Friday, April 1, 2011

Pasta Primavera

Introduction:

Pasta primavera is an Italian-American dish that consists of pasta and fresh
vegetables.A meat such as chicken,sausage or shrimp is sometimes added,
but the focus of primavera is the vegetables themselves.The dish may contain
almost any kind of vegetable,but cooks tend to stick to firm,crisp vegetables,
such as broccoli,carrots,peas,onions and green bell peppers,with tomatoes.

Pasta primavera is usually highlighted by light flavors,aromatic herbs and bright
colors ('primavera' meaning the season of spring).Classic primavera sauce is
based on a soffritto of garlic and olive oil and finished with Parmesan cheese.
But versions further enriched by,or based on,a heavier cream or Alfredo sauce
are also common.Though recipes for cold pasta primavera may be found,
they are best classified as antipasti or appetizers.

Pastas served with this dish are typically smaller shapes,such as penne,farfalle,
rigatoni and fusilli.If using longer types of pasta,such as spaghetti or fettuccine,
the vegetables are normally sliced in thin strips to match the shape of the noodles.
Since primavera means spring,the vegetable choices should be the crisp new
vegetables of spring.

Though this dish is related to and likely derived from genuinely Italian dishes,
under this name it is certainly an American dish,created in New York City
in the early 1970's.The canonical story of its creation ascribes it to Sirio
Maccioni,then owner of Le Cirque,in 1974.Soon it gained popularity as
an unlisted special at the restaurant and from there spread rapidly across
the country.


Recipe For Pasta Primavera :





Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Penne or Spiral Pasta - 10 Oz.
Diced Yellow Bellpepper - 2 Cups
Small Broccoli Florets - 2 Cups
Olive Oil - 2 tbsp.
Del Monte's Diced Tomatoes With Basil,
      Garlic & Oregano No Salt Added - 2 Cans (14.5 Oz. each)
Grated Parmesan Cheese - 1/4 Cup

Method:

Cook the pasta according to the package directions.Drain and keep
it warm.

Cook diced yellow bellpepper and small broccoli florets in oil in a
large skillet for 3 minutes.

Add the undrained tomatoes with basil,garlic and oregano sauce
(no salt added preferably).

Cover and cook fpr 5 minutes or until the vegetables are
tender-crisp.

Toss with the cooked pasta and grated parmesan cheese.

Garnish with chopped fresh basil,if desired and serve it hot.


Note : Del Monte's Diced Tomatoes With Basil,Garlic and Oregano
           No Salt Added is available in Walmart,Target and Kroger in
           the Pasta Sauce Aisle.


For the health benefits of whole wheat pasta,please visit :
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5910876/health_benefits_of_whole_wheat_pasta.html






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