Today is National Fettuccini Alfredo Day!

Did you know..... that an Italian restauranteur Alfredo di Lello is credited with creating Fettuccini Alfredo?..... see ....you can amaze your friends with this tidbit….

To celebrate National Fettuccini Alfredo Day I will post several versions of this delicious Italian classic.

There will be the classic Fettuccini Alfredo…. very rich.. velvety smooth classic made with cream and butter…. be forewarned this is a heavy dish and can hold its own as an entrée …. or as a side dish…. you will definitely need small portions.

I will also post a slimmed down version…. And another slimmed down version that verges on healthy. By substituting non-fat milk or a lower fat milk… and cutting back on the butter or margarine… this dish can go from heavy and artery clogging to actually pretty light and healthy.

Make no mistake … I fell in love with this dish years ago… and it was the real deal….I think it was for my 9th birthday my folks took me into Manhattan to an ice show and then to a famous Italian restaurant for supper. It was then that I tasted Fettuccini Alfredo for the first time…. it was so rich and creamy… I love cheese and pasta…. It was a wonderful experience.

Over the years…. as I learned more about cooking and nutrition… I found ways to make this meal more healthy…. Nowadays you can even get Fettuccini Alfredo in diet meals such as Lean Cuisine. Slimming favorite recipes can be challenging…. But if you think about why you like the meal… for example … the taste (butter, cheese, cream) and find ways of replicating it with lower fat options… you will love the slimmed versions just as much. If texture is your thing… then find ways of making a thicker sauce without piling on the calories and fat.

With all that said…. There is something to be said for a special occasion meal made with the real thing…. just limit the portion and serve other things with it…. a large salad is a perfect accompaniment… and start out with a plate of appetizers…. stuffed mushrooms…. and maybe a plate of sliced tomatoes and sliced fresh mozzarella…. chop fresh basil and sprinkle it on top… drizzle a little balsamic vinegar…. Hmmm …just delicious.

So as you start to think about your Valentine’s Day menu…. Fettuccini Alfredo is definitely a dish that can make the short list of possibilities.