Something from the cupboard, something from the fridge
Last night I made up a pasta dish for an impromptu Gossip Girl party.
I had on hand: penne pasta, 2 zucchini, 1 box of frozen artichoke hearts, 1 large can roasted and diced tomatoes, bacon, garlic, fresh parsley, 1/2 lemon, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper.
But the ingredients are not as important as the steps. Anyone could make something just as good with the nobs & bobs she finds in her kitchen (assuming she is not the type to store stilettos in the pantry).
The principle is this:
- Put the water on to boil. Add enough salt to the cooking water so that it tastes like the Pacific Ocean.
- Swirl olive oil in a skillet. If available, add 2 cloves garlic and/or 1/4 cup minced onion/shallot and cook over medium-low heat ‘til just beginning to color.
- Add a veggie — and preferably two or three. Sprinkle with salt (very important!). Raise the heat to medium. Saute the veggies in the hot and garlicky olive oil until just tender. (Blanch frozen veggies first in boiling water).
- Add the pasta to the boiling water.
- Dump in a can of tomatoes, any type, though diced makes things easier (if they’re whole, you will have to let them cook ‘til soft and then break down with a spoon.)
- If desired, add a protein: cooked and crumbled bacon, cooked and flaked fish, canned tuna (preferably packed in olive oil), raw shrimp, cooked and cubed chicken, even tofu cubes seared on a hot skillet coated in olive oil.
- Add seasonings: 2 tablespoons of any fresh herb, 1 tablespoon of dried parsley or whatever else seems interesting, salt, pepper, and unless you like your food very bland, a pinch (or more) of red pepper flakes, and the zest of 1/2 lemon.
- Drain the pasta. If the sauce is a bit thick, add a ladle of the pasta cooking water.
- Toss with the sauce and mangia!
The secret: zest of 1/2 lemon. It makes the flavors as kicky as a brand new pair of hot pink pumps! (Thanks, Heidi!)
Lessons learned: a kitchen that’s ready for any eventuality should be stocked with:
- Salt and pepper (duh)
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- A fresh lemon or two
- Olive oil
- A few of your favorite frozen vegetables
- A couple cans of crushed tomatoes
- Pasta
