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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Pasta with Lemony Broccoli, Walnuts and Cannellini Beans

Here is a recipe request for Taryn. As I am typing this, I am missing hanging out with the Hartmans. Kyle and Taryn, what are you guys doing in the next few weeks? Let's go out to dinner. And I am really serious. Call me.




So I got a request from Taryn. She is wanting to make meals for her family that are sans meat. She is wanting to pump up her cute little Christopher’s whole grain and protein intake. No problem Taryn! Give this baby a try.

There is one slight problem though…

As I was in the pasta aisle at the grocery store, holding Van’s pacifier in, I came to a frightful realization. I actually hate whole wheat pasta and I am not going to pretend I like it. I know it is WAY better for me and blah blah blah. But I hate it. It doesn’t taste like pasta. It tastes like crap. If you like it, please comment and tell me why. I just don't understand.

So for anyone who likes whole wheat pasta, use it. It would make this meal a nutritionally complete. Otherwise, don’t feel bad. I can’t stand that impostor.




2 Tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 shallots, thinly sliced
4 cups broccoli florets
1 15 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 tsp fresh lemon juice, or more, depending on your taste
A little bit of lemon zest
8 oz penne rigate pasta
½ cup walnuts, toasted
½ cup toasted breadcrumbs
A few shakes of crushed red pepper
A few shakes of salt
½ cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
Olive oil

Set oven to 325 degrees. Layer walnuts on a baking sheet, and bake for 10 minutes, until slightly golden and aromatic.

Cook pasta in salted water according to directions.

Add olive oil to a skillet. Over medium heat, saute garlic and shallots until slightly caramelized. Add the broccoli, canellinni beans, lemon juice and zest, red pepper flakes, and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the broccoli turns a brilliant green and remains firm to the touch. Add your cooked pasta to the skillet with the broccoli mixture, and toss in the toasted walnuts, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Pour onto serving platter. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle more cheese on top. Enjoy!

Yields 6 servings.

Rookie's Notes: credit for this recipe goes to Food Blogga. I have been mentioning her so much lately that it might seem like I have a crush on her. Well, she has some great recipes. Go check it out.

10 comments:

Shanicherie said...

Whitney! I am ALL about eating the "healthier options", but I as well HATE WITH A PASSION that imposter called whole wheat pasta! It's disgusting. The first time I tried it, I thought there was something wrong with it! Nasty-fied!
And PS...can I request an amazing crock-pot dinner from you for busy days when I can't really think about anything? Thanks!

Just Sue said...

Whitney! Are you really cooking this great stuff before posting it? Are you making up all these recipes? Even if not, I am sooo impressed!

I love both of your 'blogs'!

Amy said...

I, personally, don't taste the difference so it may be a blessing that I don't have quite the refined taste as others. This one looks yummy and I may give it a try too.

[Morgan] said...

whole wheat pasta? no thanks. I'm totally with you on that one.

Megan said...

I heart whole wheat pasta.

And tofu is pretty great.

Love cheese.

Love, love, love mushrooms.

And prefer recipes without meat.

You're essentially a lame chef.

whitneyingram said...

shanicherie, I am so glad we both hate whole wheat pasta. slow-cooker meals huh? I will see what I can do.

Aunt Sue, yes, I make all this food. But I don't make up all the recipes. Usually, I have a recipe and I kind of add stuff or take away.

amy, consider yourself lucky. If you can't taste the difference, eat it and get the health benefits.

morgan, white flour, fattening carb pasta forever, right?

meg, essentially you are a lame sister.

heather said...

too bad you don't live closer to me! i am also trying to run off my baby weight, but usually it's a lonely run on the treadmill. i LOVE when "fat bottom girls" by queen turns up on my ipod while running. it gets me pumped up, kinda like money maker.

Taryn said...

Thanks a bunch Whitney! I just bought some whole wheat pasta at the store last week. I am so glad that there is some broccolli and different kinds of beans and nuts.

I can't wait to try it and I can't wait to see what is coming next.

We would love to go out to dinner and I will be calling;)

whitneyingram said...

Heather, I too wish we lived closer. Get your running going and we can start doing some 5k's and 10k's.

Taryn, I am glad this works for you. We loved it.

Cameron. Elizabeth. Greta. Austin. said...

I hate whole wheat pasta too, but have you tried the Barilla plus pasta? It is full of fiber, protein, and omega 3's, but doesn't taste like rabbit food! You might want to give that a try. I feel good about feeding it to my kids. :)