negligible quantities: pasta (printable)

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PASTA

LINGUINE, SOBA NOODLES

Level 1
Cold Pasta Salad
Serves 4-6

Here's comfort food as with that
“slaved all day over a hot stove” quality. Prep time is around 10 minutes.

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. fresh, chopped seasonal herbs (preferably parsley & dill; basil & oregano; cilantro & parsley or any of these alone)
1-2 Roma tomatoes, chopped or 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 scallion, finely minced or 1 Tbsp. chopped chives
2 cups cooked pasta (any kind that is not a long noodle), room temperature
Lightly toasted pine nuts (optional)
1 Tbsp. real mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste

In a non-reactive bowl, whisk olive oil and lemon juice. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Toss in pasta; coat well. Garnish with pine nuts.

Serving suggestions:

A terrific main course when accompanied by salad and bread. As a complete lunch, toss in 1 6 oz. can of drained, albacore tuna. (We prefer the more flavorful imported Italian tuna packed in olive oil.) For a vegetarian pasta salad, add cold, cooked but firm peas or garbanzo beans, and goat cheese, feta or parmesan.

Level 1
Pasta Fagole Soup
Serves 4-6

Here's comfort food as with that
“slaved all day over a hot stove” quality. Prep time is around 10 minutes.

2-3 cups cooked pasta (any kind that is not a long noodle), room temperature
1 15 oz. can chicken or beef stock
2 Tbsp. butter or olive oil or combo of both
½ cup dry white wine (optional)
1 14.5oz. can Italian peeled tomatoes, chopped with juice
1 15 oz. can white beans, not drained
1 onion, medium
2-3 cloves garlic, peeled and cored
Handful fresh herbs, washed (preferably parsley, oregano, basil) or 1 tsp dried
2 stalks celery, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)

Put all fresh vegetables into bowl of food processor; chop coarsely. In a stockpot, heat oil or butter. Add chopped mixture to stockpot; sauté for 5 minutes. Empty all canned ingredients into stockpot. Add remaining ingredients; bring to boil. Cook on low for 30 minutes. Taste; adjust seasonings. Add pasta 5 minutes before serving. Put in bowl and grate parmesan cheese on top.

Any negligible quantity of cooked meat – like cooked chicken, fish or shrimp – transforms this pasta dish into a meal in a bowl.

Serving suggestions:

Serve with crusty warm garlic bread and a light salad. Grate parmesan cheese on top and pass the bowls around the table.