Butta la pasta!

Oh man, I hope that means what I think it means (I think it means "throw in the pasta!"). I cheated a little and googled Italian sayings about pasta.

I've been focusing a lot on dinner dishes lately (which, while some of you may enjoy that, others want more variety), but I will definitely be switching it up in the next few weeks.  Expect some music posts, some DIY posts, some serious crafting posts, some Valentines related posts, and last but not least, some baking posts.

Anyway, to get back to my first point, I picked an Italian pasta phrase because this post includes two, yup, you heard me, TWO AMAZING pasta dishes that I HIGHLY recommend.  Pasta dishes are great for a number of reasons: 1) they are cheap, but delicious, 2) they can me made in large or small quantities very easily, 3) they can be made healthier (note I did not say completely healthy) with a few substitutions (olive oil instead of butter, whole wheat pasta instead of regular, lots of veggies, etc.), 4) they are fantastic for left overs because they keep for longer periods of time if stored properly, and 5) they are QUICK (most of the time).

I found both of these recipes on Pinterest while trying to get us some variety in our menu. The first of which is a spaghetti in garlic gravy with fresh herbs and the second is called an Italian wonderpot (sounds exotic, right?!). Both are highly recommended, make great leftovers or group meals. I changed both recipes the first one more than the second.

Spaghetti with garlic gravy and fresh herbs:
What you will need:
About 1/2 box of spaghetti
1/2 stick unsalted butter
2 tbsp olive oil (plus 1 more tbsp to
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tbsp flour
2 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
About 1 tsp salt
About 1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups cherry tomatoes (or more...the more the merrier!)

What you do:
1) Boil water in large pot with oil and salt.
2) When water boils, break spaghetti in half and add to the pot cook per the instructions on the box (usually about 12 mins) stirring occasionally. 
3) While the pasta is boiling/cooking, combine 1/2 stick unsalted butter and 2 tbsp in a medium/large saucepan on medium heat.
4) Add 4 cloves minced garlic until it is soft (and smells REALLY good).
5) Add 2 tbsp flour and stir.  Let cook for about 1 minute.
6) Add 2 1/2 cups chicken stock and stir.  Cook until gravy has thickened stirring occasionally.
7) Add 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil.
8) Remove from heat and mix into finished spaghetti.
9) Add cherry tomatoes and serve!

The second recipe for the Italian Wonderpot is also delicious and probably a little healthier for you. than the garlic gravy.

What you will need:
4 cups vegetable broth
2 tbsp olive oil
12 oz. (1 box) fettuccine
1 box halved cherry tomatoes (the recipe calls for 1 can diced tomatoes, but I like fresh cherry tomatoes better)
1 onion
4 cloves garlic (thinly sliced not diced)
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

What you do (and this is the best part because there is only 1 prep dish to wash!):
1) In a large pot add all ingredients including spices.
2) Make sure all ingredients are covered by broth.
3) Cover pot with lid and turn on high heat.
4) Let the broth boil, when it does, remove the lid, turn heat down to medium, and let boil on medium heat uncovered for 10-15 mins. Stir occasionally.
5) When the pasta is cooked remove from heat and serve!