Friday, July 9, 2010

Quiet Time


No moment on the scale this week but since it's "that time of the month" I am grateful. I know that next week I'll have a loss, will just keep plugging along as I have been. I'm also fighting a summer cold, feeling rather miserable, so today I'm going to spend some quiet time on the couch with a good book, a bottle of Advil and a big pitcher of mint-infused ice water.

I've been making some changes in my diet, focusing on "real" food and avoiding processed stuff as much as possible so this recipe from Real Simple magazine really appeals to me. (pasta is "real" food, isn't it?) I am changing the portion size, no way am I eating a 600+ calorie dinner and using whole wheat pasta to make it more healthful. I can't wait to use the fresh-picked tomatoes from my garden!



Pasta With Marinated Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Serves 4
Hands-on Time: 15m
Total Time: 25m

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 pounds beefsteak tomatoes, diced
* 1/2 small sweet onion, roughly chopped
* 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 8 ounces bocconcini (small balls of fresh mozzarella), quartered, or fresh mozzarella, cubed
* kosher salt and pepper
* 1 pound dried fettuccine
* 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn

Directions

1. In a large bowl, gently combine the tomatoes, onion, oil, bocconcini, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside and let marinate at room temperature for at least 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Add the drained pasta and basil to the marinated tomatoes and toss to combine. Divide among individual bowls.

Tip: The longer the tomato mixture marinates, the more flavorful it becomes. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Spoon it over chicken or warm bread.

Nutritional Information

Calories 688; Calories From Fat 27%; Fat 21g; Sat Fat 9g; Cholesterol 40mg; Sodium 891mg; Carbohydrate 95g; Fiber 5g; Sugar 6g; Protein 26g


Have a Beauty-Full Day,

11 comments:

  1. That recipe sounds absolutely mouth watering, and a nice change of pace for a hot summer evening! Thanks for sharing, and hope you get to feeling better!!

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  2. Whenever Tomatoes and Mozzarella get together I consider it a party! Now, where is the Mai Tai?

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  3. Ooooo, that DOES sound tasty! I'm all about eating "real" food too - I need to check out that magazine!

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  4. Thank you, Orange Kitteh! A day on the couch does wonder for a sick kitten. :)

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  5. Patrick, I'll provide dinner if you bring the drinks! :)

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  6. Euphrades, I have always had good luck with Real Simple's recipes. They don't usually post the nutritional content in the magazine but they do online. Enjoy!

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  7. Home-grown ingredients are always so much better than store bought. I have been enjoying cherries and strawberries from the garden.

    Hope you feel better soon :)

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  8. Mark, cherries, wow! I would never think to attempt to grow them! Lucky you, bet you're making the most of those lovely fruits. :)

    Thank you..I'm still resting/relaxing. It's too hot to do much else anyway!

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  9. I often make a very similar dish, but without the meat. Sounds good with meat too and I may give it a try.

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  10. I just looked at that again - I had mistaken beefsteak tomatoes for beef steak. lol!

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  11. Lesley, lol, that's ok! We all have those moments. ;)

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