By Suzanne Corbett, STLSportsPage.com Journey/ Meals Editor
St. Louis has misplaced a culinary legend: Wealthy LoRusso has handed away. LoRusso( alongside together with his spouse, Terri) was the well-known proprietor of LoRusso’s Cuchina, common restaurant on Watson Street.
Greater than a gifted chef and restaurateur, my pal Wealthy was a humanitarian who supported numerous charities and particular causes. But, for all of the occasions Wealthy cooked for and supported, his legacy might greatest be remembered because the creator of the Pasta Bowl. Established in 1998 and touted as Tremendous Bowl of Pasta, staged throughout Tremendous Bowl week.
LoRusso’s Pasta Bowl proved to be one among St. Louis’ most profitable culinary fundraisers. Held yearly at LoRusso’s Cucina till the pandemic and ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s Illness, took Wealthy away from his beloved cucina. LoRusso’s Pasta Bowl raised tens of thousand {dollars} to assist feed the hungry via its donations to Operation Meals Search.
LoRusso’s Pasta Bowl’s idea was easy. Residence cooks submitted a recipe for his or her greatest pasta. Finalists had been chosen and every dish was cooked and offered in the course of the Pasta Bowl Dinner. Visitors voted on their favourite pasta dish with successful recipe being positioned on LoRusso’s menu for a 12 months. When ordered, two {dollars} from every sale was contributed to Operation Meals Search.
Throughout the 2020 Pasta Bowl Wealthy acknowledged, “I don’t know why extra eating places don’t do one thing like this. It’s straightforward, it’s enjoyable and it makes a distinction. Who knew a bowl of pasta may make such a distinction.”
Making a distinction is what Wealthy LoRusso was all about. I used to be honored to be a colleague and blessed to have been counted a pal. In honor of my pal, think about cooking up a bowl of pasta.
One among LoRusso’s Pasta Bowl favorites reminiscent of Penne con Vodka. Higher but, think about a donation to a meals pantry to assist feed the hungry.
Penne con Vodka- LoRusso Pasta Bowl Winner 2000
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 -pound Italian sausage (casing eliminated)
1/2 teaspoon purple pepper flakes
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Vodka and punctiliously ignite over flame
2 cups ready Marinara sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup contemporary chopped parsley
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 pound penne pasta, cooked al dente
1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
In a sauté pan positioned over a medium excessive warmth, sauté garlic with the sausage and purple pepper flakes within the olive oil till sausage till evenly browned. Add the vodka and punctiliously ignite over the flame. Add Marinara sauce and cream and prepare dinner to warmth via. Toss sauce with cooked pasta and sprinkle with Asiago cheese. Makes 4 – 6 servings.
Editor’s word: We’ll add his obituary and any funeral preparations once they turn out to be obtainable, so examine again.