ITALIAN DREAM PASTA
If there is one thing that I love from living in Italy most of my life (and there are many) it's the sweet, flavorful tomatoes and fresh homemade dishes. Sundried tomatoes specifically, are just so dang good. Luckily, wherever you are you can find them at your local grocery store and get a taste of Italy. Paired with this veggie and lentil pasta meal, they are amazing.
When I make a pasta meal I usually use either bean pasta (chickpea or lentil) or a brown rice pasta. These options are gluten free friendly, and for those who are not- they include more protein, fiber and nutrients than the bleached flours used in regular pasta, making for a more balanced and also lighter carbohydrate meal if that suits your vibe. I hope you enjoy this meal, pretend you're in Italy for the moment and savor every bite. Ciao!
Ingredients:
portions based to serve for 1.
- 2oz red lentil pasta. brand I used: explore cuisine brand. made of organic lentil flour and organic brown rice flour ONLY!
- sun dried tomatoes in olive oil
- a handful of fresh asparagus (about a cup or more)
- handful of fresh basil leaves
- 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic or 1 clove of garlic cut up finely.
- dried oregano
- pink himlayan sea salt or regular sea salt
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Directions:
01. cook pasta. bring water to a boil then cook pasta with a pinch of sea salt by following the instructions on the box. bean pasta cooks faster than grain based, so make sure to be stirring and checking on it!
Once cooked RINSE the pasta under cold water to prevent the pasta from getting soggy.
02. you can add the asparagus to the same pot and steam them, or cook them separately in a pan; sautee in olive oil and minced garlic until they are soft : about 10 minutes on medium heat.
03. once the asparagus is ready add and mix the with the pasta.
04. The sauce: mix a couple tbsp. of sun dried tomatoes along with a tbsp. of the olive oil they are dried in, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon, add chopped basil, and a pinch of salt.
05. add the sauce to the pasta and add as much oregano as you'd like!
Can be enjoyed eaten cold, perfect for a prepped meal on the go or as a leftovers!
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If you try out this recipe, share and tag me so in can see your creation and get feedback! Have a healthy, lovely day.
xoxo, Flo.
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Where you can reach me:
IG: @flo_ghigo
Email: flaminia.ghigo@gmail.com