Pantry Cooking 101 - Fun and Simple Pasta!
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Pantry cooking looks like the norm for a little while and Pasta is the best pantry cooking I know, simple to prepare comfort food, super versatile and so delicious!
Maybe it’s just me, but I have had such a hard time getting motivated this week. This was not the stay at home vacation any of us planned for and though I have so many home projects that could very much keep me super busy this week, I have had a hard time starting any of them.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the kitchen, my happy place, and since we are basically on lock down and won’t be making many trips for groceries, it’s a good time to be creative with the pantry. My favorite pantry food…of course, you know me…Pasta!
I thought I would share some fun & simple pasta dishes to help us all get through the isolation period. Nothing like comfort food to bring a smile to anyone’s tummy! Continue to stay safe and well and I hope you enjoy some of my favorite pasta comfort dishes while we are spending time at home.
So the thing about pasta is that it really is a blank canvas. Cook some pasta, your favorite shape or whatever you have in the pantry, make a sauce, add some extras, bring it all together, top it with your favorite cheese, nuts, herbs and you have a fun & simple gourmet masterpiece!
The easiest Pantry Pasta I know is a simple Puttanesca. Cook Pasta: Start with a pound of linguine, spaghetti or fettuccine cooked to package directions for al dente, keeping one cup of the pasta liquid set aside. Drain.
Make Sauce: In a large sauté pan, heat ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil over medium heat and add a medium fennel bulb, halved and sliced into ¼ inch thickness. Sauté until soft and translucent but not browned. Add one-half cup halved garlic cloves and swirl around until the garlic just begins to become aromatic. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Add 2 cups of diced San Marzano tomatoes (canned or fresh) and simmer for 5-7 minutes until reduced and beginning to thicken. Add Extras: Add ¼ cup dry white wine, ¼ cup capers, ¼ cup pitted kalamata olives, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Stir well to combine and continue to cook about 5 minutes more. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed.
Bring it All Together: Add the pasta and ¼ cup of the pasta liquid into the sauce and toss to coat (with tongs). If the sauce seems too thick, add another ¼ cup of the pasta liquid and continue to toss. Cook about 2 minutes longer and pour into serving bowl. Finish with Toppings: I like, freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, chopped fresh basil leaves, fresh flat leaf parsley or both, freshly grated lemon zest, a sprinkling of kosher salt and a fresh grind of black pepper, then a nice drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and serve! If you like tuna in your Puttanesca, add 8 oz. of flaked oil-packed tuna during the last two minutes just to heat through tossing to combine into the dish.
That’s it! A super fun & simple and most delicious pantry pasta dish. Here are some more of my fun & simple favs…
Hope you enjoy these Fun & Simple #PantryPasta dishes. I will have more #PantryCooking ideas for you next week. In the meantime, continue to stay safe and healthy!
Remember Fun & Simple Gourmet is available at iTunes for your devices and is filled with more delicious pasta recipes and other fun & simple menu ideas.
