tomatoes

My relationship with pasta during this pregnancy has taken on a whole new dimension. I can’t seem to live without it. Pasta is on my mind. Very often.

The more I eat pasta the more I realize that it really is the perfect food. First and foremost, it is usually very easy to prepare. And when you are starving (20 times a day) and exhausted (all day long) you want the pasta and you want it quick. Also, it is satisfying, comforting and filling. Love.

This little gem is my new favorite pasta that I would be thrilled to eat practically every single day. It is light and so delicious – perfect for a summer evening.

Here’s what you will need to serve 2-3 hungry (pregnant) people…

Recipe

1 pound spaghetti

pasta water (do not drain the pasta)

3 packages of cherry tomatoes (approximately 25-30 tomatoes)

1/3 cup italian bread crumbs

4-5 garlic cloves, 1/2 minced, 1/2 sliced

1 tsp red pepper flakes (more if you like a little kick)

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 tbsp butter (optional)

4 tbsp olive oil

basil leaves (1/2 a bunch)

parmigiano reggiano cheese

salt & pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Half the cherry tomatoes and place in a large bowl. Add salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and 2 tbsp of olive oil. Place on a large baking sheet (either spray with cooking spray or use parchment paper) in a single layer and bake for 60 minutes.

In a large skillet heat 2 tbsp olive oil and butter over low heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add white wine and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Add 6-8 large, whole basil leaves. Turn off heat.

When tomatoes are 3/4 done, remove about 15 tomato halves from the oven and add them to the wine mixture. Smash them gently with the back of the spoon. Turn the heat back on and cook the tomatoes in the wine mixture for a few minutes. When the rest of the tomatoes are done add them to the skillet.

When the spaghetti is almost fully cooked (still al dente) add to the skillet. I use thongs for this. It is perfectly fine to bring along whatever pasta water is on the noodles. Also add 3 ladles of the pasta water to the pasta and wine mixture. Stir to combine over low heat for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat, add a few fistfuls of cheese to the pasta as well as a ton of torn basil leaves.

Recipe inspired by Lidia Bastianich

Spaghetti with Roasted Tomatoes

Author: Feasts And Fotos

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti
pasta water (do not drain the pasta)
3 packages of cherry tomatoes (approximately 25-30 tomatoes)
⅓ cup italian bread crumbs
4-5 garlic cloves, ½ minced, ½ sliced
1 tsp red pepper flakes (more if you like a little kick)
½ cup dry white wine
1 tbsp butter (optional)
4 tbsp olive oil
basil leaves (1/2 a bunch)
parmigiano reggiano cheese
salt & pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Half the cherry tomatoes and place in a large bowl. Add salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and 2 tbsp of olive oil. Place on a large baking sheet (either spray with cooking spray or use parchment paper) in a single layer and bake for 60 minutes.
In a large skillet heat 2 tbsp olive oil and butter over low heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add white wine and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Add 6-8 large, whole basil leaves. Turn off heat.
When tomatoes are ¾ done, remove about 15 tomato halves from the oven and add them to the wine mixture. Smash them gently with the back of the spoon. Turn the heat back on and cook the tomatoes in the wine mixture for a few minutes. When the rest of the tomatoes are done add them to the skillet.
When the spaghetti is almost fully cooked (still al dente) add to the skillet. I use thongs for this. It is perfectly fine to bring along whatever pasta water is on the noodles. Also add 3 ladles of the pasta water to the pasta and wine mixture. Stir to combine over low heat for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat, add a few fistfuls of cheese to the pasta as well as a ton of torn basil leaves.

This is one big bowl of healthy goodness.

Most people will recognize bulgar from tabbouleh, the middle eastern dish often eaten as an appetizer. As it turns out, bulgar is much more nutritious than rice and couscous because it contains more fiber, vitamins and minerals. Also, it has a better glycemic index than white rice or couscous. I wanted to branch out from my current quinoa frenzy and give bulgar a try…and I’m happy I did. It is very versatile, has a slightly chewy texture and a lovely nutty flavor.

I got the idea for this bulgar salad while flipping through some magazines in a bookstore. For the life of me I can’t remember which magazine it was. I liked the idea of the salad, however, I wanted to bulk it up a bit more so I thought to add steamed broccoli. Anytime I can add broccoli to something, I go for it. It’s common knowledge, for anyone that hasn’t been living under a rock, that broccoli is one of the most healthy, nutritious, anti-cancer foods available today. It is one of the richest vegetable sources of calcium, iron and magnesium and is loaded with vitamins A and C and K. The edamame, tomatoes and fresh herbs contribute to making this salad clean and wholesome.

This dish is quick to assemble, light and refreshing. And at the risk of repeating myself, super healthy. Every time I eat it I feel as if I’m taking a big scrub brush and cleaning my insides of anything harmful.

The salad is a terrific side dish for a piece of grilled chicken or fish. It keeps well in the fridge for a few days and is great served at room temperature, or slightly cool from the fridge. I like to drizzle some olive oil over the leftovers just before serving.

Here’s what you will need to serve 4 as a side dish….

Recipe

1 cup cooked bulgar (follow directions on bag)

2 cups cut up broccoli, steamed until tender but not too soft, cooled

1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise

1 cup frozen edamame, defrosted

1/2 cup scallions, chopped

2 tablespoons dill, chopped

1 cup parsley, chopped

1/4 cup mint, finely chopped

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

salt & pepper to taste

Method

Cook bulgar (boil in water, 2 to 1 ratio, simmer for 15 minutes). Allow to cool. Fluff and separate with a fork.

Steam broccoli, allow to cool.

In a large bowl add the broccoli, tomatoes, scallions, edamame, dill, parsley, mint and bulgar. Stir to combine. In a separate bowl whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil , cayenne pepper and salt (pepper is optional). Pour over the bulgar salad and mix to incorporate. The salad should just glisten with the dressing, it should not be soaked.

It’s as easy as that!

Bulgar Salad With Broccoli

Author: Feasts And Fotos

Ingredients

1 cup cooked bulgar (follow directions on bag)
2 cups cut up broccoli, steamed until tender but not too soft, cooled
1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
1 cup frozen edamame, defrosted
½ cup scallions, chopped
2 tablespoons dill, chopped
1 cup parsley, chopped
¼ cup mint, finely chopped
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
salt & pepper to taste

Method

Cook bulgar (boil in water, 2 to 1 ratio, simmer for 15 minutes). Allow to cool. Fluff and separate with a fork.
Steam broccoli, allow to cool.
In a large bowl add the broccoli, tomatoes, scallions, edamame, dill, parsley, mint and bulgar. Stir to combine. In a separate bowl whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil , cayenne pepper and salt (pepper is optional). Pour over the bulgar salad and mix to incorporate. The salad should just glisten with the dressing, it should not be soaked.