Simple Arrabbiata Sauce

Simple Arrabbiata Sauce (from Allrecipes, Total Time: 45 minutes, Servings: 4)

Ingredients

·         2 (28 oz.) cans diced tomatoes

·         2 Tbsp. olive oil

·         1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

·         4 cloves garlic, minced

·         1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

·         Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1.       In a large saucepan, combine tomatoes, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until sauce is thickened.

2.       Stir in garlic, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in basil, salt and pepper.

I served this sauce with spaghetti squash.  It had a good heat, not too much, though, so my husband could eat it.  The sauce is very thick and chunky.  I like that it’s easy to make and has a robust flavor – you can really taste the garlic and red pepper flakes.  I used minimal salt and pepper, but I did use dried basil, maybe about 1 Tbsp.  The fresh basil in our garden is definitely done for the season.  Enjoy!

Cajun Pasta Fresca

Cajun Pasta Fresca (slightly adapted from AllRecipes, Total Time: 25 minutes, Servings: 4)

Ingredients

·         1 spaghetti squash, cut in half with seeds and inner membrane scooped out

·         2 Tbsp. olive oil

·         1 tsp. minced garlic

·         1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained

·         1 tsp. dried parsley

·         1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning

·         ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Place spaghetti squash on baking sheet, cut side down.  Bake for 45 minutes.

2.      Remove squash from oven and allow to cool slightly.  Using fork, scoop out inside (should look like spaghetti strands).

3.      While squash is cooling, briefly sauté garlic in oil. Stir in tomatoes and remainder of juice. When tomatoes are bubbly, mash slightly with a fork. Stir in parsley, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes more.  Add Cajun seasoning and Parmesan and cook 2 minutes.

4.      Toss squash with tomato sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella if desired.

The biggest change that I made to the original recipe is that I didn’t use pasta, I used spaghetti squash.  I am currently in a love affair with this variety of squash – I love the taste and texture and it serves as a healthy alternative to pasta.  I also used canned diced tomatoes instead of buying 13 plum tomatoes!  Looking back, I should probably have upped to 1.5 or 2 cans of 28 oz. size, but hindsight is 20-20. 

This dish is really easy and quick to make, even the spaghetti squash is pretty easy – just be careful when forking out the innards, no burns allowed!  The sauce was very thick and chunky, which is why I think more tomatoes would have been a good idea (or petite diced).  I liked the soft texture of the tomatoes against the firmer squash.  My sauce was slightly spicy, just a hint of heat, and full of flavor.  I feel that each element stood on its own, the garlic and parsley were not overpowered by the tomatoes or the Cajun.  I also only used the Parmesan and not the additional mozzarella called for in the original recipe – even the Parmesan felt a bit overwhelming with only the 1 large can of tomatoes.  The cheese and Cajun seasoning work nicely together with a bit of a flavor explosion!  If I used more tomatoes, I’d probably keep the other seasonings the same, or increase just a tad, and add the mozzarella.  I hope that you make this dish because my mouth is watering just writing about it!

Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce (from AllRecipes, Total Time: 50 minutes, Servings: 8)

Ingredients

·         1 container roasted red peppers

·         2 Tbsp. minced garlic

·         ¼ cup fresh basil

·         3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

·         2 cups half-and-half (I used fat-free)

·         ¼ cup grated Romano cheese

·         4 Tbsp. butter

·         salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1.      Chop peppers into small pieces, removing seeds as you go.

2.      In a skillet, cook and stir the garlic, basil, and red peppers in 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes, so that the flavors mix.

3.      Place mixture in blender (careful it is hot), and puree to desired consistency.

4.      Return puree to skillet, and reheat to a boil. Stir in the half-and-half and the Romano cheese; cook and stir until the cheese melts. Add the butter, and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes.

I served this sauce over a Mediterranean ravioli.  I think next time, I’ll choose regular pasta.  I’ll also use regular half and half instead of fat-free because our sauce ended up thin.  It had a slightly sweet flavor to it, I’m not sure if that was the sauce or the pasta.  I had to add some red pepper flakes to mine to get some good flavor out of it, so next time I’ll throw that in while its cooking.  Not a bad sauce, but I’ve had better.

Tomato Cream Sauce

Tomato Cream Sauce (slightly adapted from AllRecipes, 5-6 servings, Total Time: 20 minutes)

Ingredients

·         2 Tbsp. olive oil

·         ½ small onion, diced

·         1 clove garlic, minced

·         1 (14.5 oz.) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

·         1 Tbsp. dried basil leaves

·         ¾ tsp. white sugar

·         ¼  tsp. dried oregano

·         ¼ tsp. salt

·         1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

·         ½ cup heavy cream

·         1 Tbsp. margarine

Directions

1.      In a saucepan, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat. Make sure it doesn't burn.

2.      Add tomatoes, basil, sugar, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to boil and continue to boil 5 minutes or until most of the liquid evaporates.

3.      Remove from heat; stir in whipping cream and butter. Reduce heat and simmer 5 more minutes.

I served this over rotini cooked al dente and both my husband and I loved it.  It has a slightly sweet flavor.  The only thing that I had an issue with was that I tossed it with too much pasta, resulting it being slightly dry.  I will probably double the recipe next time.  It is quick, easy, and very tasty.  The next time I make it, I will substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.  No other changes needed!  Enjoy!