Hi,
The next time you are attending a party and need to make a contribution to the menu, may I suggest pasta. Pasta is a perfect choice. Its great especially if you are on a budget and looking to feed a big crowd. Pasta shapes are so different these days that pasta can actually be an added conversation piece. "Are those alphabet noodles, what cute little bowties, spiral noodles just like when I was a kid.." The conversation is endless! A customer where I work requested a pasta salad with goat cheese and vegetables and I created this dish with the following ingredients:
INGREDIENTS:
PENNE PASTA
SPRING ONIONS
SUNDRIED TOMATOES AND FRESH TOMATOES
PEPPERS (YOUR CHOICE OF COLORS YELLOW AND RED LOOK NICE)
FRESH BABY SPINACH
GOAT CHEESE
LEMON JUICE
OLIVE OIL
GARLIC
SALT AND PEPPER
Cook your pasta according to your preference I am not a fan of a hard al'dente pasta so I cook it for 2 minutes more than what the package says. While it is cooking start preparing the other ingredients. Fresh tomatoes should be cut into bite size pieces. Cut the peppers into half strips that could be easily put into a mouth without cutting it. It should be shorter than the pasta. Sundried tomatoes are a great ingredient to add to many dishes pasta, soups, chicken dishes, etc. It adds great color and additional flavor. You can even turn sundried tomatoes into a pesto which is great for pasta and breaded chicken. The spring onion also known as green onion or scallions should be sliced as thin as possible using the white and most of the green section. Now is the time for the spinach. If you ever have a dish that just need a little extra something whether it is color or flavor take a hand full of baby spinach and give it a rough chop and toss it in. It will look like you have way to much spinach in your dish but once your pasta and dressing is added you will see how it all comes together. Now it is time for the goat cheese. To crumble goat cheese easily you should leave it in the fridge until you are ready to add it to the other ingredients. Crumble your goat cheese with your hands. I prefer to use disposable food safe gloves for this type of task. Add as much as you like. In a separate dish mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. I would use about 1/2 cup of lemon juice to 1 cup of olive oil and possibly 1 tablespoon of fresh garlic. When your pasta is done to your liking rinse it with cold water drain it properly and toss it with your ingredients and the dressing. If necessary add more salt and pepper. If it seems like you have to much lemon add a little more oil to thin it out. This pasta is very popular where i work and it does not last. I am sure it will not last on your table or at the next party you attend.
Enjoy!
Mo
The next time you are attending a party and need to make a contribution to the menu, may I suggest pasta. Pasta is a perfect choice. Its great especially if you are on a budget and looking to feed a big crowd. Pasta shapes are so different these days that pasta can actually be an added conversation piece. "Are those alphabet noodles, what cute little bowties, spiral noodles just like when I was a kid.." The conversation is endless! A customer where I work requested a pasta salad with goat cheese and vegetables and I created this dish with the following ingredients:
INGREDIENTS:
PENNE PASTA
SPRING ONIONS
SUNDRIED TOMATOES AND FRESH TOMATOES
PEPPERS (YOUR CHOICE OF COLORS YELLOW AND RED LOOK NICE)
FRESH BABY SPINACH
GOAT CHEESE
LEMON JUICE
OLIVE OIL
GARLIC
SALT AND PEPPER
Cook your pasta according to your preference I am not a fan of a hard al'dente pasta so I cook it for 2 minutes more than what the package says. While it is cooking start preparing the other ingredients. Fresh tomatoes should be cut into bite size pieces. Cut the peppers into half strips that could be easily put into a mouth without cutting it. It should be shorter than the pasta. Sundried tomatoes are a great ingredient to add to many dishes pasta, soups, chicken dishes, etc. It adds great color and additional flavor. You can even turn sundried tomatoes into a pesto which is great for pasta and breaded chicken. The spring onion also known as green onion or scallions should be sliced as thin as possible using the white and most of the green section. Now is the time for the spinach. If you ever have a dish that just need a little extra something whether it is color or flavor take a hand full of baby spinach and give it a rough chop and toss it in. It will look like you have way to much spinach in your dish but once your pasta and dressing is added you will see how it all comes together. Now it is time for the goat cheese. To crumble goat cheese easily you should leave it in the fridge until you are ready to add it to the other ingredients. Crumble your goat cheese with your hands. I prefer to use disposable food safe gloves for this type of task. Add as much as you like. In a separate dish mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. I would use about 1/2 cup of lemon juice to 1 cup of olive oil and possibly 1 tablespoon of fresh garlic. When your pasta is done to your liking rinse it with cold water drain it properly and toss it with your ingredients and the dressing. If necessary add more salt and pepper. If it seems like you have to much lemon add a little more oil to thin it out. This pasta is very popular where i work and it does not last. I am sure it will not last on your table or at the next party you attend.
Enjoy!
Mo
This is such a great recipe I've had it before keep up the good work. By the way write it down....
ReplyDeleteI like that these recipes you post.....work for a low budget. That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteNow while I love goat cheese, I personally, would add feta cheese to this one. Feta cheese & spinach work well together. I would also add sauteed mushrooms!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks VirgoLuv for reading my blog and you are right it is great for a low budget home and it can be made for a small amount of people or a large group. You can definitely change the cheese to feta cheese. The idea of adding mushrooms sounds good also may I suggest you season your mushrooms with garlic and salt and pepper and saute the peppers as well. With the mushrooms I would also consider adding some chicken or shrimp to make it a complete meal served warm not room temperature. Let me know how it turns out!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Yummy. Will do.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked my suggestions!!
ReplyDeleteI will probably make this one next week. Just need a few more ingredients. Will keep you posted!
ReplyDeleteVirgo Luv,
ReplyDeleteDefinetly would like to know how it turns out and how you made it to be your own.
Mo