Thursday, August 18, 2011

Fresh Tomato Saute (to serve over Pasta)

Fresh Tomato Saute (to serve over Pasta)

Ingredients:
  • 1lb angel hair or thin spaghetti pasta (whole grain) - prepared as directed
  • 4 cups chopped tomatoes *For best flavor, fire-roast tomatoes over gas burner or on grill before chopping until slifhtly chared on all sides
  • 1 small - medium green pepper chopped
  • 4-6 tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon or lime
  • 1 tbs minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • (optional: 1/2 cup fresh halved cherry tomatoes)
  • (optional: frozen shrimp)

Prepare:
  • In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over med-high heat.
  • Add tomatoes and green peppers (Careful! Oil is hot and may splatter.)
  • Stir in lemon/lime juice, basil, salt and pepper.
  • Simmer just until tomoatoes soften and start to reduce.
  • (Add thawed shrimp 1-2 minutes before removing from heat)
  • Spoon over plated pasta or combine with pasta in a large serving bowl.
  • (top with halved cherry tomatoes)
  • Top with parmesan and serve

Tips:
If you are dieting or want to avoid the 225 calories in 1 cup of spaghetti, substitute spaghetti squash (only 40 calories/cup) for a really healthy dish.
Tomatoes have the highest content of Lycopene of any fruit or vegetable. Lycopene acts as an anti-oxidant in the body and helps fight cancer and heart disease
Tomatoes should not be refrigerated as they loose their consistency and flavor. Keep them in a cool place and eat as soon as you can after picking