INVISIBLE PASTA!

I just ran this evening for the first time in two months and let me say, damn it feels good! (Though tomorrow is gonna hurt haha) But when I got back I didn't want something heavy like rice or potatoes to hold me down, so opted for as light as possible quick and easy pasta, but instead of drenching it in a heavy sauce why not try something new and try an invisible sauce? It's so quick/easy/good you won't see it coming! (<-haha that last pun is courtesy of my roommate)
Okay let's get down to business, what do you need?
Ingredients

-1 box of Pasta (any kind really but I went with the bow-tie kind, seems fitting cause I've been listening to Fred Astaire all day ;D)
-Olive Oil
-Frozen Veggies (your choice, I went with Peas & Corn simple & easy)
-1 Onion

Optional:

-Garlic (not required but I do love it)
-Fresh Veggies (I used 1 tomato)
-Balsamic Vinegar or Italian Salad Dressing (if you want it a bit of a 'zing' to it
-Mushrooms?

Okay if there's one thing you should know by now if you follow this blog at all it's how to make pasta, cause it's one of my favorite quick n' easy things to make so you might just fly through on autopilot with this one...





Chop one whole ONION and mix in GARLIC & MUSHROOMS(if you're using them) and then put it on med-high heat and simmer in OLIVE OIL until the onions star to look clear or translucent (they're preparing to be invisible!)



In a second pot get the noodles started, bring water to a boil add the pasta some salt and olive oil, stir occasionally...






Okay back at your 'saucy' pot, now that your onions are looking ghostly you can add all the frozen veggies you evil little heart desires...



Probably a good time to add some more olive oil too once all that defrosts a bit, and you can turn down the heat too. The "star" (hehe) of this meal is the olive oil, so treat him with the respect he deserves...




Don't forget to stir your noodles!! ;)



Once the Veggies are looking moist and smelling good you can turn down the heat, and add any fresh veggies you got to the pot... my choice this evening was one big fat TOMATO...




After you add those it's another good time to add some more olive oil (it's the main ingredient!) And if you want a 'zing-yer' pasta you can add some BALSAMIC VINEGAR or try some Italian SALAD DRESSING (it's mostly oil anyways)

.

and then you're pretty much just waiting on your noodles to finish up...



When they're done, drain & rinse those bad-boys then plop them back in your pan...

and add the invisible sauce & veggies all in the same pan...



Might even go for another round or olive oil to slick everything up? (depends on how much has burned away aready...)
Salt & Pepper & SPICE to taste! (maybe some basil, or tyme?)



And serve! Complete with dramatic lighting and everything!!

Happy Eating!

Punk Rock BEANS!

What's more punk rock than beans? NOTHING!

I grafted today's recipe from a rather unusual little cook book I picked up last time I was in Portland, SOY, NOT "OI!" is an awesome little recipe book/punk zine filled with enough awesomely tasty recipes and vegan anarchy that it has become one of my favorite cook books!

AND I just found out you can buy yourself one right here:

It's a couple bucks more than I paid for it, but hey you don't have to drive all the way to Portland, Oregon!

Sure it's easy to buy cans of beans for a dollar or two but save up and buy a BIG bag of dry beans and you will be living! This recipe is way tastier than those canned beans you're used to and not much harder either!

INGREDIENTS:
-2 cups of dry pinto beans
-1 Can of tomato Paste (or half a can of tomato sauce)
-1 Onion
OPTIONAL:
-Mushrooms
-Bell peppers
-Tomatoes
-(Serve with:) 2 cups of rice (cooked)

As with all beans you start with scratch you're going to need to soak them in water and let it sit there for at least 8 hours if not over night (just remember to do it the night before or first thing in the morning) Just fill the pan with water and let it sit. Add some salt and pepper here too so that it can soften the beans a bit. If you can check on it once in a while and just add water if the beans end up above water (they like to absorb quite a bit of water) Easy so far...

flash forward 8 hours and then I drain the nasty bean water and strain the beans under a cold tap!

Next fill the pan up again with fresh water, and bring to a boil! AND add a couple drips of olive oil!

As your waiting for it to boil you can start cutting the onions (and mushrooms if you want them)And then when the beans boil you can take the heat down to a medium temp and throw in the chopped goodies!

Next you're gonna wanna let that boil for like an hour and half!
Keep adding water as needed (but if you keep it covered while its cooking it seems to require less added water)

After the beans are all soft and nice you can drain whatever water's left and then thow them back on the heat and add your tomato paste (and tomatoes if you got um) and here's where you can spice to your taste... salt, pepper, chili, a bit of curry powder and some paprika seems like a nice combo, but see what works for you!

now let it cook like this stirring occasionally until the beans are all globby and beautiful :)

now just throw it over some rice or just have it straight! and ENJOY!

Happy Eating!

Vegetarian Pasta That Will Blow Your Mind!

...because of how simple yet amazing it is!

This is the perfect recipe for so many occasions, because it looks impressive, doesn't take too long, its super simple, and it really doesn't take that many ingredients!

First up Your ingredients her bellow:



Here's what I used but you can kinda mix and mach and sub what you want, have some fun with it!
-1 Box of rotini pasta noodles
-2 Bellpeppers (I only really like yellow)
-1 Large Onion (or two smaller ones)
~5-6 White Mushrooms
-1/2 Bag of Mixed Vegetables (from the freezer section of your local market)
-1 Jar (or can) of your favorite pre-made pasta sauce
-Some Olive Oil
OPTIONALS
-Broccoli (I planned on adding it but mine went bad too quickly!)
-tablespoon or so of Balsamic Vinegar
-Some Garlic (to taste)

WARNING As pictured here this makes A LOT OF PASTA. That's pretty much how I do it, I like to bust this one out when I have company over and then I have plenty left to eat leftovers for the next few days! Feel free to half everything you see here and just end up with enough for a couple people.


OKAY LETS GET STARTED:

First off you're gonna need two pans and two free burners on your stove for this one...



Smaller pan is gonna be for the sauce to cook in and the larger one is for cookin' your noodles!

First off fill the larger pan with just under 3/4s full and put it on high until it boils.
Once it Boils put the whole box of noodles in (keep in mind this makes A LOT) and add some olive oil and salt to ensure the noodles cook all the way through and keep on stirring once in a while so the noodles don't get stuck together or to the pan (they do seem enjoy each other's company a little too much)



Now in the smaller pan... Throw a couple of dabs of Olive oil in there and chop your onion(s) and add to the pan.



Let this cook for a little while at medium heat till the onions are almost looking transparent and smelling delicious.

WHILE the onions are cooking, is the perfect time to chop your mushrooms and bell peppers....





When the onions look good add the chopped Mushrooms and bell peppers...



Here's where I like to add some sea salt and crushed pepper to your liking (you can also add the chopped garlic right now) :D



And when the mushrooms are looking darker and mushier (cooked basically) and the onions are now fully transparent it's time to add the MIXED VEGETABLES!



Throw them on top and let the frozen veggies become not-so-frozen veggies!



And while this is going on you can switch back to the larger pan (that hopefully you've been stirring!) and the noodles should look all cooked and yummy now, looking hopefully somewhat like this... (takes only about 12-15 minutes of cooking to get to this point depending on how hot you're cooking them at)



Turn off the burner for the larger pan and then strain the noodles under a cold-tap and then throw the noodles back into the pan for a few to cool down, while we go back and finish up the sauce!



Okay stir in your now sweaty veggies and it show start to be smelling REALLY good now!



You can season the (soon to be) sauce to your hearts content now! I like to add a lot of pepper, some thyme, oregano and a tiny bit of basil.

Now you can add the pasta sauce and just step back and let all the ingredients cook together making some serious magic happen. Stir occasionally and season again to taste. should only take 4-10 minutes.



And I think just adding a tiny bit of balsamic vinegar really seals the whole deal...





Then when everything looks yummy and delicious and you cant wait anymore...



...add the entire smaller sauce pan to the bigger pan of noodles that's just chillin. Gently stir (this is where I always make a big mess!)



AND SERVE IMMEDIATELY!!



You won't even know what hit you! I MADE THIS? Just try not to look as shocked as you company, the best chefs are never surprised with their own creations amazing-ness (or so it seems)

Happy Eating!