One of the foods I missed most when I had to give up gluten was pasta. Not just any pasta, but the higher-protein, stick to your ribs varieties. The typical gluten free stuff made from high glycemic rice or corn just didn’t do it for me.
And then I discovered this stuff.
Look for it on Amazon.
Yeah, it sounds weird. And it looks even weirder (my students always think it has squid ink in it!). But it tastes great, cooks easily and….drumroll, please….has over 20 grams of protein per serving! Yes, please:)
This week’s recipe was one I invented on the spur of the moment after once more looking to see what needed to be used from my kitchen (the pasta pictured above, a half used bag of chopped sundried tomatoes and a 28 oz can of diced tomatoes) and the produce on sale this week (zucchini and bell peppers).
I was also limited to one small pot and one large skillet that is also oven-safe as well as only a few available spices. I got a little crazy packing up the kitchen last week:)
Baked Spaghetti
1 package Explore Asian Black Bean Spaghetti
4 cloves garlic, chopped small
1 onion, diced
2 red, orange or yellow bell peppers, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 medium zucchini, cut into small pieces
8 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced
4 oz julienned sundried tomatoes
28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
16 oz part skim ricotta cheese
4 oz mozzarella cheese
olive oil
Cook the pasta according to package directions and set aside. Meanwhile, heat some olive oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic and onion and cook until translucent. Add the zucchini and peppers and cook until the moisture is cooked of the zucchini. Add the mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and spices and stir for a couple more minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and simmer, uncovered, until the liquid is reduced (about 7-8 minutes).
The veg.
Remove from heat and stir in pasta and ricotta cheese.
The pasta does look pretty funny:)
Move to an oven-safe dish, if needed. Sprinkle mozzarella on top. Bake at 350, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
All done!
I would have loved to have some green beans or broccoli as a side dish, but they were overpriced and looking puny. So, I’ll just add an apple to end the meal and to keep the doctor away!
Action Potential Wellness 