Balsamic Vegetable Stir-Fry

Did You Know? In its early days, balsamic vinegar was available only to the nobility and the artisans who made it. It was believed to be a miracle cure for everything from a sore throat to labor pains, and even used as protection against the plague.

I'm trying to break up all these cupcakes with some real food, but it's been pretty hard when graduation parties and cookouts have become the norm. I made this pasta dish the other day for lunch, trying to get myself out of a sugar coma. We had spent the night before baking cupcakes and frying doughnuts (which I promise to share soon), and my stomach could not take one more ounce of frosting or sprinkles.

I pretty much scanned my fridge, and grabbed whatever seemed appetizing at the time, trying to use up some produce before we had to throw it away. Bell peppers, carrots, onions, and peas are what I used here, but definitely just use this recipe as a guideline, tossing in whatever is convenient for you. A large handful of torn basil, and some chopped scallions rounded out the flavors, and added some much needed green. I've been pretty hooked on feta these days, so I tossed a few large spoonfuls of that in too. I love the sharp flavor you get from such a small amount. Finished with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and you have yourself a pretty satisfying lunch or dinner. I enjoyed it the next day with some pan-fried tofu chunks, and highly recommend that route as well.

Balsamic Vegetable Stir-Fry

12 ounces penne pasta (I used Basil & Garlic Penne from Trader Joe's)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup shredded carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 cup fresh basil, chopped or torn
4 green onions, white and pale green parts sliced thinly
Balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, and empty into a large serving bowl.

Meanwhile, heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onion, cover and let cook until translucent, 5 minutes or so. Add red pepper, and season with salt and pepper. Cover again for another 5 minutes. Remove cover, lower heat a bit, and saute until onion begins to caramelize and turn golden, another 10 minutes. Add shredded carrots, and cook for another few minutes. Add chopped garlic, and cook for 2 minutes more, making sure not to burn the garlic. Remove from heat, add the frozen peas, and spoon over pasta. Add the basil and green onions, a few drizzles of olive oil and a few drizzles of balsamic, and toss together to distribute flavors. Sprinkle with feta, toss again, and enjoy!

Roasted Broccoli & Walnut Pasta

Did You Know? Noodles got their start in China, not Italy as many people might think.

I spent this weekend in my kitchen, cooking some meals for my sister who was home from school for the weekend. I thought she could use a break from all that cafeteria food. After a delicious Friday night of baking with my mom while watching one of our favorite movies, Pride and Prejudice, I thought we could use a nice healthy lunch on Saturday afternoon. The recipe I turned to is one I make a lot, for it incorporates some of my favorite flavors, cranberries and walnuts (you've probably noticed that I add them to just about everything).

The colors of this pasta dish are absolutely beautiful. The bright red, whites, and greens would make a lovely vegetarian addition to your holiday meal (I've already promised my sister I would make this for her on Christmas). This recipe is delicious warm, as it wilts the spinach below. But I also like to serve it cold, and replace the parmesan with some crumbly feta, and tossed with baby spinach - a perfect summer pasta salad. I'll leave you with the recipe, as I leave to watch Pride and Prejudice for the tenth time this weekend...

Roasted Broccoli & Walnut Pasta
1 bunch broccoli, chopped
1 head cauliflower, chopped
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
2 sweet onions, thinly sliced
Handful of walnuts, toasted and chopped, plus some for garnish
1 lb. campanelle pasta (or whichever shape you prefer)
Handful of dried cranberries, plus some for garnish
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated, plus some for garnish
Balsamic Vinegar
6 oz. baby spinach, washed and dried

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss broccoli and cauliflower with a few splashes of olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast for about 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Meanwhile, cook your pasta in a large pot of boiling water, and start your onions. Heat a few splashes of olive oil in a large skillet, and saute the onions until transluscent. Turn the heat down a bit, season the onions with salt and pepper, and continue to cook until they are lightly caramelized, another twenty minutes or so.

While your pasta cooks, place the cranberries in a bowl and add about a half cup of the pasta water to plump them up a bit while you continue to assemble the meal.

When the pasta is al dente, remove another half cup or so of the pasta water to add back to the dish, before you drain it. Drain the pasta, put it back in the pot on the stove, and add the roasted broccoli, cauliflower, onions, cranberries, walnuts, parmesan, and some salt and pepper to taste. Moisten with the additional pasta water, a good drizzle of olive oil, and a few splashes of balsamic vinegar. Toss to combine, while the heat of the stove melts the cheese and melds the flavors.

Place the washed spinach on your serving platter, and top with the hot pasta. Garnish with additional cranberries, walnuts, and parmesan, and enjoy!