Whole Grain Penne With Artichoke Zucchini Recipes

SPINACH ARTICHOKE WHOLE-WHEAT PENNE

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring up it up to a boil to cook the pasta, season with some salt and cook to al dente, according to package directions. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in medium nonstick skillet. Add artichokes to heat through and lightly brown at edges.
• To clean spinach, fill sink with water, swish spinach around and let grit fall to bottom of sink. Dry leaves before using.
• In the bowl of a food processor add the shallot, 1/2 cup chicken stock, spinach leaves, mint, almonds and salt and pepper, to taste. If you have a hand held small-holed grater or a zester, grate garlic into the food processor. Adding a whole clove can result in stray big pieces of raw garlic, too bitter to bite down on. If you do not have a hand held grater, mince garlic and mash up into paste with a little salt. Turn processor on and add in about 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
• Scrape the spinach pesto into the artichoke pan and loosely cover with foil. Bring mixture to a simmer over low to medium-low heat and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the reserved pasta cooking water, the pasta and the cheese. Toss to coat the pasta with the sauce and heat for 1 minute. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

CREAMY PENNE WITH ARTICHOKES, SUN DRIED TOMATOES AND PEAS

Steps:

• Boil the pasta in a large pot of water according to package directions. Cook pasta until Al dente. Drain and keep warm. Reserve one cup of hot pasta water.
• In the meantime, heat olive oil in a large saute pan on medium high heat. Saute garlic, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and peas for about 5 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add basil. Add cooked pasta, reserved water and half and half to the pan. Mix well and simmer for a few minutes until pasta is creamy.
• Sprinkle with cheese and pepper to taste.

BAKED WHOLE GRAIN PENNE WITH FALL VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Pulse walnuts, parsley and parmesan in a food processor until they look like bread crumbs.
• Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, and squash and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, sage, and nutmeg. Reduce heat add gradually add broth and milk. Simmer, stirring, until thickened, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from heat.
• Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain. Combine pasta with the vegetables and mozzarella. Pour into a 9 by 13-inch casserole. Sprinkle with the walnut topping. Bake until the top is golden, about 25 minutes. Rest 5 minutes before serving.