5.10.2009

Fresh Tomato Sauce with Whole Wheat Spaghetti

I love convenient canned products, but some items are always be better fresh in my book.   Tomato sauce is one of them and this recipe couldn't be simpler.  This is the first thing I created without following a recipe to a tee and I can still remember the joy I had oh so many years ago of making something without a cookbook... and it actually being tasty.  I have since spruced it up a little, but it is still very simple and delicious!  The best thing is, you really can't mess it up and it makes great leftovers... Enjoy!
Fresh Tomato Sauce with Whole Wheat Spaghetti
Recipe Notes
I will definitely say this recipe is its best during the summer.  It allows the flavor of the fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil to really shine through.  Using summer tomatoes at their peak produces the best results.  Any variety of tomato can work, but I think vine-ripened gives the best flavor.  Having tried several types of pasta, I think angel hair whole wheat pasta is definitely the best.  I enjoy it way more than when I have made it with whole wheat spaghetti.  
Ingredients- Tomato Sauce
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
4 medium sized vine-ripened tomatoes, roughly chopped (bite size chunks)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup of torn basil leaves
salt & pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (1/2 cup if you like things extra cheesy)
Pasta
8 oz. angel hair whole wheat pasta (approximately half a box)
Directions
1.  Heavily salt a pot of water and bring to a boil.
2.  Cook pasta according to directions; drain pasta and return to pan.
3.  While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a separate pan. (do not let the heat get too hot or it will burn the garlic)
4.  Add garlic and let simmer for about 30 seconds (do not let it brown).
5.  Add tomatoes and salt; bring to a slight boil.
6.  Add torn basil leaves and turn heat down to medium low.
7.  Let simmer for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally.  Taste the sauce and add extra salt and pepper to taste. 
8.  Add pasta and sauce together over low heat. 
9.  Right before serving, toss with parmesan cheese.
Serves: 2 main course servings or 4 side servings
this recipe is my first in a category called skinny cook.  this category is for healthy recipes.  If you were to stick to recipes only in this category, I believe that is exactly what you would be... a very skinny cook.  Good luck with that though.  I myself think life is just not fun without a fresh strawberry cupcake every now & then. 

4 comments:

  1. Great recipe - simple and to the point. I will definitely be trying this one!

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  2. I loved this delicious and quick dinner!

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  3. I want to be a skinny cook, too.

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  4. As a Sicilian 2nd generation, the only thing I would add would be an onion and definitely let it cook longer adding parmesean and Romano cheeses the last 30 mins. Mangia!

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