Weeknight Dinner Inspiration: Spaghetti with Salsa Cruda

Spaghetti with Salsa Cruda .TheCubanReuben.comWith such a passion for cooking, I am often asked what a typical meal in my house looks like, and where I find inspiration for my daily dishes. As I’ve said before, during the work week, if it takes longer than thirty minutes to prepare, I’m not interested. Spoiled by the Southern California sunshine, oftentimes this means firing up the grill for some marinated chicken and vegetables. Of course, there are only so many different marinades for chicken, and once in a while, I have a hankering for something different.

Recently, while pondering what to make for dinner that night, I spotted a facebook post from my fellow foodie, Noah, who I met producing student theatre for the Jewish Theater Ensemble at Northwestern many moons ago. So inspired by his plate of shrimp, pasta, and salad, I set out to recreate my own version, and headed to the market on my lunch break for the ingredients.

SpaghettiDinner.TheCubanReuben.comThe moment I got home from work, I threw the shrimp in the oven, pulled together a simple salad, and prepared an herbaceous and aromatic salsa cruda for the pasta that was boiling in the pot of salty water. Once the pasta reached perfect al dente texture a few minutes later, I added it to the bowl of the salsa cruda, which perfectly warmed the sauce, and dinner was on the table in no time flat. Of course, I had to share a photo with Noah, the man who inspired it all. With his emphatic thumbs up, I now had a new recipe to add to my weekday repertoire. I look forward to the day Noah comes to visit and together we can cook the dish he inspired. Until then, our virtual tag-team cooking will do the trick…especially if it means more delicious dishes like this one!

5.0 from 1 reviews
Spaghetti with Salsa Cruda
 
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Serves: 2-3
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
 
A quick, fresh, Summery dish that is perfect for dinner for two.
Ingredients
  • ¼ Lbs. dried whole wheat spaghetti
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1 large clove of garlic, finely minced
  • 3 Tbs. chopped fresh Italian Parsley
  • 3 Tbs. chopped fresh basil
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 3 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste
Instructions
  1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook spaghetti according to the directions on the package, or until pasta is al dente.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the juice and zest of the lemon, garlic, parsley, basil, tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
  3. Once pasta is cooked to al dente, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, and drain the pasta. Add to the bowl with the salsa cruda, and use kitchen tongs to incorporate the sauce into the pasta. If needed, add 1 tablespoon of the pasta water at a time to the sauce.
  4. Top with freshly grated parmesan, and serve.

 

What’s in a name: Peas with Pasta and Mint

Peas and Pasta The year I was born, Jennifer was the most common name for girls. Suffice it to say, I grew up with no less than 3 or 4 Jennifers in my class at any given time. With that in mind, we all had to adopt our own variation of the root name, and soon I was known as “Jenny.” But never had I regretted that decision more than the Summer of 1994, when the American classic, “Forrest Gump,” was released in theaters. I thought I’d never hear the end of the phrase, “Jenny and me were like peas and carrots.” My SoCal friends would do their darndest to take on a Southern drawl, but their Golden State roots always betrayed their accents. I never fully understood the phrase to be one of endearment, either, because the only peas and carrots I knew where the mushy variety served from a can in the school lunch line. I don’t think I know anybody who ever liked those.

If I could go back in time and rewrite the script for the movie, I’d change the line to peas and pasta. Peas and pasta and mint, for that matter. To me, few things go better with peas than pasta and mint, and my latest recipe features this exact mix. To recreate my recipe, you could easily use any old pasta shape of your liking, but I specifically chose campanelle pasta for its signature bell shape, which acts as a sort of basket for the little peas. Each pasta bell is coated in luxuriously creamy and slightly sweet mascarpone cheese, which melts into a light sauce, perfumed by caramelized onions and woodsy crimini mushrooms.  With just a sprinkle of fresh mint, this dish is elevated from ordinary to irresistible. Since Shavuot is quickly approaching, keep this recipe in your arsenal when you’re looking for something cheese-y.

Peas and Pasta close-upIf ever a sequel to Forrest Gump is in the works, we’ll have to make sure the producers know about the newest best pairing in town.  “Jenny and me was like peas, pasta and mint.” If you ask me, I’d say it has a nice ring to it.

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
Peas with Pasta and Mint
 
Author:
Recipe type: main
Serves: 4-6
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
 
Bell-shaped pasta acts as the perfect basket for these peas, coated in a warm mascarpone sauce.
Ingredients
  • 16 oz Campanelle pasta
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 pint crimini mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
  • 8oz mascarpone cheese
  • 3 TBS fresh mint, chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • fresh ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to packaging, until al dente.
  2. Meanwhile, add olive oil in a separate saute pan, and heat over medium heat. Add the onions, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic, and stir gently. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until mushrooms have cooked through. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  3. Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
  4. Gently fold in the thawed peas to the onion mix. Stir in the hot pasta, and mix in the mascarpone cheese. Lower heat, and let cheese melt. If needed, stir in 1 TBS of the reserved pasta water, to thicken the sauce.
  5. Top with fresh mint.
  6. Can be served hot or at room temperature.
Notes
*If you are using fresh peas, be sure to steam them before adding to this recipe.

 

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