Easy & Healthy Summertime Meal

Do you like simple recipes that are quick to cook?

I sure do!  Especially in the late spring through summer and into the early autumn months.  Many of those months (except for July and August) tend to be busy ones for us.  So I like quick, nutritious, and easy!!

The following recipe was new to me.  I discovered it in the latest issue of Simple and Delicious Magazine( June/July 2013) that I have delivered to my home.  I highly recommend this mag.

It's Rigatoni with Swiss Chard and other delicious and "good for you" ingredients.

Swiss Chard is very similar to Beet Greens.  I used to love my mother's Beet Greens that she would cook when I was a young child.  Not many people like them but I LOVE them.  Swiss Chard is easier to find where I live now as an adult so I bought a nice bunch of it. 

 Swiss Chard is a wonderful source of Vitamins C and A, and K.  It is also high in fiber.

image courtesy of Taste of Home website

RIGATONI CHARD TOSS

8 oz uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta

2 Tbl olive oil

1 bunch of Swiss Chard, coarsely chopped

1 can (15 oz) of Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 small onion, thinly sliced

2 tomatoes, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

1/8 tsp pepper

1/4 c. minced fresh basil or a handful of dried basil

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

• Cook rigatoni according to package directions.  I do NOT add salt like this recipe stated.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Add the Swiss chard, onion, and garlic.  Cook and stir for about 4 minutes.  
• Stir in the tomatoes and beans.  Add the red pepper and regular pepper.
• Cook for about 3 more minutes or until chard is tender.
• Drain rigatoni, reserving 1/4 c. of the pasta water.
• Add rigatoni, water and basil to the skillet; toss to combine.
• Serve with the cheese sprinkled on top.

Please note: the recipe called for fennel seed and salt. I left out the salt as we don't need it and I had no fennel seed in the house. It came out fine!

Serve while hot.

TIPS:  this makes a great meal with a fruit salad on the side and some French rolls.

I made it tonite with grilled cheeseburgers and a fruit salad of watermelon, blackberries and blueberries.

Simple, quick and DELICIOUS!!!

Is this a recipe you think you might try/like?? What is a fave pasta dish you make in the summer?