FAST SUMMER MEALS
I
I PASTA
is perfect for
soaking up the
seasonal flavors of
basil pesto, ripe
tomatoes, and
sweet melon. Soba
noodles simmered
in broth give it an
Asian spin
BROCCOLI SPAGHETTI (13)
Cook 6 oz.
dried spaghetti
, adding
3 cups
broccoli florets
the last
3 minutes. Meanwhile, in a blender
combine 1 rinsed and drained 15- to
19-oz. can of
cannellini beans,
one
10-oz. container
light Alfredo sauce,
and 3 cloves of chopped
garlic.
Ladle
l/2
cup
pasta cooking water
into
blender; cover and blend until nearly
smooth. Pour into a saucepan and
heat over medium heat until hot.
Drain spaghetti and broccoli. Spoon
sauce onto serving plates. Top with
pasta-broccoli mixture and dashes of
olive oil.
Crush about
V
2
cup of
croutons
and sprinkle servings with a
bit of
crushed red pepper.
CAPRESE PASTA + STEAK (1 4 )
Cook 8 oz.
dried large rigatoni
and
drain. Meanwhile, brush 2
tablespoons of
pesto
on a 1
\b.flat iron
or
tri-tip steak,
cut into 4 portions.
Skillet-cook steaks over medium heat
about 10 minutes, turning once.
Divide pasta among plates. Top with
steak, 4 sliced
roma tomatoes,
and
4 oz. sliced fresh
mozzarella cheese.
Microwave about
Vz
cup
pesto
for
20 seconds or until hot. Drizzle over
servings and top with
fresh basil.
I62
JULY 2010 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
SALM ON + RAVIOLI (15)
Cook one 9-oz. package refrigerated
cheese ravioli
and drain. Meanwhile,
rinse two 6-oz. skinless
salmon fillets
and pat dry. Sprinkle with
salt
and
pepper.
Heat some
olive oil
in a skillet
over medium heat. Add salmon and
cook 6 to 8 minutes or until salmon
flakes easily, turning once. Remove
salmon and cover to keep warm. Add
one 6-oz. package of fresh
baby
spinach
to skillet. Cook until just
wilted; remove from skillet. Melt
2 tablespoons of
butter
in the skillet
with 3 sliced
garlic cloves.
Halve a
lemon.
Squeeze juice from one half
into the warm butter and garlic; heat
through. Cut remaining lemon half
into wedges. Slice salmon and divide
among 4 plates with the ravioli and
spinach. Drizzle with warm lemon
butter. Pass lemon wedges and
shaved
Parmesan cheese.
