Pasta Archives

My name is Cindy, and I’m a food writer, recipe developer and former professional cook living in Ottawa, Canada. I started Salt and Serenity in 2009, which means I’ve been testing recipes, photographing food and making a spectacular mess of my kitchen for a very long time.

I’m a firm believer that food should have big flavour and plenty of texture. I test my recipes obsessively—not because I’m a perfectionist (although my family may have opinions about that), but because I want them to work just as well in your kitchen as they do in mine.

I’ve been told that some of my recipes are a little long. Too many steps. Too much detail. Fair enough. But there’s a reason for that: I really want you to succeed. I’ve probably already made the mistake, so you don’t have to.

I tend to get cranky if I go more than a few days without baking. Several spin classes and weight training sessions a week and judicious amounts of salt help, but baking is what really keeps me serene.

For me, one of the best parts of cooking and baking is sharing what I’ve made with family and friends. My desert island food is salted caramel, I believe almost everything can benefit from a little crunch, and my favourite way to eat a chocolate chip cookie is straight from the freezer.

You can also find me on Instagram at @saltandserenity, where I share new recipes, behind-the-scenes kitchen experiments and whatever I’m currently obsessing over.

Salt and Serenity

Tales from my kitchen

“Grate” Tomato Sauce (Easy No-Peel Fresh Tomato Sauce)

Mushroom, Sausage and Kale Pasta

Bubbe Bess’ Tomato Macaroni and Cheese

Corn, Broccoli, and Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta

Spaghetti with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Asiago and Pine Nuts

Pea, Arugula and Pistachio Pesto

Sausage and Kale Stuffed Shells

Osso Buco Pasta Sauce

“Meaty” Vegetarian Lasagna

Rigatoni with Spicy Sausage and Roasted Tomatoes