what i ate for dinner tonight
Ethan's Tomato-Bean Tortellini Especial
This was created after I said "I need to see what's in the freezer and pantry needing some using-up!" So I did, and after digging down to the bottom of our big chest freezer, past the MEAT, and frozen dinners, lo and behold, there it was: a one-pound bag of tortellini. It looked like it had been forgotten about, and made me sad, just looking at it, but I knew I had found my meal. In the pantry, I found a can of diced tomatoes, and poked around until I found a can of cut green beans, which seemed like a decent combo. It wouldn't be the first time I've had something like that. So, without further ado, here is what I did, to make a meal out of a whole bunch of THERE IS NOTHING TO EAT HERE BOOHOO.
You'll need:
Now that that's out of the way, here's how you make it. It's reeeeeeeeeal easy.
Serve it up with garlic bread or something. I would, if I had anyone to impress. A few other options I think would be a nice touch: some crushed red pepper to add a little !ZING to your pot; cauliflower would soak up some of that flavour nicely, and add good white colour; parmesan, as always, will be a nice finish (but I'm a fatty, so I don't add it where I don't need it); pork or chicken would be a nice adder if you want some meatyness.
If anyone actually cooks this up (come on, it ain't hard), please leave me a comment. This is only the first in what will hopefully be a long line of recipes from at least Liam and I, the resident chefs. It was his suggestion to put it here, after all.
With that, I bid you adieu, and I will return to watching Clerks.
This was created after I said "I need to see what's in the freezer and pantry needing some using-up!" So I did, and after digging down to the bottom of our big chest freezer, past the MEAT, and frozen dinners, lo and behold, there it was: a one-pound bag of tortellini. It looked like it had been forgotten about, and made me sad, just looking at it, but I knew I had found my meal. In the pantry, I found a can of diced tomatoes, and poked around until I found a can of cut green beans, which seemed like a decent combo. It wouldn't be the first time I've had something like that. So, without further ado, here is what I did, to make a meal out of a whole bunch of THERE IS NOTHING TO EAT HERE BOOHOO.
You'll need:
- 1 - One pound of tortellini, fresh, frozen, dry, whatever
- 1 - Can of diced tomatoes — crushed would also work, if you want more chunks. My can had diced peppers and celery in with the maters.
- 1 - Can green beans, string beans, whatever you call them. Mine were the normal cut, not French cut. Though, that would probably be nice, too.
- Basil, to taste. I like a lot, and the sweeter the better. Fresh is always better, too.
- Thyme, to taste. Again, I like a lot. It's not traditionally "Italian" I suppose, but neither am I, and I'm the one cooking this. Generally, if I'm cooking a savory dish, and it is more or less Western, I add thyme. It's my favourite aroma.
- A splash of oil.
- A medium saucepan.
- Though, I didn't use them, a small onion and a couple of cloves of garlic would be nice. I am out of garlic, and my onions have ummmm, sprouted. Not that that is a problem, I could just cut it off, but I couldn't be arsed.
Now that that's out of the way, here's how you make it. It's reeeeeeeeeal easy.
- Boil water. Add a splash of oil and a bit of salt. Cook pasta in it until it's just done. Al dente, as it were.
- Drain pasta and set aside for a moment. Remember to fluff it around a bit, so it doesn't all just congeal together.
- If you're going to use garlic and onion, drop them in the pan with a little oil at this point. Soften them up a bit, and then reduce heat to low or simmer, if there's a difference for you. (Also referred to as the "yum" setting.)
- Drain the tomatoes and beans, and dump them into the pot.
- Add the herbs.
- Allow the mix to cook for just a few brief minutes. Salt and pepper it to taste at this point.
- Drop the drained pasta in there, and toss it all about. Then allow to yum (that means simmer, if you didn't remember) for a couple of minutes, so the flavours of all of that leeches into your pasta. Add a splash more liquid if it becomes too dry. (Mine did, don't feel bad.)
- Eat.
- Wash your dishes, Mr. Dirt.
Serve it up with garlic bread or something. I would, if I had anyone to impress. A few other options I think would be a nice touch: some crushed red pepper to add a little !ZING to your pot; cauliflower would soak up some of that flavour nicely, and add good white colour; parmesan, as always, will be a nice finish (but I'm a fatty, so I don't add it where I don't need it); pork or chicken would be a nice adder if you want some meatyness.
If anyone actually cooks this up (come on, it ain't hard), please leave me a comment. This is only the first in what will hopefully be a long line of recipes from at least Liam and I, the resident chefs. It was his suggestion to put it here, after all.
With that, I bid you adieu, and I will return to watching Clerks.
Tags: Recipes
