There are so many ways to prepare this dish, and I will share a few of my favorite versions. :)
Here is my "recipe" for easy Veggie "Pasta!"
Disclaimer: This cannot completely replace or mimic pasta noodles, especially because I am a carbolic. However, considering the amount of nutrition it packs versus the higher calorie amount in pasta, it is a good swap to make every so once in a while.
Before I get to the magic ingredient, I should explain a couple of things. I have a serious pasta addiction. When I was a child, I brought spaghetti sandwiches in my bag lunch. Yes, that's two slices of white Wonder bread wrapped around as much spaghetti as I could possibly eat, without it falling apart. I became REALLY good at making them. :)
Anyways, I have tried all kinds of pasta substitutes:
- Spaghetti squash:
- Texture: a bit crunchy
- Taste: good, but can be a bit on the watery side
- Prep time: lots of time needed
- Shirataki noodles:
- Texture: can be odd & squishy
- Taste: sometimes fishy, depending on the brand
- Prep: very little!
- Homemade zucchini noodles
- Texture: best by far, unless you don't remove the seeds
- Taste: awesome!
- Prep: a bit of time to use the spiral veggie cutter
and more time to cook; lots of clean-up :(
So for me, the best of the three is the zucchini noodles, which do take a bit of time. However, it was my lucky day at the store because I found this on sale. I fell in love. :)
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| Yes, I do realize that this says Best By: 08/13/13, but I took these pictures about 6 months ago, hence the Blogspot web address. Yep, I'm juuuust a bit behind with this post! :) |
It's broccoli slaw! How does this become pasta? Here's the "recipe."
Veggie "Pasta"
A Vintage Zest original
Ingredients
Broccoli slaw
(Serving options below)
Directions
1. Place the broccoli slaw on a microwave safe plate.
2. If desired, you may remove the large pieces of cabbage that will not "feel" like pasta when cooked.
3. Steam in the microwave with a bit of water or in a microwave steamer for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on your settings. I check on mine every 2 minutes, just to see how it is doing and to stir it around.
That's it!
So, how do I serve it? Any way that I would normally eat pasta! Here are my favorite topping ideas, which I always have on hand:
- Pesto
- Spicy tomato sauce (if I have extra from this lasagna recipe)
- Sundried tomatoes
- Cherry tomatoes, sliced
- Mozzarella cheese
- Grilled chicken breast (you can see that above)
Then, I just stick it in the microwave again, and it's perfect! You could always cook this in a pan, but on my lazy days, I love just having one plate to clean at the end of a very healthy dinner.
What is your favorite no-cook healthy dinner?
