Monthly Archives: August 2021

Bread and Pasta, Quick

Arugula and Blue Cheese Pasta

One of the simplest meals I’ve ever made. And beyond its simplicity, it’s so delicious and decadent that I can’t believe it’s just a few ingredients.

Note: Buy the best blue cheese you can, and hopefully one you know you like. My favorite (by far) is Point Reyes Original Blue.

Print Recipe

Arugula and Blue Cheese Pasta

Simplicity can lead to fantastic results
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: California, Italian
Keyword: Pasta
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 976kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 8 oz blue cheese
  • 6 oz arugula washed and dried
  • 1 lb farfalle pasta
  • ½ tsp salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • First, start a large stock pot of water in high and bring to a boil. Do not add salt.
  • While that comes to a boil, melt butter over low heat in a small saucepan. This will take several minutes, which you can use to crumble the blue cheese if it isn't already. Also make sure to rinse the arugula if necessary and dry it. Once the butter is melted, add the gorgonzola and stir ocassionally. Keep on low heat.
    4 tbsp butter, 8 oz blue cheese
  • Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, usually 8-12 minutes for a dried pasta of this type. Reserve a small amount of the pasta water, just in case, and drain the pasta.
    1 lb farfalle pasta
  • Toss the drained pasta with the blue cheese, butter and arugula.
    6 oz arugula
  • Taste and add salt and pepper. Dish should take plenty of black pepper.
    ½ tsp salt, freshly ground black pepper

Notes

Serves 3

Nutrition

Calories: 976kcal | Carbohydrates: 117g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 1600mg | Potassium: 744mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2389IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 526mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition Facts
Arugula and Blue Cheese Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 976 Calories from Fat 360
% Daily Value*
Fat 40g62%
Saturated Fat 24g150%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 97mg32%
Sodium 1600mg70%
Potassium 744mg21%
Carbohydrates 117g39%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 38g76%
Vitamin A 2389IU48%
Vitamin C 9mg11%
Calcium 526mg53%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Farro, Spring, Summer, Weeknight Dinner

Farro and Green Bean Salad

Simple and quick vegetarian meal. Perfect for green bean season!

Print Recipe

Farro and Green Bean Salad

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: California, Vegan
Keyword: Farro, Vegan
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 490kcal

Ingredients

Farro

  • 1 cup farro
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 cups water

Gremolata

  • 1 cup walnuts yielding ½ cup when finely chopped
  • 1 cup fresh dill roughly chopped
  • 2 large lemons zested and juiced
  • 1 large shallot finely chopped
  • ½ tsp salt

Green Beans

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb green beans trimmed
  • ½ tsp salt
  • black pepper
  • flaky sea salt optional for serving

Instructions

Farro

  • Add farro, 3 cups water and a pinch of kosher salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the farro is tender and toothsome, 25-45 minutes.
    1 cup farro, 1 pinch salt, 3 cups water

Gremolata

  • Toast the walnuts in a large skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to ensure that they don’t burn, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer toasted walnuts to a medium bowl. Add the dill, lemon zest and shallots and toss to coat. Season with salt and set aside.
    1 cup walnuts, 1 cup fresh dill, 2 large lemons, 1 large shallot, ½ tsp salt

Green Beans

  • Wipe out the skillet and heat the oil over medium. Add the green beans and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beans are crisp tender and start to brown in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Add a few tablespoons of water to help them along, if needed. Turn off the heat.
    2 tbsp olive oil, 1 lb green beans, black pepper, ½ tsp salt
  • If there is any residual cooking liquid from the farro, drain it and add the farro directly to the skillet. Toss with the beans until well combined and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large serving bowl or platter and top with the gremolata. Drizzle with lemon juice or white wine vinegar to finish. Season with flaky salt, if desired.
    flaky sea salt

Notes

Serves 4

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1718IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition Facts
Farro and Green Bean Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 490 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Sodium 621mg27%
Potassium 691mg20%
Carbohydrates 58g19%
Fiber 15g63%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 1718IU34%
Vitamin C 53mg64%
Calcium 132mg13%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Basics, Bread and Pasta, Dairy-Free, Quick

Basic Pearl Couscous

This is a basic recipe for pearl couscous, as a reminder on the amounts and timing of preparing couscous.

Print Recipe

Basic Pearl Couscous

Prep Time0 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Ingredient
Cuisine: Jewish
Keyword: Pasta
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 379kcal

Ingredients

  • t tbsp butter or olive oil
  • 1 cup pearl couscous
  • 1¼ cup vegetable broth

Instructions

  • Melt better or warm olive oil in a small sauce pan over medium or medium-high heat.
    t tbsp butter
  • Add the 1 cup pearl couscous and saute until starting to toast, about 3 minutes.
  • Add warmed vegetable broth, stir well, and bring to a boil. Then turn heat down to low and cook for 8-12 minutes until pasta is cooked. Serve.

Notes

Based on 2 servings

Nutrition

Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 488IU | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Facts
Basic Pearl Couscous
Amount Per Serving
Calories 379 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 646mg28%
Potassium 144mg4%
Carbohydrates 68g23%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 488IU10%
Calcium 22mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.