Monday, January 18, 2010

Tasty Recipe - Shells with Broccoli & Onion

This dish was so tasty and so easy, I even had dinner done early because I thought it would take more time than it did!

Shells with Broccoli & Onion
6 oz mini shell pasta
1 yellow onion
3-ish cloves of garlic, crushed (more if you like it!)
2 TBS cooking oil (I used canola, could use olive, but I don't care for the flavor...)
1 pkg frozen broccoli
about 3/4 C walnut pieces
about 1/2 C grated parmesan
salt & pepper to taste

Start the water for the pasta in a large pot. Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the onion and garlic. Saute the onion and garlic until the onion is toasted brown, and starting to turn almost black. Some black parts are OK, and even add flavor.

Toast the walnuts in a dry pan to soften the flavor. Don't over toast, just until they turn slightly brown.

When the pasta water boils, throw in the shells and the broccoli. Boil about 6 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.

Drain pasta and broccoli, put back into the hot pan, add the walnuts, onion/garlic, and parmesan cheese. Toss to combine. Add enough salt and pepper to your liking.

This recipe is nice and light, and will definitely be on our summer menu!

Adapted from the 12 Best Foods Cookbook that I got from the library. (I changed the ingredients to cheaper & easier to find ones. Hey - I'm no gourmet...)