Tangy Balsamic Pasta Salad

Things you need:

(serves 6)

• 1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Water
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
• 1 large clove Garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Small broccoli flowerets
• 1/2 cup Small cauliflower flowerets
• 1/2 cup Julienned carrots
• 1/2 cup Julienned red bell pepper
• 4 cups Cooked bow-tie pasta, cooked without salt or fat
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup Grated Asiago cheese

Method:

1. Combine vinegar, water, oil, salt, pepper and garlic in a jar; cover tightly, and shake vigorously. Set aside.
2. Drop broccoli, cauliflower and carrot into a large saucepan of boiling water; cook 30 seconds. Drain. Pour cold water over vegetables; drain. Combine drained vegetables, bell pepper, pasta, basil and cheese in a large bowl.
3. Add vinegar mixture, and toss gently. Cover and chill.

Health Information:
Calories: 199 (15% from fat); Protein: 7.7 g; Fat: 3.4 g (sat: 1.1 g; mono: 1.4 g; poly: 0.5 g); Carbohydrate: 34.3 g; Fiber: 2.9 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Iron: 2 mg; Sodium: 203 mg; Calcium: 81 mg.

Awesome healthy pasta salad recipe that I found at Cd Kitchen.

Portabella Mushroom Burger?

Okay I know this is wrong, very wrong. I made a blog just for healthy pasta recipes and here I am posting a burger recipe. Well this isn't any ordinary burger recipe this is one to be recognized and not categorized!

Things you need:

• 1 portabella mushroom cap large
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 Small onion finely diced
• 1 pinch of cumin
• 1 tablespoon balsamic
• 1 tablespoon soy
• 1 table spoon worcheshire
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 Hamburger bun
• 1 Slice of Swiss cheese

NOTE: You can add julienned onions that are sauteed in a few drops worcheshire (worcheshire onions) to the top of the mushroom. Or, for some extra flavor add some fried shallot rings on top of cooked mushroom, otherwise regular hamburger toppings apply.

Method:

1. Mix onions, garlic, olive oil, balsamic, soy, worcheshire, and pinch of cumin to a bowl and marinate mushroom in for 10-15 minutes. NOTE: Do not marinate for longer as the mushroom will absorb to much liquid.
2. Grill the mushroom in a George Foreman, or grill until tender. You can also saute mushroom on both sides until tender as well. After mushroom is half done melt cheese on top.
3. Now put in bun with toppings and enjoy!

Baked Pasta Primavera with Tangy Zucchini

Primavera (springtime) is a very healthy pasta dish, typically made from the much missed spring vegetables that weren't available during the Italian winters. Its a light sauce, and a very healthy one as well. NOTE: If you have a George Foreman Grill , its better to cook these vegetables that way rather than saute.

What you need:

serves 1-2

• 2 tablespoons balsamic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (as marinade don't worry olive oil has plenty of healthy properties containing a good ratio of omega 3's to 6's, and plenty of antioxidants)
• 1/2 medium onion medium chop
• 1 carrot peeled and medium chop
• 1 Zucchini sliced at an angle, or chopped
• 1 cup Vegetable stock (A good alternative to chicken stock, if your not a vegan, I would suggest using chicken stock.)
• 1 - 2 cups Parmesan cheese
• About half a bunch of cilantro chopped
• Cherry tomatoes halved, or regular beef steak tomatoes diced
• Angle hair pasta
• Whole Mozzarella for garnish

METHOD:

1. Cook angel hair pasta and set aside.
2. Toss onions and zucchini in the balsamic, olive oil, and cilantro mixture. salt and pepper (use salt sparingly), then set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
3. Flash sautee (saute at a high temperature fast to brown the vegetables fast without overcooking vegetables.) the zuchini and onion mixture at medium high for 2-3 minutes (stir constantly) or until onions and zucchini starts browning
4. Stirr in tomatoes, vegetable stock and carrots. Cook down for 1 minutes on medium low.
5. Stir in cheese while sauce is simmering until melted, then stir in your angel hair pasta.
6. Put all contents in casserole dish.
7. Now Julienne mozzarella (cut in long match like strips) and add to the top of pasta.
8. Broil on high 400-500 degrees for 4 minutes or until mozzarella starts to brown on top.