Herbed Pasta
One of my favorite vegetarian dishes is pasta. My boyfriend likes his with canned Alfredo sauce and mushrooms on it. I like that too, but when I make it I usually use herbs, sometimes with chunks of fresh tomato tossed in for flavor, color, and health.
While cooking the pasta I heat a frying pan containing a small amount of oil and sliced fresh garlic. My choices for oil are olive oil, coconut oil, or sunflower oil… all organic. For this, I usually choose olive oil because I love the flavor. To my garlic I add salt, thyme, parsley, kelp flakes, oregano and basil. When the pasta is cooked and drained, I put some in the frying pan with my oil and herbs, and mix it together. The fresh tomatoes go in last, when the heat is turned off. Then I put it all on a plate with Parmesan cheese on top, and sometimes a little grated sharp cheddar right under the Parmesan. Mmmmm… I am such a pasta lover.
You notice I share my recipes but usually don’t mention amounts. I expect that we all have have an inner instinct for knowing how much to use. Learning to rely on that is part of becoming a confident cook. My grandmother never used measuring cups or spoons, and I rarely do.
Pasta choices… my boyfriend likes fettuccine. Honestly, I like it all but usually use fettuccine, spaghetti, or macaroni.
A few nights ago I went to the regular Friday evening fund-raising dinner at our local art center. This is a vegan/vegetarian dinner. They served big pasta shells with some kind of sauce (I should have asked) along with a green salad, cooked beets, and a slice of homemade bread. The dinner was satisfying and delicious, and for five dollars, I enjoyed the meal and the company of artistically minded people. The money is to be used to build a new art center in our remote mountain town.
I’m not a vegetarian but this sounds goooooooooooood =)
Comment by Jordans — Monday, October 20, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
Oo I love macroni not had it since I was little, I might have that tonight for dinner!
Comment by Bethany Gifted — Tuesday, October 21, 2008 @ 6:39 am
Ok I am having pasta for my lunch now after this, it sounds amazing!
Comment by Beth Fork — Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 4:24 am
I love pasta very much and will try it for tonight and I like the way you’ve described the recipes for that. Adding the tomatoes in the last is One of the best thing in vegeterian pasta which I like the most.
Comment by Wii — Wednesday, October 22, 2008 @ 5:35 am
I hope I’m doing the right thing, what do you think Beth? I was expecting a complete guide but this is awesome anyway
Comment by Internet Cafe Software — Friday, October 24, 2008 @ 2:55 am
I’m half italian and whenever I go over to Italy and ask for a salad with my pasta they look at me like I have 2 heads! Its not the done thing, I think its just an english thing to have salad with pasta, but they work so well together
Comment by Beth Fork — Monday, October 27, 2008 @ 5:38 am
Does anyone have a recipe for meatballs and spaghetti?
Comment by Bethany Gifted — Monday, October 27, 2008 @ 8:19 am
ah…. that inner feeling, it takes practice and talent. That’s what surely make cooking is an art. By the way never tried your recipes but sounds tasty though.
Comment by dextro — Tuesday, October 28, 2008 @ 4:38 pm
At the library a few days ago I came across this book of pasta recipes: Everyday Pasta
…lots of pasta toppings. Great, colorful photos, and the recipes looked delicious, though some used fish or meat, something I’d avoid.
Comment by Linda — Wednesday, October 29, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Pasta is a great healthy meal, I love eating it at least twice a week. My other favorite meal is soy hot dogs, might sound sick. But after you cook these up on the grill, and throw some chilli and mustard on there, they taste great. You should look into those.
Comment by Erik Z — Saturday, November 1, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
Thanks Erik, the veggie hot dogs sound delicious!! I use veggie burgers a lot… didn’t think of hot dogs.
Comment by Linda — Sunday, November 2, 2008 @ 1:17 am
Pasta is a vital part of a runner’s diet and a favorite comfort food among kids and adults alike, and it healthy for us
Comment by custom items — Monday, November 3, 2008 @ 2:28 am
You’re right on that… pasta is great for athletes, to keep the energy up.
Comment by Linda — Thursday, November 6, 2008 @ 7:46 am
I have heard before that pasta is good for energy and for working out etc except whenver I eat pasta I feel really heavy and bloated and the last thing I want to do is go for a run! Is a certain type of pasta do you know, such as rice pasta I should be eating?
Comment by Bethany Storage — Monday, November 10, 2008 @ 4:59 am
I don’t know what kind of pasta would eliminate that bloated feeling, but I know that if you eat macaroni and don’t chew it enough you’ll be swallowing lots of air (same with any other hollow pasta)… does it make a difference if you eat spaghetti instead? I usually get the bloated feeling more if I put cheese on my pasta.
Comment by Linda — Thursday, November 13, 2008 @ 4:21 am
I make a pesto tomato sauce that is to die for. I love pasta and don’t beleave in that atkins stuff for a second. It gives me a great boost of energy.
Just last night actually I had broccoli and Alfredo over linguine not that thats a big deal I seem to have something similar once a week at least.
Comment by Jimmy — Saturday, November 15, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
YEah I run alot and pasta is the best thing for energy, it releases it slowly so you can run for longer
Comment by Diana Insurancet — Friday, December 5, 2008 @ 3:51 am
Lovely recipe, thanks. As pasta is one of my favourite dishes I’m definitely going to give this a try. By substituting the cheddar for some soya cheese (or missing it off) it can easily be made suitable for vegans too.
Comment by Vegan Shopping — Tuesday, January 27, 2009 @ 1:05 am
You have no idea how pasta make my wife happy. If possible she could be eating the different styles the whole week!
Comment by Pozole Blanco — Friday, April 10, 2009 @ 8:16 am
I love pasta as well and they’re damn good. I usually prefer to have small chicken pieces in it along with other vegetables in it as well.
But I haven’t ate any pasta with tomatoes in it but eating fresh tomatoes is very good for men especially as it helps in reducing risks for Prostrate cancer.
I still have to start eating tomatoes regularly and start liking it more.
Regards
Mel
Comment by Mel — Tuesday, October 13, 2009 @ 10:42 pm