Gluten Free Basil Penne With Asparagus And Feta Food

PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS AND CHERRY TOMATOES (SPRING)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
• In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.

GLUTEN-FREE BASIL PENNE WITH ASPARAGUS AND FETA

Steps:

• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, adding asparagus during last 3 minutes of cooking time (don't overcook pasta).
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook garlic in oil about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans, tomatoes, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper; toss gently.
• Stir cooked pasta and asparagus into skillet. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated. Stir in cheese.

PENNE WITH BLUE CHEESE, PESTO, WALNUTS, AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt and stir in the penne. Reduce to medium-high and cook penne, uncovered, until al dente, 6-7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in preheated 350-degree o ven until lightly toasted, 4-5 minutes.
• Place pesto and blue c heese in a large serving bowl and using a fork, mash the blue cheese into the pesto.
• Rinse asparagus spears and snap off and discard their tough ends. Break spears into 1 1/2-inch long pieces.
• During the last 3 minutes of the penne cooking time, add asparagus to pot and cook until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain penne and asparagus well in colander. Add to the bowl with the pesto and stir to coat them well. Top with toasted walnuts and serve at once.

SPICY PENNE WITH TURKEY SAUSAGE, ASPARAGUS & FETA

Steps:

• Boil water for pasta with 1 tbsp.
• kosher salt.
• Trim woody ends off asparagus spears (leaving about 3/4) and chop remaining into 2-inch pieces.
• Seed bell pepper and cut into small strips.
• Take sausage meat out of casing and fry in olive oil in wok or other large fry pan.
• Break sausage into small pieces, and add crushed red pepper flakes (to suit desired spiciness, using less for hot turkey sausage.) Begin to boil the pasta (6-8 minutes for al dente).
• While this is cooking, add asparagus, mushrooms, and red pepper strips to same pan with sausage.
• Stir fry over medium-high heat for about five minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
• Turn off heat, and drain pasta.
• Toss drained pasta with vegetable-turkey mixture, adding a small amount of extra virgin olive oil if desired.
• Add salt& pepper to taste.
• Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
• (Dish is served warm, not piping hot. May also be served room temperature or cold on hot days.) After cooling slightly, toss lightly with feta and chopped parsley.
• Serve with lemon wedges, crusty bread and white wine for easy summer entertaining.