John Hooton replied
Thank you Anaa.
jegustavsen
This look delicious!!!! I appreciate you added the recipe. I sauted some morals last night as a side dish with pasta. First time tasting morals.
John Hooton replied
I hope you enjoyed them. Try using them with this recipe or a variation of it :-))
jegustavsen
The taste was rich, but a rubbery consistency I didn’t expect, is this normal?
David Harris
Two of my favourite things. Photography and cooking!!! I am going to try this but I think I will add some chorizo or torn chicken!! Great picture too!
John Hooton replied
Sounds good to me – don’t forget the camera! :-))
Maggieposh
oh wow, when can i eat.great work
John Hooton replied
As soon as you get here! Thanks for the kind comment :-))
Richard Veal
Excellent capture John.
I agree with David, and maybe add some Chorizo.
John Hooton replied
Chicken would be good. Maybe the chorizo would overpower the roasted tomatoes and garlic, remember there is already a pinch of crushed chilli :)
Richard Veal
Point taken ‘Chef’ LOL
John Hooton replied
I did – LOL at your comment!
aspectsoftmk
beautiful layout…one of my favorite dishes…..you have it perfect…terri
John Hooton replied
Coming from you Terri that is a compliment indeed and I am flattered you have added it to your favourites.
Hans Goepel
Excellent shot. Jon I would had sprinkled some chopped parsley on the tagliatelle.
Bon appetite Hans
John Hooton replied
Thanks for your comments Hans. Not sure about the parsley though – a bit ‘un-italian’ for this dish!
Loreto Bautist...
Now you make me hungry…& thanks God you’ve given the recipe. I’ll be busy cooking today…yummmmm!!!
John Hooton replied
Let me know what you think Loreto. Roast garlic of course is a completely different taste from the pungent taste, No smell and a texture similar to chestnuts. Delicious with those cherry tomatoes.
mystiqueisland
you make me hungry..this is lovely shot, crisp and detail!
John Hooton replied
Thank you for your delightful comment. I must do some more food shots soon. If they wet the appetite, they have worked! It is fun to include the recipes.
coffeetea
This is gorgeous!! best food and photo!!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Coffeetea, it tastes good too – light and simple.
Rosalie Dale IPA
CONGRATS John on winning the 60 and beyond comp!!
John Hooton replied
Thanks Rosalie, it’s a borderline still life but maybe the recipe tempted them!
Farol
Yes to all the above comments. Congratulations on winning the competition. Excellent photo – should be on a magazine cover!!
John Hooton replied
Thank you for your kind comments Farol. It’s a long time ago since I shot food, so I thought I would give it a go using digital.
Soxy Fleming
yum!
John Hooton replied
Yum indeed!
Tugela
Congratulations John, looks really good
John Hooton replied
Thank you Tugela. It does actually taste pretty good too!
JuneHolbrook
Congratulations John …. Looks professionally chef masterpiece..
John Hooton replied
Thank you June, yup, I got to play the part of the “home economist” (as they used to call the food stylist in my hay day) too!
hirst
Congratulations John, looks absolutely delicious….good composiution, very colourful, interesting and attractive, well done and well deserved!
John Hooton replied
Thank you for those kind woirds Shirley. I had some good teachers once upon a time.
Bev Woodman
Congratulations John on winning the comp with your excellent caption – what time is lunch!
John Hooton replied
Thanks Bev. Lunch is about two o’clock today, which reminds me, I had better get on with it!
Farmncamera
Congratulations to JOHN!!! This one made EVERY ONE hungry!!! Especially the over 60 crowd…...but surely you are NOT 60!! XX :)
John Hooton replied
Thanks Elaine. Alas I am! Born 1946 to be precise, but I still feel like a boy at heart! xx :-))
Caroline Gorka
Great photo for a recipe book – you going to use it?
Cheers for sharing the recipe too :)
John Hooton replied
Many moons ago I shot quite a bit of food for magazines. This one is just for Red Bubble fans though – enjoy!
Kathleen Struckle
Congrats John on your wonderful yummy looking gorgeous image.
John Hooton replied
Thank you Kathleen and the photo comes with a free recipe!
jennyfnf
Oh yum yum, my cherry tomatoes and chillies are ripening nicely so I should be cooking this delicious sounding/looking recipe by about the end of this week. Thankyou very much John, and I feel the competition has a worthy winner:-)
John Hooton
That’s very kind of you to say so Jenny, bon apetitto!
Hans Kawitzki
I’m getting hungry John….....great image,fine details,well presented…....what sort of light did you use if I may ask ??
John Hooton
Thank you for kind your comment Hans, believe it or not this is just diffused daylight (overcast) through my kitchen window. Couldn’t have done better if I had used studio flash!
PPPhotoArt
wow this is such an appealing image, it looks so inviting and i hope you don’t mind i printed off the recipe as it sounds so delice and for sure i would enjoy this dish. thanks so very much, excellent job, P
John Hooton replied
Not at all, I hope you really enjoy it!
Gerda Grice
I’m nowhere near a good enough cook to try making this, but you’ve made it look so delicious, I’d love to get a chance to eat it! Excellently photographed with wonderful colours, composition, lighting and textures!
John Hooton
Thank you for your comments Gerda. I’m sure you could cook this. Tomatoes, garlic, oil – bung in oven, add mushrooms after ten minutes. Cook pasta, chuck in handful of spinach at halfway – serve!
JKKimball
Damn, Now I am hungry, Thanks for your art!
John Hooton replied
Sorry about that JK. RB should have a warning such as ‘This image may contain food’. Thanks for visiting. :-))
Von McKnelly
I wanna be just like you when I grow up.
John Hooton replied
LOL… What makes you think I’ve grown up! :-))
Arrowman
John, congrats in the challenge win !
John Hooton replied
Thank you kindly Arrowman. :-))
Keeli
Mmmmmmmm! Talent in the kitchen and behind the camera! Kudos on your win!
John Hooton replied
Made me smile, many thanks for your kind comment!
Tina Hogg
Yummo! What a great image – and fab recipe! Well done for the deserved win!!
John Hooton replied
Yummo indeed Tina. I’m gobsmacked, lol!
Shelly Hiebert
Congrats on the challenge win John! This is such an absolutely fantastic shot! I love EVERYTHING about it!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Shelly, I’m honoured and flattered that this was chosen as there is no shortage of talent in this group.
jansnow
Congratulations on the challenge! This dish looks yummy, send me some;=)
John Hooton replied
I would but I fear it would look as though it came from a packet by the time it arrived!
Glenna Walker
Looks delicious…congrats on the challenge win in Food for Thought!!!
John Hooton replied
Thank you kindly Glenna, I was very surprised. :-))
DanielleMarie1
Oh! Yum
John Hooton replied
Never mind Yum, get those pans out!
Stzar
was sure i commented on your beautiful work a few weeks ago ~ i truly meant to as i love the entire display and layout, colours and clarity ~ Wonderful art ~ Congratulations for your Feature in Food For Thought
John Hooton replied
Thank you Karon, you really are very generous!
aspectsoftmk
hi john…i loved it before and i still do…congratulations….it is a beautiful photo…...i raise my glass in a toast…:)
John Hooton replied
Thank you TMK….I think I heard some glasses clink just then. :-)
DiEtte Henderson
Congratulations, wonderful image and looks delicous too!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Diette. I promise you it tastes as good as it looks… ;-)
LjMaxx
Congrats on this feature John! Fabulous image/recipe.. A winner indeed…
John Hooton replied
Thank you LJ…. I am genuinely surprised and thrilled to win. Now for afters…
EmeraldSun
Congratulations on winning the Food for Thought Challenge! It’s a wonderful Shot & looks oh so YUMMY!!!
—Bea :DJohn Hooton replied
Thanks Emerald. I am really very thrilled that so many people like the picture and the recipe!
GailD
Congrats John. Looks so yummy. Might have to try it.
John Hooton replied
Thank you very much Gail. Gosh I seem to be getting a lot of mileage from this picture. Must be all that high speed, low calorie, energy in the pasta!
Mary Campbell
Congradulations for the win, and thanks for the recipe sure to be great from the looks of your picture.
John Hooton replied
Thank you Mary, I hope you try it some time. Roasting the ingredients is what makes it taste so good.
Cheri Perry
COngrats on the win…this is a fantastic photo…well deserving of a win in deed. Good work
John Hooton replied
Thank you very much for those kind words Cheri. Like you I can’t get out that much and this sort of thing makes a good subject to conveniently do at home. :-))
Ingz
congratulations John!
John Hooton replied
Thank you kindly Ingz – love your Kitty Kat! :-))
Nenad Kostadin...
Mmm, looks tasty!
John Hooton replied
You should try it!
poupoune
That looks simply delicious!!!
John Hooton replied
It is and the recipe is there for you! :-))
Daniel Sorine
YUUUUUUUUUUUMI!
John Hooton replied
Have you tried it yet!?
Denis Molodkin
Superb!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Denis!
Mohammad Khaksar
fun indeed!
John Hooton replied
Photographing food is great fun and good exercise!
van049
Congratulations on winning the Challenge!!!! My husband is a Chef and I just found this wonderful FOOD GROUP!!!! Anyhow, this looks scrumptious and it is well-presented here!!!!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Van – with those credentials I am very flattered! :-))
linifer
yummeeeeeeee!!!
John Hooton replied
This is an easy recipe (hint)! :-)
artist4peace
yummy!
John Hooton replied
Try this or your own variation sometime!
artist4peace
I PROMISE YOU I WILL! AND SOON…. and ill get back to ya…full (c ;
happpy
look wonderful
John Hooton replied
Thank you kindly happpy Christmas!
linda858100
FABULOUS SHOT,,LOOKS GREAT,,MERRY CHRISTMAS,
John Hooton replied
Thank you Linda, maybe I should post some turkey!
izzybeth
DELISH
John Hooton replied
Can you tell?!!
Antonio Zarli
John, excellent composition, and recipe ;-) I hope that also the taste of your pappardelle is on line with the picture.
Pay attention if one day you will prepare it for me, I am italian.
Buon appetito! Not Bon appetitto.
Cheers
John Hooton replied
No problem Antonio, you are welcome, just let me know when you are coming so I can prepare! Although I can still speak Italian quite well, I never learnt to write it or spell as you have noticed! Thank you for correcting me. :-)) By the way, there are a few fashion shots in various locations around Rome here. Maybe you can recognise some of them. I was only 21 years old – what a charmed life and happy memories!!
Antonio Zarli
John you are very kind, to be in London for me is possible this year.
I will keep you updated.
Sorry if I correct your “appetito” but now the description is perfect like the picture.
Please don’t be very severe with my broken English in the future :-))
I have been delighted to see your old pics for many reasons, I will explain it to you in a bubblemail otherwise we go OT. Some locations I have clearly identified, very easy, they are in the quarter I live.
Great pleasure John.
Cheers
Rosina Lamberti
yummy,
John Hooton replied
Recipe – Get good looking colourful complimentary ingredients, cook lightly so still recognisable, take photograph. Cross fingers and hope it tastes as good as it looks! :-))
DiEtte Henderson
You Should add this to the Recipe group.
John Hooton replied
Thank you for the tip, done!
Sheila Pasket
yummy…gorgeous dish
John Hooton replied
Thank you Sheila.
Rosina Lamberti
congratulations TOP TEN in Typically Italian challenge
cheers
rosina
John Hooton replied
Thank you Rosina.
kevinmawson
stunning image.loo’s like you could reach into the lcd screen .if only shure there would be none left by now.
John Hooton replied
Thank you Kevin, fortunately computer generated aroma is still a thing of the future so your monitor should stay intact!
Rosy Kueng
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR TOP 10 JOHN!!!!! Look soo jammy and real italian cooking :O))
John Hooton replied
Yup, not bad for an Englishman, LOL!
nikki harrison
my kids are soooooo going to love this
John Hooton replied
I really hope so Nikki – buon appetito a tutti!
MaeBelle
Great shot, sounds and looks sooo good, Congrats on the feature, God Bless,Mae
John Hooton replied
Thank you kindly MaeBelle. :-))
Sheila Pasket
John Hooton replied
Thanks Sheila – what a great idea for a group! As chief cook and bottle washer I will find this a very handy source of reference when trying to think of something original to feed the family.
DottieDees
John, this looks wonderful and of course sounds wonderful…both jobs are excellent…congrats on your well deserved feature!!
John Hooton replied
Thank you very much DottieDees – don’t forget to try the ‘taste test’ sometime! :-))
Yool
This looks sooooooo good…i am licking the screen!!!!!!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Yool, that is a complement indeed!
judyM61
Very creative and wonderful layout of ingredients and final product, looks so colourful and yummy!
John Hooton
Thank you for a such a kind comment Judy. I think this works because of the overhead viewpoint which seems to put us in closer contact with the food, rather than the conventional three quarters side on viewpoint. Likewise, the wide angle 20mm focal length lens gives a more “in your face” perspective making the pan “jump out” at you. Must follow my own hints more often, lol! :-))
MelanieSpeaks
Beautiful image…lighting perfect…and the food looks delicious!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Melanie. The lighting was cloudy daylight coming through a window and glass door. Sometimes daylight is hard to beat!
Shanina Conway
Beautiful comp and light….it looks so yummy…I love this series…says she licking the monitor lol!
John Hooton replied
I think there are one or two other monitor lickers about, good idea for a new group, lol!. :-))
Waleska Luker
Wow riquisimo! Delicious! It looks almost 3D or is it just my imagination?
John Hooton replied
You have probably got a good monitor and maybe the soup stimulated your imagination. :-))
Chamika Amarasiri
Wow! Love the colors and lighting. Looks absolutely delicious! :)
John Hooton replied
Thank you Chamika – it has more ‘favourites’ than any of my other pictures on RB!
Squealia
You could add it to the challenge here
John Hooton replied
My choice for the challenge, thanks for letting me know. :-)
Sharon Perrett
Oh you have been busy, another luscious looking meal, the colours are so rich too, fantastic presentation John, you’ll be publishing a cook book next LOL
John Hooton replied
Funny you should say that, I’m working on it! Don’t forget your own book – blurb.com :-))
bubblehex08
Both the photo an the recipe are excellent! I must try those pappardelle!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Bubblehex, I can promise this tastes fresh and good!
Glenda Remaklus
Mmmmmmmm looks great …. thanks for sharing your recipe!!!
John Hooton replied
Thank you Glenda… find colourful ingredients… take 1 camera. :-))
izzybeth
mmmmmmmm… delish!!!
John Hooton replied
This dish has been known to impress chefs. Not bad for something inspired purely by photography!
izzybeth
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
luanda
OH! This is the FAMOUS shot who won a Challenge! So U are the…OWNER!...lol… GREAT Job! ;-)
John Hooton replied
Thank you Luanda. Diffused daylight is a great light source.
Vikram Franklin
This I am definitely going to be trying out this weekend!!!
Fabulous shot!!
John Hooton replied
Very easy to make and it tastes fresh, fresh, fresh!